Where the Gloomy Vale borders the plain beyond, rises the low-walled
dwelling of the Ash Goblin.
So low it lies that only those familiar with that land know of its
presence. Only those with eyes accustomed to the grey stretches can see
the Ash Goblin himself. Very small he is, and grey of face and eyes
and hair. Grey, too, are his garments, soft and grey as the ashes that
surround him.
So he moves about, concealed from the view of all but his friends. Not
less eager than the rest of the Evil Fairies is he to join in any
mischief, but because he is so small and weak, his help is less often
sought than is that of the more powerful fairies of the land.
Flying Soot had no intention of asking him to join in the affairs
of the Earth Fairy. He had not even thought of him. On many former
occasions as he had passed through the Land of the Evil Fairies he
had stopped to chat with the Ash Goblin, and give him the news, but
to-day he had not time for so much as a glance at the grey walls of his
dwelling.
The Ash Goblin seated beside his door saw him as he approached, and
saw too that he intended to pass without speaking. Astonished and
displeased he determined not to permit it. He sprang to his feet in
haste, and caught at the fluttering mantle of the Soot Fairy to drag
him back.
“Ho there,” he cried. “On what errand of mischief are you bound, that
you do not even give me good-day?”
“Pray let me go at once,” answered Flying Soot impatiently, with a jerk
of his mantle, “I have business of importance that must not be delayed.”
“But it is of this important business that I wish to hear,” insisted
the Ash Goblin, clutching his raiment only the more firmly.
Flying Soot knew well that one so insignificant as the Ash Goblin could
do little to further the wishes of the Earth Fairy. So he put him off.
“It is an adventure,” said he, “in which you cannot be of the smallest
use to me. Let me go then to where I can get the help that I need.”
At this the Ash Goblin became exceedingly affronted, and was at no
pains to conceal it. “If it is a matter in which you require assistance
you do ill to despise mine,” he declared, drawing himself up haughtily.
But Flying Soot did not tarry to argue the matter. He wrenched free his
mantle, and hurried away to seek Curling Smoke, leaving the Ash Goblin
to nurse his wrath at his leisure.
Wavering and swaying in the plain beyond the dark hill where Flying
Soot had first beheld him, hung Curling Smoke, the grey magician. In
all the Land of the Evil Fairies there were few who possessed such
power as he, or were so ready to wield it.
Even at this moment he was watching craftily for a chance to work ill
upon whoever might come his way, now crouching low to peer between the
hills, now rising to the full spire of his height to overlook the black
valleys, and ashy plains.
Thus he caught sight of Flying Soot from afar, and waited for him, for
well he knew that mischief was afoot wherever that black mantle flew.
Flying Soot came fast, calling to him as he drew near. “Curling Smoke,
Curling Smoke, do not depart! I have urgent business with you.” Nothing
that he could have said would have been more pleasing to Curling Smoke,
and when the Soot Fairy reached him he waved him to a seat, settled
himself down beside him and gave him an attentive ear.
Glad to find his wicked friend so ready to listen, Flying Soot began.
“A Prince is traveling through this land--a stranger. He pursues a
flame, who is an enchanted Princess whom he hopes to win as a bride by
delivering her from the spell that binds her. This he expects to do by
means of a magic Veil which he carries. My friend the Earth Fairy, who
is not far distant, purposes to prevent this, for she has good cause to
desire vengeance upon the Princess because of injuries that she herself
has suffered from the parents of this Princess. Moreover, the Earth
Fairy wishes the Veil for herself. It is for you, greatest magician in
all this land, to vanquish this presumptuous Prince so that the Earth
Fairy may take from him this Veil. You must give your word, however,
that no matter what means you may employ to conquer him, that you will
neither injure the Veil itself, nor seek to deprive the Earth Fairy of
it. Indeed, in case you should attempt it, you would find that it would
have no virtue in your hands.”
In proud disdain Curling Smoke made answer: “Bring hither your Prince,
and when I have conquered him the Earth Fairy may take from him his
Veil and go where she wishes. What care I for such a miserable trifle
as this Prince carries? Have I not my Veil that Blinds? Have I not also
my Veil that Chokes? With these two I am able to work what magic I
will.”
“That I can well believe,” spoke Flying Soot in flattering tones.
“As to the Prince--I need not go to fetch him. The Princess herself,
driven by the Earth Fairy’s spell, leads him on. See you--even now they
approach us. A moment more, and they will be here.”
It was as he said. Straight toward them came the beautiful flame of
the Princess, and behind her sped Prince Radiance still cherishing
the hope that the fortunate moment would soon arrive when he should be
able to overtake her. Hidden from the eyes of the Prince, but clearly
visible to Curling Smoke and Flying Soot came the wicked Earth Fairy,
eager to test the power of her new ally. Within the shelter of a black
crag Curling Smoke sank down and lay concealed until the Princess had
flitted by, but when Prince Radiance would have done likewise, the
tall grey form of the magician stole from his hiding-place and filled
the path. Twisted about his arm and trailing from it were the smoke
veils in which his power dwelt. Delaying not he unloosed the Veil that
Blinds. “Yield you to Curling Smoke, to Curling Smoke, Magician of
Veils,” he cried.
