Duran laid Elphaba down on the stone table. Looking around, he noticed that outside her lying place, there was nothing in the room.

"What is this place?" he asked.

"Unused kitchen." Fiyero answered. "What is going on?"

"Elphaba's magic is out of control." Glinda responded. Fiyero nodded.

"I know that's happened before, but it's usually when she is more emotional, and conscious."

"Yes, well, some things happened that caused her magic to become amplified." Glinda answered. "We thought she had a handle on it, but apparently she didn't, or it's gotten worse."

"It's gotten worse." Duran said. "The magic is weakening, and as such it is falling out of balance."

"Are you a...sorcerer friend of theirs?" Fiyero asked. "I'm not sure we've been introduced."

"Many times, but that's okay." Duran smiled at him. "My name is Duran."

"You're the man from the trial." Fiyero looked him up and down. "You look quite different."

"Fashion moves fast." was his pithy reply.

"So, what are we going to do?" asked Fiyero. Glinda shook her head.

"I don't know."

"Well, there's really only two choices." Duran told them. "And really, choice one comes before choice two even if we go with the second. The first option is to wait, and hope things stabilize. That means Miss Glinda will need to be here on hand, though, to make sure the magic doesn't hurt Elphaba or someone else."

"And option two?" Fiyero asked.

"We try to stabilize the magics so they degrade at the same rate." Duran answered. "For that, we'll need several things. I can make a list, but the first thing I need is paper and something to write with. And Miss Glinda's assistance."

"I can get you those things." Fiyero nodded. He sighed, running a hand across his brow and over his hair. "And here I thought things would be more peaceful once you two got here."

"Considering our track record Fiyero," Glinda smiled tiredly at him, "you might as well wish for the moon."

"Right?" Fiyero let out a tired bark of a laugh. As he moved to the door, he stopped for a moment to touch Glinda's shoulder. "I'm so glad to see you safe, Glinda."

"Thank you, Fiyero." she replied, putting her hand on his. The man nodded, and moved on. After he left, she turned to Duran. "So, what's your plan?"

"Pretty much what I told Fiyero. We wait for now." Duran paused. "Option two is dependent on you. I never thought you would need it, but it looks like you will."

"Need what?"

"The magic sight spell." he answered. "It was to help Miss Elphaba learn finesse."

"And I didn't need it? It has helped make her powerful." there was a hint of anger in her voice.

"You didn't need it, as I figured you'd create something on your own soon enough." Duran replied. "Like a certain combined charisma charm."

"Oh; you realized." Glinda replied shyly.

"Yes. Despite my mind fighting you, I still recognized what was going on. And I can say I've never seen them combined that way, or to such an effect."

"Well, that's something coming from you."

"Thank you." he smiled. "But now repeat after me: Odinae mora oron fenum neverum gemi."

"You can't cast it on me?"

"I am unable to cast-"

"Yes, yes. What was it again?"

"Odinae mora oron fenum neverum gemi."

"Okay." Glinda took a deep breath. "Odinae mora oron fenum neverum gemi."

Glinda saw a flash of light and swayed on her feet. She steadied herself after a moment and looked towards Duran. She quickly looked away. It was like staring into the sun, and the smell of steel, blood, and fire was cloying. Glinda took a step back, and everything began to fade.

"Heavens above and hells below, that was a shock. And you!" Glinda took a deep breath. "But it all went away."

"You have to focus to refine it." he answered. "Reach out-"

Glinda's eyes glowed white. The brightness that was Duran came into view, as did Elphaba dimly. She twisted her mind and saw the brightness dim, and the colors swirl, but turned them until she saw the different colors mixing and turning.

"I count no less than a dozen different spells on you." she cut him off. Duran whistled.

"Damn. That was quick." he sounded impressed.

Glinda was pleased at that. She glanced over at Elphaba. There was a strange similarity to Duran, but it flickered. The blonde witch moved closer. The different spells were there, but were unstable flames. Here they would gutter and die for a moment; there they would flare, engulfing an area. They rolled and roiled around her, each dancing in prominence and dimming.

