CHAPTER XI
Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch were now rapidly approaching the Cave Hall. On their way they passed other vaulted chambers, like the one they had just left, and glancing into these as they hastened by, they saw great urns with ponderous lids, and enormous chests, all marked with the signs of the Wizard, filled, as the Shadow Witch was well aware, with those evil things with which he worked his spells, but not an Imp was anywhere to be seen.
She glided cautiously to the door of one of these rooms and peeped in. She found, as she had supposed, that it was the bedchamber of her brother. His huge bed, with its jet black coverings and pillows stood ready to receive him; his tall chair was set close beside it. Near by was his special treasure chest, in which his choicest wands and spellbooks were locked carefully away from prying fingers, but this room was as silent and deserted as all the rest.
On a sudden they heard loud rapping, which became still louder, and then a harsh voice crying out in angry tones, again and yet again.
“It is my brother calling for his Imps,” whispered the Shadow Witch. “He is not used to have them tarry when he summons them.”
It was as she said: the Wizard, in the Cave Hall, was grey with rage. Never before had he called to his servants without their scurrying on nimble feet to learn his desires, but this time he had struck repeatedly upon the arm of his chair, and had lifted his voice louder and louder, yet neither the Chief Imp nor any other came. He knew where and how they should be employed at this time, and if they were doing their duty, they were within sound of his voice. How they could dare not to answer him, how they could be deaf when he summoned them, the Wizard could not understand.
The Shadow Witch stole closer to Prince Ember, and spoke beneath her breath. “The Wizard is but a few yards from us,” she said. “A moment more, and we must encounter him. I do not fear him now, for in this part of the Cave my power has always been fully equal to his own. The truth is, I have more than once defeated him here. He remembers it well. Yet—I was long bound by that dark prison—long subject to his power. Before I return to the Land of Shadows, I must test myself, for I wish to be certain that I can still meet and defy him in his Cave Hall without being conquered by him; but in order to make sure of myself I must go before him quite alone.”
Prince Ember shook his head. “I would not have you venture it,” he objected. “The risk is too great.”
“Not when you are near me,” she told him confidently. “If the moment should come when I know that I am unable to resist him longer, I will call to you, and you will hasten to my help.”