After the end of "Ozma of Oz," Princess Langwidere finds herself in political difficulties. Will she be forced to return her beautiful head collection? Characters are from the Oz series by L. Frank Baum and Ruth Plumly Thompson.

Chapter 1: Heads Up

Princess Langwidere was in her easy chair in mirrored sitting-room, indulging in her favorite pastimes of looking at her reflections in the mirrored walls and playing the mandolin. She was good with the instrument and could play herself soothing music automatically, without having to think about it. And of course, seeing her face in the mirrors was also soothing. At this moment, it was the sultry blond face of head number six.

Her maid, Nanda, entered with a flustered expression. "Your Highness, I'm very sorry to disturb you..."

"You should be," interrupted Langwidere. "What is it that is so important?"

"Your Highness, a delegation of Ev citizens are petitioning our new king, His Majesty King Evardo XV, to require you to give back your collection of heads to their original owners."

"What? How dare they ask such a thing? I have express permission from the former Queen to retain my precious cabinet of thirty heads for as long as I live. They should be whipped for their insolence to royalty."

"Some say the new king seems inclined to grant their petition," said Nanda.

"Not if I can stop him," said Langwidere. "Help me to rise, I will put on my most persuasive face and go to the dowager Queen at once."

Nanda braced herself and allowed Langwidere to pull herself up by gripping her arm. Langwidere al ways did this even though she was much stronger than the little maid.

In her cabinet of heads, Langwidere made a careful selection, settling on her head 22 for its curly brown hair and her best puppy-dog expression.

She strode angrily to the other end of the corridor where the Queen had her apartments.

"Heads will roll for this insult," Langwidere thought.