Suddenly the Giant hurled his Cloak violently forward
“Come now, and take what you desire,” he roared, “for this miserable Prince is without doubt completely destroyed.”
Forth rushed the wicked Earth Fairy in a tremor of delight, sure that she was about to possess the Veil. With greedy hands she flung aside the folds of the Giant’s Cloak; with greedy hands she searched within its folds; but search as she would, she could find nothing. Unable to believe in such ill-fortune she tore the Cloak to right and left, but at last she knew for a certainty that the Prince was not there.
In a rage she turned upon the Giant. “Miserable creature, see what you have done!” she screamed. “With the Prince completely in your grasp as he was, you have been so stupid as to allow him to escape.”
The Giant could not believe it possible. He stooped over the Cloak, and himself examined each one of its great folds, but at last he was convinced that the Earth Fairy was right. The Prince was indeed gone, and the great hole burned in the Cloak showed plainly the manner of his escape. Vexed as he was, his vexation changed quickly to anger as the Earth Fairy continued to pour contempt upon him for his failure, and to upbraid Flying Soot for having brought her to so worthless an ally.
Springing up in uncontrollable fury at her insolence, the Giant shouted threats at her at the top of his lungs.
Flying Soot saw that he must interfere at once. He bent down and whispered quickly to the Earth Fairy, “Do not tarry here an instant longer. You have made an enemy of the Giant. In another moment he will destroy us all. Come, let us go in quest of the Prince, for I have other friends who may serve you better than the Giant.”
The crafty Earth Fairy perceived that he was right, and yielded herself at once to his advice. Away she fled with Flying Soot across the Wide Grey Plain, taking with her the sorrowing Princess, and soon the Giant and his rage, and the Seven Hills of Ash lay far behind them.
At last Flying Soot checked the Earth Fairy’s flight. “Let us stop here while I tell you what I mean to do,” he said.
The Earth Fairy was willing. She rested her Green Wand, and Princess White Flame ceased to go forward, but her captor made sure that the Princess was not near enough to herself and Flying Soot to overhear anything that might be said.