Thanks to MyLittleElphie. It is a busy day, and it's only going to get busier. Elphaba always has had a flair for the dramatic. As for the triangle, well….you'll see.
Thank you to RavenCurls for reviewing. And hanging Glinda is exciting. Such a Fiyeraba shipper.
Thank you to Frottica Arduenna for reviewing. Do not worry, there is a sequel. I'm ecstatic you like my writing.
Thank you for heatqueen for reviewing and the critique. Yeah, I wasn't pleased with that part particularly, but sometimes you just have to get past it. Elphie coming to save the day? It is possible…But you'll have to read and see. ;) And the Glinda/Fiyero thing will be a big thing.
Thank you to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Yes, DiD! DiD!.
Thanks to Varia for reviewing. Quite.
And thanks to my lovely Guest. I don't know who you are, but thank you.
Three more to go. Is the suspense killing you? It's killing me and I'm writing it.
As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and Critiques are welcome, by review or pm.
9/12/14
"The gallows?" Glinda breathed.
"Yes; you know, the place where they tie a rope around your neck and swing you by it?" replied the lead man with obvious delight. "It's too bad, though; normally we have more time with the condemned prisoners. You would have been a once-in-a-life-time treat."
"You're a terrible man." Glinda replied haughtily. He turned with a smile.
"I know. Now come on; the Throne Minister wants to see you before she sends you to swing."
"I'm sure she does." Muttered Fiyero.
The pair were lead through the halls while the two men repeatedly yanked on their bonds, trying to get them to fall. Fiyero and Glinda stumbled, but neither gave them the satisfaction of falling. As they were led into the Throne Room, Morrible was speaking to some advisors heatedly. She cut them off with a wave of her hand when she saw them approach.
"Well, my dear, I'm sorry for it to end this way, but it must be."
"It is the only way it could end." Replied Glinda. Fiyero eyed her warily.
"And why do you say that?" Morrible asked with genuine curiosity.
"Because, Mordrea, you fear me too much to let me live, whether it be in a jail cell or free."
"I think you over value your worth." Morrible hissed.
"No; you just over value yours." Glinda retorted and the room held its breath. The vein in Morrible's head pulsed.
"It would not be wise to provoke me, dear."
"Why? Like I said, you fear me too much to let me live, and if you kill me here you do not get your example. What do I have to lose, Mordrea?" Glinda asked icily.
"I may show mercy on Elphaba." Morrible answered calmly and Glinda paused.
A smile started to appear on Morrible's face but the laughter bubbling forth from Glinda put a stop to it. It started as a light chuckle but soon grew into full blown hysterics. Everyone in the Throne Room watched the blonde as if she had gone crazy. A few more chortles, and one snort later, Glinda got control of herself. She shook her head to clear her eyes.
"Oh, I haven't laughed that hard in a good long while. Thank you." Glinda said and smiled.
"What do you find so funny, dear?" Morrible asked through clenched teeth. Glinda's smile grew wider.
"You think you're going to show Elphaba mercy? The position will be very much reversed, Mordrea. Though what mercy she'll have left after you killed her sister, her lover, and me; well let's just say I hope she lives up to her saintly name. If by some miracle you beat Elphaba, I doubt you'd show any mercy. If you're so afraid of me, Elphaba must absolutely terrify you." Glinda replied happily. Morrible's face had twisted into one of rage.
"If you're so eager to die, why not now?" Morrible growled. Glinda laughed lightly.
"Because, then you wouldn't have your example to try and cow the populace."
"I see your grasp of politics has not left you. Very well, then. Take her to the gallows." Morrible spat, and the guards dragged them out.
"What the hell was that?" Fiyero asked as they were hustled along.
"Don't be jealous you didn't think of it." Glinda replied.
"Antagonizing people who are going to kill me is not really my style."
"Really? I seem to remember this one incident…"
"Fine. You know, you never used to this combative. Elphaba has rubbed off on you."
"I know. Wonderful, isn't it?"
"Well, that's one word for it."
The doors opened in front of them and they were led out into the roar of the City under the clear blue sky.
