Trail of Tears: The Wizard Was Odd Trilogy

By Bob Moyer

The Trilogy is A Commemorative Wizard of Oz, Epic Adventure...For 21st Century Readers. Recollected and presented in first person by Toto, this trilogy offers a unique perspective, Toto's! It is a multidimensional plot-twister w updated cast of wondrous, quirky misfits.

The original Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in the year 1900. America was for the first time, the world's most affluent country, yet, electrical lighting, indoor plumbing, and automobile ownership were not widespread. There were less than 8000 cars on the road and no more than ten miles of paved roads.

At the turn of the century, "technology" was about bringing improved 19th century innovations to the public: phonograph, records, the combustible engine, telegraph, and telephone to name a few. In 1900, "technology" was a train that could bring you the same distance in six days that a covered wagon brought you in six months. Cross-continental travel became easier and more affordable. Today, "technology" means medical miracles, lasers, drones, stealth bombers, satellite surveillance, space station, cyber warfare, and quantum computers.

The first "Wizard of Oz 1910 film" easily located on YouTube is well worth watching. Setting amusement aside, one has to strain the imagination to find similarities in this 1910 version to Disney's recent film, "Oz The Great and Powerful".

Now, a century later, incredible graphics in games and films have raised the bar. Today's fantasy lovers expect "fantastic" and it takes "awesome" in books and films to meet the expectations of fantasy lovers today. The Wizard Was Odd trilogy has that kind of universal appeal. The glorious Lands of Western Oz, with elements of fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction coupled with its bizarre inhabitants, and their extreme subcultures will draw today's game-minded youth into an Oziian world unlike any other.

The rest of us - who've grown up and older with Baum...our attraction to The Wizard Was Odd, will be magnetic. Why - because Oz's ever-changing characters and plots are part of this fantasy-fairy-tail universe that is comfort-food to our soul. It's this irresistible lure...this indefinable mystique that draws so many of us not only to that magical Land of Oz, but to Star Trek, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. The big difference, however, is that Oz has held the publics' attention for nearly 120 years!

We know Baum's book. We've seen MGM's movie, countless versions, and remakes. Yet, after 120 years, we find ourselves compelled with joy, anticipation, and a bit of excited trepidation to once again, walk that yellow brick road. This time it is to commemorate the Great Man himself, L. Frank Baum for his Wonderful Wizard of Oz 120th anniversary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Moyer
• Release date: May 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781370452354

Bob Moyer

Bob Moyer (pseudonym - Peeky) has been writing fiction for children, young adults, and adults young at heart for nearly ten years. The following childrens stories/writings will be posted to his website at Oziian.com or www.WizardWasOdd.com in the near future.The Calamitous Attitude of Kat Katitude is about teenage and young adult cats living together as roommates. Another is a bedtime ditty; No Such Thing! Fast Food is a picture book without words where a slow spider tries in futility to catch fast insects, and the list goes on. Professionally, Bob Moyer has been a trainer, a guest speaker, and featured writer for over thirty years in the community association industry. In addition to having a Bachelor degree from Florida State University in Accounting, he has been a Florida Real Estate Broker, a Licensed Community Association Manager (LCAM), the President of, and one of the principals in The Vanguard Management Group, Inc. Bob is also a past President of CEOMC, an organization comprised of Chief Executive Officers of Management Companies. Its members are committed to promoting and protecting homeowner associations throughout Florida, engaging in advocacy and setting the standard for community management. Bob began writing for children in 2010 and belonged to the Society of Childrens' Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for many years. In 2012, he and his wife Janet concluded a busy week with a night on the town. His opening question to her was, "So Toto, how is Dorothy"? From that nugget, he created a version of the Wizard of Oz featuring Toto as the main character. With the input of the readers of first two books, he intends to create the third book of the trilogy by 2020. This series will be a celebration of the 120th year of the first printing in 1900 of the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Preface

Welcome...but This Ain't Fantasy Island or the Introduction of Beowolf

The Feast of the Black Witch or...Our Last Supper

We Only Want to Borrow It...Scrobins Spills the Beans

The Proclamations of Virgil Oz

It's the Spyglass. Trust Me!

