CHAPTER VI
FAR from the kingdom of King Red Flame, in the dismal country that lies along the Chimney Back are many dark and mischievous fairies, and the most mischievous of them all was Flying Soot.
He was a great traveler, and employed himself in flitting from place to place collecting news, and telling it again wherever he thought that it would do the most harm. Most of his time was spent in the Land of Evil Fairies where he had many friends who gave him welcome for the sake of what he had to tell. But now and again he crossed secretly into King Red Flame’s dominions, in the hope that he might pick up some information that he could use. He always took great care, however, not to allow himself to be seen by any of the Fire Fairies.
Upon one of these excursions he overheard some Fire Fairies repeating the story of the enchantment of Princess White Flame, and learned at the same time about the Earth Fairy’s imprisonment. After that he could not rest until he had found the way to the place where she was confined.
During all the years that the Earth Fairy had been locked in her prison, she had known nothing of what went on outside of it. She neither knew of the wondrous Veil in the Wise One’s ancient chest, nor that it was expected that a Prince would some day come who would set the Princess free.
Because of her long imprisonment her hatred of King Red Flame burned all the more intensely, but deprived as she now was of every means of working magic, she could neither escape, nor wreak further vengeance upon her master.
One day, as she sat in a corner of her cell nursing her anger, she heard her fairy keeper come to her door and try it carefully to see that it was still securely fastened. Then his footsteps retreated, and she knew that he had gone away with his companions for a short rest under the trees as was his daily custom.
Hardly had the sound of his footsteps faded away when a faint rustle outside the door caught her ear, and a voice that was unknown to her softly called her name.
Making no noise she crept to the keyhole and peered through. A figure stood near it, wrapped in a long black mantle, with a black velvet cap pulled low over his forehead. From his face she knew that he was an evil fairy, but he was a stranger, and fearing that he might be an enemy she made no answer.