The Grasstrail Train Journey

Elphaba, now calling herself a witch, joins a caravan called the Grasstrail Train heading into the Vinkus. She is accompanied by a boy named Liir, who is assigned to her. The journey is long and dangerous, passing through Kumbricia's Pass and the Thousand Year Grasslands. Along the way, Elphaba acquires a dog, Killyjoy, a swarm of bees, and three crows. The cook is killed, possibly by her bees. The travelers are terrified of her. The journey is a period of transformation for Elphaba, as she re-enters the world and begins to accept her identity as a witch.