AWAY went Flying Soot at full speed until he came to the Seven Hills of Ash. There in a great hollow between them crouched the Giant of the Wide Grey Plain. He was grumbling and grumbling to himself, for no one had invited him to join them in any evil magic for a long while. So he was having a terribly stupid time of it, and wished with all his heart that something would happen that would give him a chance to show his power.

Flying Soot stole up to him unseen, and softly touched his elbow.

[120]The Giant turned with so tremendous a start that masses of ash were shaken loose from the Seven Hills, and fell in clouds into the hollow. “So it is you, Flying Soot!” he cried joyfully. “That means there is good prospect of mischief afoot.”

“Ay,” replied Flying Soot, “that there is.” He found a seat on a soft bank close to the Giant, who at once prepared himself to hear interesting news.

Flying Soot began forthwith to tell him about the Earth Fairy, who he said had sent him to ask the Giant’s aid against a young Prince who would soon be traveling that way. “He will be preceded by a flame, who is the enchanted Princess whom he loves,” said he. “She it is, who, under the Earth Fairy’s spell, leads him on to danger. We wish you[121] to destroy the Prince if you can. At any rate you must completely overpower him, in order that the Earth Fairy may take from him a Veil which he carries, and which she greatly covets.”

“Surely this Veil must be endowed with marvelous power,” exclaimed the Giant, “if the Earth Fairy is so anxious to secure it.”

“True,” Flying Soot made haste to answer; “but it possesses this power only in the hands of the Prince, or of the Earth Fairy. To you or to others it would be of no use whatever.”

“Well, well,” growled the Giant, “she may have it and welcome for all I care. Why should I wish for a wretched Veil so long as I have my Cloak with which to work my will.”

“Why should you, indeed?” agreed the Soot Fairy. “What is a trifle like a[122] Veil, compared to a Cloak so wonderful as yours?”

Flattered by the words of Flying Soot, the Giant was now ready to exert himself to the utmost, and could hardly wait for the arrival of the Prince.

“Be sure that you do no harm to the Princess,” Flying Soot warned him. “The Earth Fairy herself will see to her. It is the Prince alone upon whom you are to exercise your power.”

“I shall remember,” replied the Giant. “Say no more, but come and watch for them with me. Through this opening between the Seven Hills we can surely see them as they approach.” Flying Soot did as the Giant bade him and together they watched and waited for some time.

At last, in the distance, they beheld a flashing brightness coming steadily toward the place where they lay in wait,[123] and close behind it followed a figure well known to Flying Soot.

“See!” he whispered, gripping the Giant’s arm. “The Princess comes, and the Prince hastens after. There also is my friend the Earth Fairy.”

“Ay,” answered the Giant with a malicious chuckle. “They are coming fast. Go farther from me, Flying Soot, that I may have room to use my Cloak.” Flying Soot obeyed, and the Giant began to make ready.

He loosed his huge grey Cloak from his neck, dragged it from his shoulders, and gathered its collar firmly in his hand. Then he crouched down once more behind the hill nearest to the approaching travelers. So like to the ashes in color was the Giant’s great body that he was almost indistinguishable, as with eyes glued to the opening[124] in the side of the hill, he awaited the moment when the Prince should arrive.

Prince Radiance gave heed only to the Princess. With his gaze fixed upon her flashing light, he followed its guidance across the Wide Grey Plain. As he sped on and on, he kept ever before him the hope that by some means he might be able to bridge the distance between them. So, before he realized it, he had reached the Seven Hills of Ash, and the danger that lurked behind them.

The Giant’s time had come. Silently, swiftly he rose, and towered above the hills that had sheltered him. With a sweep of his mighty arm he flung out his cloak and cast it like a grey wall between the Prince and the Princess. Deftly he caught Prince Radiance in its folds, and before the Prince could make the least effort to free himself, the[125] Giant raised his Cloak high in air, and set it spinning about his head like an enormous revolving cloud. Larger it grew, flying faster and faster the while, and at every turn its stifling folds settled closer about the captive Prince.

The hoarse laughter of the Giant roared in his ears like thunder. Half choked, the Prince beat back the Cloak from his face, and struggled violently to escape. But round and round spun the Cloak as the Giant whirled his powerful arm, and Prince Radiance only exhausted himself against its tightening clasp, in vain.

The Giant’s dull eyes began to glitter for he knew that none could resist his evil Cloak for very long. Safe hidden within the hollow between the Hills of Ash, Flying Soot peered out upon them, and near him hovered the cruel Earth[126] Fairy, ready to dart out and seize the treasure that she coveted as soon as the Giant’s victory was gained. Princess White Flame, stricken with grief and dismay at the sudden disappearance of the Prince, quivered alone ............