Chapter 5
One of the Emerald City's sources of attraction was its controversial nightlife. Being the only city among villages and small towns, the Emerald City offered its visitors various kinds of entertainment; from fancy theaters and opera houses to shabby pubs. It was a known fact that on summer nights, it was the city that never slept.
In this tumult of the city it was nearly impossible to notice the two cloaked figures that met in a dark alley behind one of the city's crummy pubs. They greeted each other with a slight nod, then started a conversation in low, husky voices.
"Is everything ready?" asked the first, the taller of the two.
His friend nodded. "Everything is ready for the first stage of the plan. We have some problems, however-"
"…What kind of problems?" snapped the first man.
"About the rescue of… well, you know. It's going to be more complicated than we thought. The city's prison is well secured by guards day and night. Also, the castle is as protected as the prison, and there are these winged monkeys to worry about."
"A problem, indeed. We will have to work this out, but in the meantime, we must start acting. How is the tunnel going?"
"Not so well, either. It is not as easy as we believed it to be."
"Well, of course it's not! You are a bunch of useless, brainless men, I have to tell you that. Well, we'll start as planned and see how we move on, according to your progress."
"One more thing," said the short man carefully.
"Yes?"
"No one told me, I mean my men, that there are small children involved-"
The first man snorted. "Oh, for Oz' sake, man! One of these small children happens to be hers and prince what's-his-name!"
"Tiggular," said the short man.
"Whatever! Don't get emotional because of their age; they are just as threatening as their parents, maybe even more so. And don't forget that someday they'll grow up."
"I can't possibly hurt a child, not even for the cause, as noble as it may be!" protested the short man.
The tall man laughed. He had an evil laugh. "Very well," he said in an icy tone, "I will make sure you will be removed."
Removed. The short man shivered. He knew what 'removed' meant; they would kill him, he knew too much. "How about Luke?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Luke is on his way to the Emerald City. It's a three weeks' journey."
"So when he gets here…"
"When he gets here… we'll start making good," the tall man had a vicious smile on his face as he turned and disappeared into the darkness of the night.