“There is one difficulty,” the Earth Fairy warned him, “I can offer no reward.”
“Do not let that trouble you,” was the reply. “The friends whom I shall ask to assist you are too proud to receive rewards. They are sufficiently pleased when they have succeeded in accomplishing the mischief they set out to perform.”
This was good news to the Earth Fairy. Her face shone with satisfaction.
“There is one thing that you must do, however,” continued Flying Soot. “You must contrive to lure the Prince to my friends, for they are far too haughty to seek him, even to do him harm. Is there any plan by which you can do this?”
For a time the Earth Fairy sat plunged in thought. Then she sprang up clapping her hands in delight. “Ay,” cried she, “that I can. I will compel the Princess herself to lure him on. Well has my Green Wand proved its power over her, and she it is who shall lead him to his destruction.”
“How shall this be done?” inquired her companion.
“That is simple enough,” replied the Earth Fairy. “You have but to tell me whither I must bring the Prince. Then while you have gone to enlist the services of this friend whom you have chosen, I will release the Princess, will seek out the Prince, and bring him by her influence to the appointed place.”
He gave her most careful instructions as to where she would find him. “And now,” said he, when he had made everything clear, “I go to engage my friend the Giant of the Wide Grey Plain to assist you. You need have no fear. He will agree to do so. As soon as you arrive with your Prince you will find him ready.” He rose from his seat, shook out his black mantle, and quickly vanished in the distance.
The Earth Fairy on her part, hastened to the cave where the Princess White Flame was imprisoned. Carefully she unwove the spell which sealed its walls, and in a loud voice she commanded the Princess to come forth. Out of the yawning entrance glimmered the flame, pale and faint, but still of a pure and beautiful whiteness.
The Earth Fairy drew out her Green Wand, and held it aloft. “Go where I bid you,” she cried, “and delay not.”