Ancestral Traditions of the Bantams or Walk This Way...

Woeful and Wretched is the Wail of the Witchery Wind

Now My Comrades, Sleep Ye Well; Come Tomorrow Ye Shall Know Hell

The Valley of the Vegans

Valley Victories and their Vegan Victims or...It's Not All Bad; At Least You Can See Better

Gooey Gooey Goo or Awww, it's a Baby!

Those Lying Flying Monkeys! Or...Out of the Frying Pan and into the Hooey

Fetch the Wise-One! Or...Before You Came Along, He Was Almost a Good King

The Fountain (of Folly)

A Parting of the Ways or A Fork in the Road or You take the High Road, and I'll Take...

The Fire Walkers of Hell's Hearth or the Black Death of Hell's Hearth

Scrobins: Field Commander

The Emerald City...Again

Plots within Plots Or If You Hit A Cat with A Hammer, It Will Blink

A Wizardly Welcoming Or You Can't Always Get What You Want

Be Careful What You Wish For...

Dance or Die, But Please, Do Something!

Perhaps It Isn't Easy as You Think...Or the Time Has Come to Pony Up

Better Butter, Better in Fact, Than Butter

The Snizzle of Social Sizzle

Heart...and the Perfect Man or Oz's Most Eligible Bachelor

Courage for the Cowardly Manticore or It's Blatantly Blittle

Let's Make a Deal

Let's Talk Turkey!

Trust Me, Jim, Trust Me

Prolog- So, Toto, How is Dorothy? The First Week

After Six Months

Preface: Trail of Tears begins where Book One, Toto’s Tale left off. Carried by jumberello, large aerial Jellyfish-like creatures, the comrades travel west over the No-Name Gorge on their way to the Western Commonwealth of Oz to accomplish a mission on behalf of the Wizard. An aerial battle between Scrobins, the scarecrow, and crows sent by the Black Queen of the West ensues. Jumberello pilots to protect the comrades jockey the jumberello into a protective formation. In the process, William and Chip Chopper fall from their jumberello and into the No-Name Gorge, parts unknown. Not knowing if their friends live, the comrades that remain, make their way west, and vow to accomplish their mission for the Wizard and then to seek out their fallen friends.

Chapter 1: Welcome…but This Ain’t Fantasy Island or The Introduction of Beowolf

With the loss of our heavier friends, our load had lightened; the crows had disappeared, so at Dorothy’s insistence, we resumed our diamond formation and rearranged our seating. Dorothy didn’t want anything to do with anyone.

Leave me alone, she said with a sob, all of you. Please, just let me be.

Jaunty Jack jockeyed the jumberello so that the caravan continued westward with the Manticore and I on one jumberello, Jim and Tee on another, and Dorothy on another. We had not seen nor heard from Scrobins. In silence, I quietly worried and wondered about his fate or the impossible success of his purposeful dive.

Tee shouted to Dorothy. I never considered abandoning them. I was trying to explain that we can’t help by jumping a kilometer or two from a jumberello into the bottom of the Gorge.

Dorothy sat Indian-style. She made no reply, with her elbows on her knees she looked down as she held her head in her hands. 

Jim tried next. Once we get our business with the witch handled, we can use that spyglass to find them.

Jim may be right, Dorothy, added Tee. There is the trail…

Yoo-hoo! Where are you?

You again? said the Manticore.

I hear you…

Dorothy jumped to her feet and cried, Scrobins as he pulled himself over the edge of her jumberello.

Big as life, he-he…, no pun intended or disrespect to the fallen. …that jest came out by chance. Forgive me, he said as his shoulders collapsed in misery and he mimed a face of sorrow.

