Get your own Free Home Page"I'd like to return this magical dagger," said a wounded sergeant to a merchant. "It's defective."
"What do you mean by defective?" asked the merchant.
"You said it would make me undefeatable in battle, but I was wounded by swords, poked by spears, and trampled by horses."
"But you weren't defeated, were you?"
"No. My regiment won the battle, but it was a costly victory. Many were wounded."
"Well, then, it did what I said it would. The dagger just makes you undefeatable, not invincible. Now, if invincibility is what you're after, I recommend the dragon mail. It's made from the scales of a powerful dragon, and is invulnerable to nearly all weapons."
"Nearly all weapons?"
"Well, I suppose an adamantium sword could pierce it, or maybe the claws of another dragon."
"Well, where is this dragon mail?"
"I don't have any right now, but I can order some from the Mail By Mail Company. It'll arrive in six to eight weeks."
"Six to eight weeks? I might not even be alive in that time! By the way, how much does it cost?"
"Six hundred ninety-nine gold pieces, plus shipping and handling."
"And how much is shipping and handling?"
The merchant pressed a few buttons on an adding machine, then replied with, "Eighty gold pieces, Sergeant."
"So the total would be-Seven hundred seventy-nine gold pieces! That's ridiculous!"
"If you wait a few years, I can give you the senior citizens' discount," stated the salesman.
"A few years! I already have to wait for six to eight weeks, and now you want me to wait an extra few years!"
"No, I don't want you to wait. I just said it would be a little cheaper if you did. Of course, in a few years, the Mail By Mail Company may be out of dragon mail. There aren't all that many dragons in their area, so supplies are limited."
By the way, the sergeant and the merchant were in a country located on a large island far to the west of Oz. The nation was a place of constant war, with the Gurzors, to which the Sergeant belonged, battling the Zurgors. Several merchants had come to the country from neighboring Ristill to sell weapons, armor, and other supplies to the warring armies.
"All right, I'll order the darn-What the heck is that?"
"What?"
"That man in the sky, who looks like a hang-gliding Cyclops."
"I am a hang-gliding Cyclops," said the creature, who had landed right next to the Sergeant. He then folded his hang-glider, which grew out of his back, and asked the merchant, "Do you still have the Magical Dagger of Soob the Sorceror?"
"Actually, I have the dagger," replied the sergeant. "And I'll let you have it for eight hundred gold pieces."
"Eight hundred gold pieces? Oh, all right, I'll pay."
The Cyclops paid the money to the soldier, then took the magical dagger, expanded his hang-glider, and recited a magic spell. He soared into the sky, and glided toward the east.
"Now I'll buy that dragon mail," declared the sergeant.
"Very good, Sergeant. You won't be disappointed," replied the arms merchant.
While the salesman filled out an order form for the armor, the Cyclops continued his flight. After soaring over the great Nonestic Ocean, the Forest of Burzee, the Laughing Valley, and several other places, he finally landed on top of one of the mountains surrounding the Land of Mo. The one-eyed ogre entered a hut that stood on the mountain, and announced to a wizard who was stirring a cauldron, "I have the dagger!"
"Wonderful, Glider! Now, where is the cloak?"
"Cloak? What cloak?"
"The magic cloak of Soob the Sorceror! How do you expect me to perform the Cloak and Dagger Spell without the cloak!"
"You never said anything about a cloak!" objected Glider.
"I'm sure I did. Didn't I?"
Ten other Cyclopes, who were standing against the eastern wall of the hut, shook their heads. Upon seeing this, the wizard announced, "Well, I need the magic cloak! Now, I'd better find out where it is. Everybody join hands in a circle, and close your eyes."
The eleven Cyclopes and their master formed a circle. Each ogre closed his eye, and the magician shut both of his eyes. The wizard then droned, "Oh, spirit of the mountain, I command you to appear before me."
The spirit, who was a grey, ghostly figure, did as he was told. The magician, who could not see the spirit, asked, "Are you there, spirit of the mountain?"
"I have a name!" snapped the spirit. "I am called Urrggh. Now, what is it you want, mortal?"
