Chapter 14
The talks continued on for some time after Sarima marched out of the room. Neither side could agree on how to properly compensate the Marek family. The Senator seemed like he really wanted to reach a deal and was exceedingly patient as the King tried offering things that he felt would equal the marriage of a royal. Needless to say, what the King offered were not things, the Senator thought he could bring back to his people.
"Aydin, I have offered you land, money, even our summer castle. What else could you want?" Havel asked.
"My King, you know that having one of our own on the throne was a big accomplishment. While I may be happy with land, money, and property, the people of my tribe will not be. I do not want war but you know I will be murdered in my sleep if we cannot reach an agreement," Marek explained.
"Father, I think it best, that I renounce my title and then you may pass the Vinkus to Aydin's family upon your death. It is what would have happened if I had died like the Wizard thought," Fiyero spoke up.
"Our own tribe would not be happy with that. The agreement made perfect sense as both tribes would essentially have control of the country instead of one," Havel spoke up.
"Then marry her to one of my cousins. I will renounce my title and then the path will be clear for one of them to take the throne upon your passing," Fiyero said.
"That would be a fabulous idea if only Sarima would budge from her stance about marrying you. I'm not sure I can convince her otherwise and as I said before, I must apologize for her behavior today. Her mother and I certainly did not raise her to be this way," Aydin heaved a sigh.
"Make the offer. My cousin, Kudret is of age," the Prince smiled slightly.
"Kudret was in a terrible hunting accident. He can no longer walk and could hardly provide children. He is a wonderful boy but he will not be a good substitute," Havel sighed and Fiyero looked upset.
"What happened?" He asked.
"He was shot in the back while chasing after a deer. One of the hunting party thought he was the deer. It was terrible at the time. The young man who shot him was so upset that he tried to take his own life," Havel explained. Fiyero's look of shock did not go unnoticed.
"I must see him before we leave," he said.
"He would like that," the King smiled slightly.
"What of your other cousins?" Aydin wondered.
"None are of marrying age. They still need a few years," the Queen spoke up.
"Sarima will not want to wait. Her child bearing years are slipping away from her. Perhaps we could make an arrangement. You and Miss Elphaba's child could marry Sarima and her chosen husband's child and then the tribes would be satisfied," Aydin said.
"I cannot produce children. My father took that away from me as he did much else when I was younger," Elphaba sucked her lips over her teeth and bit down.
"I am very sorry to hear that Miss Elphaba. That was not your father's right," Aydin gave her a slight nod.
"I am surprised that you did not hear about it from my trial in the Emerald City," she admitted.
"You can thank Lady Glinda for that. She sent out word to everyone explaining that you had been found not guilty of the more serious crimes and the reasoning behind it but she did not elaborate on everything. I can understand why as it is the duty of every father to protect their children, not harm them," the Senator smiled slightly. Elphaba nodded and then looked at Glinda who was blushing slightly.
"Can we order dinner and continue our discussion?" Havel asked.
"Perhaps it is best that we pick up in the morning. We are all tired and we are not getting anywhere fast. I rather have something decided upon when we've all had a chance to step back and look at things," Aydin said.
"A wise decision," Havel nodded. The two really did get along and Glinda wondered why this whole process had been so disturbing in the beginning, considering the King's behavior, but she got her answer in an unexpected way when the doors to the Dining Hall were flung open and Sarima stood in front of thirty well-armed men, some of whom obviously had blood on them.
"I will get what I want or no one will! Kill the Witch!" She shouted at the men. Fiyero quickly jumped in front of Elphaba as the men raised and fired their guns.
"Fiyero! No!" The green skinned woman shouted.
To Be Continued…
And for that, Ultimate Queen of Cliffies will kill me... LOL