What about William, hollered Jim, you bag of straw, what about William?

And my comrade Chip, asked the Manticore.

Well, said the scarecrow, I can’t say that they’re well, nor can I say that they’ve been harmed. I glided to the lowest of the jumberello. This was much quicker than catching a ride as you lounge lizards are doing now. However, I was not as fleet as gravity and even the sluggish man of metal soon fell from my site. Without a brain, of course I could devise no solution, however I did make note that the topography beneath me was lush jungle. Perhaps thick plant matter cushioned their fall…, after all this is Oz. Oh, one more thing…I chipped in on the quadruple wish and hope you did the same.

They’re doomed, cried a pilot. They’re without hope…, the earthfire have des…

The scarecrow cut the pilot off. Doomed? Though I could not see our friends, the scarecrow said as he rippled his straw hands and shook his head like a tent preacher who’d seen a ghost. "I can tell you that despite the, quote, and unquote, s-p-o-o-o-o-k-y earthfire everyone dreads, they don’t burn hot where our comrades had fallen. Now…, have any of you given my play on words from earlier any more attention?

To our blank stares, he replied, Surely I shouldn’t have to remind you…fowl…foul…remember the crows?

____________________

The loss of our comrades tortured my soul. We were muddle minded, totally dispirited, and I was without hope. After considerable begging and promises to remain put completely put…no pacing, etc., Jack assented to all of us gathering on his jumberello, which we did very carefully, where we could analyze the situation.

We shall go on because we must, I said.

Can’t never could, agreed the scarecrow with a nod.

Dorothy blasted him with an evil eye, but otherwise remained silent. The Manticore paced around the outer core of the platform despite our agreement with Jack. Without warning, he’d snap his tail and issue a great roar or a sullen growl.

Jaunty Jack watched him nervously and said, Tee take charge of your cat and make him sit. Now.

Jim was silent and sullen. He pulled his hands from his pockets and slammed a tight fist into his open palm. If William and I can live through the worst twister in the U.S. of A., I can’t bring it upon myself to accept this as being her end.

His eyes and stern face dared us to disagree.

After our business with the witch, I added, I’m going back by way of the Dreadful Wilds or No-Name Gorge or whatever the devil it’s called down there.

Now you’s a lead’n, Toto. I’m with you, exclaimed Jim with a harsh slap to his knee.

"I like the sound of jungle, roared the Manticore, and we cats like warm – sounds like a cozy place to me."

Count me in, said Tee Waa Ka. The wizard entrusted me with your care and safe return.

Don’t trouble yourself, replied Jim. William is my kin. You bring Dorothy back safe by way of the jumberello and you’ll be fine in my book.

Jim is right, cried a pilot. The other pilots confirmed the notion with ayes.

Dorothy stood. Her lips were a white line as she looked at each of us. I don’t recall putting any of you in charge of me. So, don’t you ever talk about me like I’m not…

If you make me the leader, interrupted the scarecrow. I’ll develop a plan of action, a methodology to ensure our safety, a timeline to keep us on track, and quantify the resources we shall require as well as a means to transport us.

Scrobins, Dorothy said without sarcasm. If you can tell us exactly how many jumberello there are above the No-Name Gorge, we will put you in charge. That will surely prove you’re the best leader for our group.

The scarecrow held his hands behind his back. In that he was practically weightless, Jack didn’t care where he went. Mimicking Tee Waa Ka from earlier, Scrobins strutted about the jumberello and mumbled as he looked to the heavens for resolution.

We didn’t have to wait long for a reply.

I’m up to the challenge Dorothy, Scrobins said, But how will you know that my count is correct, unless you first count them yourself?

The Manticore replied with whispers of distant thunder, As William would have said, "infallible logic."

