The Red Jinn

by Palmer, Mildred L. rtf

  Sinking to the ground, she stared at the smooth pink stones in baffled silence. The Lion studied the wall for a moment. Then, shutting his eyes, he walked determinedly into it, bumping his nose most cruelly.

  “What on earth did you do that for?” cried Dorothy, jumping up and running to him.

  “I thought perhaps it was an illusion,” muttered the Lion vexedly, looking cross-eyed at his nose. “Remember the wall around Thistle City that wasn’t there?”

  “Well, this one certainly is,” murmured Dorothy, rubbing his nose gently. “Maybe if we yell, someone would come let us in.”

  “You yell,” returned the Lion. “My nose hurts too much.“ Dorothy called and called as loudly as she could. The Lion, too, forgot his sore nose, and roared until the very walls seemed to quiver.

  “It’s no use,” sighed Dorothy at last. “I guess no one lives here. We may as well leave.“ Wearily they trudged down the hill. At the bottom, Dorothy turned to take a last look at the castle. Suddenly she saw, issuing from the high windows, column after column of winged men. The Lion, turning at the same moment, saw them too.

  “Jump on my back,” he roared. “Let’s get out of here.“ Dorothy obeyed, and the Lion bounded off, ears flat to his head. “See if they’re still after us,” he panted.

  Dorothy turned. The air seemed black with the flying men. “I think they’re getting closer,” she quavered.

  “If we can just get to the woods….” The Lion did not finish, but redoubled his efforts. “See where they are now.“ As Dorothy turned, she felt strong arms seize her, and she was swept into the air, struggling and kicking. As she was carried high above the Lion, she saw one of the winged men throw a net over him and skillfully roll him up in it. Three others swooped down. Together they lifted the beast and started back to the castle.

  In despair, Dorothy stopped struggling. “That’s better,” remarked an approving voice in her ear. Turning her head slightly, she looked up at the man who had captured her. His face was friendly and gentle, and the little girl felt some of her fear leave her.

  “Don’t be frightened,” he urged. “I won’t hurt you. Who are you, and what are you doing in Cumuland?”

  “I am Princess Dorothy of Oz,” she replied proudly. “Who are you, and why have you captured us?”

  “My name is Boag,” answered the man, “and I only captured you because my King; ordered me to.“ Dorothy had no answer for this. They reached the castle, entering through the tall windows. The four men carrying the Lion laid him gently on the floor and unwound the net from around him.

  Shaken and, breathless as he was, he staggered to his feet and thrust himself between Dorothy and the soldiers. A murmur of admiration went up from the soldiers at his action. Boag, who seemed to be in charge, smiled encouragingly at the little girl.

  “Don’t be alarmed, Princess Dorothy. None of us will harm you. The King ordered you seized and brought to the castle.”

  “What did he do that for?” snarled the Lion bitterly. “We were doing our best to get in. Why didn’t he just let us in then, instead of sending an army after us?”

  “I don’t know,” sighed Boag. “Gip is very strange in many ways. We, as his subjects, must obey him even though we do not always approve.”

  “Is he a good king?” asked Dorothy timidly.

  Boag was silent for a moment, the smile gone from his face. “We Cumulanders are a friendly, kind-hearted people. Our king is not.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” remarked one of the men.

  A glance from Boag silenced him. “They’ll find out for themselves soon enough,“ he said shortly.

  The Lion looked wisely at Boag. “In other words,your King is a wicked, hard-hearted man, and everyone is afraid of him.” Boag nodded gloomily. ’ If he is such a bad king, why don’t you get rid of him?” asked Dorothy.

  Boag pretended not to hear. Dismissing the guardsmen, he led Dorothy and the Lion into a small chamber. “Would you like something to eat?” he asked. They assured him that they were not hungry.

  Boag paced back and forth nervously for a few minutes. Then, coming to a decision, he pulled up a chair and sat down facing them. “I am going to tell you about our King,” he began abruptly. “Since you must be magicians, I hope you will be able to help us.” Dorothy opened her lips to speak, but Boag motioned her to be silent.