"Don't call me a mortal, Urrggh! You know very well that I have eaten the Ambrosia of Immortality!"
"Oh, very well. Now, what is it you want? And be quick about it! I have a date with the spirit of the next mountain over in half an hour."
"I wish to know the location of the Magic Cloak of Soob the Sorceror," stated the wizard.
"The cloak that you seek is in the Emerald City of Oz," declared Urrggh. "Queen Ozma keeps it in a safe in the Throne Room of her Palace."
"Thank you, Spirit of the Mountain."
"I told you to call me Urrggh! And by the way, don't try to summon me next week. I'll be on vacation. Goodbye!"
"How come those magic books never tell you that summoned beings actually have lives?" questioned the magician, as he and his servants opened their eyes. "Well, anyway, I'd better send an expedition to the Emerald City of Oz."
"But Queen Ozma is a powerful fairy. We'll never be able to get the magic cloak," observed one Cyclops.
"Can't we just get another magic cloak?" questioned another one-eyed monster.
"No! It is Soob's spell, and Soob's dagger, and only Soob's cloak can complete the magic. Once we have that, we'll be able to conquer the Empire!" shouted the magician.
"But there is no Empire anymore," stated Glider. "There hasn't been for a thousand years."
"I know that! But I'll be able to create a new Empire, one which I rule!"
If you are wondering who this wizard is, I am not surprised. Several centuries ago, this magic-worker had joined King Scowleyow to conquer the Empire, which was made up of the lands that are now called Mulgravia, Quok, Junkum, Bilkon, Ribdil, Aurissau, and the Kingdom of Scowleyow. If you look at the map of the countries surrounding Oz, you can see these nations in the southeastern part of the continent containing Oz. The wizard, whose name was, and still is, Snalrem, had magically exiled the Emperor. King Scowleyow then attempted to take over the Empire, but he had been unsuccessful, and the Empire was split into several parts. After the death of King Scowleyow, Snalrem retreated to the mountains surrounding Mo, where he met a wandering band of Cyclopes. Snalrem gave magical powers to the ogres, and they aided him with his evil plans. His latest scheme was to cast the Cloak and Dagger Spell, which had been created by Soob, a student of Merlin.
"It seems to me that I have heard that Ozma's safe is protected by strong magic. But my magical drill should be able to overcome it. I shall send Glider and Hypnos to capture the Cloak."
"Wait a minute. I just brought you the dagger," objected Glider. "Have Jetpacker get this thing."
"Oh, all right, Glider. I guess you deserve a rest. Jetpacker, fly Hypnos to the Emerald City. Here is the magic drill." Snalrem handed a small drill to Hypnos, who placed it in his pocket.
Jetpacker, as you may have guessed, had a jet-pack attached to his back. The ogres had had no names when the wizard met them, so he had given them names of his own devising, based on the powers that he gave them. Anyway, Jetpacker grabbed Hypnos, who possessed the powers of hypnosis, and shot into the sky, aiming toward the Land of Oz, and the Emerald City.
In order to reach Oz, the Cyclopes had to fly over the Shifting Sands. Poisonous fumes rose from this desert to great heights, so the ogres were quite sickly by the time that they came to the blue Munchkin Country. However, Cyclopes heal more quickly than humans, and, after a short rest on a blue hill, Jetpacker and Hypnos ready to continue their flight.
That night, the two Cyclopes arrived at their destination. Once above the green city, the jet-pack failed, and the travellers fell into a fountain. They then rolled out of the water-filled basin, and landed on the ground. Jetpacker stood up and examined his pack.
"My jet-pack is broken!" shouted Jetpacker. "It's been shorted out and completely smashed!"
"Quiet!" warned Hypnos, as he arose from the ground. "Do you want to attract attention?"
"Who cares if we do? Without the jet-pack, we'll never be able to return to Snalrem."
"Yes, we will. There's plenty of magic in this city. Now, come on to the Palace."