________________________

The sun, blocked by western towering cliffs, set early. Tomorrow, at first light we would arrive. However, sadness and despair replaced the spirit of anticipation and excitement that just days before fueled our energy. Until then, I viewed our adventure in Oz as nothing more than a game. The loss of our comrades changed that. It was a grim reminder of my own mortality. 

We bedded down early, and like the night before, I could not sleep. Each time I dozed, I heard William’s last bellow and the terror in the cry of Chip Chopper. The measured breathing of the others told me that they slept well, except for Dorothy. Her dreams were unkind as she cried out softly and sadly, almost as if fevered. I rolled onto my back and despite my intentions, a small whimper escaped me.

Dorothy rested her hand on my stomach; she rubbed me gently.

Sh-h-h…Toto…, it’s all right, she mumbled softly.

I gazed upward. The heavens were dotted with the dust of countless stars. Jumberello, near and far hung like Chinese lanterns in colors of fantasia. Occasionally a jumberello would float overhead leaving a glow or a dark circle in the midst of the firmament. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt scared…scared, and very small.

______________________________________

We awoke at first light to a mountainous wall of sheer granite. I craned my neck to find its peak, but the billowing clouds of summer cloaked it from my sight.

How will we land, asked Jim. All I see is a rock wall.

Things aren’t always what they seem, Lad. The sides of the Gorge look sheer, said Jack. However, as we draw another click or so nearer you’ll find them riddled with cracks and crannies.

True to his word, upon approaching, there were a number of places where we could safely disembark. With a crumpled brow, Tee Waa Ka said, I’m not certain that this is the landing we want. In the absence of an escort, the Wizard directed me to look for a horseshoe cave well above and back from a landing flat. This kind of fits…I think. Do any of you have an opinion?

I do, said Jim. I opine that we do something and find water quick to clean the crow from us.

I tasted the air. It held the scent of water. Even if it were no more than a good size puddle that would do. Pilot, I said, please prepare for disembarkation.

Landing was catching an easy gizzard! Jack settled the rear third of the jumberello inches above the earth. Fortune smiled upon us quickly; we found a trickle of a waterfall near the cave. It was not large enough to bath in, or shower under, but it was adequate to replenish our drinking water, wash our garments, and wash away the nasty smell of crow. There was also a well-worn trail leading out and therefore providing us with a route that I prayed would lead to our destination.

After a well-needed stretch and rest, Jack said, I’ll remain within hail’n range for two days and if yoos ain’t back, I’ll return in a fortnight with one condition. Yoos come with word from the Witch that I’m not up to be set upon by crows or any other such witchy nonsense.

You need not return for me, Jack, Dorothy said with a sad smile. One day we shall meet on the other side of the Gorge. Please pray that on that day I come with exciting tales of the Underworld and a story that ends well.

You’re surely a spirited little filly, but nonetheless, I shall return in a fortnight, so mark your calendar.

We said our goodbyes to Jack and the pilots and then set about to explore our surroundings.

You still hankering for gizzards? said Jim with a grand smile as he wrung out his shirt.

Dorothy giggled and said to Tee who cocked his head curiously, It’s a family joke. I’ll share it with you later.

Feeling very guilty about my dealings with the Wizard, I changed the subject and said, Let’s make camp, and leave at first light.

All agreed and we assigned the scarecrow to scout and return with wood for a fire. He responded quickly and in no time, a nice blaze coupled with his accounting, rekindled our spirits.

The cave is short, said the scarecrow. A trail leads through it and steeply upward into daylight. I’m not certain, but I spied a massive structure…be it manmade, for sure I can’t say. Perhaps it’s the abode of the evil witch. I estimate it at 6.4 clicks…as the crow flies…Hee hee hee.

That night we slept beneath rock ledges. It just felt safer. As my eyes popped open at first light, the fiery horizon greeted me far to the east.

I stood to stretch and shake out the kinks…instead I froze. Everywhere in this great amphitheater of staggering cliffs, pocks, and pockets, pairs of eyes glowed. Countless eyes, wide and unblinking stared at me. Golden and red, they drew their color from the light of the rising sun.

