WHILE Prince Radiance, deceived by the Shadow Witch had gone away into the Land of Shadows, the Earth Fairy on her part had proceeded straight to the Cave of Darkness where the Wizard dwelt.
A figure that she believed to be the Prince followed the Princess steadily, so that she suspected nothing wrong.
The Cave was black and forbidding; its walls of charcoal were full of gaping crevices; and a very little way from the[188] entrance it became pitch dark. Because of this great darkness it was the duty of many Imps, the servants of the Wizard, to run back and forth with glimmering lanterns, to light the way of those who came to see their master.
Flying Soot, who had arrived some time before, had told his story to the Wizard and had easily gained his consent to assist the Earth Fairy. So when the Earth Fairy with her companions reached the entrance to the Cave she found the Imps waiting there to conduct her to the Wizard. The Princess was first to enter, and so brilliant was the light of her pure flame that the lanterns of the Imps were quite dimmed by it. The Imps themselves stared at her in the utmost astonishment. Never before had they seen a light so gloriously beautiful. Scurrying in front to lead[189] the way, they turned back every few moments to behold her. Behind the Princess came the supposed prince, and after him came the Earth Fairy, holding her cloak closely about her as she went, lest she should become blackened by the walls of the Cave.
Far down in a wider portion of the Cave called the Cave Hall, sat the Wizard in a great black armchair pushed close against the wall. He was very ancient and grim. His long dingy white hair and beard fell down over a loose black robe and mantle thickly powdered with finest charcoal. At his least movement little clouds of black dust flew from his garments and floated round about the Cave. His jet black eyes sparkled so sharply in his head that one saw immediately that he was not a person with whom one could trifle. Flying[190] Soot, perched at a respectful distance on a lump of charcoal, waited for the coming of the Earth Fairy. He was quite sure that this time he had obtained for her the help of one who could not fail. He kept his eyes fixed on the dark passage before them, and at last he cried softly, “They come, Sir Wizard, they come, for I behold the flame of the Princess!”
Instantly the Wizard beckoned to one of the many Imps who clustered about. “Bring hither the Urn of Vapors,” commanded he, “and make no delay.”
Away rushed the Imp accompanied by a dozen or more of his companions to do the Wizard’s bidding, and presently a low rumbling was heard. It was the Imps returning, all pushing and shoving a huge black urn. A ponderous cover sealed it tightly, and when the[191] Imps had succeeded in placing it beside their master, Flying Soot saw that it was so tall that it reached almost to the Wizard’s shoulders. Its sides were covered with inscriptions of evil magic. The Wizard scrutinized it closely, and satisfied himself that it was the one that he desired. Then he waved back his servants and turned to Flying Soot. “When I lift this cover,” he said, “the Earth Fairy has but to rush forward and take what she desires, for in the instant that the Prince is met by my magic vapor he will fall to the Earth unable to offer her the slightest resistance.”
Flying Soot had no time to answer, for at that moment Princess White Flame, driven by the Earth Fairy, fluttered terror-stricken into the Cave Hall, and came to rest in a corner at some distance from the Wizard. Soon after he[192] whom the Earth Fairy believed to be Prince Radiance appeared also, but before he could advance into the Cave Hall the Wizard stretched forth his hand quickly to the urn. Uttering mystic words he lifted the cover and forthwith a stream of vapor rushed from it directly toward the Prince.
It had no sooner reached him than the Wizard’s prophecy was fulfilled; he fell to the ground in a heap, apparently without life.
The Princess seeing this uttered a piercing cry, but held by the spell of her enchantress she could not stir from her place.
The Wizard replaced the lid of the urn, and the Earth Fairy rushed forward to pounce upon the helpless Prince. Her eyes glittered with joy to see him in her power at last.
[193]She tore back his cloak, sure that the Veil of Disenchantment was hidden beneath it, but as soon as her fingers touched the prostrate form it vanished. Where it had been, she saw only the charcoal floor of the Cave. Puzzled and astonished she struggled to her feet, and stood dazed, peering down at the spot where the figure had lain as though she could scarcely believe her senses. When at last she could no longer doubt that the Prince had indeed disappeared, she rushed to the Wizard, shrieking in fury, “What evil magic is this that you have wrought upon me, wicked one that you are? You have ruined everything by your miserable enchantments. You have destroyed the Veil as well as the Prince.”
The Wizard interrupted her angrily. “How dare you speak to me in this manner,”[194] he thundered, bringing his fist down upon the top of the urn. “You, who have deceived me by pretending to bring a Prince before me? But I will show you that you cannot trifle with the Wizard of the Cave.”
He waved to his Imps. They understood him without a word, and bounded forward with ropes of darkness in their hands to bind the Earth Fairy. It would have gone hard with her then if it had not been for Flying Soot. He jumped down with all speed from his lump of charcoal, and ran to cast himself at the Wizard’s feet. He threw his arms about them, and tried to soothe him. “Sir Wizard, Sir Wizard,” he pleaded, “listen but a moment. There has certainly been some strange mistake. I assure you that we are not to blame. This creature that has so suddenly vanished[195] could never have been the Prince. Someone—I know not who, has tricked us all. I pray you, do nothing rash to the Earth Fairy. She is not to blame.”
The Imps who surrounded the Earth Fairy, hearing this, stood swinging the ropes of darkness in their hands, waiting to see what their master would say, before they ventured to bind her fast. White Flame, weeping and trembling in her corner, checked her sobs............