Author's Note: First, thanks to heatqueen for reviewing. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Anybody else wants to review, or give me critiques/criticism I'm always open. Even those who have reviewed before. As they say, feedback inspires the muse (I don't know if anybody but me says that, actually).

Second:This chapter will be a bit longer than the previous ones. I could not find a good place to cut it without disrupting the flow too much.

I hope you enjoy.

Note: Minor edits to the chapter (1/23)

"Just who the hell are you?" Elphaba asked when she approached Duran. He smiled.

"Thought I told you that. Did you bump your head?"

Elphaba got right up in his face as he dropped the bundle of cloth he was holding.

"Really? Because no one here seems to know you as Duran. They know you as Sir Pfenix." She growled. His smile did not leave his face but he moved into the room without answering the question. Elphaba followed. "Well?"

"That's an embarrassing title I never use. It was handed down from my father." He replied in a jovial tone and began throwing something onto a bed.

"Your caravan father or your Royal Guard father?"

He threw a sheet on the bed. "Did they need to be different?"

"Well, no." With her concession, he threw her a smile and began to move over to a dresser. He slid some drawers out, tsked, and went to leave the room. Elphaba put an arm out to stop him but he ducked under it fluidly. She stalked after him.

"You still haven't answered my questions."

"You remember what I said?"

"Right. Your cute little rhyme."

"Yes."

"Then ask away."

"How did you know where to find us?"

"Informants on the street. I saw the Gale Force move on the villa, saw them start searching for a target, and knew you must have slipped past them. I began to look for you and found you just in time, it seemed."

"Who do you work for?"

"Myself, generally. Sometimes others, if I need the money."

"I meant currently."

"I see no reason my answer would change."

"Specifically."

"They are the remnants of the Resistance, your old friends, and the Ozmanian Royal Guards. Mostly, they try to take care of the sick and meek." He walked over to where a group of packages were sitting, opened one, nodded, and grabbed the others. He headed back towards the room.

"I thought that was Glinda's job."

"Yes, so it appears. She did a number on their ability to recruit. However, there were many a time where they managed to divert attention or trouble from her. They were her…unseen protectors, if you will." He ducked into the room and Elphaba continued her pursuit.

"Really? Because I caught a little cutpurse once. They must not have done a good job."

He dropped the packages on the bed and flashed her a smile. "Who do you think he worked for? They needed to assess you. You were an unknown at the time." He went towards the door.

"Will you stop moving around! What are you doing anyway?"

"You have to sleep somewhere." He replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. It was only then did she realize he had been making a bed, and the packages were female clothes.

"Really? That bed is much too large for a single person."

"That's why I assumed the Lady Glinda would be sleeping with you." He gathered a cape from a coat rack over his arm, and fixed the scarf around his neck.

"That reminds me: why did you keep referring to us as Misses Thropp?"

He flashed her that dazzlingly smile that was starting to annoy her. "My assumptions. You know what they say." He held up a key for her and she took it. She presumed it went to the door of the room. She realized he had brushed by her while she examined it and hurried to catch up. He was making his way toward a knot of people in a corner.

"Stop trying to avoid me. How did you know about the package I'm caring?" she asked angrily. Duran did not reply, but simply addressed the group.

"Dear Doctor, I believe there is someone who would like to meet you." He said, cheer in his voice. Elphaba was about to yell at him again when a Goat stood up.

"Doctor Dillamond?" she asked breathlessly.

"Good evening Miss Elphaba. It has been quite some time." He said with a smile. Elphaba could not hold back the tears in her eyes. They clouded her vision enough that she would have missed Duran slipping past her even if she was looking.

Glinda made her way over to Scarto and Argento. The two Horses were shaking off the chill from the combined cold of the night and the sweat from exertion. Scarto saw her first.

"Heads up. Lady approaching." He said briskly. Argento snapped to attention.

"Really, gentlestallions, that's not necessary." She replied.

"Old habits, my lady." Scarto replied.

"I just wanted to thank you for your help tonight."

"It was our honor, my lady." Argento replied.

"Can I help you with anything?"

"No, my lady. Were fine. We'll just be finding our squire to help us freshen up." Scarto answered.

"I can help. My family had horses in Frottica." She furrowed her brow. "At least I hope they were horses. The thing one doesn't think about when you're young."

"Really? Frottican trained?" Argento said.

"Yep. From the best stables in Gillikin."

"I myself am from the Perthan Hills." Argento replied. "If you would be so kind; our squires here are good but they're trained on services horses. They don't compare to the Gillikin methods."

"Argento…" Scarto warned.

"What? It's a rare treat. I haven't been home in years."

"Don't take advantage of the lady's kindness."

"It's no trouble." Glinda put in. "My friend is busy anyway." She looked to where Elphaba was following Duran around, interrogating him.

