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16. Purple, Green and Gold
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Sotheystartedfortheentrance,Ozmagoingfirst,withtheQueenandhertrainoflittlePrincesandPrincessesfollowing.ThencameTiktok,andtheScarecrowwithBillinapercheduponhisstraw-stuffedshoulder.Thetwenty-sevenofficersandtheprivatebroughtuptherear.
Astheyreachedthehallthedoorsflewopenbeforethem;butthentheyallstoppedandstaredintothedomedcavernwithfacesofastonishmentanddismay.Fortheroomwasfilledwiththemail-cladwarriorsoftheNomeKing,rankafterrankstandinginorderlyarray.Theelectriclightsupontheirbrowsgleamedbrightly,theirbattle-axeswerepoisedasiftostrikedowntheirfoes;yettheyremainedmotionlessasstatues,awaitingthewordofcommand.
AndinthecenterofthisterriblearmysatthelittleKinguponhisthroneofrock.Butheneithersmilednorlaughed.Instead,hisfacewasdistortedwithrage,andmostdreadfultobehold.