  “Many years ago Cumuland was ruled by a good King, our present King’s brother.

  He and the Queen were greatly beloved by all the people. When their little son was still an infant, the King and Queen disappeared. Everyone searched for them; for years we looked everywhere.

  “In the meantime, as the prince was too small to rule over the country, Gip, his uncle, took his place.

  “At length we gave up all hope of ever finding the King and Queen. And Gip ruled the country wisely and well for the first few years. But as his power grew, he became harsh and cruel, so that our only hope was the young prince, Rory.

  “Last year, the day before his twelfth birthday, Rory also disappeared, and no one has been able to find him.” Boag stopped and looked at them expectantly. Dorothy was bewildered. “How can we help you?” she asked. “If all the people in Cumuland weren’t able to find the prince, how do you think two strangers can succeed?”

  “With your magic, of course,” returned Boag calmly. “It must be very powerful magic indeed, or you would not be here now. One of the first things Gip did was to enchant Cumuland in such away that no one could enter or leave. The very fact that you are here proves that your magic is greater than Gip’s.“ The Lion rose. “Magic!” he muttered. “If I had any magic I wouldn’t use it to come here.” Shaking his head bitterly, he crossed the room and thrust his great head out a window.

  Boag looked after him in bewilderment. “What does he mean?” he asked. “Aren’t you magicians?”

  “No,” Dorothy answered gently. “Our coming here was an accident. We are not magicians, and I don’t see how we can help you. Why didn’t you appeal to Ozma when your King disappeared?”

  “Who is Ozma?” asked Boag.

  “Don’t you know?” Dorothy was shocked. “Ozma is the Ruler of all Oz. Anyone in or near Oz is entitled to her protection.“ Boag smiled sadly. “Cumuland is not in Oz,” he returned. “It is one of the sky countries, and would not be under Ozma’s protection.”

  CHAPTER XIII

  IN THE HANDS OF THE WICKED KING

  For a moment Dorothy was too horrified to answer.

  At that moment a page entered. “The King wishes the prisoners to be brought to him,” he announced. Boag nodded.

  “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered to Dorothy. “We’ll do everything in our power to help you. Don’t anger Gip, if you can help it, but don’t let him think you’re afraid of him, either.”

  “I won’t,” promised the little girl bravely. Taking hold of the Lion’s mane to steady her trembling knees, she followed Boag and the page down the long corridor.

  “Pretty, isn’t it,” remarked the Lion. Dorothy nodded, for accustomed as she was to the splendor of the Emerald Palace, the beauty of her surroundings almost took her breath away. The walls were of smooth, creamy pink stone. The doors opening into the corridor were framed with velvety-soft rose drapes, and the rooms beyond were magnificent.

  At the end of the corridor was a great double door. Boag stopped and motioned to the page who had stepped through the doorway. Then Boag turned again to Dorothy.

  “Even though you say you have no magic, I still feel sure that you were sent here to save our country. You will help us, won’t you?”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” returned Dorothy. “If Gip is as bad as you’say, he oughtn’t be allowed to rule such a lovely country.”

  “Now look, Dorothy,” began the Lion uneasily, “let’s not start any trouble. Let’s get back to the Emerald City and rescue Ozma. She can take care of this King. After all it’s her business to rule Oz, not ours.”

  “But we’re not
in Oz,” returned the little girl soberly. “We’re in a country in the sky.“ The Lion’s legs sagged, and he dropped to the floor. “I give up,” he moaned.

  “Everything happens to me. Now I suppose we have to conquer this country if we ever want to get away?“ Dorothy could not help laughing. “Just the King,” she answered. “The country’s all right.” She looked at Boag. “You didn’t say so, but I gather that you feel Gip is responsible for the disappearance of Rory as well as the King and Queen.”

  “That’s right,” answered Boag promply. “We think that he destroyed the King and Queen; but we still have hopes of finding Rory. You see…” He stopped as the door opened and the page returned.