"I am the Wicked Witch of the West!" Elphaba cackled and raised her arms skyward. "I have come back from the dead to claim this world, and not even water can harm me now! Prepare yourself, Captain, for your soul will be the first for my pleasure!"
Elphaba smiled toothily at the man. He seemed awestruck of her, as did the rest of the soldiers (both Emerald City and Royal Guard). No one moved and Elphaba began to worry her plan would not work. She clenched her hands and they were wreathed in orbs of fire. That broke the daze gripping them. Men in green turned and began to flee. Their compatriots in black tried to keep them in line, but many suffered blows for their trouble. Soon it was only the Gale Force left standing. Elphaba turned to the Royal Guard Captain.
"I assume you can handle it from here?" she asked. The man nodded.
"Come on boys! Let's show these upstarts how it is done!" He yelled, waving his sword at the Gale Force, and began forward.
A cagey veteran, the Captain knew better than to exhaust himself or his men before coming to actual combat. The Gale Force was well trained also, and they drew their swords and advanced. The drumbeat of their booted feet hammered Elphaba's ears and she was tempted to stay, but knew she had more important business. She turned up a street towards the palace, and took off at a run.
She did not see much of anyone, but could hear yelling from the front as well as the clatter of fighting from behind. Her own nerves spurred her faster and she was almost at a sprint when she hit the Palace Bazaar. She only had one more block to traverse before she was in the Palace Courtyard. The Bazaar was empty, which was eerie even now. As she moved towards the road that led out, a man stepped in her path. He was wearing black and silver, and had a golden braided cord that ran from his left shoulder to his chest. His pistol was leveled at Elphaba.
"You must be Elphaba, the infamous Wicked Witch of the West." He sneered. Elphaba now saw he was older (perhaps early forties) with black hair that was slicked back (though the rain had taken its toll on it). He was of broad shoulders and trunk, and Elphaba knew him to be a professional soldier.
"Yes, I am." She replied warily. She started to summon some magic but the man raised his pistol higher.
"None of that, now. If I hear you mutter one more word I will shoot you down. I know your sorceress tricks. Now, raise your hands where I can see them. No hand magic, either."
Elphaba did as she was told but kept the object she was clutching in her hand. The man drew his sword and approached cautiously. A smile slowly began to appear.
"I bet you're wondering who I am." He said but Elphaba refused to take the bait. "A pity. Anyway, I am General Cherrystone, leader of the Ozian forces."
Elphaba quirked an eyebrow at this comment, and Cherrystone smiled.
"You are wondering how I call myself that. Well, I personally command the Gale Force, but my own handpicked men command the Home Guard and the Royal Ozian Army. Morrible is simply a face; an ugly one at that. After I put down these riots I will have to find a prettier, simpler face for the throne. I thought perhaps Miss Glinda, but she slipped my grasp too easily last time to be controllable. It's shame, really, but I had to let Morrible send her to the gallows."
Elphaba started and went to move but Cherrystone gestured with his pistol again and she calmed. She could only hope she was not too late to save Glinda. If she was….
"Oh, that got your attention, did it?" he said with a grin. Elphaba scowled. "Yes, at this very moment your lovely little friend is being led to her death. Perhaps I should send you after her; I had originally thought to capture you and vault myself to the throne that way, but maybe she was right. Maybe you are too dangerous to let live."
Elphaba tensed but the pistol still held her from moving. She would wait for her chance to strike when he began to speak or got distracted. For now, she had to stall until that opportunity arose.
"It is unfortunate. However, a dead witch is just about as good as a live one. Goodbye, Miss Thropp."
Elphaba summoned her spell before he could even finish speaking. She threw the wind spell at him but there was a loud crackle and a blinding pain in her head. She staggered backwards and her legs gave out from under her. As her vision cleared she saw Cherry tear something away from the inside of his uniform and toss it to the ground.
