A low murmur of pity ran from one to the other of the kind-hearted fire fairies, from the King himself, to the humblest fairy gathered there.
Princess White Flame laid a consoling hand upon Creeping Shadow’s shoulder. “Wait but a moment,” she told her. “The Wise One has great knowledge, great wisdom. No magic is hid from him. Somewhere there must be one who can bring succor to your mistress. The Wise One will know of him, and can tell us where he may be found.”
“You speak truly, my Princess,” the Wise One hastened to inform her. “It is written in my Book of Wisdom that when this misfortune falls upon the Shadow Witch, there is but one who can release her from that enchanted chamber where the Wizard now holds her, but one who can bring her unharmed through the perils which will afterward beset her.”
“His name?” cried the King, Prince Radiance and the Princess, in one voice. “His name?” cried Creeping Shadow beseechingly.
“Sire, it is your nephew, Prince Ember,” declared the Wise One. “He it is who is fated to set her free.”
From all those who had waited in breathless suspense for his answer, there burst a murmur of intense relief. Creeping Shadow’s heart beat quick with joy.
“And the perils of which you spoke,—shall my dear nephew, also, escape them unscathed?” demanded King Red Flame anxiously.
“Ay, truly, Your Majesty,” the ancient one assured him. “All will be well, if he but follows my advice. Send him to me, and I will instruct him.”
His counsel given, the Wise One bade farewell to his master and returned to his hut.
Once more Rushing Flame set out in haste on the King’s business, but this time it was to summon Prince Ember, that he might learn from the royal lips the task that was his to perform.
Beautiful is the Land of Glowing Embers, near to the Palace of King Red Flame. When morning dawns, a light soft and rosy bathes its castles and its gardens. At noonday, its pale sweet glow burns to a richer glory, and a flush of deepest rose ascends over turrets and blossoming trees. With nightfall, a purple splendor settles over all things while its peaceful fairies sleep. Set in the midst of it is the home of Prince Ember, the fairy palace of Good Cheer.
In his favorite room in the palace Prince Ember sat alone, in deep thought. Spread open upon the table before him was a thick volume, written in the ancient fairy language, filled with tales of fairy adventure of a far off time. As he read and pondered them, his heart was filled with longing that he, too, might go upon some dangerous quest, might win some noble victory. His domain was quiet. His servants were happy and at peace. He knew of nothing that could call him forth.