"Pah ! The Flatheads fear them "

"Their Supreme Dictator is Sorcerer "

"My magic is greater than his Let the Flatheads come ! never return barren mountain- top "

Ozma like this attitude, meant Skeezers were eager to fight the Flatheads, and Ozma's object in coming here was fighting and induce the two quarrelsome neighbors peace She was also greatly disappointed in Coo-ee-oh, reports of Su-dic had led her to imagine the Queen more just and honorable than were the Flatheads Indeed Ozma reflected girl better at heart than her self-pride and overbearing manner indicated, and in any event it wise not to antagonize her but to win her friendship

" like wars, your Majesty," said Ozma " Emerald City, where I rule thousands of people, and countries near Emerald City, where thousands more acknowledge my rule, no army at all, because no quarreling and no need to fight If differences arise between my people, and I judge the cases and award justice to all So, when I learned war between two faraway people of Oz, here to settle the dispute and adjust the quarrel "

"No one asked you ," declared Queen Coo-ee-oh " my business to settle this dispute, not yours You say my island is part Land of Oz, which you rule, but all nonsense, for I've never heard Land of Oz, nor of you You say fairy, fairies command over me I don't believe it ! What believe an impostor come here to stir up trouble among my people, already becoming difficult to manage You two girls may even be spies vile Flatheads, for all , and trying to trick me But understand this," she added, proudly rising from her jeweled throne to confront them, " magic powers greater than any fairy possesses, and greater than any Flathead possesses Krumbic Witch -- the only Krumbic Witch -- and the magic of no other creature that exists ! You say you rule thousands I rule one hundred and one Skeezers But trembles at my word Now that Ozma of Oz and Princess Dorothy are here, rule one hundred and three subjects, also shall bow before my power More than that, in ruling you I also rule the thousands you say you rule "

Dorothy was very indignant speech

"I've got pink kitten that sometimes talks like that," she said, "but after her good whipping she doesn't think she's so high and mighty after all only knew who Ozma is you'd be scared to death to her like that ! "

Queen Coo-ee-oh gave the girl supercilious look Then she turned again to Ozma

"I happen ," said she, " Flatheads intend to attack us tomorrow, but ready Until the battle is over, keep you two strangers prisoners on my island, no chance to escape "

She turned and looked around the band of courtiers who stood silently around her throne

"Lady Aurex," she continued, singling out young women, "take these children to your house and care , giving them food and lodging allow them to wander anywhere under the Great Dome, for harmless After attended Flatheads consider what next foolish girls "

She resumed her seat Lady Aurex bowed low and said in humble manner:

"I obey your Majesty's commands " Then to Ozma and Dorothy she added, "Follow me," and turned to leave the throne room

Dorothy looked what Ozma would do To her surprise and little to her disappointment Ozma turned and followed Lady Aurex So Dorothy trailed after them, but not without giving parting, haughty look toward Queen Coo-ee-oh, who had her face turned the other way and see the disapproving look

Chapter Nine

Lady Aurex

Lady Aurex led Ozma and Dorothy along street to pretty marble house near to one edge great glass dome that covered the village She speak girls until she had ushered them into pleasant room, comfortably furnished, nor did any solemn people they met street venture

were seated Lady Aurex asked were hungry, and finding they were summoned maid and ordered food brought

This Lady Aurex looked about twenty years old, although Land of Oz where people have never changed in appearance fairies made it fairyland -- where no one grows old or dies -- always difficult years anyone has lived She had pleasant, attractive face, even though solemn and sad faces of all Skeezers seemed , and her costume was rich and elaborate, as became lady in waiting Queen

Ozma had observed Lady Aurex closely and now asked her in gentle tone:

" , also, believe me an impostor ? "

"I dare not say," replied Lady Aurex in low tone

"Why afraid freely ? " inquired Ozma

"The Queen punishes us if remarks that she like "

"Are we not alone then, house ? "

"The Queen can hear everything spoken island -- even the slightest whisper," declared Lady Aurex " wonderful witch, as she has told you, and folly to criticise her or disobey her commands "

Ozma looked into her eyes and saw that like more if she dared So she drew from her bosom her silver wand, and having muttered magic phrase in strange tongue, she left the room and walked slowly around the outside house, making complete circle and waving her wand in mystic curves as she walked Lady Aurex watched her curiously and, when Ozma had again entered the room and seated herself, she asked:

"What done ? "

"I've enchanted this house that Queen Coo-ee-oh, with all her witchcraft, cannot hear one word we speak magic circle ," replied Ozma " now speak freely and as loudly as , without fear Queen's anger "

Lady Aurex brightened

"Can I trust you ? " she asked

"Ev'rybody trusts Ozma," exclaimed Dorothy " true and honest, and your wicked Queen sorry she insulted the powerful Ruler of all the Land of Oz "

"The Queen know me yet," said Ozma, "but you me, Lady Aurex, and you me why you, and all the Skeezers, are unhappy fear Coo-ee-oh's anger, for hear word we say, I assure you "

Lady Aurex was thoughtful moment; then she said: " trust you, Princess Ozma, for I believe what you say -- our supreme Ruler If the dreadful punishments our Queen inflicts upon us, wonder so unhappy The Skeezers bad people; care to quarrel and fight, even with their enemies the Flatheads; but so cowed and fearful of Coo-ee-oh obey her slightest word, rather than suffer her anger "

"Hasn't she any heart, then ? " asked Dorothy

"She never displays mercy She loves no one but herself," asserted Lady Aurex, but she trembled as she said it, afraid even yet of her terrible Queen

"That's pretty bad," said Dorothy, shaking her head gravely " you've lot here, Ozma, forsaken corner Land of Oz First place, you've got to magic away from Queen Coo-ee-oh, and awful Su-dic, too My idea neither is fit to rule anybody, 'cause they're cruel and hateful So you'll have the Skeezers and Flatheads new rulers and teach all their people 're part Land of Oz and must obey, above all, the lawful Ruler, Ozma of Oz Then, 've done that, go back home again "

Ozma smiled at her little friend's earnest counsel, but Lady Aurex said in an anxious tone:

" surprised that you suggest these reforms while yet prisoners island and in Coo-ee-oh's power things , , but just now dreadful war is likely to break out, and frightful things may happen all Our Queen has such conceit that she thinks overcome the Su-dic people, but said Su-dic's magic is very powerful, although not as great possessed by his wife Rora, before Coo-ee-oh transformed her into Golden Pig "

"I don't blame her for doing that," remarked Dorothy, " Flatheads were wicked to catch your beautiful fish Witch Rora wanted to poison all the fishes lake "

" the reason ? " asked the Lady Aurex

"I don't s'pose any reason, 'cept just wickedness," replied Dorothy

"Tell us the reason," said Ozma earnestly

"Well, your Majesty, once -- -- the Flatheads Skeezers were friendly They visited our island and we visited their mountain, and everything was pleasant two peoples the Flatheads were ruled by three Adepts in Sorcery, beautiful girls who Flatheads, but had wandered Flat Mountain and made their home there These three Adepts used their magic only for good, mountain people gladly made them their rulers They taught the Flatheads how to use their canned brains and how to work metals into clothing never wear out, and things that added happiness and content