Chapter One
The Grimmerie
Deep within the woods of Oz, inside caverns unknown to the most skillful of woodsmen, was Chistery. His arms and ankles bound in shackles so tight, he could feel slight twinges of pain as blood began to tickle. The dark caverns lit with a blazing fire kept Chistery warm that night. Oz was in its final days of winter. As the chill diminished, spring started to emerge. But the winter's chilling breath of wind was not yet gone. Chistery could feel his feet warming up, as the heat travelled up his legs and ran its course.
But why was Chistery here? Why was he bound in chains? The beginning of this day came to Chistery like a bleak memory. His morning began awaiting the arrival of sea merchants on the banks of Vinkus. Every month the merchants would return with fruit gathered from all over Oz to sell in the bizarre. Chistery was always the first to meet them. He met them at the sea to keep from being seen by the men of Vinkus, who despised the creature for reasons Chistery never understood. Only the merchant favored Chistery, and were loyal enough to keep his presence in Vinkus secret. For Chistery's stay in Vinkus was, in fact, a secret that needed to be kept. If anyone outside of Vinkus learned of Chistery's presence in the kingdom, no one, not even Chistery himself, knew what would unfold.
Perhaps that's why I'm here, Chistery thought to himself in the silence of the cave. All that could be heard there was the crackling of the fire and the wind howling from outside. Someone has learned of my location in Vinkus and have come for me. But who?
He mold over these thoughts trying to piece together this complex puzzle. But not knowing where to start was where the mystery began. What enemy desired Chistery's misfortune? Did Chistery even have any enemies? And if he did, what did they want from Chistery? Some many questions ran through his thoughts. But Chistery would soon get his answers.
For off in the distance a strange sound arose in the air. It was not the sound of footsteps, but more like the flapping of wings. The sound grow louder and louder, as if it were drawing itself near. Chistery began to wonder what creature made this sounds. The flapping was far too potent to be of a mere bird. Was it another flying monkey, like Chistery? No, for the creature descended to the ground in the archway of the cave opening. The night sky casted the creature's silhouette. The shape he bore was a creature with slump posture, wings extended from his back, and horns about his head.
Finally, this creature entered the cave. Its wing folded down and wrapped around his shoulders and arms like a shawl. It stepped into the light and Chistery got a good look at the grim devilish face of Valorrex. The gray skin gargoyle walked closer to Chistery, his hazel fierce eyes piercing through what was left of Chistery's courage. As his stopped inches away from the weak and frightened monkey, the claws of his feet seemed to dig into the earth, planting him in place.
Chistery looked up at the creature. His words trembled from the cold and the sight of Valorrex. Never in Chistery's history had he ever encountered such a frightening figure. "Are you the reason why I'm here?" he asked. "If so, tell me what you want with me."
Valorrex then stooped low to where his face and the face of Chistery were inches away. His piercing eyes stared straight into Chistery. Then the gargoyle sniff and snorted, as if he could smell the monkey's fear. "I brought you here," Valorrex said, "because you know the location of something I want. Where is the Grimmerie?"
It was no secret that this gargoyle was rooted in dark magic. Chistery could see the darkness in his eyes. And Chistery knew of the Grimmerie's powers and what havoc someone with ill intentions would reap. That book should not fall into the wrong hands. It was far too dangerous already. Chistery knew this. He promised Elphaba that he would keep the book safe. And safe is where in kept it. It was in a secret place only known by him. Not even Elphaba knows of it. "That book has long since passed," Chistery said. "I'm not even sure of its existence anymore. No one has seen it. And I'm sure no one will ever again."
Valorrex looked straight into Chistery's eyes. He watched as Chistery recited this lie that sound almost rehearsed. He watched the monkey's eyes dance about, barely keeping contact. "You lie," the gargoyle roared. He grabbed Chistery by the neck lifting him up to where is feet dangled inches from off the ground.
Chistery felt the squeeze of Valorrex's grip. Air was neither entering nor leaving. The monkey began to choke. He tried to pull away from the gargoyle's grip, but it was far too tight for his hand loosen.
"Tell me where it is," Valorrex said, "or watch your friend Glinda die."
Chistery found it difficult to speak under the gargoyle's grip, but he managed to get out a few words. "You will not harm Glinda. If I can't stop you, she will. You and your magic are no match for her."
Valorrex was amused by the monkey for his confidence and faith in Glinda's ability. He let out a cackling laughter that filled the cave. "If you think you and your beloved Glinda can stand against the storm that is coming, you both are fools," Valorrex said. "You had better prepared yourself, monkey. For the days are coming when the people of Oz shall say, 'Where was Glinda when the sky opened and the stars of the heavens fell?' 'Where was Glinda when our field were swallowed up in fire and our children perished?' Oh, this will not be just another change in the weather, but this storm will decimate everything you hold dear."
Chistery neck was freed from the gargoyle's grip, as Valorrex dropped the monkey to the ground. Frightened by Valorrex's words, Chistery looked beyond the opening of the cave to the west. In that direction was the Emerald City, where Glinda dwelled. He began to question what storm was coming. And what did the Grimmerie have to do with it? Was Valorrex some sort of Sorceror? No, for Chistery knew that animals could not harness the power of magic and sorcery. He had to be a servant of one, just as Chistery was a servant to the so called Great Wizard of Oz. "Who sent you to look for the Grimmerie?" he asked.
"No need for any further questions," Valorrex said, with a smirk rising on his face. "Soon you will know, should you live long enough." Then Valorrex pulled a blade, no taller than a butcher's knife, out from under his wings. "Now, tell me where the Grimmerie is."
Chistery looked at the blade, shaken a bit at first. But then courage sprung up within him. For Chistery resolved that he'd rather die, than let this power fall into hands set out for destruction and ruin. "Kill me, if you must," he said, boldly, "but as long as I live that book will remain, as it should, a secret."
Then, unexpectedly, Valorrex stood still. Sighing, he looked at the monkey and said, "I'm not going to kill you. Because killing you will not get me what I need. So, I'm going to resort to different measrures." The gargoyle then pulled from a patch, which dangled from his shoulder, a vile. Inside this vile was strange purple colored liquid. Valorrex grabbed the monkey by his head, uncorked the vile, and poured it down Chistery throat.
Chistery tried the cough the thick purple fluid out of his mouth, but most of the content made its way down his throat. Soon the vile was empty and Chistery was thrown back to the floor. Chistery felt strange. He felt the cavern start to spin.