Then the King sent for Grey Smoke, for none knew so well as she where her young mistress was most likely to be found. Yet though Grey Smoke made a most thorough search in every nook and corner of the palace, though she went to the top of its highest tower, and looked anxiously without in every direction, no where could she catch a glimpse of that pure white flame that was the spirit of the Princess, nor hear the music of her well-loved voice.
When she returned to her master to say that her quest also had been fruitless, the King became very much alarmed.
“Let the palace grounds be searched, once more,” he commanded. “Let no spot be overlooked. Let none rest until my daughter has been found.”
Anxiously the Fire Fairies one and all set forth to seek her. Yet more anxiously King Red Flame and Prince Radiance awaited their return.
Suddenly a tumult arose outside the palace walls, and immediately after the Earth Fairy’s head-keeper, his eyes still half-blinded with soot, stumbled into the King’s presence. Close behind him came a crowd of excited Fire Fairies. The head-keeper threw himself at King Red Flame’s feet. “Your Majesty! Oh, Your Majesty!” he moaned. “In some strange manner the wicked Earth Fairy has escaped, while we, her keepers, blinded with soot have been imprisoned in her stead. Forgive us, oh forgive us we beg, that this should ever have come to pass.”
“Escaped! The Earth Fairy escaped!” thundered King Red Flame, aghast at such evil tidings.
“Escaped. The Earth Fairy escaped!” shrieked all the fairies who were clustered in the palace hall. “Oh! Oh! That this should be!”
Old Grey Smoke bowed her head between her shoulders. “If this be true,” mourned she, “then the Princess is indeed lost.”
Filled with consternation the King looked down upon the head-keeper still crouched at his feet. “Speak,” he commanded, “and tell me how this has come to pass.”
“Surely Sire, it must have been the work of a spell,” began the head-keeper, “Nothing else could have brought such calamity upon us.” Then he went on to tell what had happened. As his tale proceeded the King listened intently, and all the Fire Fairies drew closer that they might not miss a word.