Prince Radiance smiled, and laid his hand upon his scabbard. “Then am I well assured of victory,” he told her, “for the Sword of Flames is here.” “The Sword of Flames? You have the Sword of Flames?” exclaimed she. “Ah, now you may meet him safely. And yet----” she warned him, “he is clever, very clever. Beware lest he steal your strength from you and overpower you before you are aware.” “I will be watchful,” he promised. “Farewell then,” she murmured, “and forget not the Shadow Witch.” “Always will I remember you and be grateful,” replied the Prince. With a wave of his hand he left her. Rapidly he mounted the cliff, and found himself at the entrance to the Wizard’s Cave. The Shadow Witch, who had remained below, watched him sadly until she saw him disappear in the Cave’s mouth. Then she turned away to go back to the Land of Shadows. But suddenly she changed her mind. Silently she, too, climbed the cliff wall, trailing her long grey robes behind her, and entered the Cave. “My brother is so clever,” she muttered to herself, “and none know his tricks so well as I. He shall not harm this Prince, no--nor the Princess that he loves. I will go to make sure of it.” [Illustration] CHAPTER XIII While Prince Radiance, deceived by the Shadow Witch had gone away into the Land of Shadows, the Earth Fairy on her part had proceeded straight to the Cave of Darkness where the Wizard dwelt. A figure that she believed to be the Prince followed the Princess steadily, so that she suspected nothing wrong. The Cave was black and forbidding; its walls of charcoal were full of gaping crevices; and a very little way from the entrance it became pitch dark. Because of this great darkness it was the duty of many Imps, the servants of the Wizard, to run back and forth with glimmering lanterns, to light the way of those who came to see their master. Flying Soot, who had arrived some time before, had told his story to the Wizard and had easily gained his consent to assist the Earth Fairy. So when the Earth Fairy with her companions reached the entrance to the Cave she found the Imps waiting there to conduct her to the Wizard. The Princess was first to enter, and so brilliant was the light of her pure flame that the lanterns of the Imps were quite dimmed by it. The Imps themselves stared at her in the utmost astonishment. Never before had they seen a light so gloriously beautiful. Scurrying in front to lead the way, they turned back every few moments to behold her. Behind the Princess came the supposed prince, and after him came the Earth Fairy, holding her cloak closely about her as she went, lest she should become blackened by the walls of the Cave.