Nudging Jim, Hush, I whispered sharply as he moved to stretch. Don’t move.

Jim had good sense and looked about slowly and cautiously. Mother of Pearl, what in the name of Hades is sett’n its eyes upon us, he whispered.

Tee heard us, and then Dorothy.

Dorothy sat up abruptly and said, What are they?

As if staged, the scudding clouds that blocked the new day sun, stepped aside, unveiling the owners of those onerous eyes. Each set belonged to a wolf. From dark corners, shadowy ledges, and obscure pocks and pockets, big dark wolves surrounded us and the gorge behind us, made our retreat impossible. I sat before my trembling legs collapsed from fear.

Dorothy gasped. Three great wolves approached slowly. The center one walked six hands ahead of the other two that flanked it. As they approached us boldly and in silent grace, my life raced before my eyes. Jack was at least two clicks out and we had no way to reach him. Therefore, we must choose between jumping into the Gorge or being ripped to pieces and eaten alive. With moistened eyes, I turned to Dorothy. How I loved her, her smile, bright brown eyes, and I wondered why the Kiss of the Northern Witch didn’t glow.

The cowardly Manticore stepped gracefully around me and out to our forefront, bravely offering his life as our first line of defense. The wolves stopped. The Manticore and three wolves studied one another, but without malice…. Willing myself to stand and as loudly as I could muster, I said, Manticore…stand down. This is mine to deal with.

Manticore turned and sauntered past me with a nod so pronounced that it could have been a bow of submission. As he did, our eyes connected and then I understood. I had handled myself as a leader should. While the Manticore’s impression of me was briefly flattering, it was immanently misplaced. I was nothing more than a scared little dog…a shivering coward.

I sat quickly again as my legs trembled uncontrollably. I tried to speak, but that horrible fear dried my mouth and tied my tongue. Ignoring the countless eyes that bore down on me, I inhaled deeply and locked eyes with the wolf in the lead. Forcing my tongue to move, I said loudly, We have business with the Black Witch.

Follow me, said the center wolf. The Black Queen awaits your arrival.

__________________

I shook violently despite my best efforts, so Jim held me while we broke camp.

Toto, you have to lead! said the Manticore. The leader is always first; it’s the way of things.

Can’t we tell them that we’re strangers from a strange land that Jim is my manservant, and as such, carrying me is our custom?

No! Put him down, Jim, Manticore said with a snap of his tail.

And so, with me in the lead, our meager troop followed the trio of wolves through the cave, along rocky trails, across tight ledges, and under natural bridges. With the cliffs behind us, we came upon a great valley of beauty. The wolves were creatures of few words, so I liked them immediately, but didn’t trust them. They were polite, but ten or so wolves on each side, flanked us while the others either led or brought up the rear.

One of the wolves dropped back beside me. Remember me? he said.

Until today I had only seen one wolf throughout Oz. So that was you in the poppy field?"

Indeed. Thank you for your trust and my freedom, he said. Did I thank you then? I hope I did. I’ve picked up your name…Toto. You may call me Beo.

"You’re welcome Beo, but if I recall, you took your leave when you decided to leave. In fact, you didn’t even bother to unknot your bindings."

You were ready to let me go, he said with a side-glance my way. Besides, I remained nearby. It tickled me to watch your comrades gasp in surprise.

What amazed me even more than your disappearance was the fact that you weren’t another needy creature looking for a body part or a way to better your character, I replied. So many that we have met along the yellow brick road has had some big problem and foisted themselves upon us as we made our way to the Emerald City. You were the exception.

After several minutes of silence, I asked, how much further before we get to see the Black Witch?

Black Queen, Beo corrected me. She’s our Queen. We love and respect her. Please honor her and those who serve her by addressing her properly.

