A/N: A shout out to my anonymous reviewer and James Birdsong. Glad you liked it. Thanks so much! More fun ahead. ;)
Chapter 23
Days had passed and no one had heard from Boq or Councilman Arif. No letters, no messengers, no nothing. It was the sounds of a carriage approaching the Palace gates that made everyone sit up and listen.
Elphaba had been checking in with Private Schultz when she heard the Palace gates open up. The two of them moved from the table inside the meal tent to the doorway. Schultz's fingers thrummed on his rifle. He barely went anywhere without it when Elphaba was nearby. She knew it wasn't to be used against her but rather, his need to feel like he could protect her should the occasion arise. The green woman wasn't about to deter him even though she could protect herself just fine.
"That does not look like Councilman Arif's carriage," the Private said as the carriage pulled up near the Palace steps.
"No, it does not. This looks like…" Elphaba stopped.
"Lord Nipp's carriage," Schultz finished.
"Crap on a cracker," Elphaba shook her head before telling Schultz to find Lieutenant Zetti. She was heading toward the Palace, hoping to get there as quickly as possible. There was no way to warn anyone inside of what she saw in front of her. The Munchkin was exiting his carriage and greeted by two Gale Force soldiers. She recognized them as Corporals Norris and Bock.
"Miss Elphaba, we have an unexpected guest," Corporal Bock announced as she approached the group.
"So, I see. Has Lady Glinda and Captain Fiyero been notified?" Elphaba asked without directly addressing the Munchkin.
"Sergeant Zeki has gone to fetch them," Bock explained.
"Then let me welcome you back to the Emerald City, Lord Nipp. What brings you hear? We expect to see Councilman Arif and the Tin Man in a few days. Surely the message you bring could have come with them?" Elphaba smiled at him, trying to contain the disgust she felt for the man.
"I will not speak to anyone out here. I am in need of an audience with Lady Glinda," Lord Nipp told her.
"The Sergeant is looking for her. I know she had a meeting with Councilman Fekri this morning. He is updating her on what has been going on in the Vinkus and sharing a message from King Tahir and Queen Ayla," the green woman explained.
"So, she is too busy to see me?" The Munchkin gave her a look.
"Hardly. I know that her schedule is planned out fairly well but there is always time for a visiting dignitary," she told him. That's when the Palace doors opened and out came Sergeant Zeki.
"Lord Nipp, Lady Glinda will see you now. Miss Elphaba, please join us," the Sergeant said. The two climbed the steps in silence and followed Zeki to Lady Glinda's office. There they found Fiyero along with the blonde.
"Lord Nipp, I do apologize for not meeting you. I was not expecting your arrival," Glinda smiled at him.
"President Jinjuria has a message that I must deliver," the Munchkin was blunt.
"Surely, the message could have been delivered by Councilman Arif upon his return. I'm sure you're quite busy to hand deliver a message," the blonde said. This was the second time that someone mentioned that in the last ten minutes.
"Councilman Arif and the Tin Man will not be returning to the Emerald City. They have violated a direct order from our President," Lord Nipp told the group.
"What direct order? The Tin Man is not a citizen of Munchkinland, nor does he serve Munchkinland in any position, and as such, he can be given no such order from President Jinjuria. Also, Councilman Arif is part of the Council of Oz. If he cannot fulfill his duties to the Council, for any reason, a new Council member is supposed to be provided by Munchkinland. However, if Arif cannot fulfill his duties, because of interference, by his own government, the Gale Force is allowed to enter said government's territory and act on my behalf. So, when you say that neither can make their scheduled appearance here in the Emerald City, you had better give me a better reason than the one you just gave me," Glinda was about ready to explode. Lord Nipp did not move nor say anything.
"If both are not returned to the Emerald Palace, unharmed, within the next day, President Jinjuria should expect a full division of Gale Force soldiers at his doorstep," Glinda was not messing around.
"That would constitute an act of war," Lord Nipp finally spoke.
"No, as it was written in the laws that govern Oz. If Munchkinland wants to regain its connection to the rest of Oz, it must follow the laws, as was outlined in the letter the President received," the blonde said. Lord Nipp opened his mouth but then shut it again. Glinda raised an eyebrow, unsure what the Munchkin was thinking.
"You have a lot of work to do. I suggest you take your leave," the blonde was all sweet as pie. The office door opened and in walked Lieutenants Zetti and Bayram.
"Gentlemen, please make sure our guest is on his way back to Munchkinland," Glinda smiled at them.
"Yes Lady Glinda. Come on, right this way," Zetti grabbed the Munchkin by the shoulder and led him out into the hallway with Bayram bringing up the rear.
"We're in deep shit, aren't we?" Fiyero asked once they were gone.
"Not any deeper than usual," Glinda shook her head.
To Be Continued…
