Chapter 16
It was a nervous twenty four hours before they heard from the scouts. All had returned to the safety of the Vinkus but they had little good news to report. A few villages near the border seemed untouched and the behaved as though they had no idea what was going on. They just moved about as if it were any other day. That said, the people seemed to know that something was wrong but didn't know what to do with themselves, other than carry on. Most didn't have much so packing up and leaving most of what they did have behind seemed like a poor option.
It was the villages closer to the capital that had been hit the hardest. Bodies had been discovered along with the villages being empty. Not wanting to go further than the capital, the scouts returned to the border and found that the numbers of refugees had swelled. Word was sent that help was needed along with what had been discovered. There was also the promise of interviewing the refugees to see what they knew. The King dispatched some more troops and Fiyero and Elphaba went along as well bringing supplies and Bonescraper.
"A little weird that we have no word from whoever is running the Gillikin, don't you think?" Ayla commented at dinner.
"I would agree. I hesitate to send the scouts further than the capital because if they get caught we will never know what happened to them. At this time, I'd like whoever is running things think they haven't been found out. A shame that Bonescraper couldn't be more stealthy," Tahir frowned.
"Elphaba said she'd go on a night broom flight to see if she could see anything. In the meantime, I feel we've done all we can do. Glinda will be writing shortly, I'm imagining," Balfour spoke up.
"When will our parents be back?" Semir asked.
"With any luck, soon. Once everything is settled at the border and you mother finishes her flight, then they should be back via broom. Bonescraper figured he should stay at the border to prevent the refugees from becoming unruly or from any Gillikin forces from trying something," Tahir explained.
"Worried about them?" Ayla asked.
"Hardly. I pity the poor fool who gets in Mom's way. I also pity them if they think Dad is any less formidable. I just like it when they're home," he admitted.
"You and me both kiddo," Zara spoke up.
"No arguments here," the Queen smiled. A knock on the door made them turn and once again Lieutenant Bahram poked his head into the room.
"Son, if you're going to make this a habit, I'll have to make sure Chistery keeps a tighter leash on you," Tahir teased the Lieutenant.
"He couldn't catch me if he tried sir," Bahram chuckled as he slipped inside the room.
"Calling him old are you?" Ayla chuckled.
"I wouldn't dream of it. He's just too slow," the Lieutenant smirked. Zara chuckled, knowing that the Flying Monkey would have had a few choice words for Bahram if he'd heard that.
"So what do you bring us?" Semir refocused the room.
"Word from Lady Glinda, young Duke. Seems that the Council and Ozma agree that all Gillikin borders should be closed and they will be sending Gale Force to back both our and the Munchkins' play. Khalil intends to send Lieutenant Zetti and his troops here while he sends Lieutenant Foromeer to Munchkinland with troops. He intends to stay in charge of the troops in the Emerald City," Bahram relayed.
"Why wouldn't Father come here?" Adem was a little confused.
"Ah part two of the news was a little upsetting. It would seem that Izzy and Derya's secret is out. Or at least the Council and Ozma know," Bahram told them.
"That would explain it," Adem nodded.
"This is all my fault," Derya was upset.
"Hardly Ya. It is not your fault. It is the small minded people whose fault it is. Perhaps for the time being, you had best remain here in the Vinkus where people who love you and understand you are. You should be free and I fear that here is the best place for you. I must return to the Emerald City. Father will need my assistance," Adem said. He stood and kissed his sister on the top of the head, squeezing her shoulders before moving to Izzy and doing the same.
"Your assistance?" Zara raised an eyebrow, not exactly sure what her older cousin meant.
"Old Vinkun tradition," Aytac winked at her before hugging her son. He nodded to his Uncle and Aunt, who understood. The group watched him leave and Zara turned to her brother. He seemed to know what Adem had meant because he squeezed her hand under the table. They would definitely talk later.
To Be Continued…