I wrote a letter to Sir Myles, telling him that I was working very hard in class, so I could make Duke Gareth proud of me. I also got into a quite few detentions, thanks to Galinda, who also had detention, but we were never in the same room, because Madame Morrible didn't want us trying to kill each other—I was careful not to mention that part.
Dear Sir Myles, I have been working very hard in class. I think I have the highest average in my overall class. Please tell Duke Gareth that I said thank you for pushing me so hard when I was a kid, because the study habits developed back at Court are really helping me here at Shiz. I have been trying my best to stay out of trouble and have not had many problems with remaining attentive in class—probably since I kept getting yelled at, during philosophy class—the study skills I learned at Court have truly helped me here at Shiz. Thank you, for everything. Elphaba of Trebond and Conté.
I mailed the letter immediately after I finished writing it.
I learned about the bad things that apparently were happening in Oz—it scared me—and, for the first time since leaving Tortall, I actually prayed—I was careful not to make it too obvious.
"Oh, Miss Elphaba. The things one hears these days. Dreadful things. I'VE HEARD OF AN OX, A PROFESSOR FROM QUOX NO LONGER PERMITTED TO TEACH, WHO HAS LOST ALL POWERS OF SPEECH. AND AN OWL IN MUNCHKIN ROCK, A VICAR WITH A THRIVING FLOCK, FORBIDDEN TO PREACH. NOW HE CAN ONLY SCREECH. ONLY RUMORS, BUT STILL ENOUGH TO GIVE PAUSE TO ANYONE WITH PAWS—SOMETHING BAD IS HAPPENING IN OZ. SOMETHING BAD? HAPPENING IN OZ? SOMETHING BAAAD... I'm sorry, bad. Doctor Dillamond, if something bad is happening to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a Wizard. SO NOTHING BAD. NOTHING ALL THAT BAD. NOTHING TRULY BAAAAAAD. Sorry, bad. IT COULDN'T HAPPEN HERE IN OZ..."
My Mother, please help me. I do not know what to do. Should I act upon the code and help the Animals? Should I help the Wizard? Show me the path you wish for me to follow and I will follow. I do not know where I should go or what I should do. Please, show me the wisdom that I cannot find within me. I am willing to complete the mission you have set out for me, no matter how hard it might. I shall do what you think is best. Just show me the way.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep after praying that night—for the first time ever, I was too tired to meditate on the code.