Chapter 9
The next morning dawned bright despite the prospects of what lay ahead for the Vinkus and possibly all of Oz. Elphaba had barely slept a wink after Fiyero explained the ritual that would need to take place in order for Avantador to be forever bound to the Vinkus and its new King and Queen. Fiyero had tried to get her to sleep but the plan that was in motion stayed in motion in the green woman's head all night long.
"Did you get any sleep?" He asked as the sun's rays came through the partially curtained window.
"Hardly. Here comes our dragon friend now," Elphaba heaved a sigh after easily spotting Avantador coming their way.
"If there was another way, you know I would do it in a heartbeat," Fiyero said as he climbed out of bed.
"This only works if Avantador agrees with it. He doesn't and everything falls apart. As it is, we are getting ourselves into dangerous territory," Elphaba shook her head and then headed out of the room and down the hall to the balcony where she and the dragon had talked last night. Fiyero dressed quickly and followed her, wishing he'd had time for a shower.
"That is quite serious business, Miss Elphaba," Avantador said as Fiyero was arriving on the balcony.
"I would not ask it if I had any other option. Fiyero and I will be married by his clerk in a secret ceremony in about twenty minutes. Then we must perform the ritual if we are to keep the sorcerer at bay," Elphaba told him.
"Forgive me Miss Elphaba but you are doing this in order to save a kingdom and a country full of people who have done their best to shun you and harm you in any way that they can. Now you are willing to commit to such an obligation in order to save those that have shown you little compassion. I do not understand your motives," Avantador admitted.
"I only aim to save Oz and her innocents. There is no doubt that I have been mistreated but to mistreat others in the manner which I believe this sorcerer is attempting to do is akin to murder. If this is what I must do to prove that I am not what Morrible and the Wizard made me out to be then I must do it. Glinda's evidence only goes so far and there are those that still wish me dead. If I cannot convince them with this act then nothing will convince them but I have to try. It is no longer about me and keeping me safe but it is about keeping the ones I love safe," she explained.
"Very well. I will do it. Just know that if it is not done properly the consequences are dire," the dragon said. Elphaba nodded, knowing full well what he meant. Getting it wrong meant certain death.
Meanwhile, a lone figure exited the forest, the cloak and hood they wore obscuring their facial features. They moved stealthily despite the large wooden staff they carried. With a low whistle, Flying Monkeys exited the woods on their mighty wings.
"Bring me the head of Miss Elphaba, no matter the cost. Kill anyone who tries to stop you," they ordered their winged companions. With only a nod, the one closest to the sorcerer took to higher heights and the others followed.
"What say we give them a little cover?" The sorcerer smirked and uttered words that most people would not understand. The sky quickly darkened and rain began to pelt down from the sky. The drops avoided them as if they knew better. Lightening flashed across the sky as they continued down the road toward the Palace.
To Be Continued…