The Oz Series
Chapter 68
Part of the Ozma of Oz: The Land of Ev and the Nome King arc.
What happens
Dorothy decides to accept Ozma's invitation to return with her to the Land of Oz, reasoning she has no greater chance of getting home from Ev than from Oz, and wishing to revisit the country of her past adventures; she notes that Uncle Henry, having reached Australia by ship, has probably given her up for lost and cannot worry more than he already does. The party bids goodbye to the people of Ev, and King Evardo promises Ozma eternal gratitude and any service in his power. At the edge of the dangerous desert, Ozma throws down the magic carpet, which unrolls far enough for all to walk upon without crowding. Tiktok, claiming to be Dorothy's faithful follower because he belongs to her, is permitted to join after she winds his machinery, and Ozma also invites Billina, who is eager for new sights.
The party crosses the desert in a single day, stopping only for Billina to lay her daily egg, and before sunset spies the green Land of Oz, entering through Munchkin territory. The King of the Munchkins meets them at the border and welcomes Ozma with respect. Ozma of Oz rules the Kings of the Munchkins, Winkies, Quadlings, and Gillikins just as those kings rule their own people, and she lives in the Emerald City at the exact center of the four kingdoms. After the Munchkin king entertains them overnight, they travel a road of yellow brick toward the Emerald City, greeted everywhere by people hailing Ozma and the popular Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy is warmly recognized by people who had befriended her on her first visit.
At a rest stop, Ozma accepts milk from a dairy-maid whom she recognizes as Jinjur, who had once assembled an army of women, driven the Scarecrow from the throne, and battled Glinda the Sorceress. Jinjur reveals she has married a man who owns nine cows and now leads a quiet, contented life; her husband is indoors nursing a black eye she gave him after he insisted on milking the wrong cow. The party moves on, crosses a broad river by ferry, passes green dome-shaped farmhouses, and sees a large building covered with flags, which Ozma identifies as the College of Art and Athletic Perfection, recently built with the Woggle-Bug as its president to occupy youths who dislike work.
Approaching the Emerald City, the party is escorted by bands, officers, and citizens in a brilliant procession to the royal city, with Ozma constantly bowing to acknowledge the cheering. That evening a grand reception is held in the royal palace, attended by important persons of Oz, and Jack Pumpkinhead, slightly overripe but active, reads an address congratulating Ozma on her mission to rescue the royal family of Ev. Gold medals set with precious stones are presented to each of the twenty-six officers; the Tin Woodman receives a new diamond-studded axe, the Scarecrow a silver jar of complexion powder, Dorothy a coronet making her a Princess of Oz, and Tiktok two bracelets set with eight rows of emeralds. At the feast, Ozma seats Dorothy at her right and Billina at her left on a golden roost, while the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Tiktok, needing no food, have baskets of flowers; the officers, Lion, and Tiger are also served, assisted by the maid Jellia Jamb whom the Scarecrow knows well. Ozma asks after the private, learns his name is Omby Amby, and promotes him to Captain General of all the armies and Commander of her Body Guard, promising royal treasury funds for his uniforms. The feast ends when Jellia Jamb announces the Hungry Tiger has consumed everything, and the Tiger mournfully declares he has actually lost his appetite.
Who is in play
- Dorothy
- Cowardly Lion
- Ozma
- Tin Woodman
- Billina
- General Jinjur
- Jack Pumpkinhead
- Scarecrow
- Tiktok
- Woggle-Bug
- City of Emeralds
- Jellia Jamb
- Land of Oz
- magic carpet
- Munchkins
- royal_family_of_ev