"Damn that burned. If you're wondering, Witch, what that was, I'll tell you. A counterspell amulet. It blocks whatever spell thrown at it and rebounds it to the wielder, causing them to be stunned. It also has a useful side effect of burning out the casters ability to do magic for a short while. I acquired one after Morrible killed my original pick for Home Guard Commander. It cost me more than a year's salary. Good thing I won't have to worry about money soon." He smiled ruefully. "And, now, Witch, you die."
He lifted his pistol and pointed it at Elphaba. She tried to move, tried to summon a spell, but neither her physical nor magical facilities cooperated. She looked down the barrel of the pistol defiantly. If she were to die, she would do it with her head raised high.
Morrible had spared no expense in the pageantry and had them escorted out of the public side of the Palace where the rulers and dignitaries often met the people of the City. She had also made a City-wide announcement to ensure there would be crowds. There were, and they pressed hard against the fence of the courtyard. Emerald Palace Guards resplendent in their green and gold lined the way to keep the people from the prisoners. The sight of them brought back memories to Glinda.
"I remember when you wore one of those uniforms." she said to Fiyero. He shot her a dark look.
"Should we really be talking about this?" he asked, almost having to yell to be heard over the crowds.
"Why not? I doesn't make much of a difference now."
"How fatalistic of you."
"Over the last half year people have been constantly trying to kill me. At some point you just get used to it."
"I can understand that."
Glinda looked over the crowds. Many were jeering and calling insults to them, believing whatever lie Morrible had sold them. However, a large group was watching silently and another was actively clashing with the Palace Guard. Amongst the sullen group she caught sight of Pfannee. She looked sad.
Pfannee watched from the steps of a nearby building as the two were led out the doors. Morrible's mostly paid crowd was baying for their blood, but there was an equal number of genuine citizens there to watch the fall of their once precious figure. They were sullen and quiet. Another group of citizens had used the chance to target the Emerald Palace Guard. They clashed openly, but Pfannee did nothing to help or hinder them.
She watched Glinda scan the crowd and lock eyes with her. There seemed to be a sad smile on the woman's face for just an instance before she set her chin up defiantly. Pfannee marveled at the strength of the woman. She thought about casting a small spell on Glinda to free her magic but did not risk the chance of Morrible finding out. There were few spell casters in the City now.
"I guess this is how Elphaba feels." Glinda said. "No wonder she seems so brave."
"She is brave."
"That's true. But then again, aren't we all? I remember a certain dashing prince coming to her rescue."
"Not that again."
"I must say, none of these guards fill out the uniform quite so well."
"I was scared there for a second that I had lost you, Glin. But as long as you're looking for beauty I know you're still there." He said, amusement in his voice. She smiled at the tone.
They had finally cleared the first courtyard and made their way into the streets. Here the Palace Guard were their only separation from the crowd and they were put under constant pressure as the crowd pushed forward towards the prisoners. Some hurled insults, some encouragement, and some words of condolences. Glinda smiled at those who supported her, and ignored those who did not. The irony of dying on such a beautiful clear day struck her funny.
As if responding to her thoughts, the sky darkened. Glinda for a moment thought she had somehow changed her view of the world through her mood, but dismissed it a moment later. The crowd had taken notice now and had quieted to nervous whispers. Glinda tilted her head up to look at the sky, and saw a dark cloud begin to form over the City. Thinking of Morrible, she looked over to Pfannee but saw the woman's face turned upward and scrunched in concern.
Pfannee watched as the sky darkened. The cloud swirled within itself, growing larger by the minute. She could practically feel the magic coming emanating from it and the hair on her body rose. The only witch powerful enough to make this storm would have been Morrible, but Pfannee knew she was in the Palace. Unless…
Pfannee turned towards the Palace and looked for the secret entrance she had used on numerous occasions. To her surprise, Morrible was already standing there. She gave a come hither motion and then turned towards where the storm was centered. Pfannee felt a shiver go down her spine. The only other witch powerful enough to conjure such a storm would have been Elphaba. A bolt of lightning washed out the world and when it came back, the rain came with it. Pfannee hurried to Morrible's side and the two ventured into the storm.
