The Oz Series

Chapter 45

Part of the The Marvelous Land of Oz: Tip's Rebellion and the Return of Ozma arc.

This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.

What happens

The Army of Glinda the Good assembles at daybreak before the palace gates, grand and imposing: the girl soldiers wear pretty, gaily colored uniforms and carry silver-tipped spears inlaid with mother-of-pearl, while officers bear gleaming swords and shields edged with peacock-feathers. Glinda rides in a coach-like palanquin with silken curtains borne on horizontal bars upon the shoulders of twelve servants. The Scarecrow and his comrades ride in the Gump to keep pace, flying slowly directly over Glinda's palanquin. The Woggle-Bug jokes that the Scarecrow cannot get broke so long as he is stuffed with money, apologizes when Tip reproaches him, and promises to restrain himself to remain in the company.

The army moves on, reaching the walls of the Emerald City after nightfall. By the dim new moon, Glinda's forces silently surround the city and pitch scarlet silk tents on the greensward; the Sorceress's larger tent is pure white silk with scarlet banners, and a tent is pitched for the Scarecrow's party. Next morning Queen Jinjur, informed of the surrounding army, climbs a high tower and sees banners waving and Glinda's white tent before the gates. Jinjur despairs that knitting-needles cannot avail against spears and swords; one girl advises surrender, but Jinjur decides to gain time by parley and sends a girl with a flag of truce to ask Glinda's demands.

Glinda tells the messenger that Jinjur must deliver up old Mombi to be her prisoner, after which she will not molest Jinjur further. The message dismays Jinjur, since Mombi is her chief counsellor and she fears the old hag. Jinjur summons Mombi and relays Glinda's demand. Mombi, after consulting a magic mirror from her pocket, foresees trouble but proposes escape by deceiving the Sorceress. When Jinjur asks whether to hand her over, Mombi warns it will cost Jinjur the throne and offers to save them both her own way. Jinjur, unwilling to return home to make beds and wash dishes for her mother, tells Mombi to do as she pleases.

Mombi summons Jellia Jamb and performs a magical rite that gives Jellia the form and features of Mombi, while Mombi takes on Jellia's appearance. Mombi instructs the Queen to deliver this disguised girl to Glinda, expecting the Sorceress to believe she has the real Mombi and return south. Jellia, hobbling like an aged woman, is led out and presented to Glinda as the demanded person, with a request that Glinda leave in peace. Glinda agrees if the person is genuine, and the guard, believing it truly Mombi, confirms it; Jinjur's soldiers return within the gates.

Glinda summons the Scarecrow and friends and questions the supposed Mombi about Ozma, but Jellia knows nothing and grows so nervous she begins to weep. Recognizing trickery, Glinda—who understands magic better than anyone in the Land of Oz—utters potent words and a gesture, transforming the girl back to her proper shape while far away Mombi suddenly resumes her own crooked form. The Scarecrow recognizes Jellia Jamb, and Jack recalls she is their interpreter. Jellia, forced to confess Mombi's trick, begs and receives Glinda's protection. The angry Glinda sends word that Jinjur must deliver the real Mombi or suffer terrible consequences. Mombi, aware her trickery is discovered, devises a new deception and has Jinjur reply that she cannot find Mombi but invites Glinda to enter the city and search with her friends; if Mombi is not found by sundown, Glinda must depart peaceably.

Glinda agrees, knowing Mombi is within the walls. Jinjur opens the gates, and Glinda marches in at the head of a company, followed by the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Jack riding the Saw-Horse, and the Woggle-Bug, with Tip walking beside Glinda, who has taken a liking to the boy. Mombi, intending not to be found, transforms herself into a red rose growing on a bush in the palace garden, a trick Glinda does not suspect; precious hours are wasted in a vain search. As sundown approaches, Glinda, defeated by Mombi's cunning, orders her people to march out of the city back to their tents. While searching the palace garden, the Tin Woodman, fond of flowers, plucks a big red rose and fastens it in the tin buttonhole of his bosom; he fancies he hears a low moan from the rose but pays no attention, and Mombi is thus carried out of the city into Glinda's camp without anyone suspecting the quest succeeded.

Who is in play

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