A/N: Have a Happy New Year!
Chapter 20
The bullet froze mere millimeters from Eggbert's eye. Soldiers on both sides gasped in astonishment at the power of the green skinned woman. The rumors were most certainly true.
"Drop the bullet, Elphie," Glinda said, as quietly as she could. She could see her friend toying with the idea of sending back from whence it came and although it would have certainly been justified, it would not help the situation.
"Now, I either return this bullet to you, in a fashion that you will undoubtedly not like or you do as I say – drop your weapons," Elphaba told the soldiers below. After the display of her abilities quite a few men did as they were told, however, it seemed a few needed a little more convincing. With a slight smirk, Elphaba turned the bullet and started it back to the person who fired it, General Sarek. She froze its movements as it got closer to the General, almost as close as it had to Eggbert.
"Do you still need any more convincing?" She asked. Quickly the other men dropped their weapons.
"Fiyero, take these troops into custody, would you?" The witch asked politely.
"It would be my honor to," the Prince smirked as the gates opened and the Arjiki troops spilled out, quickly surrounding the Scrow army and collecting their weapons.
"Now, you will talk and resolve this issue or we will go to war. Sadly, only the Arjiki will have their weapons," Elphaba said, letting the bullet drop harmlessly to the ground. It was a veiled threat that she never intended to allow but it was hopefully enough of an impetus to get the Scrow to agree to something other than having Fiyero marry the Senator's daughter.
"I believe that the Senator should be present for the conversation, don't you think?" King Havel asked the General, who only nodded in return. He eyed Elphaba who most certainly took note of the scowl on his face.
The King and the General headed inside the walls and were loaded into a carriage and driven to the castle while the Scrow soldiers were marched through the city to the palace gates. There they were let into the palace grounds, one by one, after being searched and stripped of any other weapons. All the weapons were loaded onto carts and taken to the armory for safe keeping while the soldiers were sent to the barracks. There they were kept under lock and key until word came down from the King.
"Many thanks for your quick action," Eggbert bowed his head to Elphaba as he landed back upon the wall. She nodded and bowed her head, making sure that the city gates closed before turning to him.
"I am glad to have been of service. I think you've been holding out on us though. I thought I knew all about Griffins but it seems that they did not mention you had worshippers," Elphaba smiled.
"Back before the Wizard and his Animal Bans and of course, Madame Morrible, we had a huge following here in the Vinkus. It goes back to the days before the Vinkun tribes settled and became farmers and built cities. However, as word of the Unnamed God spread and eventually Morrible sending out rewards for Griffin hides, our numbers dwindled and as such so did our followers. I was kind of surprised to see so many of the Scrow throw down their weapons to be honest," Eggbert admitted.
"Fascinating. It's getting cold, can we head in?" Glinda asked, as her teeth chattered.
"It's not that cold out Lady Glinda. Are you all right?" Eggbert wanted to know. Elphaba reached for her friend and was shocked to feel how cold she was considering that it had been a comfortable summer day. It was then that she noticed that her friend's skin color was off.
"Eggbert, we need to get her to the infirmary on the double!" Elphaba shouted as she scooped Glinda up and placed her onto the back of the Griffin. She then hopped onto his back herself and the majestic beast took off for the castle.
To Be Continued…