The Cyclopes soon reached the entrance to the Royal Palace of Oz. The Soldier With Green Whiskers was asleep in front of the open doors, but Jetpacker awakened him by yelling, "Excuse me, Sir! Could you show us to the Throne Room?"
"The Throne Room?" said Omby Amby, as he quickly opened his eyes and lifted his gun, which had been lying at his side. "Well, it's awfully late, but I suppose I could direct you there."
"Thank you."
Omby Amby took a closer look at the visitors, and noticed that they were Cyclopes. "You're not from around here, are you?" asked the Soldier.
"No," replied Jetpacker.
"We are from the Munchkin Country," explained Hypnos, "and we wanted to see the glorious capital of Oz."
"Well, it is a glorious city, is it not?" inquired Omby Amby.
"Yes," chorused the ogres.
"Follow me. I'll lead you to the Throne Room."
The Soldier did just that, leading the visitors through several halls, up a flight of steps, and through more corridors. Finally, they came to the beautifully decorated Throne Room, where Jellia Jamb, the head of the palace staff, was dusting a wooden table in the center of the room.
"Very good," droned Hypnos, while maintaining eye contact with Omby Amby. "You may leave now."
The Army of Oz walked into the hall, where he staggered straight ahead. Meanwhile, Jellia looked up from her dusting, and, noticing the ogres, said, "Oh! Hello! Where did you come from?"
"We are visitors from the far reaches of the Munchkin Country," stated Hypnos, as he approached the maid.
"You have only one eye!" exclaimed Jellia, when the Cyclops had come close to her.
"Yes. Look closely at it, dear."
The maid did as she was told, and she was soon in a trance. Hypnos then commanded, "Now, show me to the safe where Soob's Magic Cloak is kept."
Jellia Jamb walked over to the wall near the throne, and pointed to a panel with a jade knob in the center. After having seen this panel, the Cyclops droned, "Now, you need some rest, my dear girl."
The girl dropped to the floor, and entered a deep sleep. Hypnos then used Snalrem's drill to break into the safe. As soon as the ogre had opened the door, an alarm began to sound.
"Get over here, Jetpacker, and help me find the cloak," commanded Hypnos, who had thrown an assortment of magical treasures onto the floor, and was rummaging through them.
Jetpacker helped Hypnos with the search, and soon found an apron. "Is this it?" asked the flying ogre.
"No, you fool. Snalrem wants a cloak, not an apron."
"But I like this thing," said Jetpacker, as he tied the apron around his waist. "And this is a nice ring."
"Quit fooling around! Ah, here it is."
Hypnos read the label on the cloak, and then placed it on his shoulders. The Cyclops grabbed his partner's hand, and said, "Take us to Snalrem's cabin!"
"I can't!" argued Jetpacker. "My jet-pack is broken!"
"Not you, you idiot! The cloak! See, we're already flying."
Hypnos was quite correct. The cloak took the Cyclopes through the castle's halls, and out the front doors. By the time that a group of worried Ozites entered the Throne Room, the two ogres had already reached the Munchkin border.
"What happened here?" questioned Dorothy, who led the group that entered the Throne Room.
"Are you all right, Jellia?" asked Trot, who noticed that the maid was asleep in front of the pile of treasures.
"This is strange," observed the Scarecrow. "Someone broke into the safe, but they're not here now, and looks as if they hadn't taken anything."
"Actually, a few items are missing," stated Number Nine, who had been looking through the treasures. "Mrs. Yoop's Magic Apron, Mustafa's Ring, and Soob's Flying Cloak of Invisibility, to be exact. Also, I think I've discovered how the thieves broke into the safe."
Number Nine held up the drill, which Hypnos had carelessly left behind. He stated, "It's marked with a strange symbol."
"We need the Wizard!" shouted Scraps, as she danced around the Throne Room.
"But the Wizard isn't here, and neither is Ozma," said the Scarecrow. "We're not helpless, though. Let's go look in the Magic Picture."
The Ozites rushed down a hall, soon coming to Ozma's sitting room. Here, a picture, which displayed a peaceful country scene, hung on the wall. When the Scarecrow told this picture to show the one who had broken into Ozma's safe, it displayed a blue blur.