"Why then is she called Black Witch rather than Queen," Dorothy asked respectfully from behind me.

Why that describes her, of course, replied Beo.

More confused than ever, I said, "Can you tell me why she has such an evil reputation throughout Oz? Did you know that everyone, including the Wizard, calls her the Black Witch of the West’? No disrespect…just a question."

As a spy, I know what you say to be so, replied Beo. The Houses don’t trust each other, and no one trusts the wizard. Furthermore, the Black Queen keeps her pulse on the land by engaging the crows and us wolves as her spies. This is common knowledge throughout the lands and another reason why people don’t trust wolves and in particular black wolves….

Those glowing eyes of yours don’t help your image either, I tried not to pant while I spoke. When we awoke, eyes were all we could see…and eyes without a body are a scary thing. Furthermore, despite the rising sun, your dark coats cloaked you well in the pre-dawn shadows.

That’s another strike against us. What you’ve observed, Toto, is our aphotic nature, replied Beo. "In that our coats absorb light, we often appear blurry during the bright of day, translucent in the shadows and undetectable with the onset of dusk. The superstitious claim that our blood carries the same deception as the legendary and evil shadow-beasts of the dow’nunder. As I said, people fear black wolves and the black wolves serve the Black Queen. Other than this I can’t say why others call her witch."

Now I have a question for you, Beo said. Why is it that all of you smell so bad?

_____________________________________

Beo and I got along well. Before long, morning rolled into midday and as we crossed a great hill, a fine valley lay below. In the center of it lie a bustling city known as Cornucopia and centered therein, a splendid palace. This western society was feudalistic and those who worked and shared the land were primarily the Bantams, but there were also Gillikins, Quadlings, and Munchkins. Beo claimed that the Black Queen took a reasonable fief from her subjects to maintain the welfare of her kingdom and that she was just and righteous. As we made our way toward the palace, we looked in the shops, as most were open-air. Their wares were much like those that lined the streets of the Emerald City. The locals, odd little folk, stared at us, but took no notice of the wolves. The palace or castle, I still don’t know the difference, was large, but not ornate. It appeared simple, cubic, and with clean lines. In fact, I’d say it was practical or…down to earth. No one made a big commotion about our arrival. A door attendant dressed in white cotton trousers, spit shined boots, and silver-buttoned black short coat led us to a vast waiting room and excused himself. After a few moments, he returned and said, The Queen will see you; lease follow me. He led us out of the great room, through a vestibule, and into a gardeourtyard.

Neat rows of bright peppers and yellow squash greeted us. Behind every hoe, wheelbarrow, rake, and shovel, there were energetic and happy Bantams or Quadlings. This was not the place for idle hands and baskets of purple beans, okra, and plump melons proved it. Wait here, said the attendant.

This is certainly different than Oz, Tee said with a furrowed brow.

No fancies here, fo’ sure, said Jim.

Dorothy kicked Jim’s ankle and when he turned in surprise, he found her finger waggling under his nose.

The attendant spoke with one of the woman gardeners. She greeted him cordially and they bantered as she cast her eyes our way. Her teeth and much of her attire were a vivid white. White seemed unusual for gardening. Nonetheless, she wore white knickers, white stockings, and a white scarf which hid much of the collar of a blue shirt that would have hung loosely had its tails not been tied at her waist.

She was different in that she appeared distant, yet warm, and common, yet highbrow. Perhaps it was her air of authority or merely her exceptional height in that she stood a good head taller than the attendant did. Ignoring the bob of hair that added to her height, I figured her for a good two meters plus. If not for the warmth of her eyes, her Hellenic face could have passed for a cold sculpted marble bust. The glow of her satin cheeks marked her youthfulness in my mind, but I sensed an agelessness wisdom that suggested otherwise.

She handed the attendant her leather gloves as she approached. Walking up to Dorothy and pretty much ignoring the rest of us, she said, Welcome to the commonwealth of Cornucopia, I’m Queen Quillana and I believe that I’m known to you as the Black Witch of the West.