Glinda watched Pfannee turn and run off to an area she could not see. The rain had dealt the final blow to the enthusiasm of the crowd, and it began to disperse. The guards pulling them along started to mull around as they did not know what to do. As the pair slowly became soaked a young guard ran up to them.
"New orders. The prisoners are to be taken to back to their cell to await execution at a later time."
"Well, I guess you two have a little reprieve." The talkative man said. "Maybe we could convince the Throne Minister to let us have a go at her Goodness."
As if his words were the summons, a large body of people broke cover and rushed the Emerald Palace Guards. They were surprised but quickly turned to face the new threat. However, infiltrators in the crowd attacked them from behind. The surrounding area soon fell into chaos as some citizens fled the fighting, others attacked the guards, and still others attacked those attacking the guards.
Fiyero began to work his hands out of the rope binding them. The rain led to slickness on his rough cloth skin. He had to work fast, however, as the bran mix he had started using for stuffing would become compact and harder in the rain. He finally wiggled both hands free, but maintained a grip on the rope so as to not be noticed. He now needed something to help free Glinda.
A guard fell near them and his poleax clattered to Fiyero's feet. Seeing his chance, he slipped his bonds. The first guard never saw the heavy fist coming and pitched forward to the cobblestones in a daze. The other guard turned to him but too late caught the butt of the poleax to the face. He went down groaning.
"Quick, Glinda, come here!" Fiyero said and Glinda did not need to be told twice. Fiyero used the blade of the weapon to saw through her bonds and both started towards the maelstrom that Elphaba had created.
"Hey, you, stop!" a voice yelled. Neither did. They were aiming for an opening in the crowd but a few guards managed to intercept them. They swung at the pair but Fiyero stepped forward and took the strikes to his body. He felt impact but no pain and the poleaxes were too dull to cut through his body. Fiyero struck out twice and both men fell back.
"Glinda, go!" he yelled and turned to face the group of guards coming for him.
"But Fiyero!"
"Go! Elphaba needs your help. I'll be fine."
Glinda did not say anything else but took off as fast as she could across the wet streets. Fiyero smiled at the guards as he recognized a couple.
"Well, gentlemen, I guess this is round two. Let's see if I hold out better than Munchkinland."
"Huh?" one of the men said but got no further as Fiyero moved forward.
Fiyero struck the man with the butt of the pole and swung it horizontally towards another. A third guard hit his body but he merely pivoted and struck him with the flat of the axe. Then his world upended and he could not feel his legs. He realized why as he saw them a few feet away. He looked up to see the grim face of the guard who had bisected him.
"You really know how to cut a guy's legs out from under him." He said evenly. The men shook their heads.
"Grab his pieces and let's go. We're going to put him back in his cell."
"What about Glinda?"
"She's gone and those rioters are coming closer to the Palace. We've got a job to do; let someone else take care of her."
There was a loud click but no pain. Elphaba smiled ruefully.
"Seems you're having performance issues." She said. Cherrystone's face twisted in disgust and he threw the pistol away.
"Quite. However this," he replied and brandished the sword, "shall suffice."
He moved closer and Elphaba tried to scramble away but her body continued to fight her. Cherrystone raised his sword and Elphaba felt her hand light with fire. For a second she thought her magic was back but a look to her hand saw it as normal.
A mess of cording came flying through the air and struck the raised sword, tangling it. Cherrystone cursed and tried to dislodge the cording but it held fast for a moment. Elphaba renewed her effort to move away but only managed to shift a few more paces back. Hearing boots she looked around and saw the man that rescued her.
Of average build and height with slightly tanned skin, he was wearing a blue doublet and breeches with brown knee high boots. His half cape (blue with a yellow lining) was pinned fashionably back so as not to get in the way of the sword he carried in his left hand. His face was obscured by the darkness of the day and the shadow cast by his cavalier hat.
"And who are you?" Elphaba hissed. He smiled and it was then she recognized him.
"Why, Miss Elphaba, you ask me that question every time you meet me." He replied lightly.
"Duran." She whispered.
"And just who the hell might you be?" Cherrystone growled. He had finished untangling his sword from the cords. Duran turned his smile on him.
