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Until her mistress had gone, she would keep her own counsel, hide her own purposes, so that she might fulfil them in her own time and in her own way. She had not long to wait, for Prince Ember’s voice, clear and gracious, rose once more. “Let us not tarry. My bright kingdom awaits its Prince, who has been long absent.
The Wizard stood for a moment wrapped in thought, but presently he laid down the wand which he held in his hand and chose another from the case. He raised it aloft and waved it in a great circle above his head. “By the power of this wand,” he exclaimed, “I bid any who stand invisible within this Cave Hall to become visible at once.” As he heard the words, Prince Ember’s heart stood still.
Casting her eyes downward by chance, she all at once became aware of a faint veil of smoke that was creeping round about her feet. Well did she know by that sign who was near. She cast her eyes hurriedly on all sides, and saw with alarm that the smoke was drawing in upon them from every quarter. She caught Prince Ember’s arm, whispering anxiously, “Behold, my Prince, behold the smoke fog!
The two had almost reached the dome, and Prince Ember’s hand tightened on his Sword, for he felt that the time to use it was near. “Not yet, my Prince,” whispered the Shadow Witch. “Not yet.” An arm’s length higher she sent her phantom, and made him pause.
Without a word, but with swiftly beating heart, she waited in her place by Prince Ember’s side to see what wondrous thing that sword could do. Wondrous indeed, for silently and of itself the door swung open, and the corridor that led to freedom was before her. Prince Ember took her hand, and together they crossed the threshold, but when they had passed it he paused, and spoke one charmed word.
In spite of his great courage, Prince Ember’s heart sank low in his breast before this fresh danger to his beloved Shadow Witch. Thinking intently of how best to act against this new foe, he stood silent. Again the Shadow Witch whispered low: “See! Yonder from out the fog he comes, with his veils trailing from his arm—the Veil that Chokes—the Veil that Blinds!
In every danger that you must meet, over every obstacle that you must encounter, save one, it will be victorious.” Prince Ember’s heart beat fast. “And for that other?” he asked eagerly. “For that, also, I have a gift,” was the answer. “Look within the chest once more and you will see.” Leaning down the Prince peered into the dimness of the chest. “There is a small round box,” he said.
I am ready to set forth immediately.” The King was greatly pleased, and Creeping Shadow, her anxious fears at rest, bowed herself at Prince Ember’s feet in gratitude too deep for speech.
She pressed her hands close together and looked into Prince Ember’s face, her eyes full of pain. “Alas! my Prince,” she whispered, “it grieves me that you should encounter so many perils for my sake! And here—ah, here, I am afraid that all your wondrous fairy power cannot suffice to break this wicked snare that has been set for you.”
Under Prince Ember’s spell each servant of the Wizard became fixed in his place, unable to move or to utter a syllable. With staring eyes they beheld the Prince and his companion advance, and pass through their very midst, whilst they remained powerless to so much as stretch out a hand to clutch at their garments.
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