Chapter 2: The Feast of the Black Witch or… Our Last Supper

You could have knocked me over with a gizzard, but not Dorothy. She replied without hesitation after a brief smile and curtsey.

"I’m Dorothy and it’s clear to me that the great Wizard of Oz needs to quit hiding behind the walls of his palace. You’re surely not witchy, nor do you seem wicked, but you’re very black. At first, I thought the black in Black Witch came about because of your evil nature and nefarious deeds. Who’d have guessed that it had to do with the lustrous black sheen of your personage? In any event, this is Jim and my dog Toto and our escort Tee Waa Kaa, and…"

At your service, My Lady, said the scarecrow with a sweeping bow and hat in hand.

…and this is Scrobins, continued Dorothy loudly as she eyed Scrobins with a scowl, …and Manticore.

After a brief bout of warm pleasantries, Queen Quillana said, We will share tales later, but now you must please excuse me. Ah Chu will take you to your quarters. After you rest, you’ll join me for your last meal.

The Manticore growled and snapped his great tail. Dorothy gasped.

What can I do for the Manticore? asked Queen Quillana.

"A bit of forest will likely provide my last meal, said the Manticore with a tone that rumbled like midnight thunder in Kansas. Again, he snapped his tail and growled, Unless I’m inclined to eat now."

Queen Quillana turned to the courtyard and shouted, Huntsman.

A small man, hunched and twisted, supported himself with a cane as he bent to his task of weeding. He cocked his head questioningly toward Queen Quillana.

Please take our guest to the Wormwood, Queen Quillana said as she gestured toward the Manticore. The small man nodded and limped to an alcove, shook off his gardening gloves, and studied his hands as though they belonged to another. As he selected a bow and quiver of arrows for his journey, I marveled at the similarity between the twisted crook of his back and the bend of his ancient bow.

Never hunted with a Manticore before, just wolves, he said as he shuffled warily past the Manticore. Big as you are, you likely hunt well. Glad I am…, not to be weeding…thank you, My Lady.

The rest of you, I trust, will find comfort in your quarters. Queen Quillana turned from us, with a distant gaze that I took to mean she was already lost in thought. We hadn’t gone three paces before she turned to address us again.

My fair travelers, your suites have adjoining quarters that are well stocked with soap…and, water is plentiful. While you’re by far our most interesting guests, you’re also the most fragrant.

Ah, the crows, remarked the scarecrow. I dispatched them quickly and the last I saw of them, they flew toward the west with their tails between their teensy little legs. If my lady fears an assault from the vile creatures, I offer my humble services as your first line of defense. Or… I shall hang upon a cross in your finest field of corn to earn my keep, as my body has no need for sleep. You need only to say the word. The scarecrow concluded with a sweeping bow.

Thank you, Kind Sir, replied Queen Quillana with a twist of her lip that failed to hide her amusement but even the crows have a place in our society. Quarters are provided for you nonetheless, however, in that you need not sleep…

She turned to all of us and with a solid gaze of sincerity continued, "You and all in your party are our guests, not prisoners. Therefore, you’ll find no locks on your doors and you’re welcome to explore Cornucopia at your leisure…but only after you wash," Queen Quillana said with a wink.

Our last meal, who does she think she is, said Jim once we had the privacy of our quarters. Again, and again, he drove his fist into his open palm. And putt’n on as if last meals for guests is as common as grasshoppers in a hayfield.

I take it back, Dorothy said. She is a witch after all and a most wicked one at that.

I like her, said Scrobins. She is nice, and pretty. She makes me wish I were a King. She makes me want to be a better man.

Good! You can start by talking less, I said as my tail slunk between my legs. "Uncle Henry always said, if you aren’t sure what to say, keep your mouth shut until someone sets a plate of food before you."

