Part 14 (1/2)
She did not stay to reply to their frightened and excited questions, but sped straight to the Cave Hall.
There she found the Wizard sitting upright in his chair, though he looked pale and exhausted. He was surrounded by the Imps who had been imprisoned in the vaulted chamber, and who, when the Shadow Witch had reached her own land and the spell of the Sword of Fire had been lifted, had heard their master's voice calling to them for help. They had come in trembling haste, and found him limp and prostrate on the floor, but with their help, he had at last been enabled to rise slowly and go to his accustomed seat.
”Sir Wizard!” cried Black Shadow, addressing him without ceremony, ”the stranger prince has everywhere prevailed! Curling Smoke is scattered!
The Ash Goblin is defeated! The Wind in the Chimney has been put to naught! And now, Prince Ember has departed to the Land of Fire, taking with him your sister to make her his bride. With her went all her servants, the Shadows.”
”Let them go,” snarled the Wizard, scowling fiercely upon her. ”I care not what becomes of them, so that they return no more to trouble me.”
”And I,” continued Black Shadow, ”have come to say that I mean to take your sister's domain for myself, and choose companions to occupy it with me who will obey my commands.”
”Do what you will,” he retorted impatiently, ”so that you, too, go from me, and leave me in peace.”
Black Shadow needed no second bidding, but left the Wizard there, with his Imps cl.u.s.tered about him, while she departed in haste to carry out her long cherished plans.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
CHAPTER XVI
In King Red Flame's garden it was brilliant noonday. The trees waved their branches to a cloudless sky, the flowers lifted their beauteous heads in a clear and golden light. Through the blossoming shrubs, the towers and walls of the Palace of Burning Coals glistened in fullest splendor. Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch approaching, beheld them s.h.i.+ning as if in welcome. The band of Shadows caught their breath in wonder at the glorious sight.
Within the palace sat King Red Flame on his jeweled throne, listening to his daughter, the Princess, as she sang the songs he loved. Prince Radiance, close beside her, listened also. He could never tire of that exquisite voice, which, from the first hour that he had heard it, had enchanted his ear, and enchained his heart. The Fire Fairies, busy in palace and garden, paused now and then to catch the floating strains, for their Princess was unspeakably dear to them, and her singing stirred them always to deep delight. Rus.h.i.+ng Flame, the King's messenger, poised alertly at the palace gate in readiness to leap forth on any errand for his master, strained his ear, that he, too, might miss no note of her song.
Suddenly, from below the palace windows, the sound of many feet was heard, and the air was rent by shouts of welcome.
The Princess broke off her song. With one accord the royal company started to their feet, certain that naught but the return of Prince Ember could cause so great a tumult. At that very instant the scarlet figure of Rus.h.i.+ng Flame appeared before them, proclaiming, ”Your Majesty the King, Prince Ember has returned.”
While he was yet speaking, Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch entered the palace hall. Close after them glided the band of Shadows, and accompanying them came the Wise One, kind old Grey Smoke and a mult.i.tude of Fire Fairies, who had come quickly together from everywhere, eager to have a part in greeting the unknown guests, and to hear the adventures of the brave young Prince.
With a lover's pride, Prince Ember led his beloved to the King. Never had the Shadow Witch looked more beautiful. Her ebon hair fell like a rich cloak over her grey robes; her cheek was mantled by a crimson flush; her dark eyes gleamed with a soft radiance.
King Red Flame, won by the first glimpse of this lovely stranger, forgot his state and went to meet her. Without waiting for his nephew to make her known, he drew her to himself in cordial greeting. ”Welcome fair Princess of the Shadows,” he said, ”and welcome, also, to your train.”
Then to his nephew he turned in deep affection. ”Welcome, dear Ember, thrice welcome. Long have we waited and anxiously hoped for your safe return.”