Chapter 23
With the border secure and the enemy defeated, Fiyero ordered all troops back to their usual bases of operation. Word was to be sent to all other border troops that they may go home as well. The troops from Ix, however, were to return to the capital and the Palace so they could meet up with their brethren. Altan and Bahadir promised to show the Ixian troops the way.
"Kelebeck, I think we had better head toward home as soon as possible. We have no idea where the dragon went and I really do not want to leave Glinda alone to handle him," Elphaba said.
"I would agree Princess. Though poor Prince Fiyero doesn't handle flying so well," the young Griffin pointed out as she knelt down.
"Perhaps a knockout spell would be better for him than throwing up again," Elphaba nodded. Quickly, the green woman climbed onto Kelebeck's back and then they retrieved Fiyero who was dry heaving into the bushes. The healing that the young Griffin had attempted had only partially worked and it seemed like Fiyero's body was just not having it. Elphaba suspected that there was inner ear trouble to blame but they had to worry about that later. Once he was on Kelebeck's back, in front of his wife, Elphaba used a spell that knocked him unconscious.
"Back so soon?" Sergeant Bahram asked quite confused, as they landed an hour later back inside the Palace walls. Darkness had long fell but no one seemed to be at ease.
"The dragon defeated the enemy for us and then took off. It would seem he did not come here though," Elphaba frowned.
"Is the Prince ok?" Bahram raised an eyebrow since Fiyero seemed to be sleeping. Elphaba chuckled and snapped her fingers.
"What happened? How'd we get home?" He whipped his head around, completely at a loss, which wasn't uncommon given the spell that his wife had performed.
"Stop doing that or you'll vomit again. None of us wants that," she said. Fiyero nodded and stopped looking around.
"You knocked me out, didn't you?" He asked.
"It was for your own good," Elphaba told him as Kelebeck knelt down and the two royals left their perch.
"So should we still be on high alert or…?" Bahram didn't really know what to do next.
"I'd say to be at ease. If the dragon intended to head here, he'd have done so. I need to retrieve a crystal ball and speak with Glinda," Elphaba said.
"Very good. I'll alert everyone though I still don't see too many of us sleeping tonight," Bahram admitted before saluting and then heading off to tell Lieutenant Ash of the developments.
"Thank you Kelebeck. You probably should get some rest now," the Princess said.
"That sounds like a good idea your Highnesses," the young Griffin bowed and then headed for the stables.
"So what do we need the crystal ball for?" Fiyero asked.
"To make sure the dragon is staying away from here and the rest of Oz. Also, we'll need to call Queen Zixi," she explained.
"Very good. I'll find Balfour and my parents. Let's meet in my father's study," he suggested.
"See you there," Elphaba nodded and they quickly split up. Elphaba worried that the dragon could turn on them at any given moment but she was more worried about what he was up to at this moment. Zixi had said that Nomes were immortal but was that true if they were busy being burnt by dragon fire? How exactly would they punish the former Councilman Lake for what he'd done? These questions and more raced about in her head as she made her way to find Glinda.
To Be Continued…