WHERE the Gloomy Vale borders the plain beyond, rises the low-walled dwelling of the Ash Goblin.

So low it lies that only those familiar with that land know of its presence. Only those with eyes accustomed to the grey stretches can see the Ash Goblin himself. Very small he is, and grey of face and eyes and hair. Grey, too, are his garments, soft and grey as the ashes that surround him.

So he moves about, concealed from the view of all but his friends. Not less eager than the rest of the Evil Fairies is he to join in any mischief, but because he is so small and weak, his help is less often sought than is that of the more powerful fairies of the land.

Flying Soot had no intention of asking him to join in the affairs of the Earth Fairy. He had not even thought of him. On many former occasions as he had passed through the Land of the Evil Fairies he had stopped to chat with the Ash Goblin, and give him the news, but to-day he had not time for so much as a glance at the grey walls of his dwelling.

The Ash Goblin seated beside his door saw him as he approached, and saw too that he intended to pass without speaking. Astonished and displeased he determined not to permit it. He sprang to his feet in haste, and caught at the fluttering mantle of the Soot Fairy to drag him back.

“Ho there,” he cried. “On what errand of mischief are you bound, that you do not even give me good-day?”

“Pray let me go at once,” answered Flying Soot impatiently, with a jerk of his mantle, “I have business of importance that must not be delayed.”

“But it is of this important business that I wish to hear,” insisted the Ash Goblin, clutching his raiment only the more firmly.

Flying Soot knew well that one so insignificant as the Ash Goblin could do little to further the wishes of the Earth Fairy. So he put him off. “It is an adventure,” said he, “in which you cannot be of the smallest use to me. Let me go then to where I can get the help that I need.”At this the Ash Goblin became exceedingly affronted, and was at no pains to conceal it. “If it is a matter in which you require assistance you do ill to despise mine,” he declared, drawing himself up haughtily.

But Flying Soot did not tarry to argue the matter. He wrenched free his mantle, and hurried away to seek Curling Smoke, leaving the Ash Goblin to nurse his wrath at his leisure.

Wavering and swaying in the plain beyond the dark hill where Flying Soot had first beheld him, hung Curling Smoke, the grey magician. In all the Land of the Evil Fairies there were few who possessed such power as he, or were so ready to wield it.

Even at this moment he was watching craftily for a chance to work ill upon whoever might come his way, now crouching low to peer between the hills, now rising to the full spire of his height to overlook the black valleys, and ashy plains.

Thus he caught sight of Flying Soot from afar, and waited for him, for well he knew that mischief was afoot wherever that black mantle flew.

Flying Soot came fast, calling to him as he drew near. “Curling Smoke, Curling Smoke, do not depart! I have urgent business with you.” Nothing that he could have said would have been more pleasing to Curling Smoke, and when the Soot Fairy reached him he waved him to a seat, settled himself down beside him and gave him an attentive ear.

Glad to find his wicked friend so ready to listen, Flying Soot began. “A Prince is traveling through this land—a stranger. He pursues a flame, who is an enchanted Princess whom he hopes to win as a bride by delivering her from the spell that binds her. This he expects to do by means of a magic Veil which he carries. My friend the Earth Fairy, who is not far distant, purposes to prevent this, for she has good cause to desire vengeance upon the Princess because of injuries that she herself has suffered from the parents of this Princess. Moreover, the Earth Fairy wishes the Veil for herself. It is for you, greatest magician in all this land, to vanquish this presumptuous Prince so that the Earth Fairy may take from him this Veil. You must give your word, however, that no matter what means you may employ to conquer him, that you will neither injure the Veil itself, nor seek to deprive the Earth Fairy of it. Indeed, in case you should attempt it, you would find that it would have no virtue in your hands.”

In proud disdain Curling Smoke made answer: “Bring hither your Prince, and when I have conquered him the Earth Fairy may take from him his Veil and go where she wishes. What care I for such a miserable trifle as this Prince carries? Have I not my Veil that Blinds? Have I not also my Veil that Chokes? With these two I am able to work what magic I will.”

“That I can well believe,” spoke Flying Soot in flattering tones. “As to the Prince—I need not go to fetch him. The Princess herself, driven by the Earth Fairy’s spell, leads him on. See you—even now they approach us. A moment more, and they will be here.”

It was as he said. Straight toward them came the beautiful flame of the Princess, and behind her sped Prince Radiance still cherishing the hope that the fortunate moment would soon arrive when he should be able to overtake her. Hidden from the eyes of the Prince, but clearly visible to Curling Smoke and Flying Soot came the wicked Earth Fairy, eager to test the power of her new ally. Within the shelter of a black crag Curling Smoke sank down and lay concealed until the Princess had flitted by, but when Prince Radiance would have done likewise, the tall grey form of the magician stole from his hiding-place and filled the path. Twisted about his arm and trailing from it were the smoke veils in which his power dwelt. Delaying not he unloosed the Veil that Blinds. “Yield you to Curling Smoke, to Curling Smoke, Magician of Veils,” he cried.Tall and powerful as was the unexpected enemy who now beset him, Prince Radiance did not quail. Quickly he laid his hand upon his scabbard and his voice rang clear, “Magician though you be, I fear you not. Neither do I obey. Stand back then from my path, for I follow the Princess White Flame, and yield to none.”