"Quite." Scarto replied.

"Where are your…" Glinda started but Argento pointed with a hoof. She gathered the necessary implements and began to rub down Argento. She could not read Horses faces well, but thought he was enjoying it.

"Easy there, boy," Scarto said, "or I'll tell your wife."

"She'd just be jealous." Argento replied. "You have fabulous technique, my lady."

"Thank you. Horseback riding was always one of my favorite things."

"I noticed. You were well taught in the Gillikin style. Your friend, however, was not so good. Rudimentary Munchkinland, though I think she spent too many years riding that broom."

"Quite possible. She's had a hard life." She paused a moment. "And what of Duran? How does he ride?"

"Strangely." Replied Scarto, and Argento nodded in agreement. "He's an expert horseman, no doubt about it. I've seen mount a horse at a run, like tonight, but also seen him dismount at a run; a much trickier feat. I was with him once when we were ambushed on the road. Most men like to dismount to fight. He fought off my back like it was the most comfortable thing in the world. I've never seen anyone do that."

"He said his father was a caravan guard. Could that have something to do with it?" Glinda asked.

"Possible. He feels vaguely Vinkun sometimes in his style, liking to ride high in the saddle from the stirrups. Other times he feels Gillikin, with much finesse." Scarto shrugged, an interesting sight on a Horse.

"He said…" Glinda started, but saw Duran heading towards her. The smile that seemed always present was there, and Glinda smiled back.

"I'm off. I'll be back in a little while." He said cheerfully.

"Where are you going?" Glinda asked. He stopped as he was about to leave, and threw his cape around his shoulders.

"Merely an evening sojourn." His smile was still in place as he left.

"Funny. I wonder why he felt like taking a walk tonight." Glinda mused.

"Prowling." Argento said.

"Hunting." Scarto replied, his voice harder.

"Hunting what?" Glinda asked, sounding confused.

"Evil-doers. Our friend often stalks the night looking for those who would prey on the weak." Scarto answered.

"Like criminals?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes criminals in uniforms."

"Like…Gale Forcers?"

"Yes."

"How often does he find one?"

"Almost every night. Some nights more than one."

"I see." Glinda said. Her opinion of the man was starting to shift. She began to understand the danger behind that smile.

"Glinda!" Elphaba's voice cut threw her thoughts and she turned. "Glinda look! It's Doctor Dillamond!"

Glinda mumbled and rolled over. She tried to go back to bed but the need would not cease. With a huff she blew her curls out of her eyes and opened them. It was late, and it took her a second to remember where she was. She gently lifted Elphaba's arm off her. The green girl sprawled out in her sleep when she had the room (and often when she did not). Elphaba mumbled something, starting to wake up, but Glinda whispered her intentions and she went back to sleep. Light sleeper though Elphaba was, she had gotten used to Glinda's mid night bathroom breaks.

Glinda slipped on a large shirt over her nightdress. Duran had somehow acquired good traveling clothes for the both of them. She took one of Elphaba's, not wanting to go to the hassle of putting on pants, and slipped into her riding boots. Unlocking the door, she quietly slipped out and hoped she could find the bathroom.

She almost jumped at the light scraping noise emanating from the floor next to the door. She turned to see a dark figure running something over a sword. There was a flash of spark, and she could tell it was Duran.

"How many did you get tonight?" she asked, voice hard. He started a bit. Glinda had not thought he could be surprised so easily. In the moonlight she saw him turn and smile.

"I see someone told you." He replied, tone still light. "But, to answer your question, none tonight. The Gale Force is out in strength, and either they are too busy in it, or too scared of it."

"How can you do it? Kill someone so easily?" the distaste was obvious in her voice.

"Thousands of hours of training." He replied jokingly. Glinda was not amused. "But in honesty, that's the answer. You grind out the thinking aspect of it. Like your magic; the first time you do a spell is hard, but every time after gets easier until its second nature."

"That's horrendous!"

"I agree. But it is who I am." A flash in the night and his smile was gone, replaced with sadness in his eyes. Or maybe Glinda imagined it, since the smile was still there. "I do the best with what I have."

"Why not change? Give it all up?"

"There's a question. Would it be so easy for you to no longer be Glinda the Good?" he barked out a laugh which echoed in the hall. Only now did Glinda realize it was empty except for them. "Well, maybe not now, since you're a wanted person. But before?"

"I had the choice once. I failed to take it, and regretted it for seven years."

"Of course. Silly me. I may appear to be smart but really I'm all good looks and fast hands." His smile had turned self-deprecating.

"My question still stands. Why not change?"

He stood abruptly but the smile was still fixed on his face. By now Glinda recognized it; it was the same she had worn all these years. He began to move in pattern, dancing the sword this way and that in the moonlight. She had to fight to not become hypnotized by it.

