Her visitor was not discouraged. He called to her again, and told her that he was Flying Soot. Finding that she still made no reply, he assured her that he was a friend, and began at once to give her what news he could of King Red Flame and the Princess. At that the Earth Fairy answered him willingly, and harkened with eagerness to what he had to say. They talked for some time, but as soon as the keeper was heard returning, Flying Soot scurried off. After that he came from time to time to see her and bring the news, and the knowledge that the Princess was still but a flame, always filled the Earth Fairy with wicked satisfaction.
On the day that Prince Radiance found and talked with Princess White Flame in the palace garden, Flying Soot passed near them on his way to the Earth Fairy’s prison.
Hearing their voices he drew near stealthily, and listened to them. As soon as Prince Radiance departed, away rushed the mischief-maker to the Earth Fairy. It was the hour when the keeper was absent, so that he flew straight to the door without pause.
“Earth Fairy! Earth Fairy!” he called, placing his lips to the keyhole. “Come close and listen; I have great news!”
The Earth Fairy sprang to the door at once. “What is it?” demanded she, “Tell me quickly.”
“A Prince has come,” he told her. “A Prince who swears to break the power of your spell.”
From the Earth Fairy’s lips burst a laugh of scorn. “Let him try as he may,” she declared, “he will never succeed.”
“Be not too sure of that,” warned Flying Soot. “This Prince spoke with the Princess of a magic Veil, which he has but to cast over her to restore her at once to her true form.”
For a moment the Earth Fairy was quite speechless with astonishment and dismay; then she cried aloud, “A Veil! A magic Veil that will set the Princess free!”
“Yes,” replied her companion, “Already the Prince has gone to fetch it from where it lies hidden in the chest of the Wise One. Soon he will return to where the Princess awaits him in the garden, and presently, my dear Earth Fairy, the spell that you wrought with such care will be a thing of naught.”