Curling Smoke gave no word in answer but flung his veil of smoke instead full in the Prince’s face. He thought to see it sting his eyes to instant blindness, but it was not so. Before it could come near him to do him harm the Sword of Flames answering its master’s hand had leapt from its scabbard, and was raised on high. Back from its splendor the Veil that Blinds drifted—drifted—till it settled limp across the magician’s arm. By the mere lifting of that fairy sword its power had been scattered, and its magic spent. Curling Smoke beheld it with astonishment and anger. Yet he did not hesitate. Grimly he snatched from his arm the Veil that Chokes, and flung it in its turn toward the Prince. He looked to have it take from Prince Radiance his very breath, so great was its pungent stifling power. But this also failed for the Sword of Flames met and clove it, and striking to right and left rent it in pieces. It fell in a thousand fragments about the magician’s feet.

The Sword of Flames leapt from its scabbard and was raised on high.

Then Curling Smoke in a frenzy of wrath sprang upon the Prince to clutch him with his arms and bear him down.

Swiftly did Prince Radiance meet his onset, and right valiantly did he wield his Sword of Flames. Though Curling Smoke put forth all his craft, though he writhed now here, now there, seeking to ensnare the Prince, though he towered above him at one instant or in the next curled about his knees to drag him to the earth, yet everywhere the shining Sword sharp and invincible met him. Everywhere its violet splendor flashed; around him and through him, until at last the magician’s very form was scattered and driven away in floating wisps of smoke.

Prince Radiance sheathed his Sword of Flames. Before him lay the open path, and not far away hovered the Princess. Across the space between them came her exquisite voice, calling tremulously her joy at his new deliverance from peril, and the fear for him that had been hers.

“Nay, then, my White Flame,” he answered, “fear not for me ever. But one grief have I—that I have not yet overtaken you; but one fear is mine—that I may lose you in my journeyings. Over both of these, hope, like a star, shines always. Happiness awaits us in the end. Doubt it not.”

The Earth Fairy berating Flying Soot over the utter failure of Curling Smoke, was arrested by the words of the Prince.

They but made her the more determined to achieve her end. Already the Prince was advancing toward the Princess. Should he overtake her all was lost to herself. Quickly she lifted her Green Wand and drove Princess White Flame onward. Quickly she turned to Flying Soot who had been making a new offer. “Go then,” she cried, “and seek this Wizard of the Cave of Darkness, of whom you have spoken. Obtain his assistance for me. We shall not be far behind you, so lose no time. Let us hope that this last plan of yours will be of more value to me than the others that you have suggested.”

Flying Soot needed no second bidding, but took himself off in the direction of the Wizard’s Cave. More slowly the Earth Fairy proceeded along the same way, keeping the Prince and the Princess ever before her.

They had scarcely left the spot where Curling Smoke had been vanquished, when a small grey figure stole out from a crevice in a rock near by and looked cautiously after them. It was the Ash Goblin. He shook his fist at them in menace, muttering, “We shall see, Flying Soot, we shall see, Earth Fairy, whether you can afford to scorn the help of one so small even as an Ash Goblin.” He sat down upon a low rock to watch the floating remnants that had once been Curling Smoke. Patiently he waited, for knowing this crafty magician, he knew also what would come to pass. Slowly, slowly these remnants came closer and closer. Slowly they gathered themselves bit by bit into one mass, and at length before the Ash Goblin’s eyes Curling Smoke appeared once more in his own shape. He who had so lately boasted himself to be invincible, held himself haughtily, for anger burned within him at his humiliation and he was determined to be revenged. It pleased the Ash Goblin to see him thus, for it fell in with his own purposes. Fearful lest Curling Smoke should be about to depart he made haste to address him.

“Master Magician,” he called from his lowly seat, “do you know what Flying Soot has said of you?”

“It is not Flying Soot who concerns me,” answered Curling Smoke, not deigning to look down at the speaker. “It is this Prince whom I mean to punish for what he has lately done.”

“Ay, but it was Flying Soot whom I heard telling the Earth Fairy that he might have guessed that you were no magician after all, but a mere boaster. He declared also that he had other friends who would help her, who were really more powerful, and whose word could be trusted. Many other things he said, that put shame and contempt upon you. It would take too long to repeat them all. Does not Flying Soot concern you, now that you know this, Master Magician?”

“So much does he concern me that I shall punish him as well,” replied Curling Smoke, in mounting rage. “Ay, and the Earth Fairy, also. Before their journey is done—in a moment when they look not for me, they shall one and all find that the power of Curling Smoke is not to be despised.”

The Ash Goblin clapped his hands in a burst of wicked glee. “Ah, Master Magician, that I can well believe—and I—the Ash Goblin—shall make it my business to be there to see it.”