Chapter 8
Elphaba moved out into the hallway and went to the window that both she and Queen had been looking out of. Without saying a word, she snapped her fingers, and her broom came flying down the hallway. She deftly caught it and turned to move toward the next window.
"You shouldn't…" the Queen started.
"I must. Stay inside until I give the all clear," and with that the green woman was off to the next window, which had a balcony. She opened the doors, mounted her broom, and took to the skies. There she saw that Chistery was attempting to have a conversation with the visitors outside the palace walls and she flew towards him.
"Chistery!" She announced her presence and was surprised to confirm what she and the Queen had originally suspected.
"Griffins…" the word slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. There they were, six of them. She had been sure that Morrible had killed them all. Chistery rushed to her side, not sure why she ventured out, and that broke her from her train of thought. His fellow Flying Monkeys kept a close eye on the creatures who could pose a threat to their new home.
"Princess, my name is Altan and we mean no harm. We felt it was finally time to come out of hiding. We need to speak to you or the Queen or the King," the largest one said. They all bowed their heads as a sign of respect and Elphaba looked at Chistery who quickly signed to her his thoughts. She nodded before speaking,
"There is very much to discuss but you must understand my concern for your sudden reappearance. Right now things are not as calm as they seem and your presence adds to the mystery."
"If we have a chance to speak, I know that we can clear some things up. It has been a long flight from our new home and if we may set down to have this conversation, we would be in your debt," Altan said.
"Very well. Then we must move this inside the outer walls of the Palace. Darkness is upon us and it will be a better place to speak," Elphaba nodded. She quickly signed to Chistery to retrieve the Queen and the Prince and bring them to the courtyard. He nodded and was away with the rest of his fellow Flying Monkeys.
"Forgive me for asking but he does not speak?" Altan wondered.
"Regrettably, we are still working on it. When he's flustered, he falls back into sign language. I do apologize if you were offended but it is the most effective way for him and the others to communicate still," Elphaba told him. The others had yet to speak and she was surprised by that. Still if Altan was an elder, the others would only speak when spoken to, especially in front of royalty.
"No offense taken Princess. We were attempting to figure out what he was saying but we were having a hard time of it," the Griffin explained.
"Chistery and the others are very protective of me and now our new home. So they met you without a second thought. The Vinkus has been very kind to us and it is more than fair that we return the favor," she said.
"You're her, aren't you?" A small voice from behind Altan spoke up. The green woman turned her head and noticed the smallest Griffin who was looking embarrassed.
"If you mean, am I the one they used to call the Wicked Witch, then yes. It is me. I have many names, most of them not very flattering. You little one, may call me Elphaba. It is my one true name after all," she gave the Griffin a wink.
"My name is Kelebek, daughter of Altan," she bowed her head towards the Princess as they easily landed inside the walls of the Palace grounds.
"Well Kelebek, daughter of Altan, when was the last time you had something to eat?" Elphaba asked.
"It has been awhile your Highness," Altan spoke up.
"Then I will see what we can do about that," she smiled. Lieutenant Ash approached and the Princess quickly explained that the guests needed food and quarters for the evening. He promised to get to it immediately. Quietly he told her that Doctor Magi was with little Zara now and that the Queen and Prince were on their way. She thanked him and then he took off to do what had been asked of him.
"My Queen, Prince Fiyero," Altan bowed his head and the others followed. The two had approached the group and servants with chairs were right behind them.
"Master Griffin, what has brought you out of hiding? I can only assume that word of Morrible's death and the Wizard's imprisonment has finally reached you," Ayla said as she sat down. The Griffins had lain down so that they could rest their wings and this put everyone at almost eye level.
"That news did indeed reach us. Also word that the Princess was safe. She is a hero amongst all creatures. Though regrettably, those are not the only reasons we came. I am Altan, last elder of the Griffins. With me are my wife, Lale, daughter Kelebek, brother Bahadir, his wife, Filiz, and their son, Iskender," he announced.
"It is good to meet you all. Why did you come? Where have you been?" The Queen wasn't pulling any punches.
"We and the rest of our community now live in Ix. We are safe there but it is also why we came. Queen Zixi has watched Oz from afar but I fear that soon that will no longer be the case. We do not know her true intentions but it is rumored she seeks to gain knowledge of Oz and possibly more than that. She knows of a way to cross the deserts, once thought to be impassable," Altan explained.
"A spy named Rivet is already here. I received word from my husband. He is in the Emerald City now, speaking to Lady Glinda," Ayla said.
"Then it has already begun. I'm not sure we can stop what may already be in motion," Altan frowned.
"What have you heard?" Fiyero spoke up. The Griffin was about to answer when a cry went up from inside the Palace.
"Zara…" Elphaba breathed. She hopped up from her seat and onto her broom, zipping into the Palace.
To Be Continued…