"You are right. They don't seem stable." Glinda nodded. "How do we change that?"

"Well, that's the tough part." Duran sighed. "I'm not certain. We could always recast the spells I have, but that may not work, or sit right. That's why I asked Fiyero for the paper so we could get a list together to cast them. Even if we did that, then she would have to disenchant them or suffer the same fate as me."

Glinda reached out her hand. One spell seemed to be failing to connect in it's chain around the body. It was a swirl of purple and green. Feeling it, Glinda willed it to reconnect. The witch felt energy pour from her, and saw it link the two ends of the chain together. The spell band's fluttering calmed itself. Glinda swayed slightly.

"Whoa." Duran said at her side. "What was that?"

"I'm not certain." Glinda responded. "I simply wished it was whole, and made it so."

"You...glowed, and not in any spell I've seen before. It seemed more…"

"Elemental?" Glinda asked.

"Yeah."

"I believe it was not a spell, but more the fundamental building blocks of magic."

"Well, that's new." he stated. "Can you do it again?"

"I can try."

Glinda found a spell chain that was failing, and reached out again. She glowed with elemental light, willing the gaps to close. Glinda realized that she was not filling in those gaps, but was merely stretching the binds of magic to connect. It took a tremendous amount of elemental energy to do it, however. The blonde swayed on her feet again, and strong arms caught her.

"Easy there." Fiyero said. She let the magic fade from her eyes and smiled up at his furrowed face.

"Thank you."

"What was it you were doing?" he asked as she managed to steady herself.

"At first I thought I was filling in the chains of magic around her."

"Chains? Like the ones that bound me before?"

"Yes." Glinda nodded. "But these ones are failing, having gaps. I thought I was filling them in, but I'm really stretching them to connect."

"That's actually better." Dura nodded. "If you can keep them stable as they weaken, they'll go away eventually."

"Yes." Glinda nodded. "It is just...so taxing. And there's so many to do."

"Don't push yourself too hard, Glinda." Fiyero warned. Glinda shook her head.

"I won't. But there are so many yet to do."

Glinda opened her witch sight again. Seeing another chain flailing, she stretched it again. She felt her knees weaken, but she pushed on. She was almost there….

Glinda came to staring at two concerned faces. Seeing both the men's brows furrowed, she gave them a small smile and reached up to stroke their cheeks.

"Such handsome men to wake up to. How is a girl so lucky?" she whispered with all her strength.

"You gave us a scare there, Glinda." Fiyero answered seriously. "I think too much of Elphaba's recklessness has rubbed off on you."

"Isn't it quite wonderful?" she replied. The echo of a conversation on the way to gallows brought a smile to her lips. Fiyero's own twitched, but only for a moment.

"You can't push yourself Glinda." Duran replied sternly. "I know you want to help, but if you exhaust yourself there is no other sorcerer around; especially not one of your caliber."

"My dear Durandal," she said to him, causing him to start so slightly that if she had not had a hand on him she would have missed it, "just where is that dashing smile you never lose?"

"You know," he retorted, the smile growing on his lips, "we've been meeting too much. I believe my roguish ways are starting to rub off on you."

"And isn't that quite wonderful?" she gave a light laugh like the tinkling of chimes. "But my dear boys, I am fine."

"You need rest." Fiyero urged.

"I concur with him." Duran agreed.

"What I need," Glinda replied, putting as much force into her voice as possible, "is for Fiyero to find me the Grimmerie."

"What?" the man asked. "Why?"

"I know you know where she keeps it." Glinda ignored his question. "Either you get it for me, allowing me to rest some moments more, or I go upend your bedroom, and hope I don't see anything that might embarrass you."

"It's not like you haven't seen it before." Fiyero retorted.

"Quite true. But let a lady rest, Fiyero."

"You are too tired to do magic, Glinda." Duran interjected. "I can see the dimness of your aura."

