When all was told, Prince Radiance, without waiting for the King to speak, cried at once, “Your Majesty, my duty is plain. The Shadow Witch must not be left to suffer punishment because of me. Let me go at once to her rescue. With my Sword of Flames, by which I so lately conquered the Wizard, I can again put him to naught.” For a moment the King made no answer. At the generous words of the Prince, a sob of joy broke from Creeping Shadow, but Princess White Flame shuddered. In memory she saw again the dark cavern of the Wizard, remembered its cruel master, and the evil spell by which he had endeavored to destroy her Prince; and for a brief space she forgot the sore trouble of the Shadow Witch, helpless and in that Wizard’s power. It was but for an instant, however; then her voice, tender and full of sympathy arose, quivering though it was with her fears for the safety of her Prince. “Ah, no! We cannot let her suffer! You must go.” “Come, come quickly then,” breathed Creeping Shadow. “Come, while there is yet time.” Before the Prince could make further answer to her plea, King Red Flame interposed with firm, yet gentle, authority. “Stay, my son. In so grave a matter we must take no step amiss. We must seek the best counsel that our kingdom affords. The Wise One alone, out of his great store of wisdom, will know how to give it.” With lifted hand he summoned his swiftest messenger. “Go, Rushing Flame,” he commanded. “Say to the Wise One that the King has need of him.” In haste Rushing Flame departed, and in a deep silence, broken only now and then by the low whispering of the fire fairies, all awaited the coming of the Wise One. So ready was the Wise One to give counsel wherever it was required, that much sooner than could have been expected from one of his age, he stood before the King. Creeping Shadow, lifting her eyes eagerly, beheld a very ancient fairy, clad in deep scarlet. His beard was white as snow. His eyes were piercingly keen. Never had she seen anyone who looked at once so ancient and so wise. “Your Majesty,” said the Wise One gravely, making him a low obeisance, “How can I serve you?” “Give me of your good counsel,” King Red Flame besought him. “Far away in the cave of her brother, the Wizard, the Shadow Witch lies imprisoned, not for any fault of hers, but for her kindness to Prince Radiance and my beloved daughter. Her servant Creeping Shadow, whom you see yonder, has come to beg the Prince to haste to her deliverance. What say you? If he goes, will he have power to deliver her? If he goes, will he return in safety?” Anxiously Princess White Flame fixed her eyes upon the Wise One’s face, and awaited his answer to her father’s question. No less anxiously did Creeping Shadow listen to hear the fate of her dear mistress.