A/N: A shout out to my guest reviewer! Things are a little complicated but more on that next week. This week we focus on Elphie. ;) Thanks!
Chapter 12
By now, Elphaba was feeling well. She'd managed to complete a healing spell the night before and was back to her normal self. Climbing out of bed, she had washed up quickly before going to find Chistery.
"Mistress Elphaba, very good to see you out of bed," Chistery smiled. He and the other Flying Monkeys were eating breakfast around the campfire outside of one of the mud houses. The other Monkeys looked up and smiled at her.
"It is good to see you all. I am glad you are safe," she smiled at them and signed with her hands. Chistery and the other Animals had been trying to help them learn how to speak but, in the meantime, they communicated using their hands.
"Have you had breakfast? You should eat," the leader of the Flying Monkeys said.
"I should eat, there is a long day ahead of us," Elphaba told him.
"What are your plans?" Chistery was confused.
"We need to confirm that Morrible doesn't have the Grimmerie. I do not want to lead her to it but the only way to go to the spot where I buried it, is physically. Unless someone has a crystal ball…" she explained.
"You are a wanted woman, doubly so now that you've escaped. Going to the location, especially in the daylight, would be dangerous," he shook his head.
"He is right, Mistress Elphaba," it was a large brown Bear.
"This is Brother Shashtsoh. He aided in your escape and is quite handy with carpentry," Chistery introduced the Bear.
"It is good to meet you. I really do not need to be called Mistress or Miss, Elphaba will do just fine," she told him.
"Yes, well I keep telling Chistery to drop 'Brother', but he refuses. He views me as family for helping to save his. Sometimes, titles, even if they be honorary, just stick," Shashtsoh smiled. Elphaba nodded.
"Do you worry this spell book could get into the fish woman's hands?" The Bear wanted to know.
"Well she cannot read it but if she gets her hands on it, that doesn't mean she won't try to force Glinda to do it or even try again herself. They cannot read it. For some reason, only I can read it. The bigger problem is that if you try to read the spells, they backfire; wreaking terrible havoc upon anyone nearby," the green woman said.
"That's not good," Shashtsoh said.
"No, it isn't but I don't like this whole going to check on the book idea. If anyone should see us, it could spell disaster," Chistery pointed out.
"It could also be a way to catch both you and the book. Perhaps we should send someone that no one will be looking for," the Bear told them.
"I couldn't ask anyone to risk themselves. It's deep in Morrible territory," Elphaba frowned. By now, Mopsi and Popsi had exited the Dillamond's house and headed toward the group.
"Good morning," Mopsi smiled.
"Good morning," Elphaba smiled.
"Why the long faces?" Popsi asked, wondering what they had interrupted.
"Oh, just the usual, incredibly dangerous mission, not sure how we're going to do it," Chistery wanted to gauge their reactions.
"Can we help?" Mopsi wanted to know.
"You're wanted men too you know," Shashtsoh pointed out.
"Plus, no offense, but Munchkins would stick out where we need to go," Chistery said.
"Look, it's better if I go alone. I can wait until dark, use my broom, and get in and out. The more people we involve, the more likely something bad will happen," Elphaba told them.
"We can't risk you getting caught again," Chistery shook his head.
"Seems we're going in circles…" Mopsi said. That's when they heard a screech overhead. Everyone looked up and saw a large bird of prey. The Hawk landed on Shashtsoh's shoulder.
"What news Henry?" the Bear asked.
"A small group of Gale Force soldiers set out from Southstairs not long ago. They are looking for Miss Elphaba. Seems the fish woman isn't done with her yet," the Hawk told them.
"Everyone, we need to buckle down the village! Prepare for a possible evacuation!" Chistery announced, which caused a commotion as everyone started bustling about.
"They don't know where we are so we should be safe," Mopsi said.
"The Captain is with them. He is a Vinkun and very good at the hunt," Henry spoke up.
"I know. As long as we covered our tracks, we will be hard to find. No one should venture far from the village. We don't want to take the chance that someone could accidentally lead them to us," Elphaba said.
"You were right. It is going to be a long day," Chistery said.
To Be Continued…