"Yes, which is why I need the Grimmerie. Run along, Fiyero; the sooner you get it the sooner we can be along with this."

Fiyero looked at Duran, who shrugged.

"What are the odds you think she'll change her mind?" the shorter man asked. Fiyero laughed slightly.

"Not good. I'll be back quickly." Fiyero answered. Standing, he made his way out of the room. Glinda eyes followed him, and then looked back at Duran.

"You know," she said nonchalantly, "I'm embarrassed to say I just realized my head is on your lap."

"Fiyero caught the rest of you, leaving me to protect your head." he responded.

"And you could not catch me before him, mighty warrior?" she teased. He smiled back.

"I am embarrassed to say I was a bit mesmerized watching you work, and did not notice you start to fall."

"Men are all the same." she sighed. "Show them a little bit of glamor and they are oblivious to the rest of the world."

"Why do you need the Grimmirie, Glinda? You need to not push yourself." Duran urged. "Especially considering your pregnancy."

She sighed.

"I am aware, Durandal. I need the Grimmirie because I am too tired. Its natural magic can be used as a font, of sorts."

"And you plan to use it to help Elphaba?"

"No." Glinda sighed again. "It's a font; magic flows from it like water flows down a river. But like a river that overflows will destroy it's banks, if I take too much magic from it I will be destroyed."

"So you will only take a little."

"Just enough to send a message."

"To whom?"

"You shall see. I do not feel quite like revealing that yet."

"That's fine." he paused. "Do you feel good enough to leave my lap?"

"Why my dear Durandal," she smiled mischievously up at him, "should I be worried?"

"Not in the slightest, Lady Glinda." he teased her back. "It is just not proper for a lady to be in such repose on the floor."

"Well, it is a good thing none shall see me as such." Glinda giggled. "Besides, I shall like to rest while I can. So do be a good boy, and stay put."

Duran snorted but did not move. Glinda sighed and closed her eyes. She felt the heat of his body through his clothes. It was tantalizing, for she was starved for affection. But no, he had made it clear there would be nothing between them. Especially because...but Glinda wondered. Reaching out with her mind, she saw the world light up behind her eyes. She felt the heat from him increase. It burned, but did not burn. She smelled smoke, and tasted copper on her lips. Glinda pushed and the light grew. It was almost there. Almost…

Glinda saw Duran's concerned brow. His set jaw. Something was on his mind. His magic shifted around him. She saw the tenseness in his body, a coiled spring, relaxed but ready to leap into motion in an instance. The way he seemed to both encompass and be missing from the room at once. The vividly real and specterly faintness of his existence. She saw all this, her eyes never opening.

"Why the smile?" he asked bemused.

"Hmm?"

"You have a smile on your lips."

"And you have such a look of consternation."

Glinda saw, but did not see, him open and shut his mouth.

"You can see my magic."

"But also something else."

"My aura."

"Yes. It is there, underneath it all. So bright that I mistook it for your spells, but so faint I almost missed it."

"How wonderfully talented you are." he said. "Without instruction, you've been able to deduce how to refine your witch sight even further. And in such a short time."

"It's like opening your eyes to a room you've familiarized in the dark." Glinda spoke, her voice slightly in awe. "I know everything I see, but I don't. I've had to feel it out before."

"Yes." he paused. "To give it to you at your beginning would make you rely on it as a crutch. Now, however, it is merely an enhancement."

"Fiyero's coming." she said, turning her head. "I can see him. It's dim, but there still sits some magic in his blood from whence we brought him back."

Glinda opened her eyes and slowly stood. Brushing herself and straightening her dress, she put on a strong face for Fiyero. Not that it was hard; she felt stronger now than she had ever before. Magic, ever intangible, felt real to her. Like she could stretch out and pull the strings of the world to play the chords she wanted to hear. It was exhilarating and terrifying. It would be too easy to slip into corruption or destruction with such power. Discipline and caution would need be her watchwords.

