A/N: Only one more chapter remains! Thank you to all who have been sticking with me.
A/N2: A shout out to my anonymous reviewer! We'll nail down more about our shooter in the last chapter. Glad you liked it. :) Thanks!
Chapter 37
The next morning, those that had been rounded up, were brought before the judges at the courthouse. Elphaba had told the troops to make sure that the Wizard saw how many of his followers had been arrested. The Wizard was chained to the chair at the defense table, his new attorney was nervously sitting next to him.
"Your Honors…" Fevzi, the defense attorney, started.
"What is going on Captain Fiyero?" Judge Mikhail raised an eyebrow from his spot from behind the bench.
"These men were rounded up yesterday. They are followers of the Wizard who had a hand in the plot to overthrow the government and kill Lady Glinda," Fiyero explained.
"So, you want us to…" Judge Griffin started.
"We are petitioning to join the trials your honor. If you're in for a penny, you're in for a pound. They all attempted to kill Lady Glinda and they all committed treason," Prosecutor Doruk spoke up.
"You're arguing that they all conspired to do the same crimes. They just chose different methods," Judge Cenk provided.
"Precisely," Doruk said.
"Your Honors, I cannot represent all of these clients. It would not be far nor just. Also, some of them may not have been involved in the actual acts," Fevzi protested.
"Your Honors, we do not intend for Mr. Fevzi to represent all of the defendants. We only wish to join the cases. Separate lawyers will be provided for the others," Doruk explained.
"How many lawyers?" Judge Mikhail asked.
"There are a total of seventy-five men that we captured yesterday," Fiyero spoke up.
"There are that many defense attorneys available?" Judge Griffin was sure that there wasn't.
"No, sir. We are working on that as we speak. As you can imagine, there are quite a few of the defendants who would like to avoid the hangman's noose," the Prosecutor said.
"Very good. Remand all defendants. We will discuss the combining of the case in chambers. Until that time, the case against the Wizard is adjourned. Return him to his cell," Judge Cenk instructed. With that, all of the prisoners were pulled out of the room and Elphaba quickly assisted the guards in getting the enchanted chains to let the Wizard out of his chair.
"This is a right mess, Captain Fiyero," Judge Mikhail gave him a look, after all the prisoners were taken away
"Well, we cannot let them go, your Honor," the Prince was confused.
"Certainly not but the proceedings must be fair. How can we provide each defendant a lawyer?" Mikhail pressed.
"My mother and father have reached out to lawyers in the Vinkus and Glinda has reached out to lawyers in the Gillikin. We may spend quite a while processing all of the criminals, but it will be done right," Fiyero assured him.
"Excellent work," Judge Cenk told him before the three retired to their chambers. Elphaba walked over to him and gave him a look.
"What?" He asked.
"You have certainly handled yourself like a Prince," she smiled slightly.
"Have I? It's one of many hats that I wear, though admittedly, I do not feel it is the most important one," Fiyero said.
"It isn't?" She was a little surprised to hear that.
"The most important one is the hat I wear when I'm with you," he smirked. Elphaba shook her head before taking his hand in hers.
"Come there is work to be done," she said.
"Isn't there always work?" Fiyero pouted.
"We're almost there," Elphaba promised.
To Be Continued…