A/N: For those of you who haven't read Try or Sacrifice, the following might be a little confusing. I suggest you at least read Sacrifice first.
A/N 2: We last saw our friends being attacked by a magical tornado and a King who they thought was their friend. The story picks up shortly after the incidents. Enjoy! :)
Morrible's Apprentice
By 18lzytwner
Chapter 1
Elphaba would have paced about to help her think if she hadn't been in a moving carriage. Everyone agreed that they must return to the capital but not without picking up her spell books. She was quite well versed in them but the Grimmerie would have been better. Sadly that was still missing and there was no way they were heading back into Oz to get it.
"We're almost to the Village. We'll grab your books, some supplies, and then we'll be back on the road," Fiyero smiled and tried to reassure her by putting his free hand on her left knee. She smiled slightly and said,
"What about Liir? He certainly shouldn't come with us and yet…"
"You don't want to leave him behind," Fiyero finished her sentence. Usually she hated when he did that but as of late he'd been right on the money and there was no way to argue.
"There's a good chance whoever sent that tornado went after Glinda and if they should hear we left our son unprotected there is no way to get back and reach him in time," there was a tinge of fear in her voice; something that didn't occur often.
"Is there a protection spell you could cast?" He wondered as the carriage came to a halt.
"We don't know what we're dealing with and I'm not sure if it will be strong enough," doubt worked its way into her voice now and Fiyero could tell she was unsure of what to do. Normally, she'd have already made up her mind and be half done with whatever it was. He wondered if her maternal instinct was overriding her strong personality. They exited the carriage and thanked Bert for his services. He remained with the carriage until they returned with his payment.
Boq and Besim followed them into their home. While Elphaba dug for her spell books and Fiyero paid Bert, the two friends entertained Liir and found some food for them to eat.
"I don't know about you but my ass is killing me and my horse could use a break," Boq told them once they were all gathered at the table.
"I'll remind you to not speak that way in front of Liir and we aren't using horses to return to the city. There is a faster way," she pointed a green finger at him.
"Faster?" Besim raised an eyebrow.
"Of course," Elphaba went into a closet and returned with two brooms, a mop, and a rake. She began enchanting them and the ex-Tin Man turned to his friends.
"She isn't serious is she?" Boq looked at Fiyero, hoping he'd receive a comforting answer.
"Oh she's serious," his friend replied.
"Sweet mother of Oz! I'm not getting on one of those things!" Boq put his foot down.
"Fine. We'll save Glinda and you can tell her you were chicken," Besim smirked, knowing what kind of response he'd get.
"Fat chance!" Boq grabbed the floating rake Elphaba handed him.
"All right gentlemen, pardon the phrase but you're about to get a crash course in flying. Everybody outside," she smiled. They did as they were told. By now however a crowd had gathered around the house. The Animals were eager to see what was going on upon the return of their heroes.
"Elphaba!" Mrs. Dillamond arrived at her side and the two hugged.
"What's going on?" The goat asked.
"Flying lessons, albeit they're quick ones. We must head back to the capital. Glinda could be in trouble," the green one explained.
"You're taking the baby? He can't be more than a week old," Mrs. Dillamond feared it would be too much for the little one.
"We have no choice. I can't endanger the village should our enemy find out he's here," Elphaba told her. The goat nodded.
"But how will you fly with him?" She wondered.
"With this," the witch smiled and showed off her quick thinking. All it was was a sheet wrapped tightly around her midsection with the baby inside of it.
"He won't fall out will he?" Her friend worried.
"No. I'll have one hand on him too," Elphaba smiled and then turned to the boys.
"Watch me and do as I do," she straddled the broom and leaned the nose of the stick end toward the ground, which brought the back end up. This lowered the broom as if to go into a dive. Then she forced the end up and the piece of cleaning equipment brought her off the ground.
"See how easy that is?" She asked to find her students up in the air.
"Nice. So how do we go forward?" Besim asked.
"Like this," Elphaba picked her feet up and leaned forward slightly. They watched as it moved slowly forward. Once they tried it, she smiled and said,
"Let's go," she picked her feet up and leaned as close to the broom handle as she could without hurting Liir and picked the stick end up. She rose fast and headed in the direction of the capital. The men followed but they didn't quite get the hang of it for the first few miles. After a few mid-air mishaps, the group was able to get underway. Hopefully they would reach the castle by nightfall and no one would see their approach.
To Be Continued…