"Now," declared the good King, slapping his knee happily, "we have nothing to worry us. Quiberon is a prisoner, the mortal child has escaped injury and Akbad has saved my son and persuaded Ozma to come here, save the kingdom, and restore the Queen."
Here he stopped to tell Orpah how the Court Soothsayer had picked the golden pear and flown with Philador to the capital, invoking Ozma's aid and carrying the mortal maid to Quiberon's cavern.
"I expect Ozma any moment now," puffed Cheeriobed, shading his eyes and looking out over the lake. At these words, Akbad, who was hiding behind the King's bench, covered his ears and slunk miserably away. How could he ever explain the failure of Ozma to appear, or account for the strange disappearance of the little Prince? Again and again he tried to fly away from the Ozure Isles, but the golden wings refused to carry him beyond the edge of the beach and when in despair he cast himself into the water, they kept him afloat, so that even drowning was denied the cowardly fellow. Dragging his wings disconsolately behind him, he trailed about the palace, or perched forlornly in the tree tops, and when, in the late evening, Cheeriobed summoned all of his advisors to the throne room, the Soothsayer came slowly and unwillingly to the conference. Orpah, with his tail in a bucket of salt water, sat on the King's right and Toddledy, thumbing anxiously over an old book of maps, sat on the King's left. Umtillio, nearby, strummed idly on a golden harp and Akbad, after a longing glance at the chair set out for him, flew up on the chandelier where he would have plenty of place for his wings and where he could sit down with some comfort. Ranged 'round the conference table were the officers of the Guard and members of the King's household, and they all listened attentively as Cheeriobed began his address.
"To-morrow is the day Quiberon has threatened to destroy us," began His Majesty gravely, "and as he may escape it were best to devise some means of defense."
They all nodded approvingly at these words but said nothing. "Has anyone a suggestion to make?" asked Cheeriobed, folding his hands on his stomach and looking inquiringly over his spectacles.
"I suggest that we all go to bed," yawned the Captain of the Guard. "Then we'll be rested and ready for a battle, if a battle there is to be!"
"Why bother to plan when Quiberon is stuck fast in the cavern?" asked Akbad impatiently.
"That's so," mused Toddledy. "At least not before Ozma arrives. When did Her Highness say she would come?" he asked, squinting up at the Court Soothsayer.
"Just as soon as the Wizard of Oz returns from the blue forest," answered Akbad sulkily.
"When Trot and her friends reach the Emerald City, they will persuade her to come right away," put in Orpah, "and they promised to come back with her. You will be astonished at the stone man," finished Orpah solemnly.