rnestness,
"deeply as the Prince is indebted to the Shadow Witch, brave though he
is and potent as is his Sword of Flames against the Wizard, it is not
given to him to deliver her."

Hearing his words, tears rushed to the eyes of Creeping Shadow. "Alas!
alas! My poor mistress!" she sobbed. "If this be true, what is to become
of her in the dense darkness where she lies captive with all her magic
power gone?"

A low murmur of pity ran from one to the other of the kind-hearted fire
fairies, from the King himself, to the humblest fairy gathered there.

Princess White Flame laid a consoling hand upon Creeping Shadow's
shoulder. "Wait but a moment," she told her. "The Wise One has great
knowledge, great wisdom. No magic is hid from him. Somewhere there must
be one who can bring succor to your mistress. The Wise One will know of
him, and can tell us where he may be found."

"You speak truly, my Princess," the Wise One hastened to inform her. "It
is written in my Book of Wisdom that when this misfortune falls upon the
Shadow Witch, there is but one who can release her from that enchanted
chamber where the Wizard now holds her, but one who can bring her
unharmed through the perils which will afterward beset her."

"His name?" cried the King, Prince Radiance and the Princess, in one
voice. "His name?" cried Creeping Shadow beseechingly.

"Sire, it is your nephew, Prince Ember," declared the Wise One. "He it
is who is fated to set her free."

From all those who had waited in breathless suspense for his answer,
there burst a murmur of intense relief. Creeping Shadow's heart beat
quick with joy.

"And the perils of which you spoke,--shall my dear nephew, also, escape
them unscathed?" demanded King Red Flame anxiously.

"Ay, truly, Your Majesty," the ancient one assured him. "All will be
well, if he but follows my advice. Send him to me, and I will instruct
him."

His counsel given, the Wise One bade farewell to his master and returned
to his hut.

Once more Rushing Flame set out in haste on the King's business, but
this time it was to summon Prince Ember, that he might learn from the
royal lips the task that was his to perform.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV

Beautiful is the Land of Glowing Embers, near to the Palace of King Red
Flame. When morning dawns, a light soft and rosy bathes its castles and
its gardens. At noonday, its pale sweet glow burns to