A/N: Shout outs to James Birdsong and my anonymous reviewer! Glad you liked the last chapter. :) Thanks so much!
Chapter 7
Glinda quickly released an announcement at first light, warning the citizens of the Emerald City to not believe anything that did not come out in the form of an official Ozian decree. Scuttlebutt was just that, scuttlebutt. No one was sure that was going to be enough but at least they had to try.
"I'm exhausted," Fiyero admitted as he collapsed onto the bed in his tent. Elphaba had collapsed into the chair in front of his desk. Glinda had ordered them both to get some rest as the three of them definitely needed it. Besides, they had to be on their game if they intended to take what they learned and confront the Wizard.
"I'm afraid to close my eyes," she said.
"Well getting any sleep in that uncomfy chair would probably be physically impossible," he told her.
"Pretty sure I have to go back to my own tent, but I don't have the strength to do so," the green woman admitted. Before Fiyero could do anything there was a voice from outside the tent,
"It's Private Schultz, sir."
"Come in before I pass out," the Captain called out.
"Sorry to intrude sir, ma'am," Schultz smiled at Elphaba.
"Not to worry, we were just debating how I'm supposed to get back to my tent," she explained.
"It was suggested I move you and the Captain inside the Emerald Palace. She is structurally sound and in case we have any more attempted incursions, it'd be safer than these tents," the Private said.
"Who suggested it?" Fiyero raised an eyebrow.
"Lieutenant Zetti. He's moving Lady Glinda inside as well. Besides, you might be able to block out the sun in there better," Schultz pointed out.
"That would require walking," Elphaba sighed.
"Don't you have your broom?" The Private asked.
"You need to be wide awake to manage that. I am mostly certainly not that," she explained.
"Ah," Schultz nodded. Again, before Fiyero could open his mouth, there was shouting outside.
"Crap," he managed.
"Sounds about right, sir," Schultz poked his head outside of the tent and shouted to Private Roth. Who quickly explained, for everyone inside the tent to hear,
"There are people gathering outside the front gate!"
"Not again," Schultz frowned.
"They aren't attacking. They're just gathering," Roth said before taking off toward the gate.
"Sleep is overrated anyway," Fiyero said, climbing off of his bed.
"You keep telling yourself that," Elphaba frowned as he moved to help her up.
"I'll make sure someone got Lady Glinda," Schultz told them before he left the tent.
"What do you suppose these people want?" Fiyero asked as the two of them headed out of the tent and toward the front gate.
"I don't know but I suppose we're about to find out," Elphaba steeled herself, willing her tired and aching body to last a little longer without rest. The two climbed to the top of the Palace walls, meeting Zetti up there, and they looked over. The crowd consisted of mostly women and children but there were a few men scattered throughout. Before Lieutenant Zetti could ask what this was all about, there was the sounds of drums in the distance. Zetti turned to Fiyero, who shrugged. The Vinkun listened closer, the beat grew louder and more familiar.
"Dilek!" He turned and shouted down to the Vinkun troops which had gathered, prepping for another possible fight. The Lieutenant charged up the stairs and listened.
"Sweet Oz," Dilek murmured.
"It would seem my parents have decided they can't wait anymore," Fiyero swallowed hard and Elphaba whirled around to look at him.
"What now?" She asked.
To Be Continued…