A/N: Shout outs to my anonymous reviewer and James Birdsong! Glad you liked it. Trouble is on it's way but not at the moment... ;) Thanks!
Chapter 7
Glinda sat in the Council Chamber, the spell that Elphaba had cast on her definitely helped her, but she knew that it couldn't be the answer going forward. The green woman had updated the blonde on what Arif had warned everyone about. The Munchkin envoy came into the room and immediately bowed to the Council and Glinda as he was announced. He was Lord Nipp, currently second in command in Munchkinland.
"Lady Glinda, Gentlemen of the Council, I do apologize for my lateness. It would seem that my driver didn't know the way as much as I thought he did," he was taller than most Munchkins and was wearing a colorful suit, something that Glinda had to admit, she did not expect. In fact, the last time she saw someone from Munchkinland in a suit was probably Frex. Most male Munchkins wore collared button-down shirt with stockings and short pants. Even Councilman Arif did not wear a suit, he wore the same type of outfit as the rest of his countrymen, but they were made of a higher quality fabric.
"We just appreciate you coming to the table, Lord Nipp. A few minutes late can be ignored," Glinda spoke up, giving him a smile. He gave her a nod and smiled back.
"Please have a seat," Councilman Arif smiled and offered the empty seat at the round table.
"Thank you, countryman. Now I am assuming there is a list of demands that the Emerald City is asking for," Nipp said.
"No demands. We only ask that you rejoin the Country of Oz and meet your original agreements with your allies. We want trade to resume and life to return to a more normal function. We are all moving on from the disastrous reign that has occurred and we should do it together," Glinda told him.
"That is it? No punishments, no yelling, not even a harshly worded letter?" Nipp was a bit surprised.
"Punishments or yelling will not heal the wounds left open. That said, once you've rejoined Country of Oz, Munchkinland will be required to follow all of the laws. Some of those laws have changed and I believe that Councilman Arif brought them back to President Jinjuria," the blonde was trying to be gentle, but she knew that some of the new laws might upset the Munchkins.
"The President is still reviewing them. My express mission this time was to just see if you had more that you would request of us," Lord Nipp explained.
"Ah, well I hope that this has been a productive meeting then. How long do you intend to stay in the Emerald City?" Glinda asked.
"Regrettably, I am due back home tomorrow," he told them.
"A very short stay here, given how far you traveled," Councilman Barat spoke up.
"I serve at the pleasure of the President," Nipp said, not expounding on what that exactly meant.
"Well, we must make sure you have a few good meals and a nice warm bed to sleep in," Glinda said. She wasn't trying to fish but she really wanted to.
"I appreciate that. I'm sure my driver and horses could use some of your hospitality as well," the Munchkin gave slight smile.
"Of course," the blonde smiled as well and the meeting adjourned. Arif watched Glinda escort Nipp out of the room.
"Something is off comrades," Chalumpo spoke up, his tone low.
"Oh, indeed my friend. There is most definitely a snake in the grass," Barat kept his tone equally low.
"I have the Captain on it. Not to worry," Fekri told them.
"Excellent work. Come, we must see if we can get a private audience with Lady Glinda and Miss Elphaba," Arif said.
To Be Continued…