Fiyero came through the door. Under his arm was a book she could never mistake before, and was glaringly obvious to her now. Fiyero still had a look of concern on his face. Glinda supposed she should tell him to ease his mind.

"Thank you Fiyero." she said and held out her hand. He hesitated for a moment, before laying the Grimmerie in it. "I'm not doing anything foolish. Merely borrowing some of its power to send a message."

"To who?" he asked.

"A friend." Glinda answered.

Clutching the book to her, she felt the power stream out of it. Like Elphaba during that dark day in the Emerald City, she let the power flow into her. Just a little. She strained to hold back the flood that wished to wash her away. Glinda gasped and dropped the book, stepping back.

"Glinda?" asked Fiyero, hand out ready to catch her. She waved him away as she took a shaky breath.

"I'm fine. It's like trying to sip from a rushing river. Easy to get too much."

Glinda brought out her wand. It helped her focus. Taking a deep breath, she flicked it. A letter appeared. Tapping it, she examined the words that appeared. She jab the paper once. The letters rearranged themselves. Nodding satisfied, she flicked her wand again. The piece of paper disappeared in a bloom of light. Glinda tucked her wand away. Taking another deep, shuddering breath, she looked at Fiyero.

"A place to rest, preferably with a comfortable bed, would be nice." she smiled. Fiyero saw deep lines of exhaustion had appeared on her face. He did not know where they had come from, but he had never seen her so worn.

"Of course." he looked at Duran. "Shall I escort him to your room as well?"

"Duran doesn't need sleep." Glinda replied, beating the man to the punch. Duran closed his mouth in a playful scowl.

"We have definitely been meeting too much." he insisted. "You're stepping all over my lines."

"Perhaps you should take the time to think of new ones, if so little time together makes them run stale." she retorted teasingly. Duran scowled even more, and she smiled. Turning to Fiyero she said, "If you lead the way, Fiyero."

"Of course." he said, extending an arm. She looped hers in his, and left the room.

The Grimmerie lay where it fell.

Glinda woke to a commotion. She had not wanted to sleep so long, but her body needed it. Her mind first went to Elphaba, but she would have been woken if that were the case. Grabbing her wand, she conjured an outfit as she sped out the door. The sounds were coming from above the courtyard. The Flying Monkeys were chittering in alarm, circling the area. Glinda sped down the circular staircase. Near the open main door Fiyero was standing with his own guard.

"Glinda-" he started but the witch blew past him.

Striding into the courtyard, she shielded her eyes from the sun. The Monkeys were descending rapidly. Feet clattered onto the cobblestones behind her, followed by a pair of booted feet landing on the stones in front of her. The figure was cast in a cloak, obscuring her features as she dismounted the...oar? Was she riding a boat oar? Pulling the hood down away from the castle's observers, a head of dark curly hair appeared. Rotating the oar to vertical in her hand, the figure turned and walked towards Glinda. The blonde witch noticed the other walking gingerly.

"Sarima?" asked Fiyero. The woman smiled.

"Crown Prince." she curtsied. Fiyero bowed, finally remembering his manners.

"You can fly on a broom?" he asked in bewilderment.

"Sarima." Glinda smiled, crossing the distance between the two.

"My Lady." she smiled. The pair kissed each other on the cheeks. "You sent for me?"

"I did." Glinda said, looping her arm in the other woman's. "But not here."

"Of course not."

The pair walked past the astounded Flying Monkeys, Guards, and one Crown Prince. As they crossed the threshold of the castle, Glinda turned back to Fiyero.

"Are you coming?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

He nodded, and hurried to catch up.

"I see." Sarima said, shifting in her seat.. They were in an adjacent dining room to the room Elphaba lay. The household staff had dutifully served them tea and some shortcakes. Glinda had realized she had not eaten breakfast or dinner last night and stuffed herself as quickly as proprietary allowed. "That is a very difficult situation."

"It is." Glinda agreed.

"But why call me? Surely Sh-" Sarima glanced at very Fiyero, "-omeone else with more skill would be useful."

