Chapter 14
They met in the back room of a pub this time. They were four. No one inside the noisy pub took special notice of their disappearance into the back room, one by one. They sat around the small table, drinks in hand, and discussed everyday issues until their leader would show up.
The small room smelled of liquor and smoke when Luke finally stepped into it. Everyone sat in silence as he took his seat. They watched him in tensed anticipation.
"Good evening, gentlemen," he started. They all nodded in return. "It is good to see all of you safe and sound when the most important part of our plan is about to begin." No one dared speaking. They looked at him as he sipped his drink. "This one requires perfect organization and your undivided attention. We fail here, we fail in the final part of the plan, and I have no intention to fail," his tone implied that he meant it. With all his heart and soul.
"When will we do it?" asked one man.
"One of these days. Very soon, I might add," Luke replied calmly, his face expressionless, indifferent.
"Will we get help… from the inside?"
Luke frowned at the question. "That was proved to be impossible, unfortunately," he said. "As you well know, we also abandoned the initial idea of digging a tunnel into the castle's cellars. It is well secured. Before I got to the city I believed it can be done, but now, after several visits there I concluded that these people won't be any use for us, they're too loyal unfortunately, it's just the five of us. So you better do your work right," he concluded, flashing a warning glare at each of the men in front of him.
"What about her?" asked another man. "The Witch? Should we worry about her?"
"We should always worry about her," said Luke slowly. "Obviously, she won't let the act pass, she'll try to do something, and I can't predict what is it that she would come up with. Keep your eyes open all the time, and stay alert; that would be my advice. Once we capture her eventually, she won't be any problem. Just a matter of time, gentlemen," he said calmly. A mental image of a tied, helpless Elphaba was clear in Luke's mind, making him shudder involuntarily. It was a bad distraction, and he quickly erased it from his mind. He had to ignore it, for the time being. He continued. "According to weatherman's reports, a foggy night is expected three days from today. If we want to act as soon as possible, that should be the best time to do it."
"Who will do it?" asked the man closest to Luke.
"I will, since she knows me, so she won't have any reason to resist me. Besides, I get along with children quite well," Luke added icily.
"What will we do with her? I mean, she is a small child, we have to keep her warm and give her food-"
"The girl is not our target. We take her for one purpose only, to get to her mother. You must remember that, so no accidents will occur," said Luke sternly. "She has to come back safe. I wouldn't want a child's death on my conscious." Everyone nodded silently. "I have made the proper arrangements for her. Friends of mine who live in a nearby village promised to keep her there and take care of her. I didn't tell them who she was, I said that both her parents are sick and they want her as far away from home as possible, so she won't become sick too."
"Won't they recognize her once they see her?"
"I believe that they won't. They live too far away. They've never been to the Emerald City before in their life. They've only heard about the Witch, surely they wouldn't recognize her daughter. And she is too young to tell them the truth herself. It will be your job to make sure that she gets there safely," he said and glanced at a golden watch that was tied to his expensive waistcoat with a golden chain. "Now, if there are no more questions…"
No one said a word. Inside the pub, the guest singer started a jazzy melody in a low, husky voice.
"Wait for instructions and stay alert. Have a good evening, gentlemen," said Luke and disappeared.
The men stared at each other thoughtfully before they left the room, one by one, to watch the singer's performance.