Chapter 13
"Miss Elphaba! Master Fiyero! It has been too long," Glinda's mother, Larena, hugged the two as they stepped into her summer home after she'd finished hugging her daughter and son-in-law. It was kind of like Kiamo Ko used to be for Fiyero's parents - a large stone castle full of staff and soldiers and their families.
"It has been too long but we cannot stay. Fiyero and I must take Bonescraper and head toward the capital. Is there any news you can give us?" Elphaba asked.
"It's been largely quiet but that gives me no comfort," Larena admitted.
"Yeah in this case, no news is not good news," Balfour frowned.
"I would agree. Has everyone packed their things? When the sun goes down, we need to be on the move," Fiyero said.
"Everyone is ready to go. I thank you and your family for opening your doors to us. This is not a good time to be in Gillikin. Should war break out, as I fear it might, many innocents are in danger," Larena told them.
"That's why we're hoping to get everyone to calm down and nothing says calm down like a dragon," Elphaba smirked.
"Yes I suppose that would do it," Larena chuckled.
"We better enchant the horses and get people on the move," Glinda spoke up before leaving the group. Elphaba quickly followed her.
"What is going on? Glinda is never like this," Larena frowned.
"Long story but we will explain on our journey, I promise," Balfour said.
"You better," she gave him a look before heading out the front door. Fiyero turned to his friend.
"You know where me and my family stand," the Prince said.
"You know where I stand. What my daughter wants, my daughter gets. I'm not the one you need to be worried about. It's the rest of Oz. I'll admit our attempt to protect Izzy was not well thought out but it was better than someone ruining everything we've achieved all because they can't see past the end of the own nose. We've all said it before – Ozians are not that open minded," Balfour told him.
"Just remember that when your in-laws are breathing down your neck," Fiyero clapped him on the back and they headed out. There they found Bonescraper scanning the horizon.
"Anyone out and about?" Fiyero asked.
"Smoke in the distance, Prince Fiyero and it's no cooking fire," Bonescraper frowned.
"Get a move on. Don't slow down until after you cross the border," the Prince turned to Balfour.
"Be safe my friend," he said.
"You as well," Fiyero nodded. Balfour headed for the stables and the group that needed to move.
"It is good we arrived when we did. I hope those enchanted horses can move fast. Whatever has started will not be over so quickly, despite my presence. Gillikin is on fire and in more than one way," Bonescraper said. The sound of hooves grew loudly and the group roared by the dragon on their way out of dodge. Elphaba joined Fiyero and he quickly explained the situation.
"We have no time to lose," she said.
"Agreed Princess. Has Prince Fiyero taken his medicine?" Bonescraper asked as he put his hand down on the ground for them to climb onto.
"I said I was sorry!" Fiyero shouted.
"I'll remember that the next time I need to flame the germs off my hand," the dragon chuckled as his riders settled in for the trip toward the fire that was raging in the distance.
To Be Continued…