"Possibly." Glinda paused to drink some tea. Sarima shifted. "But there were a number of factors that made me decide on you."

"I see." she replied, shifting again. Glinda could take it no more.

"Oh for goodness sake," Glinda sighed, "just ask if there is something for soothing it."

"I'm lost." Fiyero interjected. Sarima shifted again, at least partially in embarrassment this time.

"She's saddle sore." Glinda explained. She smiled wickedly. "Or oar sore."

"No one thinks how riding such a thing for hours will feel." she replied sheepishly.

"Why choose the oar to soar?" Glinda asked, looking at where it stood against the wall.

"It's a cultural tradition." Sarima looked away. Glinda noticed the barest hint of color on her cheeks. Glinda raised her enhanced witch sight to look at her aura. It showed the embarrassment in clear respite to her figure. How useful a skill to have.

"Oh?" Glinda prodded playfully.

"Yes." the woman answered. When the woman did not continue, Glinda thought that would be the end of it.

"Northern Vinkun shamans carry oars." Fiyero explained gently. Sarima's eyes locked on him. He did not waver. "By taking it, she is declaring herself one. The Garamana haven't had a shaman in a generation. It will bring them much honor and attention."

"Really?" Glinda smiled at the other woman. The embarrassment in her aura bloomed fiercely with a small light of pride almost hidden. "That would be a great thing for your people."

"Thank you." was the quiet voice. Her hair had fallen in front of her face, hiding it.

"Their great personal deeds are etched into the oar in ritual marking, telling the story of their lives." Fiyero continued. "Casting flight upon such an oar would be one such deed; perhaps the first in the tale of Sarima Hestan of Thage Kar."

"While a great wish," the woman almost whispered, "there are no shamans in the Garamana, and none of the north would do it."

"Then an Arjiki will." Fiyero nodded. Sarima shook her head.

"Thank you, Chieftain of Kiamo Ko, but it must be of the north."

"Then I shall find one who will." there was a conviction to Fiyero's voice that Glinda knew well. "I swear to you as the future Chieftain of the Arijiki, an ally to the Garamana, and your once betrothed."

Glinda sat enthralled at the scene in front of her. Their auras were shining with such beauty she had never seen. Pride, conviction, embarrassment, affection. That was quite interesting. Affection between the two, something more than simple acquaintances. Perhaps friends; perhaps more? Now that was something of great interest.

Glinda saw them both almost simultaneously realize they had looked at each other for too long. Embarrassment bloomed in them, overriding the other emotions. The colors were absolutely mesmerizing. Sarima looked at Glinda, and Fiyero coughed. Glinda realized she probably should say something at this point.

"I chose you, Sarima," Glinda continued, "because of your proximity, currently residing in Thage Kar, means you would get here quickly. You also know the people here, and would not draw extra attention or set them at unease. And finally, I've been remiss in your education."

Glinda did not tell her that of all the Adepts, she determined Sarima to be the least threat. The woman was just on her way to magic, and though she successfully cast the flight enchantment, the spell had dissipated from the paper afterwards. There was very little chance for her to betray them for her own ends. Especially when Glinda held the key to something Sarima desperately wanted.

"My education?" Sarima asked in disbelief.

"Her education?" Fiyero asked in suspicion.

"I do believe I said I would instruct you in sorcery." Glinda took another sip of tea. "As I do not know how long we will be here, I can instruct you and you can learn while assisting me as well."

"Oh!"

"Yes." Glinda stood. "Please follow me. We have much business to attend to."

"Of course." Sarima stood, wincing slightly. Glinda sighed and gestured with her hand. Sarima pulled a face.

"That felt strange."

"I'm sure. But we can't let a pain in the rear distract you." Glinda set her face in determination. Walking to the door, she waited for Sarima to meet her. After the woman was a step behind, Glinda walked through. Duran sat cross legged in one corner of the room, watching them as they entered. She nodded to him, and he returned it.

Glinda picked up the Grimmerie from where it had fallen and tucked it under an arm.

"Let's get started."