"Well, that's an interesting question. What is a name? I could give you mine but it would mean nothing to you. I could give you the titles I have been come upon but they really would not reflect who I am. So, as a name that would mean actually something to you and me, I guess you could call me the Night Haunter."
Cherrystone stared at him for a second and began to laugh.
"The Night Haunter? Am I supposed to be scared? No, you know what you just told me?"
"And what's that?" Duran asked, genuinely intrigued. Cherrystone eyes narrowed.
"That you're a member of the Resistance and are their choice for assassinating me. Perhaps they think you're good enough of a swordsman to do it. Perhaps you would think that the officer braids you threw on my sword would cow me." Cherrystone voice was rising. "But they and you are fools! I will not be cowed, and after I kill you, I will kill the Witch and rule this blasted Land of Oz."
"Cry, Havoc; and let slip the Dogs of War." Duran replied evenly. Elphaba looked at him confused but saw that Cherrystone had frozen.
"What did you just say?" he whispered.
"You heard me. And it wasn't the first time, was it, General? No, you heard it on that night a long time ago, back when you were just a captain." Duran said but his smile had shifted. It had become predatory.
"It can't be you."
"But it is. I have personal business to settle with you, General. You escaped me that night, but the boatman always gets his due." Duran's voice was ice.
"Another mind game." Cherrystone retorted. "I will not fall for them. If you want to try and kill me, then come. You'll find I am no easy prey."
"Of course not. You were an Ozian class fencer in your day and I hear still very good. That's why I suspect it will take six movements to kill you."
"Six?" Cherrystone laughed. "I highly doubt it will be so little. But come, try your hand."
"In just a moment." Duran answered with pleasure. "Miss Elphaba, are you capable of standing?"
"Uh, I can try." She stuttered. She had forgotten she existed as the drama had played out in front of her. She struggled to her feet and had to steady herself, but felt strength returning.
"Good. And your magic?"
Elphaba focused and a guttered flame started from her hand. It flickered a few times but eventually held. It was weaker than most but it steadily was growing stronger.
"Very good." Duran said. "Now, if you continue on your way to the Palace I'm sure Miss Glinda needs you."
"I can help with this."
"I need no help, Miss Elphaba, and would spare you the sight of the killing."
"I've seen you kill before."
"And would I be wrong to say you were worse for wear for it?" Duran asked and Elphaba shuttered slightly. "As I suspected. No, I would not subject you to that again. Run along."
Elphaba bristled at the tone of his comment but turned towards the Palace. She kept a far distance from Cherrystone and once she was safely past took off at a run. Both men watched her retreating form and then turned to each other.
"I will enjoy taking her after killing you." Cherrystone growled. Duran arched an eyebrow. "Oh yes, I've decided it would be much more fun to have both the ladies as my concubines; that is if Miss Glinda survives today."
"I was told once that before any fight a man should put thoughts of the future from his head, and focus only on his sword and his enemy's." Duran retorted.
"Good words. Shall we?"
"We shall."
Both men saluted each other; Duran with his left and Cherrystone with his right. The two men stepped back and into guards. Cherrystone held his hand at shoulder height with the rapier pointing towards Duran's throat. Duran on the other hand kept his guard lowered but sword angled upward.
Duran made the first move; a rising stab to Cherrystone's throat. Cherrystone rotated his blade under Duran's catch and deflect it outside. He riposted but pulled it as soon as it started; Duran's blade had almost no force once they had made contact. Duran had stepped to his left and turned it into a downward cut; Cherrystone moved left to bring guard back into line and shuffled stepped back.
Duran's blade skipped off Cherrystone's hilt but the man was already bringing it inside and thrusting. Cherrystone circled and brought his own guard inward to parry, but realized too late he had been forced into a no-win situation. He attempted to backpedal but Duran had already disengaged and cut the tip of his sword across Cherrystone's throat. Cherrystone clasped his free hand to the wound and tried to keep his guard up, but Duran's steel snaked underneath and punched through his body. The man collapsed to the ground and his life soon leaked out of him.