Despite our plight, the bizarre mindset of the scarecrow managed to derail me. I returned to the matter at hand. What’s to keep us from escaping? I said.

Escape we must, said Tee testing the door to see if the Queen was true to her word.

It mustn’t be possible, replied Dorothy. "Why would she let us roam if only to escape?

There was a knock on the door. Jim hushed us and, in a flash, the scarecrow held his painted ear cupped to the door.

"Did someone knock, knock," asked the scarecrow.

Aye, came the reply.

Who’s there? Scrobins said as he mimed a great smile our way.

It is I, Ah Chu.

Bless you! said the scarecrow.

Thank you, said Ah Chu. May I enter with your mid-day repast?

A small waft of something succulent, found its way around the door and into the common area of our quarters. Instinctively I said, Yes, please enter.

Like Hansel and Gretel – a fatt’n us up… mumbled Jim. His eyes narrowed as he eyed the great cart with platters of food.

I bring you the finest venison from Wormwood, and much of this salad comes from the garden you saw earlier, Ah Chu added with a knowing grin, this you’ll enjoy.

While Ah Chu was setting out our lunch, the scarecrow asked, What time is our last meal with Lady Queen Quillana, Kind Sir, and might I know if she has a king, knight, or any other nobility that she fancies.

You shall dine an hour past sunset and, no Kind Sir, My Lady, has no man in her life. Long ago, when the world was young, there was someone special, but those days were well before my time.

Oh, goody goody, said Scrobins with a loud slap to his knees.

Ah Chu’s face changed from a sunny smile to a stormy scowl.

Heh heh, said the scarecrow as he mimed a great smile. Folding his hands beneath his chin, he somehow twisted himself into a posture that clearly conveyed an apology. "Not goody…goody like she lost her lover, but the goody goody I feel knowing that I’ll not have to contend with other suitors once I make my intentions known to Queen Quillana."

Ah Chu’s jaw dropped to his chest. He left it hanging long enough to catch flies had there been any. When the tornado ascended upon us, the howl of the wind deafened us. Then…without warning all was still, deathly still, as we claimed territory in the eye of that terrible storm. Again, I felt like I was in the eye of a terrible and dangerous storm; this one caused by the mindless jabbering of the scarecrow.

Thank you, Ah Chu, Scrobins said as he shooed Ah Chu to the door. They need to rest and I need to prepare for tonight. Now be off with you.

Before the scarecrow closed the door, he poked his head out and hollered.

Kind Sir, you heard My Lady say that we’re to wash. However, what I wear won’t wash well. Besides, I’m dressed as a peasant, yet tonight I dine with your Queen. My present dress would be the ultimate barb to her honorable invitation. Please send the royal tailor to fit me with suitable garb for my last meal.

Jim shook his head. Scrobins, you’ll be the death of us all.

Scrobins tch’d, brought his straw palms to his narrow waist, and continued loudly. Tell the tailor to plan on spending some time here, poor Jim isn’t to be outdone and suggests corduroy for himself…something in…a vibrant blue.

What were you thinking Scrobins? Dorothy waved her hands wildly, paced, and paused briefly to waggle her finger and then off she’d go again. First, you dig into the Queen’s personal life, and then you announce your intentions to pursue her, and then you have the gall to demand to be fitted for the evening.

The scarecrow was ignoring Dorothy’s ranting, but something she said made him stop in his tracks. He shuddered visibly and without turning to face her, Scrobins stretched his neck freakishly and twisted his head absurdly to stare directly into Dorothy’s eyes.

My dearest Dorothy, please lend me your hand. The scarecrow opened his palm to Dorothy.

Reviews for Trail of Tears

[Peeky Oziian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not just for young adults - it is an epic adventure with lots of great dialog, characters, and imagination. There is also at least a dozen original scenes pertaining to the series. The humor is great and if you enjoyed Harry Potter - you will enjoy this also.