“Your Majesty,” he implored, “remember that I, also, love the Princess. I claim the right to seek her, for have I not the magic gifts of the Wise One, and shall not my love guide me to her rescue? Fear not. By the aid of these I will surely bring her back to the Palace of Burning Coals, not as you saw her last, indeed--but in her true form, freed forever from the Earth Fairy’s spell.” Looking upon the ardent and hopeful face of the young Prince, hearing his earnest words, the heart of King Red Flame was deeply stirred, and strangely comforted. He stretched forth his arms, and drew him to his breast. “Go, my son,” he said, tenderly. “Go, and all good fortune follow you. Bring back my beloved daughter to her home once more. So shall you gladden her father’s heart, and win happiness for yourself and her.” [Illustration] CHAPTER VIII Back across the dismal land through which she had led the Princess, flitted the Earth Fairy. Freed though she now was from her long imprisonment, she yet hoped for even greater liberty. When Flying Soot had told her that the Veil had power to disenchant the Princess, she felt sure that it would have a like magic influence over herself; that if she could but obtain it, and cast it about her that she should once more become a true Earth Fairy. Should this come to pass, she would flee forever from the Land of Fire which she so hated, to her own people and her own home. Therefore she determined to go in search of the Prince, and by means of her wands wrest from him the coveted Veil. She knew that it would soon be discovered that Princess White Flame was no longer in her father’s kingdom, and she believed that Prince Radiance would then come to seek the Princess in the Land of the Evil Fairies. She herself would be in wait for him near the boundary and would endeavor to overpower him there. So rapidly did she journey that she soon reached the borders of the Land of the Fire Fairies, and began to watch for the coming of the Prince. Some time had passed before she beheld a scarlet cloaked figure approaching, looking eagerly on all sides, as if in search of someone. From what Flying Soot had told her she knew that it was Prince Radiance. She crept to meet him, concealing herself cleverly from sight as she went.