"Perhaps I am not strong enough. Perhaps I have not found anyone who can make me so. Perhaps I am afraid." He said eventually.

"Afraid of what?"

A sad smile this time. Glinda never knew one expression could convey so much.

"Of losing myself. This is all I've ever known. This sword," He said and turned it so Glinda could see down the blade, "has seen me through many a tough time. It is as natural to me as moving my arm." He let the tip drop, then thrust out quickly away from Glinda. She could see the glint in his eyes, like a Cat on the hunt.

"I thought knights named their swords." She said, and he laughed.

"Most men of war do. They name them all sorts of things. The Ex-wife, Biter, Bludger, the Long Judgment. I do not. My sword has no name because it does not bring justice, or light, or death, or even life. No, my sword does not bring anything. It is merely an instrument of my will. It would be like naming my arm."

"And what is your will? Death?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes only pain, like when I saved you. But always destruction."

"Sounds like a terrible existence."

"It is."

"I can't imagine why anyone would continue it."

"As I said before, I do the best I can. I've been trained to destroy, but it is my will that directs the destruction. I've turned it against those who would do harm. I am under no illusion that makes me a good person, but as long as evil exists I will seek to eliminate it anyway I can."

"I see. Is that why you saved us? To eliminate the evil chasing us?"

"No. I saved you because you have done more to eliminate evil than I ever could. I can only treat the symptom; you can cure the disease. Evil came for you, to eliminate you both. I saved you in the hopes that someday, through you, I am no longer needed. Perhaps then some of the destruction I've wrought will mean something."

"I see." They sat in silence for a long moment. Then Glinda said, "Why don't you come with us?"

He threw his head back and laughed but then looking at her face, his smile dropped. "You're serious."

"Yes. Come with us. I dare say we will need some protection on this journey and you're very skilled. You also will be serving the good you want without having to kill someone every night."

He stared at her for a long time but then said, "While my heart would love it, I have to refuse."

"Why?"

"Through your efforts you will change Oz for the better. Of that I have no doubt. But someone like me with so much blood on his hands will only compromise your position. A killer has no right to be in the company of those such as you."

"That's absurd! We're not any better than you!"

"That's where I'll have to disagree. But nonetheless, my reason stands." He strode towards her, and Glinda felt shiver of fear. Watching him move, sword in hand, she felt as if Death was walking towards her. He took one of her hands, and bent low to kiss it. She watched as his eyes never left hers.

"That is, though, the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I thank you." And Glinda could see her truly meant it.

"I'm sorry." She said, though she did not know why, and hurried toward the bathroom. He watched her go.

"How long have you been there?" he asked quietly.

"Since the beginning." Elphaba answered just as soft, and she detached from the shadows. To Duran, her dress seemed to be made of it.

Poetic. he thought to himself as he sheathed his sword.

"I would have thought a hunter such as yourself would have known immediately."

"My senses seem dulled when she's around." He shrugged and turned to look at her.

"I know what you mean." Her eyes were still on Glinda, who disappeared in a door, but then turned back to him. They were hard. "Why didn't you accept her offer?"

"You mean besides the fact you would never let me join you?" he asked, his smile back in place.

"I think you know that if she had asked I would have let it happen."

"Possibly. My reason is still the same."

"Except it's a lie."

"Only one of many tonight. The first you've called me on."

"So, did you find him?"

"You are quick. No, I didn't. Only news. The Home Guard seemed to catch him shortly after your separation. Apparently he turned a corner and ran smack into a squad of them."

"Brilliant."

"Better than the Gale Force. The Home Guard at least works for Oz. I don't know who the Gale Force works for."

"Not the Minister?"

"Only nominally. Someone else is pulling their strings."

"I see. You haven't an idea?"

"I do, but if it is true, I have no power to stop them."

"So you'll cut as many strings as you can."

"Yep."

There was a lull in the conversation, then Elphaba said,

"She's not dumb you know."

"I am very aware."

"She can see it. She knows what you're hiding behind that smile, or at least has an inkling of it."

"From what I understand she has a talent for pulling hidden feelings out of people."

"And how do you mean that?"

"Just as an observation."

Glinda had come out of the bathroom and was heading their way.

"So when will we be moving tomorrow?" Elphaba asked.

"Tomorrow night. In a few more hours I'll take you to one of the safe houses near the walls, and you'll spend the rest of the day there. Then we'll move you out one of our many hidden paths out of the city."

"Will you be doing the moving?" Glinda asked.

"Most likely not. I'm a bit…noticeable. Not what you want. But I'll be around in case things go south. Now it would be my recommendation you both get some more sleep."

"What about you?" Glinda wondered but he flashed her a smile.

"Oh, I don't need sleep."

And they could not tell if he was joking or not.