Chapter Three: Evenora
Culane
"And that is the throne the wizard will occupy when he finally returns," Theodora said nervously.
We stood alone in the spectacular audience hall at Emerald City dwarfed by the three-story high windows, and feeling very exposed by the complete lack of furnishings other than the golden throne on its raised dais. No one had greeted us when we landed on a nearby balcony the size of a football field. The few manchkin guards that we saw merely bowed to Theodora as we passed. The doormen opened the huge, well-oiled doors and shut them silently behind us.
"I do hope you like it." Evenora's voice carried easily from the high landing where she had appeared. She started down the curved staircase, tall, regal, assured. "I have done my best to keep it well polished for you," she continued as she reached the bottom and approached us with small even steps, her high heels tapping the marble floor.
I noticed her figure right away, it was tighter than Theodora's, less voluptuous, but her long emerald-green dress fitted snugly over a nice swell of hips, and her tight bodice pushed up some very respectable breasts. A large oval emerald nestled in cleavage worthy to receive it.
I played along with her game; "For me?"
"You are the wizard aren't you, come at last to save us all," she said in a haughty, sarcastic voice, her accent very different than Theodora's.
"I am sorry to disappoint you Madam, but I am no wizard, only a soldier of fortune accidentally stranded in your remarkable land."
"A man," she said with disgust, attempting to look down her thin aristocratic nose at me even though in four inch heels, she was a half a foot shorter. She was very different looking than her younger sister. Her thick, raven hair was pulled back from her flawless face, revealing a broad forehead, dark green eyes heavily made up with light blue eyeshade and dark eye liner, above high cheekbones and slightly hollowed cheeks.
She had the pale white skin and symmetrical nose of nobility, and her lips, although full, were more severe, and lacked the lusciousness of Theodora's. Her hair was piled up in a mass of curls at the back of her head, and capped with an odd, headdress of green feathers. I was learning that Oz was a land of strange haberdashery.
"At your service," I replied with a courtly bow. I could almost feel Theodora vibrating with nervousness beside me. I don't think she noticed that I was treating Evenora with far more deference than I had treated her.
"What possible service could you be to a witch of Oz, soldier?"
"He can kill a charging barga by pointing his hand, he knows how to raise and train an army, and he is going to help me get my lands back from Dormadora," Theodora blurted.
Evenora arched a carefully shaped and tapered eyebrow. "What mischief is this?"
"We could only do it with your help Evenora," I said calmly.
"My help? You fool; Dormadora will crush you like a couple of bugs. Not to mention, my darling sister, this creature is a man. Men are not welcome in Oz because they are treacherous and violent animals. Why would I help you in such stupidity?" she demanded as she paced in a short circuit in front of us. The odd green feathers attached to the neck, and sprouting from the shoulders of her dress, rustled with irritation.
"For justice Evenora, for your sister's right. And for the gold of course," I replied.
She stopped her pacing and looked at me with curiosity and suspicion, "What gold, soldier?" she asked.
"As I have said, I am not a wizard, however in my travels I have spent time with learned alchemists who have taught me a thing or two," I replied.
She laughed with disdain, "I suppose that now you are going to say that you know the secret of the philosopher's stone."
"Something like it."
"Oh, something like it," she sneered, she had a very sexy sneer, and believe me, I've seen a few.
"The philosopher's tears," I said. "One drop of this potion will cause a pound of gold to weep out more gold, of the same purity, to seven times its weight."
"How marvelous; I suppose now you will tell me that you can make this wondrous potion, but it will take several weeks to get the ingredients and brew them up, and in the mean time I should support you two with my gold."
"No Evenora, although some of the ingredients are quite rare, I have them all to hand. I could make the potion in an hour or so; in fact I still have a drop from my last batch." I tapped my jacket pocket. "I could give you a demonstration, if you happen to have any gold about," I replied smugly.
"Do I have any gold? Bring your potion trickster, I will show you gold," she said bringing her dark flashing eyes close to mine; "and if your potion does not do as you say I will have you cast out into the sea."
Theodora gasped sharply, but I smiled; "Lead on Madam," I said motioning towards the door. "I just have to make a stop at my ship to gather the ingredients."
The great doors to the treasure room of Oz were neither guarded nor locked, a testament to Evenora's power to instill fear in her subjects. With a mere push on the handle, the tall, ornate monstrosities swung smoothly open.
"The royal treasure of Oz," she declared grandly as we stepped into the room. "It is mine," she added. "All mine."
She was very proud of it, but it wasn't really very impressive. Ali Baba's was at least twenty times as great, and any self-respecting dragon would have sniffed it at.
Its greatest asset was several tons of emeralds and rubies, which were so plentiful in Oz.
They lay in great, loose, unappreciated piles. There were a few items of gold and silver which were of very fine workmanship, but the total was not great. Perhaps and ton of silver, but no more than five hundred pounds of the gold she valued so much.
She regarded me with narrowed eyes, suspicion and greed warring within her. "Well?" she said.