  “Take the prisoners in,” the page ordered. “The King wishes to question them before…” he paused in embarrassment.

  “Before what?” asked Dorothy.

  “Before he throws you off the skyle,” gulped the page.

  “Just let him try it!” roared the Lion, springing to his feet. “‘Just let him try it! I’ll tear him to pieces…!” He pushed past Boag and entered the throne room. Lashing his tail and snarling under his breath, he strode down the room toward the throne. Dorothy followed more slowly, admiring the elegance and beauty around her. From the door to the throne ran a thick, soft carpet. On either side stood men and women, all fairskinned and golden haired. Like the soldiers, these too had golden wings, and all were beautifully dressed in rose-colored silk and velvet. Some seemed alarmed at the sight of the Lion, but most looked compassionately at Dorothy. All the faces wore expressions of deep sorrow, which Dorothy understood when she saw the king.

  He sat on a throne carved from a single glowing pink stone. His crown was cut from the same material. He was fair skinned and blond like the others; but instead of the kindly expression of his subjects, his face was harsh and stern. His mouth was a thin straight line, and the cruelty in his eyes made Dorothy shiver.

  The Lion had reached the foot of the throne and was studying Gip. Clearly he did not like what he saw. “How dare you make us prisoners?” he demanded. “Set us free immediately, or it will be the worse for you.“ Gip blinked, plainly surprised by the Lion’s boldness. “Who are you?” he asked, with unaccustomed politeness.

  “This is Dorothy, Princess of Oz,” replied the Lion grandly, “and I am the Cowardly Lion of Oz. We, are under the protection of Ozma, ruler of Oz, who will punish you well if we are harmed in any way.”

  “How did you come to Cumuland?” asked Gip, puzzled by the prisoners’ lack of fear, and uncertain as to his power over them.

  “It was no trouble,” returned the Lion in an off-hand manner. Gip’s cruel eyes turned to Dorothy. Here at least was one small enough to be easily frightened. “How dare you enter Cumuland without my permission?“ Dorothy was not to be intimidated. “Why should we need your permission?” she asked boldly.

  “I am the King of Cumuland!” shouted Gip. “Everyone in my kingdom is subject to me.”

  “Well, we’re not your subjects, and we don’t intend to be,” retorted Dorothy angrily. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll let us go.”

  “How dare you threaten me, you wingless earth-crawler?” hissed the infuriated monarch. “Don’t you realize that I am the King?”

  “You’re not my King,” retorted Dorothy. “In fact, you’re not a King at all, and you know it.“ Gip goggled at her, his face turning crimson. “You impertinent mortal!” he sputtered. “Do you think you can set yourself against me? Taggle, have this foolish creature taken to the dungeon. I’ll attend to her later.”

  “She’s only a child, your Majesty,” pleaded the old Counseler.

  “She doesn’t realize…”

  “Silence!” snapped Gip. “Carry out my orders.“ Taggle looked at Dorothy for a moment, then shook his head. “I won’t do it,” he declared. “She only spoke the truth.”

  “That’s right,” chimed in the Lion approvingly. “She only spoke the truth, didn’t she, Gip? Where is the real King? Where is Rory?“ Gip gasped, white with mingled fear and rage. “I know nothing about Rory,” he cried. “I had nothing to do with his disappearance.”

  “Nobody said you did,” put in the Lion smoothly. “You’re the one who brought that up.“ With an effort, Gip regained his composure. “Enough of this,” he thundered. He pressed a button at the side of his throne. In a moment the doors at the end of the room were thrown open and the guard swarmed in. “Arrest these interlopers,” he commanded.

  “Take them to the dungeon—and Taggle with them.“ The guard, who had started to surge forward, stopped short. “Not Taggle…!“ exclaimed one.

  “Yes, Taggle!” shouted Gip. “He is guilty of treachery to me and his country.

