Chapter 6

They had spent about half an hour walking in the direction of the source of the magic before finding a cave to hide in. Elphaba had them go inside after Chistery cleared it, telling them it was empty. The green woman now paced and tried to figure out their next move.

"Chistery has anything come back to you? How you managed to get caught? Who cast a spell on you? Where the Queen is?" Elphaba pressed as she stopped her pacing.

"All I remember is the Queen stopping the carriage. She was worried that we'd overtaken the King and somehow not seen him. I sent my brothers in all directions to see if they could find a trace of anyone and then that is all I remember," he told her.

"Perhaps it is then possible, she continued onto the castle, when you did not return. Still I'm not sure I want to risk going back up in the air," Elphaba frowned.

"Why? What are you thinking?" Fiyero asked, concerned for his parents.

"Whoever cast the spell figured that someone from the Emerald City would be coming otherwise it would have been prudent to remain hidden. By enchanting Chistery, he or she risked capture, in order to slow or stop those coming from the City. We would be telegraphing who we are by continuing to fly toward the source of the magic," she explained.

"So what should we do? My parents are out there somewhere in danger!" Fiyero was getting anxious.

"I understand Yero, I do. I think the best course of action is to have Chistery fly toward the Palace. Should the Queen be there, he can bring her up to speed and perhaps lend us some reinforcements. If she is not there, then he could still perhaps bring reinforcements if he tells them that the Prince is in need of assistance," Elphaba said.

"I like the plan but I'm not sure how much the troops will trust Chistery. No offense," he said to the Flying Monkey.

"None taken," Chistery nodded, knowing full well that it was taking a long time to gain people's trust despite their best intentions to replace the image bestowed upon them by Morrible.

"Then you take my broom and go. Chistery can assist me," Elphaba was determined to move from their hiding spot and find the source of the magic.

"I don't like it but I see your point. All right. I'll fly this blasted contraption," Fiyero frowned. He didn't want to leave Elphaba but she made a valid point, Chistery was with her.

"Good. Now go, Yero. The sun will soon be against us," she pointed to the sky and the Prince made note of how it was already near midday. Ground troops were great but they took longer to get where they were going than someone who could fly. Fiyero cursed under his breath and shakily took off on the broom.

"Is he going to be ok?" Chistery wondered, thinking that the Prince wasn't so good at flying.

"He'll be fine. Come, just like old times," Elphaba smiled slightly and left the cave. The Flying Monkey smiled a little too and followed her out into the woods.

Fiyero flew towards the Palace at the only speed he felt comfortable with. Needless to say it was slower than how Elphaba would have flown but a fall from here would kill him. Suddenly he was shrouded in darkness and he looked up. It was then he almost fell off the broom.

"Avantador!" He couldn't believe it. The dragon didn't hear him and flew off toward the Palace. Fiyero swallowed the lump that rose in his throat and gunned the broom toward the castle as quickly as he could.

To Be Continued…