Duran bent down and grabbed a piece of the dead man's uniform to clean the blood and ichor from his blade. He picked up Cherrystone's sword, examined it, and then cleaned it also. He unhooked the man's belt and slid the sword into its sheath, and then searched the body for anything else that might be of interest. Finding a dagger, some coin, and a few letters (including an official seal of office), he tucked them into the pouch at his own belt. Finally, he cut the cord of office from Cherrystone's uniform, and picked up the officer braids from where they had lie. He placed them on top of Cherrystone, hooked the other man's belt around his waist, and adjusted his cap. With a flash of his cape, he headed over towards the Palace.
"I was right. Six. Not counting the coup de grace, but he was dead already." He said thoughtfully. He paused for a moment to pick up the discarded pistol, and then continued his walk.
Elphaba pulled up sharply as she entered the Palace Courtyard. There, hurrying towards her, was Morrible. The woman's eyes widened as she saw Elphaba. Elphaba's own narrowed. She took in the other woman at Morrible's side. It looked strangely like…Pfannee? Elphaba did not bother with her much more as she was not a threat. Elphaba risked glancing around the courtyard as she heard whispers and some screams. The citizens of the Emerald City had been hurrying on their way but now had stopped at the sight of her. Elphaba looked back towards Morrible, who approached cautiously.
"Miss Elphaba." She said coolly.
"Morrible."
"It's been far too long."
"That's debatable."
"Still as rude as ever. Miss Glinda was always the polite one. Such as waste to hang her."
"I don't have time for this. Let's go."
Flame flew from the woman at Morrible's side (it was Pfannee). Elphaba dodged and threw the air spell back. Pfannee spun around it but Elphaba had been forced to engage Morrible. The weather witch was now showing her talent. She conjured miniature cyclones and snaked them towards Elphaba. Elphaba cut with her hand and they died. Her return fireball was extinguished in a rush of water which then flew in a torrent at her. Elphaba waved and it froze, falling to the ground.
It was then Pfannee rejoined the contest. Fireballs erupted from the tip of her wand, trying to pin Elphaba down. Elphaba dodged two and reached out with her own magic to redirect another three towards Morrible. The weather witch extinguished each easily and rebutted with torrents of water again. Elphaba redirected those, though it was much more difficult, and the three combatants stopped for a moment to catch their breath. The crowd waited with their own bated for it to start again.
It started with Morrible shooting golf sized hail at Elphaba, who redirected to Pfannee, who blasted them with her fireball that continued towards Elphaba. Elphaba redirected it towards Morrible but at the same time called the air spell to her mind and flung it at Pfannee. The woman did not expect Elphaba to be able to control two different spells at two different targets, and was blown back towards the crowd. She fell with a heavy thud and did not get back up.
The two witches turned their full attention to each other. The elements raged between them: Morrible's cyclones were turned into firestorms by Elphaba which then when made water spouts and hail. Elphaba threw gusts of air and torrents of water at Morrible, who changed them to less harmful elements to keep them from hurting her. The crowd could tell that Elphaba had the upper hand as she went on the offensive first with fire, then air, then water, and then with all three. Lightning leapt from Morrible's wand and Elphaba barely had time to dodge it, and the two women were at stalemate again.
There was a hush over the crowd at this point and then anxious murmurs. Elphaba tuned them out, focusing only on Morrible. She was so focused she did not see Pfannee reach for her wand and take aim. The blonde got to a knee, and centered herself. The spell she was to cast was very difficult and would take a lot out of her. It would end this match, however. Finally, Pfannee took a deep breath and called forth the lightning from her wand.
"Elphaba, watch out!" came a familiar voice.
Elphaba turned to see lightning arcing towards her but she could not move in time. A small body cut between her and the deadly rays. A blood curdling scream pierced the day as the lighting danced over her body. Elphaba was momentarily blinded but smelled burning flesh. When vision returned, Elphaba saw the small woman face down on the cobblestones. She would recognize that blonde hair anywhere.
"Glinda!"