Chapter 32

A few days later as the caravan pulled into the Emerald City, they were welcomed with an audience. News of the King's death and the resurrection of the Griffins had spread quickly. Asli promised that a formal announcement would be made regarding the people's concerns soon. That seemed to placate the crowd but Elphaba still had an uneasy feeling.

They reached the entrance to Southstairs and Burcin was quickly pulled from her spot on the covered wagon; the enchanted chains on her wrists and ankles preventing her from using her powers. Despite the fact that she had to know what was coming, the elderly witch behaved as though nothing was wrong. She struggled with her captors only until Elphaba had conjured up an energy ball and threatened to use it on her. The Wizard however was much more subdued and Elphaba wondered why. She figured he would try to use his charms on anyone who would listen but he remained silent most of the trip.

Once the witch was locked in her cell, Elphaba quickly enchanted it, so that the chains could be removed from her. The Wizard was sent to a standard cell and once again put up no fuss. Certain the prisoners were secure, Elphaba then left to meet with Asli and the Judge who would be presiding over the case. Needless to say, the Vinkuns had wanted to try the woman who killed their king and the man who had attacked their Prince and Princess in the Vinkus but knowing that both wouldn't get a fair trial there, Asli had insisted on doing it properly. Of course the ulterior motive was to get Burcin out of the Vinkus and away from anyone sympathetic to her cause. No one was sympathetic to the Wizard but the Emerald City had rights to him as well. Burcin, however, was unknown to the people of the Emerald City and it would be a good opportunity to prove that the people of the city stood with those in the Vinkus.

The meeting with the Judge went quickly. Familiar with needing to have the defendant restrained, magically and physically, he suggested a legal aid attorney who had worked on the Morrible case. Both Elphaba and Asli agreed that that was best, seeing as there was great risk involved. The trial would start in the morning, which was in everyone's best interest. The Wizard's trial would take place afterwards, allowing the man to rot in Southstairs for a little while, which might make him more conducive to a plea deal.

Asli and Elphaba then had lunch together in her office while discussing how to make the announcement to everyone. Mindy was glad to have them back and she quickly fluttered between them and anything they needed. Once they were completely alone, Elphaba said,

"I have a major concern that no matter what happens with the trial that whoever helped Burcin kill King Haluk will surface. We have no idea just how loyal this person is or what they are capable of."

"Agreed. I don't want to worry the good citizens of Oz by doubling the guard but that might be our only option," Asli frowned.

"Perhaps it is best to make this person believe that we think Burcin did it on her own. This way we can keep an eye out without raising the alarm," she suggested.

"Morrible wasn't the only one who knew how to keep good spies. I'll send them out amongst the people. See what they can find. Our perpetrator is most likely in the Vinkus but I fear we cannot rule anyone or anywhere out," the Captain said.

"Agreed. If Burcin could hide the Griffins so well then hiding a human accomplice would have been cake," Elphaba frowned.

"I don't really want to think about it but yes. The Queen, how was she with all of this? I mean it is her mother," Asli shifted topics.

"She told me that the Emerald City had her blessing to do whatever was necessary. It wasn't a decision that she came to lightly but what could she do? Her mother murdered her husband and sent the both her husband and the Wizard to kill me. The woman she knew was long gone and her love had been replaced with hatred and anger," she sighed. Asli nodded and then stood from the chair on the other side of Elphaba's desk.

"I think we are ready to tell them what they need to know. I will send for a Bird afterwards so that you may write a letter to Fiyero and his mother," the Captain smiled slightly.

"Yes thank you. I want them to know what is going on and that everything is being handled in their absence," Elphaba smiled slightly back.

"Well then it is off we go to speak to the people of Oz," Asli said and he moved toward the door. Elphaba's mind still raced as the two of them made their speech. Most in the audience seemed pleased and there wasn't much of a fuss. Soon afterward, Elphaba had finished crafting a letter and it was sent on its way. Later, while she lie awake in her semi-empty bed, she worried that this was far from over and she was right.

The End

That is all for now. Look for the follow up story next week. I hope you all have enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and reviewing!