Смарагдове місто країни Оз
11. How the General Met the First and Foremost
Allwereferociousandrepulsive-lookingtothedeceivedeyesoftheNome,andGuphcouldnotrepressashudderofdisgustashelookeduponthem.
TheFirstandForemostslowlyraisedhisarms,andinatwinklinghishairyskinfellfromhimandheappearedbeforetheastonishedNomeasabeautifulwoman,clothedinaflowinggownofpinkgauze.Inherdarkhairflowerswereentwined,andherfacewasnobleandcalm.
AtthesameinstanttheentirebandofPhanfasmswastransformedintoapackofhowlingwolves,runninghereandthereastheysnarledandshowedtheiruglyyellowfangs.
Thewomannowraisedherarms,evenastheman-bearhaddone,andinatwinklingthewolvesbecamecrawlinglizards,whilesheherselfchangedintoahugebutterfly.
Guphhadonlytimetocryoutinfearandtakeastepbackwardtoavoidthelizardswhenanothertransformationoccurred,andallreturnedinstantlytotheformstheyhadoriginallyworn.
ThentheFirstandForemost,whohadresumedhishairybodyandbearhead,turnedtotheNomeandasked:
"Doyoustilldemandourassistance?"
"Morethanever,"answeredtheGeneral,firmly.
"Thentellme:whatcanyouofferthePhanfasmsthattheyhavenotalready?"inquiredtheFirstandForemost.
Guphhesitated.Hereallydidnotknowwhattosay.TheNomeKing’svauntedMagicBeltseemedapoorthingcomparedtotheastonishingmagicalpowersofthesepeople.Gold,jewelsandslavestheymightsecureinanyquantitywithoutespecialeffort.Hefeltthathewasdealingwithpowersgreatlybeyondhim.TherewasbutoneargumentthatmightinfluencethePhanfasms,whowerecreaturesofevil.
