“And by what means have you now escaped?” demanded the King, as the head-keeper paused for breath.
“But a moment since, Your Majesty, one of our number contrived to wrench away the lock of the cell-door, and immediately I hastened here to warn you that the Earth Fairy is abroad, and that the Princess may be in danger.”
“Alas!” groaned King Red Flame, “The Earth Fairy is doubtless already at work, for the Princess is nowhere to be found.”
Hearing this, the head-keeper began to beat himself upon the breast. “The Princess lost! The Princess White Flame lost, and we the cause!”
“Ay!” replied his master sternly, “you, the Earth Fairy’s careless keepers, were the cause. Had you not deserted your post, this great misfortune could never have fallen upon us.” He turned to a trusted servant. “Take away this faithless keeper,” he commanded, “and place him and his companions under strict guard, there to remain until my daughter, Princess White Flame, is restored to me.”
So the keeper was taken away, still beating his breast, and crying aloud in vain remorse.
All about the palace hall stood the Fire Fairies weeping and lamenting, for the Princess was dearly loved.
Then the King turned to the old nurse. “Come, my good Grey Smoke,” said he, “give me of your wise counsel. How shall I best seek my beloved daughter?”
But before Grey Smoke could answer, Prince Radiance sprang to the King’s side, and laid his hand upon the monarch’s arm.
“Your Majesty,” he implored, “remember that I, also, love the Princess. I claim the right to seek her, for have I not the magic gifts of the Wise One, and shall not my love guide me to her rescue? Fear not. By the aid of these I will surely bring her back to the Palace of Burning Coals, not as you saw her last, indeed—but in her true form, freed forever from the Earth Fairy’s spell.”