Chapter 19
"No word from Fiyero or Elphaba?" Queen Ayla asked the next morning at breakfast. It was concerning to her that they had not heard anything.
"No but Bonescraper left the refugees so it's probably safe to say that Princess Elphaba called to him," Lieutenant Bahram informed the group as he entered the room.
"That is big news then. No word from anyone in leadership of the Gillikin either?" Lord Arduenna wondered.
"None, sir. We may need to face the facts that the Council may have died along with the King and Queen. I would think that if they were part of the refugees who crossed our border, they would have spoken up. If they somehow remain inside of Gillikin, then they could be hiding for their own safety," Bahram said. Arduenna nodded, knowing that if the Lieutenant was right, then he may be the last of the upper class in his country and technically in line for taking over the ruling aspects.
"If they are in fact dead, Glinda will need to be involved. No peace will come until Gillikin is reunited and right now, as leader of all of Oz, she may need to take control temporarily," Larena heaved a sigh.
"I have sent word to Glinda and Captain Khalil already regarding my concerns. I hope it wasn't too brash but until the Prince returns, I am in charge of all the armed Vinkun forces and if I need to call up more troops for active duty, I need to know that," Bahram explained.
"You did the right thing. I rather be prepared than caught with our backsides hanging out," King Tahir said.
"I should go and take Bonescraper's place. Should there be trouble, the troops will have no magical backup," Zara spoke up.
"Duchess, I do not think that…" Bahram started.
"If I am to be like my mother then I need to get my feet wet. The good people of the Vinkus and of Gillikin must know that I intend to follow in my parents' footsteps," Zara said.
"You cannot go alone," Semir said to her.
"Feeling the need to protect me brother?" She gave him a look.
"Hardly. It is not a journey anyone should make alone. Even if you are riding on your broom," he smirked.
"Then I should go with her. It will be good for the people to see someone from the royal family. They have been reassured that the Vinkus does not intend to abandon them and they should be reassured that the Emerald City will not either," Bartholomew spoke up.
"I think it an excellent idea. After breakfast, you two should take Chistery and head to the border. Lieutenant Zetti and the Gale Force troops should be arriving here by lunch time and I want a list of everything that is needed at the border," Tahir said. That effectively ended the conversation – he was the King after all.
"You think this wise sister?" Semir asked after breakfast was finished and Zara had made her way to the courtyard with her broom. She wore pants, much like her ancestors before her did when on horseback. Her shirt was loose but not too loose to allow the wind to reveal anything the Duchess didn't need to reveal.
"Probably not but fear cannot rule us. Be a voice of reason while I am gone, as I know you can," Zara gave him a quick hug.
"Always," he smiled.
"Have you flown on a broom before your Highness?" Chistery asked as they approached the Duchess.
"How much different is it from a bubble?" Bartholomew gave him a look.
"Oh you better hang on," the Flying Monkey smirked as he took to the sky. Zara was already on the broom and Bart climbed on the back.
"You may want to hold onto me or the broom, for safety's sake," she said. He nodded and carefully put his hands around Zara's waist. Ordinarily, he would not have done so but to get his hands on the broom, meant to put them near the Duchess' rear end. Always the gentleman, Bartholomew refused to do so. Zara kicked the broom into the air and off they went.
To Be Continued…