A/N: Shout outs to my anonymous reviewer and James Birdsong! Glad you liked it. :) Thanks so much!
Chapter 13
Elphaba had headed immediately into the infirmary when they arrived back in the Emerald City. Lieutenant Zetti had met them at the gate, surprised to see them. They had not sent a letter because they were trying to be quiet about their travels. He had been trying to keep things together almost entirely on his own. That told Fiyero things were worse than originally assumed.
"Doctor Talib didn't want me to send out a letter. He was afraid that if it was intercepted than it would be out that both Glinda and Bayram were not well. Technically, the Council has been handling governmental things, but I have had the lion's share of lying about where Glinda and Bayram are. Letters are going unanswered from dignitaries and citizens are asking questions," Zetti relayed to Fiyero as the two unloaded the carriage and got the horses back into their stalls at the stable. Schultz, Roth, and Kaplan were helping them. Damla had joined them, unwilling to not lend a hand to her Prince and his future Princess.
"Oh boy. Does he know what they have?" Fiyero wondered.
"He first thought it was a cold. Those are going around – it is that time of year, but it's morphed into something else. Lady Glinda has this cough that would wake the dead and Bayram has a nasty fever. The doctor is trying to keep as many people out of the infirmary as possible since we don't know how they got it or how it only seems to be the two of them," the Lieutenant shook his head.
"All right. What we talked about does not leave this room. Right boys?" Fiyero looked at Schultz and Roth. They quickly agreed and saluted.
"Same goes for you Corporal Kaplan. The difference is you will be bunking in the Palace while they return to their bunks in the bunkhouse. I appreciate you coming with us and your help will indeed be needed," Fiyero turned to the Vinkun soldier.
"Yes, your Highness," she saluted and nodded.
"Good. Please have the luggage delivered to the Palace and return to your posts. Damla, with me," Fiyero told them. There were quick nods and the group split up. Not wanting to ask why she'd been singled out, but she figured that he'd want her to see her quarters.
"Boq, it's good to see you," Fiyero smiled at the Tin Man, who had opened the Palace doors.
"Fiyero! I'm glad you're here. I need your help wrangling the Council. I'm not built for this – literally," Boq seemed frazzled.
"Ok fill me in on the way. Elphaba went to see Doctor Talib. This is Corporal Damla Kaplan of the Vinkun Army. She returned with us," Fiyero introduced her to the former Munchkin.
"Nice to mee you. You may call me Boq. Though don't be surprised if you hear Tin Man," Boq smiled at her.
"Nice to meet you, sir. Prince Fiyero, where do you need me?" Damla wanted to know.
"I need you to send a note to Lieutenant Dilek and my parents. Let them know we're here. Nothing else. Doctor Talib is correct to worry about secure communications. We will walk with you and then continue onto the Council Chamber. When you are done with the letter have Corporal Norris escort you to meet us there," Fiyero explained. She nodded and the group went down the hall. Once Damla had gone into the room where Corporal Norris drafted letters and sent them via Bird, Fiyero turned to Boq.
"What was Bayram up to? We know that there was some sort of trouble afoot with Foster before we came. What is going on?" He wanted to know.
"All quiet on the western front as far as that goes. The Lieutenant has his man on the inside and he's getting us intel. This hit out of nowhere. Given that it's only the two of them, we're trying to see if something went into their food or if they both touched something that could have had something on it," Boq explained.
"Great. All we needed was a psycho," Fiyero shook his head as they entered the Council Chamber.
To Be Continued…