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Updated: July 23, 2025
Blood flowed in streams, but fortune favoured Steelpacha, and he made off safely, carrying his prize, the Princess, with him. The three emperors now took counsel over their brother-in-law's body, and decided to recall him to life. So they summoned three of the swiftest dragons and asked which one of them could most speedily bring some water from the river Jordan.
With these words he seized the woman and carried her away, while the Prince again remained alone, always planning how to rescue his wife. Finally he said to himself, "After all, why should I be afraid? I still have two lives that one which he gave me and the one I had before." So he resolved to go back to his wife the next day when Steelpacha was absent. "Come," he said to her, "let us flee!"
Upon this the Prince asked him, "In the name of heaven, who are you?" The man answered, "My name is Steelpacha." The prince now turned toward the door, but the man implored him, "Give me another jug of water, and I will give you a second life." The Prince thought, "He will give me a second life; I have one into the bargain.
When the Falcon-emperor became convinced that he could not move him from his purpose he drew a feather out of his wing and gave it to him, with these words, "Here, take this feather of mine, and if you come into great danger strike a fire and burn it I will come at once to your aid with all my forces." So the Prince took the feather and set forth to seek Steelpacha.
So the Prince stole secretly to his wife and told her how she should coax Steelpacha to tell her the secret of his strength. Then he betook himself to some place of safety. When Steelpacha came home the Princess beset him with questions. "In heaven's name, do tell me wherein your strength lies!" Steelpacha answered, "My pretty wife, my strength lies in my sword."
As soon as the bird was burned Steelpacha vanished forever. So the Prince took his wife and went happily home. The Buried Moon Long ago in my grandmother's time, the Carland was all in bogs, great pools of black water, and creeping trickles of green water, and squishy mools which squirted when you stepped on them.
When Steelpacha came home she asked him anew wherein his strength lay. Upon which he answered her, "Since I see that you have a high respect for my strength, I will confess the truth about it." Then he told her: "Far from here is a mountain-peak. On this mountain-peak lives a Fox. The Fox has a heart in which a bird is concealed; this bird holds my strength.
"Just let me tell you something about Steelpacha. That very day on which he stole your wife I was awaiting him with five thousand falcons, and waged a fearful battle with him. Blood flowed knee-deep around us, yet we could not prevail against him. And how shall you, a single man, overmaster him? So I give you this well-meant advice: Go back home.
Take this feather of mine, and if you come across Steelpacha and find yourself in great danger, then burn my feather; that very moment I will come to your aid with the whole strength of my army." The Prince concealed the feather in a safe place and went his way. He travelled on and on until he reached a second great city.
With these words Steelpacha took the woman away, while the Prince remained alone, in doubt what to do next. At last he resolved to go after his wife again. When he arrived near the cavern he waited for his opportunity till Steelpacha should be gone away; and once more he fled, taking his wife with him.
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