Author's Note: I'd just like to say thank you to Liv, Risa, Jessica, Jan and Gypsy for the reviews. You guys rock my world!
Risa, you don't know this yet but I'm making you my official beta for this story because I end up asking you for help whether I intend to or not. So yeah. Thank you. ^_~
In answer to elvesmagic010 : Keep reading and find out. ::evil grin::
Chapter 2
"Is she…" Glinda trailed off, unable to finish the question. Only moments ago, Elphaba's death had been an accepted truth among everyone in Oz. Now, after only a second's glance, there was hope. And fragile though it was, it was something.
"Dead?" the Princess asked.
Boq and Glinda both nodded.
The Princess shook her head.
"Not entirely. But it will take a stronger force than either you or I is capable of to bring her back."
Boq looked at the ground, trying to make sense of everything he had just seen. It wasn't possible and yet…it had to be. He looked back up at the Princess, flinching under the scrutiny of her dark eyes.
"Can I talk to her?"
"Do what you like. Who knows, it may even do her some small measure of good."
Boq went over to the bed, trying to shake the fear that was tearing up his insides. He put the back of his hand to the back of Elphaba's pale cheek but she didn't stir. Her skin was hot, and Boq winced as he touched her.
"Elphie?" he said softly, half hoping for a response. He felt a keen sense of disappointment when he didn't get one. Still, he didn't give up. "Elphie, it's me. Boq."
Glinda came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder, making him turn.
"It's no use," he said dejectedly. He turned back to the Princess. "What did you bring us here for?"
"Because I think you are capable of making a change. I'm sure you've heard the rumors that the last Ozma is hidden in a cave."
Glinda nodded.
"You want us to find her?" asked Boq incredulously.
Nastoya nodded.
"It may be the only way. Order must be restored to the Emerald City, or the world as you know it will cease to exist. The tiktoks no longer need living beings to exist. They are stronger, they are smarter, and they have set out to dominate." She paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts. "There is a secret stronghold beneath Kiamo Ko. It has been unused for centuries and has been forgotten, I think, even by the Arjiki. I advise you to set up a dwelling for yourselves there and make it your base of operations."
"By ourselves?" asked Boq, outraged.
"I will send my daughter, Gerema, with you, along with whatever supplies you need."
"And what of Elphaba?" asked Glinda.
"She will go with you as well," answered Nastoya, cocking her head to one side and regarding them with an odd expression. Had she not been so old and withered, she would have looked nearly coy. "If she has any chance of recovering, it will be among old friends, not strangers she barely knows. Now come, let me show you to a place where you may spend the night. Your journey begins tomorrow and it will not be an easy one."
The Princess' prophecy had been an understatement. The journey to Kiamo Ko was nothing short of grueling, and they would later regard their arrival as nothing short of a miracle.
The caravan Glinda and Boq had been traveling with had left during their night with the Scrow, apparently taking fright at a ritual dance being performed in the camp. Being left with no mode of transportation, the travelers were forced to set out on foot, their few supplies and Elphaba's unconscious form being dragged tediously behind them in a sort of makeshift wagon by two very tired looking donkies.
Gerema was the youngest of the four, though she was not a child by far. She looked to Boq to be around thirty, but she acted as though she was carrying the burdens of a much older woman. She was taller than either Boq or Glinda, large-eyed and plump, though not fat. She was clothed in the typical brown linen robes of the Scrow and had long dark hair that fell loose down her back. She did not speak much, though she didn't appear to be shy. She knew the area well and was prone to wandering off during the night, sometimes for hours at a time.
The group had sighted what appeared to be a legion of Gale Forcers not three days out of the Scrow camp, forcing them to take a treacherous route up over the Great Kells to avoid being sighted by the troops. Finally, after eight day of struggling over the steep mountains, they descended into the Thousand Year Grasslands below.
The vibrant green blades of grass grew taller than they were, and the donkies began to snort and paw nervously. Gerema looked at Boq hesitantly.
"Strange animals live here," she said, "We have no defenses if we should encounter one."
Boq turned and looked at Glinda for a moment, then looked back at Gerema.
"Do we have another choice?" he asked.
She shook her head and Boq's shoulders sagged in resignation.
"Then I guess we'll have to risk it."
It took all three of them pushing and tugging to coax the panicked donkies into the bright, garish forest of grass. It was only late morning, but already the sun beat mercilessly down on them, turning their arms and the backs of their necks the color of a Quadling ruby. The grass was tall enough to completely obscure their view and get it gave no shade or protection. The air was thick with dust and breathing became increasingly painful. Finally, after nearly an hour, they had to stop.
Boq sighed loudly and flopped down on his stomach, rubbing his hands over his face. Glinda gave him a disapproving look, then fanned herself delicately. Gerema stood next to the donkies, whispering something in their small pointed ears.
"Are we lost?" asked Boq finally.
Gerema narrowed her eyes at him.
"I am not sure. I know which direction we are headed, but I believe we should have reached Kiamo Ko by now."
"So then you don't know," said Glinda, a hint of contempt in her voice.
Gerema shrugged.
"I do know that we are being followed," she said at last, making them all start.
"By what?" asked Boq.
"Again, I am not sure. Something large and intelligent. A man I think."
"A Gale Forcer?"
"Gale Forcers do not come here. Even they are not brave enough."
A large twig cracked somewhere nearby. The donkies shrieked and ran, breaking their harnesses. Gerema turned and ran after them, Glinda close on her heels. Boq stayed standing a moment too long and lost sight of them in the grass. Suddenly the afternoon air seemed thick and foreboding, the silence too still. Boq stood torn, wanting to follow but afraid to leave Elphaba unprotected.
He heard movement behind him again and turned, a moment too late. A shriek in the distance sent his adrenaline levels soaring and Boq started to run. The noises became louder now and closer. He continued running, afraid to look behind him. The grass whizzed by on either side, a stinging green blur, slicing his unprotected arms with its razor sharp sides. The noises changed direction suddenly and Boq turned and ran the other way.
He grunted with surprise as he suddenly collided with another being, something solid among the fragile, bending grass. For a moment he heard the other's surprise, felt the warmth of foreign flesh in contact with his own, and then he fell, headlong to the ground.
Boq sat up just in time to see the figure disappearing into the grass. He caught sight of a dark-skinned hand, harsh against the bright green of the grass, and a flash of blue diamonds.
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