  “Not to his country,” exclaimed Dorothy. “You’re the one who’s guilty of that… You are responsible for Rory’s disappearance, aren’t you. Where is he?“ For a moment Gip seemed ready to strike her. The Lion slipped quietly between them. Gip eyed him for a moment; then turned to the guardsmen. “I know nothing of Rory’s disappearance,” he said quietly. “Take them away.“ The guardsmen advanced obediently, only to be brought to a halt by the sight of the Lion. Ears flat against his head, and tail lashing angrily, he crouched in front of Dorothy with lips curled back to show his strong teeth. The guardsmen backed away hastily.

  The Lion turned to Gip. “If anyone lays a hand on Dorothy, I’ll tear you to bits,“ he threatened. “Dismiss the guard and let us go in peace.“ Gip seized his scepter and pointed it at the Lion. There was a sharp click; the Lion stiffened suddenly, fell on his side, twitched a moment and lay still.

  “Oh!” wailed Dorothy.

  “You’ve killed him.“ Catching up a candlestick, she hurled it at the monarch. Gip ducked and pointed his scepter at her. As it clicked, she snatched up another candlestick and threw it, followed by a plate and a card receiver.

  “Seize that girl!” roared Gip, rubbing his head where the second candlestick had landed. Two guards caught Dorothy’s arms and held her fast.

  Gip looked at his scepter and shook it, seeming much puzzled. Finally he pointed it at a man at the back of the room; this unfortunate stiffened and fell as had the Lion. Gip nodded with satisfaction and pointed it again at Dorothy. Both guards dropped her arms and retreated. Finding herself free, Dorothy looked around for something else to throw.

  As she reached for a statuette, the guards caught her arms again.

  Gip threw down his scepter and glared at her, the big purple bruise on his forehead adding to his wrath. “Take her away!” he screamed. “Throw her in a dark cell.”

  “The Lion too?” asked Boag.

  “The Lion too! Take them both—and take Taggle! Take all three!” Four big guardsmen picked up the Lion. Dorothy’s guards led her gently away. Taggle followed, a guard on either side. The rest of the guardsmen, at a sign from Boag, fell in behind them.

  “I think it’s a shame,” grumbled one of the men, as the door swung shut behind them. “Putting a child in a dark cell… Let’s take them out and let them go, Hob.“ Dorothy looked up hopefully, but Hob shook his head. “Where would they go? Gip would only catch them again. “

  “Couldn’t you carry us down to earth?” asked the little girl timidly. “Maybe Jinnicky could bring the Lion back to life.” She wiped her eyes. “He’s the best friend I ever had,” she sobbed.

  “Now don’t cry.” Hob patted her shoulder awkwardly. “He isn’t dead, for no one ever dies in Cumuland. Isn’t that right, Jac?“ Jac nodded reassuringly. “Oh, that’s good,” sighed Dorothy. “How soon will he wake up?“ Hob looked troubled. “I really don’t know,” he replied. “Gip could wake him up, but of course he won’t. This Jinnicky you mentioned might be able to wake him, if we could only get you out of Cumuland.”

  “Can’t you?” entreated Dorothy. Hob shook his head sorrowfully. “Gip enchanted the skyle so that no one could leave or enter it. I can’t understand how ou got here.”

  “I can’t understand wh
y Gip’s magic scepter had no effect on her,” remarked Jac.

  “Neither could Gip,” snickered Hob.

  “Neither can I,” finished Dorothy. They reached a flight of stairs. Hob picked her up, and spreading his great wings, flew down. “Why do you have stairs in the castle when everyone has wings?” Dorothy inquired, as he set her down.

  “We used to have guests from other countries,” explained Hob. “None of them had wings, and the stairs were put in for their convenience.” Unfastening the gate at the foot of the stairs, he led her into a wide, dimly lighted hallway with barred doors on either side. Jac stopped at the first door and swung it open.

  “Gip said a dark cell,” pointed out one of the men carrying the Lion.

  “What if he did?” answered Jac roughly. “I won’t put a child in a dark cell for Gip or anyone else.”