"What's wrong with the Picture?" questioned Trot.
"I don't think anything is wrong with it," replied Number Nine. "If the thief is wearing Soob's Cloak, he would be invisible, and would be flying very quickly."
"Quite right," agreed the Scarecrow. "So I would assume that the robber is currently flying over the Munchkin Country."
Just then, Bungle, the Glass Cat, rushed into the sitting room. She announced, "Omby Amby is walking down the hall in a trance. He almost stepped on me!"
"That makes two hypnotized people," observed Herby. "We'd better get Jellia and the Soldier to my office. Maybe they know something about the thief."
"And I'll investigate the symbol on the drill," stated Number Nine. "Magicians often put their own marks on their tools, and that symbol might tell us who stole the Cloak."
"I'll watch the Magic Picture, and find out where they land," volunteered the Scarecrow. "The rest of you had better get some sleep. It's getting awfully late."
It was some time before the Cyclopes did land, but they finally arrived at Snalrem's hut. Once there, Hypnos cast off the Magic Cloak, and declared, "We have the Cloak!"
"But my jet-pack broke!" complained Jetpacker.
"After I perform the Cloak and Dagger Spell, you won't need that jet-pack," said Snalrem. "Now, to begin."
The magician placed the cloak in the center of the room, and laid the dagger on top of it. He then took a folded piece of paper from his pocket, and recited the incantation which was written on this paper. Both of Soob's magical items began to glow with an eerie green light.
"Now, Jetpacker," ordered Snalrem, "step onto the cloak."
"No way!" objected the Cyclops. "That looks dangerous! It'll probably turn me into some kind of freak!"
"Yeah," added Glider, "with two eyes. Uh, no offense intended, boss."
"Don't worry," said the magician. "It's perfectly harmless. I'll even try it myself."
Snalrem stepped onto the cloak, and placed one foot on the dagger. Suddenly, the Sorceror disappeared from sight.
"See? I was right!" announced Jetpacker. "He's vanished from off the face of the Earth!"
"No, I haven't!" declared the voice of Snalrem. "I have become invisible. Not only that, but I am invincible, and my mere touch is full of magical power."
"So what do we do now?" asked Antenn, a Cyclops who received radio signals by means of an antenna on his head.
"Just do what I did. Place one foot on the cloak, and the other on the dagger."
Antenn did just that, and he promptly became as invisible, and almost as powerful, as his master. The ten other Cyclopes followed Antenn's example, and the powers of the Cloak and Dagger Spell were given to all of them.
While the Scarecrow was watching these enchantments in the Magic Picture, Number Nine rushed into Ozma's sitting room, holding a large volume with a black cover. He ran over to the straw man, and told him that he had discovered the identity of the magical drill's creator.
"The drill was made by Snalrem, a black wizard who used to live in the Empire to the southeast of Oz," explained the Wizard's assistant. "He teamed up with King Scowleyow to conquer the Empire, but did not succeed. According to the book, no one has seen him since. Here's a picture of him."
The Scarecrow took a look at the picture in the book, and then stated, "That's the wizard who was in the Magic Picture."
"Where is he now?" questioned Number Nine, after a quick look at Ozma's Magic Picture. "I don't see anyone in the Picture."
"He just became invisible."
"Do you have any idea where that place could be?" asked the assistant, as he indicated the room in the Picture.
"Somewhere to the east. The thieves flew over the Munchkin Country and the Deadly Desert before they landed."
"Well, how can we track them down?"
The Scarecrow thought for a minute, and then he called out, "I have an idea! Maybe King Scowleyow will know where he went."
"I'm not sure if King Scowleyow is still alive. He and Snalrem joined forces many centuries ago, and I don't think that the people of Scowleyow are immortal."
"I have heard that someone named King Scowleyow rules the Kingdom of Scowleyow today, and if this is not the same King, he is probably a relative."
"Well, it's worth a try."
At that moment, Princess Dorothy entered the sitting room. She announced, "I couldn't sleep. Have you found out who stole the magic cloak?"
