“Even so,” answered Black Shadow.
“Tell me not that it is Prince Radiance,” he cried vehemently, for anguish seized him at the memory of the Sword of Flames.
“Nay,” returned she. “It is a stranger prince, Ember by name, who knows not this land, nor the dangers which lie in wait for him here. What weapons of defence he possesses, or what his magic, we cannot guess. This only I can tell you, he is in the home of the Elf of the Borderland at this moment, there to obtain, perhaps, some gift, or some instruction which will make him proof against us. Whether or not Creeping Shadow speaks falsely, she has declared to me that she knows nothing concerning his business with the Elf.”
“I have no fear of anyone so small and peaceable as the Elf of the Borderland,” laughed the Wizard contemptuously. “It could not be in his power to bestow a gift of any worth. As for the prince—my servants shall redouble their vigilance at the Cave Mouth. He cannot pass them.”
“Be not too sure of that,” Black Shadow warned him. “Of the magic of these fairies of the Fire we know nothing. If he possesses some enchantment by which he can pass your guards unseen, if he should find and liberate your sister, and escape with her from your Cave—what then? Shall one who has foiled you thus be allowed to return unmolested to his own land?”
For a short space the Wizard sat plunged in thought, for he knew well that beyond the boundaries of his Cave he had no power. But presently he spoke. “I have friends who will prevent that,” he declared confidently. “Curling Smoke waits but the word to engage himself against any who come from the Land of Fire. The Ash Goblin needs no urging against my sister. Too often she has made sport of him, until he has not known which way to turn for anger. And as to the Wind in the Chimney, merely to speak to him is to gain his consent to swoop down at once upon any adventurer into our lands. Seek these friends of mine, Black Shadow, and bid them lie in wait for this bold prince. Say to them that the Wizard of the Cave relies upon their aid.”
Black Shadow rose, well pleased. With all hope of liberty for the Shadow Witch destroyed, she saw her way to power. “I will be your willing messenger,” she said. She turned away and followed by the piercing glances of the Imps, she left the Cave Hall, and a little later again passed by the guards at the Cave Mouth and came into the open country without.
There she glanced about her, hoping to catch sight of those whom she sought. She did not look in vain, for almost immediately the giant, Curling Smoke, uncurled his tall form from a deep chasm in the cliff close by and towered high above her, blocking the way.
“Whither do you go, Black Shadow?” demanded he haughtily. “You cannot pass until you answer.”
“I have no wish to pass, for it is yourself whom I seek,” she returned.