Chapter Twenty-One 

The Three Adepts 

The Sorceress looked up from her work as the three maidens entered, and something in their appearance and manner led her to rise and bow to them in her most dignified manner. The three knelt an instant before the great Sorceress and then stood upright and waited for her to speak. 

"Whoever you may be," said Glinda, "I bid you welcome." 

"My name is Audah," said one. 

"My name is Aurah," said another. 

"My name is Aujah," said the third. 

Glinda had never heard these names before, but looking closely at the three she asked: 

"Are you witches or workers in magic?" 

"Some of the secret arts we have gleaned from Nature," replied the brownhaired maiden modestly, "but we do not place our skill beside that of the Great Sorceress, Glinda the Good." 

"I suppose you are aware it is unlawful to practice magic in the Land of Oz, without the permission of our Ruler, Princess Ozma?" 

"No, we were not aware of that," was the reply. "We have heard of Ozma, who is the appointed Ruler of all this great fairyland, but her laws have not reached us, as yet." 

Glinda studied the strange maidens thoughtfully; then she said to them: 

"Princess Ozma is even now imprisoned in the Skeezer village, for the whole island with its Great Dome, was sunk to the bottom of the lake by the witchcraft of Coo-ee-oh, whom the Flathead Su-dic transformed into a silly swan. I am seeking some way to overcome Coo-ee-oh's magic and raise the isle to the surface again. Can you help me do this?" 
Who had never heard their names before?
Glinda had never heard these names before