"It was a wizard named Snalrem," replied Number Nine. "I was just about to transport myself to the Kingdom of Scowleyow, where someone might know the whereabouts of this Snalrem."
"I'll come with you," said Dorothy. "We can use the Magic Belt to send ourselves there."
"You get the Belt, and I'll get a few things that we might need from the Wizard's rooms."
Ten minutes later, Dorothy and Number Nine were standing in Ozma's Throne Room and holding hands. The Magic Belt was around Dorothy's waist, and the Princess touched this Belt, while saying, "Take us to King Scowleyow's castle!"
It just so happened that Scowleyow was holding court in his Throne Room. It was to this Throne Room that Princess Dorothy and Number Nine were magically transported. When the King noticed his visitors, he asked, "Who are you?"
"I am Princess Dorothy of Oz, Your Majesty," was Dorothy's reply, "and this is Number Nine, assistant to the Wizard of Oz."
"How did you get in here?" was the Ruler's next question.
"We transported ourselves here by magic."
"And why have you come?"
"We wanted to know if you had heard of a wizard named Snalrem," said Number Nine.
"Snalrem? I believe I have," stated King Scowleyow, in his rather unpleasant voice. "I think he was an ally of my grandfather, King Scowleyow the First."
"Do you know where he lives now?"
"I didn't even know he was still alive."
"Well, I am," said an evil voice, which was, in fact, the voice of Snalrem himself. "I am going to conquer all of the countries in the former Empire, and I shall start with yours."
"Where are you?"
"He's invisible," declared Number Nine. The boy pulled a pair of spectacles from his pocket, placed them on his eyes, and looked around the room. He then announced, "He's floating behind your throne, Your Highness."
Unbeknownst to everyone but Number Nine, Snalrem was flying toward the King. The Wizard's assistant called to Scowleyow to look out, but it was too late. King Scowleyow was turned into an earthworm by the touch of the evil magic-worker. When Dorothy attempted to use the Magic Belt to disenchant the King, Snalrem removed the magical tool from Dorothy's waist, and disappeared from the room.
"Is he still here?" asked Dorothy.
"No," said Number Nine. "He must have transported himself out of here."
"Without the Magic Belt, how can we find him and stop him?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure there's some way. I'll use a Wishing Pill to transport us back to the palace, and we'll plan our next move there."
When Number Nine and Dorothy magically transported back to Ozma's sitting room, they noticed that Herby, Omby Amby, and Jellia Jamb had joined the Scarecrow. All four of these Ozites had been watching the visitors to Scowleyow's castle, and were quite sorry for the loss of the Magic Belt.
"I managed to cure Jellia and Omby Amby," announced Herby, "but they knew little about the robbery. Jellia did say that the Cyclopes who robbed us were looking for Soob's Cloak, not for the apron or the ring."
"I noticed that Snalrem used the Cloak in his enchantment," stated the Scarecrow. "Therefore, I thought it might be helpful if you visited Soob the Sorceror. Since he created the Cloak, he might know of the spell that Snalrem used."
"Does anyone here know where Vell lives?" questioned Number Nine, as he drew a Wishing Pill from his pocket.
"In the Temple of Air, in Nimenvell."
The Wizard's assistant wished himself and Dorothy to this temple. When the two Ozites entered, the lights were out, and most of the Temple Keepers were sleeping. However, one old man, who sat behind a counter, asked, "What do you need, children?"
"We've come to see Soob," stated Dorothy.
"Soob? He's asleep right now. Would you mind returning in the morning?"
"We need to see him now," replied Number Nine. "The fate of several Kingdoms relies on it."
"Very well," said the man. He then pressed a button on a panel, causing a bell to ring in Soob's room. The old Sorceror dressed in a blue robe, and hurried into the front room.
"These children wanted to see you," the man behind the counter told Soob. "They say that they have an emergency."
"Are you Soob the Sorceror?" inquired Number Nine.
"Yes, I am," replied Soob. "Who are you?"
