Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years, #1)

by Gregory Maguire

“The dispatch soldier said that the guests asked the Wizard to grant them some wishes. The Scarecrow asked for a brain, Nick Chopper the Tin Woodman asked for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion asked for courage.” “And I suppose Dorothy asked for a shoe horn?” “Dorothy asked to be sent home.” “I hope she gets her wish. And?” But Liir got coy. “Oh come on, I’m too old to be put off my supper by gossip,” she snapped. Liir looked flushed with guilty pleasure. “The soldiers said that the Wizard had rejected the odd requests.” “And you’re so very surprised?” “The Wizard told Dorothy that he would grant them their wishes—when they had—when they had—” “You haven’t stuttered in years. Don’t start again, or I’ll beat you.” “Dorothy and her friends have to come here and kill you,” he finished. “The soldiers said it’s because you murdered an old lady in Shiz, a famous old lady, and you’re an assassin. Also you’re crazy, they said.”