Tall and powerful as was the unexpected enemy who now beset him, Prince
Radiance did not quail. Quickly he laid his hand upon his scabbard and
his voice rang clear, “Magician though you be, I fear you not. Neither
do I obey. Stand back then from my path, for I follow the Princess
White Flame, and yield to none.”
Curling Smoke gave no word in answer but flung his veil of smoke
instead full in the Prince’s face. He thought to see it sting his eyes
to instant blindness, but it was not so. Before it could come near him
to do him harm the Sword of Flames answering its master’s hand had
leapt from its scabbard, and was raised on high. Back from its splendor
the Veil that Blinds drifted--drifted--till it settled limp across the
magician’s arm. By the mere lifting of that fairy sword its power
had been scattered, and its magic spent. Curling Smoke beheld it with
astonishment and anger. Yet he did not hesitate. Grimly he snatched
from his arm the Veil that Chokes, and flung it in its turn toward the
Prince. He looked to have it take from Prince Radiance his very breath,
so great was its pungent stifling power. But this also failed for the
Sword of Flames met and clove it, and striking to right and left rent
it in pieces. It fell in a thousand fragments about the magician’s feet.
[Illustration: The Sword of Flames leapt from its scabbard and was
raised on high.]
Then Curling Smoke in a frenzy of wrath sprang upon the Prince to
clutch him with his arms and bear him down.
Swiftly did Prince Radiance meet his onset, and right valiantly did
he wield his Sword of Flames. Though Curling Smoke put forth all his
craft, though he writhed now here, now there, seeking to ensnare the
Prince, though he towered above him at one instant or in the next
curled about his knees to drag him to the earth, yet everywhere the
shining Sword sharp and invincible met him. Everywhere its violet
splendor flashed; around him and through him, until at last the
magician’s very form was scattered and driven away in floating wisps of
smoke.
Prince Radiance sheathed his Sword of Flames. Before him lay the open
path, and not far away hovered the Princess. Across the space between
them came her exquisite voice, calling tremulously her joy at his new
deliverance from peril, and the fear for him that had been hers.
“Nay, then, my White Flame,” he answered, “fear not for me ever. But
one grief have I--that I have not yet overtaken you; but one fear is
mine--that I may lose you in my journeyings. Over both of these, hope,
like a star, shines always. Happiness awaits us in the end. Doubt it
not.”
The Earth Fairy berating Flying Soot over the utter failure of Curling
Smoke, was arrested by the words of the Prince.
They but made her the more determined to achieve her end. Already
the Prince was advancing toward the Princess. Should he overtake her
all was lost to herself. Quickly she lifted her Green Wand and drove
Princess White Flame onward. Quickly she turned to Flying Soot who had
been making a new offer. “Go then,” she cried, “and seek this Wizard
of the Cave of Darkness, of whom you have spoken. Obtain his assistance
for me. We shall not be far behind you, so lose no time. Let us hope
that this last plan of yours will be of more value to me than the
others that you have suggested.”
Flying Soot needed no second bidding, but took himself off in the
direction of the Wizard’s Cave. More slowly the Earth Fairy proceeded
along the same way, keeping the Prince and the Princess ever before her.
They had scarcely left the spot where Curling Smoke had been
vanquished, when a small grey figure stole out from a crevice in a
rock near by and looked cautiously after them. It was the Ash Goblin.
He shook his fist at them in menace, muttering, “We shall see, Flying
Soot, we shall see, Earth Fairy, whether you can afford to scorn the
help of one so small even as an Ash Goblin.” He sat down upon a low
rock to watch the floating remnants that had once been Curling Smoke.
Patiently he waited, for knowing this crafty magician, he knew also
what would come to pass. Slowly, slowly these remnants came closer and
closer. Slowly they gathered themselves bit by bit into one mass, and
at length before the Ash Goblin’s eyes Curling Smoke appeared once
more in his own shape. He who had so lately boasted himself to be
invincible, held himself haughtily, for anger burned within him at his
humiliation and he was determined to be revenged. It pleased the Ash
Goblin to see him thus, for it fell in with his own purposes. Fearful
lest Curling Smoke should be about to depart he made haste to address
him.
“Master Magician,” he called from his lowly seat, “do you know what
Flying Soot has said of you?”
“It is not Flying Soot who concerns me,” answered Curling Smoke, not
deigning to look down at the speaker. “It is this Prince whom I mean to
punish for what he has lately done.”
“Ay, but it was Flying Soot whom I heard telling the Earth Fairy that
he might have guessed that you were no magician after all, but a mere
boaster. He declared also that he had other friends who would help her,
who were really more powerful, and whose word could be trusted. Many
other things he said, that put shame and contempt upon you. It would
take too long to repeat them all. Does not Flying Soot concern you, now
that you know this, Master Magician?”
“So much does he concern me that I shall punish him as well,” replied
Curling Smoke, in mounting rage. “Ay, and the Earth Fairy, also. Before
their journey is done--in a moment when they look not for me, they
shall one and all find that the power of Curling Smoke is not to be
despised.”
The Ash Goblin clapped his hands in a burst of wicked glee. “Ah,
Master Magician, that I can well believe--and I--the Ash Goblin--shall
make it my business to be there to see it.”
[Illustration]