A/N: A shout out to my anonymous reviewer! We find out now what is up. Glad you liked it. Thanks so much!

Chapter 9

"Hamza filled me in on what happened. Thank Oz you were here," Doctor Talib said to Elphaba. They were sitting in his office, which was part of the infirmary.

"Thank Oz he was here. Hamza has studied well and Sarah was lucky that he was here. It has allowed you to work with those less fortunate in the city," the green woman told him. Talib nodded and replied,

"He is due for a raise in pay but also in rank. I meant to tell everyone once Lady Glinda was back, but I guess now will have to do. I intend to retire at the end of next month. I want to continue my outreach and Hamza deserves to become the Royal Physician."

"You will be missed but it is well deserved. Still, you know that I won't be here once Glinda returns. I am needed in the Vinkus. Fiyero is not assuming the throne or anything but there is wedding planning and royal responsibilities to be dealt with. Who will back up Hamza if you are off living the good life?" Elphaba asked.

"We have a good batch of interns. Glinda allowed me to have a class of five this year. She told me that medical work is important and that she wanted things to change here in the Emerald City and maybe throughout Oz. I think she intends to send doctors to each Ozian territory so that they may share what they have learned and give medical help to those in need," he said.

"Excellent on all accounts then. The case at hand has me stumped though," she admitted.

"Myself as well. Infections don't need much of an invite but based on the picture you drew of the mark; I have no idea what could have done that. Do you think that somehow Mombey is getting us from her grave?" Talib wondered.

"I don't know. Sweet Oz, I hope not," Elphaba shook her head. There was a knock on the door and the Royal Physician bade the person to enter.

"Look who I found," Fiyero smirked, while noting the presence of Hamza.

"Glad to see you both. As the Prince, you may go first," Talib said.

"Hardly, I think Hamza should," Fiyero smiled. The young doctor-to-be bowed his head and spoke,

"Everything that Sarah's body expelled has me concerned – especially since it is what I could best describe as a dark reddish-purple color. While I am sure we cleaned it out, I worry that perhaps her surrounding tissues and possibly the nearby bones could be in danger."

"I agree and I think we'll need to do an exploratory surgery to clarify. Will you be willing to aid in that Miss Elphaba?" Talib asked.

"I would love to," she nodded.

"What did you have Prince Fiyero?" Hamza wanted to know.

"I looked at Elphaba's drawing. I don't think this was an accident. I sent a letter to Dilek and asked him to look into it," Fiyero admitted.

"That seems like an overreaction. I mean she could have cut herself on anything," Talib was surprised.

"Having not grown up the in Vinkus, I expected you to say that. You see there are certain traditions in the Vinkun way of life that my parents have tried to update but there are those who do not want to change. My guess is that Doctor Howat knew exactly what it was but wanted us to see it," Fiyero heaved a sigh.

"That doesn't sound good," Elphaba gave him a look and he continued,

"My tattoos are part of my lineage. They are required as I am part of the Royal family. They hurt while they are put on your skin and the ink that is used is a mixture of plant leaves, bugs, soot, ground up metal shavings. Some of the inks though use things like pig bile and ink that we now only use to write with. There are trained tattooists that are supposed to be used but often people end up going to tribal elders. Needles need to be clean and often they are not. I think someone tried to mark her, without her really knowing it." The doctor shook his head knowing that any of that could have led to an infection or nasty biological rection to anything injected into the skin.

"Mark her with what?" Elphaba was concerned that whoever this was did this on purpose.

"It's hard to say but given the location… it has been a spot that often was used to mark those who do not belong or have committed some sort of crime," Fiyero admitted.

"So, someone does not like Sarah hanging around in the Vinkus?" Hamza wondered.

"Could be. Hence why I sent a letter to Dilek," the Prince said.

"Good call. At least she and Fevzi are safe here," Elphaba heaved a sigh.

"Hamza, prep the patient for that exploratory. Not a word of this to Fevzi until we work out what is really going on. I don't want too much supposition. Where are his parents by the way?" Talib gave the Prince a look.

"He said they were on their way. I'm a little surprised that they aren't here yet. Another reason for Dilek to look into this," Fiyero told them.

"One of these days we'll catch a break and people will stop treating each other like this," Elphaba shook her head and left the room. She had to tell Fevzi what was going on and she hoped that Damla would help keep him calm.

To Be Continued…