“Ah, it is you, Flying Soot,” he grunted. “What is it that brings you here to disturb my rest?” “I come on an errand of importance,” answered the Soot Fairy. “One in which none can give such valuable aid as the Great Black Dragon of the Gloomy Vale.” His words pleased the Dragon. He moistened his lips and cheeks with his great tongue, and sat erect upon his haunches. “Let me hear your errand,” commanded he. So Flying Soot made haste to explain why he had come, and the Dragon immediately agreed to help the Earth Fairy. “Ho, ho!” he cried. “I shall vanquish this Prince quickly, you shall see, for when I choose to use them I have weapons of such power that none can stand out against them. Have no fear, Flying Soot. Trust all to me, and I assure you that you and your friend the Earth Fairy, shall not be disappointed.” Looking upon the monster’s huge form, his terrible claws, his fiercely lashing tail, Flying Soot knew that the Great Black Dragon had good cause to boast. “I leave the matter entirely to you,” said he. “There is one thing more, however, that you must promise me. You must on no account harm, or even touch the fairy Veil of which I have told you. Least of all must you attempt to take it for yourself. I assure you that it is of no value to any but the Prince or the Earth Fairy. For others it will work no charm.” The Dragon laughed loud and scornfully. “That matters naught to me,” he cried. “By the weapons that I carry always with me I am able to accomplish what things I please. Why then should I wish for a trifle like this Veil?” His mind entirely at rest upon that score, Flying Soot now sat himself down upon a black hillock close to the Dragon, and sought to entertain him as they waited by giving him such bits of news as he had collected in his travels. The Dragon well pleased to have him do so, listened hungrily to every word. Meanwhile Prince Radiance, alone in a strange land, and still weary from his struggle with the Giant, sunk down upon a heap of ash and bowed his head. He wished to ponder well his course, before he again set out. Behind him lay that part of the Wide Grey Plain where the Giant dwelt who had so lately tried to destroy him. Before him, and at his left stretched a plain of ash. To his right a black country opened with low lying hills and valleys wherein might lurk unseen dangers for them both. As he sat there in indecision, the Earth Fairy coming in search of him, espied him from afar. Princess White Flame saw him also, and uttered a cry of joy. She needed not the spur of the Earth Fairy’s wand to drive her to him. Swiftly across the desolate waste she flitted until he was within sound of her voice. “Radiance, dear Radiance!” she called to him, “What happiness is mine that I have found you once more!”