"I am Number Nine, assistant to the Wizard of Oz. This is Princess Dorothy of Oz."
"And why did you need to see me?"
"Someone stole your Flying Cloak of Invisibility from the safe in Ozma's Palace, and used it to cast a spell."
"What sort of a spell?"
"He became invisible, was able to fly, and could transform people by touching them."
"Did he use a dagger for the spell?"
"I believe he did," answered Number Nine, who remembered having seen a dagger in the Magic Picture.
"He must have cast my Cloak and Dagger Spell."
"Well, is there any way to counteract the spell?"
"I haven't used that spell in many centuries. Let me think."
After about a minute of thought, Soob said, "I remember now. If two people under the influence of the spell touch each other, the spell is neutralized. Do you know where the cloak and dagger are now?"
"I s'pose they're in Snalrem's house," replied Dorothy.
"Snalrem? Is he still causing trouble?"
"Do you know Snalrem?"
"I've heard of him, but I've never actually encountered him."
"Do you know where he lives?"
"No, but I can find out."
The Sorceror knelt on the floor, and meditated for a few minutes. When he opened his eyes, he announced, "Snalrem lives in a cabin, located on a mountain to the north of Mo. The spirit of that mountain is Urrggh, and, by tapping in on the spirit's energy, I can direct us to the mountain."
"First, we'd better go to the Emerald City, and make sure that we have enough people," stated Number Nine. "Snalrem may have cast the spell on several people."
A Wishing Pill transported Number Nine, Dorothy, and Soob to Ozma's sitting room, where the Scarecrow, Herby, Omby Amby, and Jellia had been watching the Magic Picture. When the three people magically arrived in the room, the Scarecrow said, "Soob the Sorceror, I presume?"
"Quite correct, Sir," replied the Sorceror. "You must be the famous Scarecrow of Oz."
"Yes. But why have you come back here?"
"We need to know how many people were enchanted by Snalrem," was Dorothy's answer.
"Well, he enchanted himself, as well as eleven Cyclopes, I believe," said the Scarecrow.
"We need five other people, then," stated Number Nine.
"Why?"
"Just help us find five other people. I'll explain later."
After a quick search of the palace's second floor, Betsy Bobbin, Trot, Cap'n Bill, Button-Bright, and Toto had joined the group in the sitting room. Although the last of these was not really a person, Soob assured the others that the spell would work perfectly on him.
"Now, to go to Snalrem's hut," said Number Nine.
"How will we reach it from here?" asked Jellia. "Isn't it across the desert?"
"We'll use Flying Pills," stated the assistant, as he took some from his pocket. While Number Nine opened a window, each of the others, except for the Scarecrow, swallowed a Flying Pill. Number Nine then took a pill, and Soob led his companions out the window and toward the southeast. Dorothy carried the Scarecrow.
"How will the Sorceror find the hut with his eyes closed?" inquired Betsy Bobbin.
"Don't know," replied Button-Bright.
"He's tapping into spirit energy," explained Number Nine.
The Sorceror and the Ozites flew over the Shifting Sands, eventually coming to the mountain where Snalrem's hut was located. When the party landed, Soob opened the door, and the group entered the home of the wizard. Inside, the cloak and dagger still lay on the floor, but they were no longer glowing.
"I now need to cast the spell," announced Soob. "Let me see if I can remember it."
It turned out that the Sorceror did not need to remember the spell, as the paper from which Snalrem had read was lying on the floor. Soob picked it up and performed the necessary incantation. When the cloak and dagger began to glow, the Sorceror stepped on the two items, and then told the Ozites to do the same. Soon, all twelve of the party members were charged with the power of the Cloak and Dagger Spell.
"Now how do we find Snalrem?" asked Betsy.
"He said something about conquering the lands that were once part of the Empire," answered Number Nine. "Does anyone know which countries those are?"
"Aurissau, Bilkon, Ribdil, Quok, Junkum, Macvelt, and Scowleyow," stated Soob the Sorceror. "In order to transport to any of those places, you need merely to say its name, followed immediately by the word 'skirnilm.'"
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