Chapter 11
A scream pierced the new found silence of the night and the sound of footsteps added to the cacophony. Soon lights could be seen in many windows of the Palace as the occupants sleep had been disturbed. Once the scream died, it was replaced by words that could not be heard outside of the room where the original sign of distress was heard.
"It's all right Fae, I'm right here," Fiyero soothed the green woman by gently rubbing her back. She had sprung up from the bed screaming and now he was worried that she'd possibly messed up her stitches.
"Where are we?" She suddenly asked, realizing that they were neither in a prison cell nor out on the Palace grounds.
"That is an easy one dear lady. You are in my humble infirmary. Now are you all right? You didn't rip your stitches did you?" Doctor Mallard asked. He came over closer and had Fiyero hold the light while he investigated his patient's stitches. Outside the window, the sound of large wings flapping made them turn to see the Griffin, who went by the name Eggbert, checking in on the Prince and his wife. Fiyero smiled at him and gave a nod which the Griffin returned before dropping back down to the ground below.
"You look all right but I want to run a full checkup in the daylight," the doctor commented.
"That's understandable but what is going on?" Elphaba asked already feeling uncomfortable from being told to hold still. She was tired of being weak and tired of being told where to go and what to do.
"Well you sustained a rather nasty gunshot to the shoulder in the escape attempt. Lady Glinda has since landed and things have been…" Duckie didn't get a chance to finish as the infirmary doors busted open.
"Miss Elphaba!" Sergeant Zetti and Private Roth both exclaimed at the same time.
"Down boys, I'm all right, just another doozy of a nightmare," she took her usual cavalier approach to the night terrors but Fiyero knew deep down that they bothered her more than she was willing to admit.
"What's all the hullaballoo?" Captain Khalil asked, coming in behind the soldiers with Glinda in tow.
"Captain!" Zetti and Roth immediately saluted.
"At ease boys," he smiled slightly. Glinda ignored them and headed over to her best friend.
"Oh Elphie are you all right?" The blonde asked.
"Tired of being asked if I'm all right. Just another nightmare, as per usual," Elphaba rolled her eyes as Fiyero gingerly helped her lay back down. Once he had done so she realized something was off.
"Why didn't you use your powers to heal me?" She asked Glinda.
"Too much bubble travel for the day. I'm practically zapped out. Do you feel up to it?" The blonde wondered.
"Not yet. I had to save Olaf and then my magic kind of gave out while I was trying to fend off Vinkun soldiers. Speaking of Olaf, has he woke up yet?" She asked.
"Oh he's probably down in the kitchen. He was starving after he woke up and the cook was more than happy to fire up the ovens," Zetti filled in. That's when Elphaba's stomach growled. It seems her body was craving sustenance too.
"On it!" Both Zetti and Roth announced before running out of the room and heading for the kitchen.
"I guess I am feeling better than I thought," Elphaba laughed.
"Well you'll need to keep your strength up. Tomorrow morning there will be a meeting between the King, Fiyero, Lady Glinda, and Sarima's family. If an agreement cannot be reached that doesn't involve the death of Fiyero or you, we could be looking at an all-out war," Duckie said.
"Ray of sunshine you are, aren't you?" Khalil gave him a look.
"The truth is not always sunshiny. I suspect that Miss Elphaba knows that better than anyone," Duckie told them.
To Be Continued…