With a flutter of grey garments they dissolved like mist at her command. Then the Shadow Witch stretched her hand to Prince Radiance. “Come,” she said. “Follow where I lead you, and you shall learn that I spoke truly when I said that in this land there is one at least who is not altogether unkind.”
Gratefully the Prince obeyed her, and before he could have believed it possible, they stood together at the spot where he had begun to pursue the false flame. A high black cliff rose before them. The Shadow Witch pointed to it and said, “My brother’s Cave lies yonder. Enter that wide opening in the cliff-side. Pursue the narrow way that leads from it, and erelong you will reach the Cave Hall where he sits. Gladly would I give you some weapon to use against him, but there is only one that he fears, and alas, I do not possess it.”
“What weapon may that be?” inquired the Prince.
“It is the Sword of Flames,” she answered. “He has never seen it, but its fame has reached him, and he knows well that before it his power would be shattered.”
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.”
“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.”
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.