ce 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! This is the work of the powerful magician, Curling
Smoke. We are entrapped." At that same moment the smoke dropped down in
front of them, making complete the walls of the vast chamber in which
they stood imprisoned.

Prince Ember, beholding, was motionless with dismay. Flashing back to
his mind came the warning of his good friend the Elf. "Beware of
Curling Smoke," he had said. "None more wicked and dreadful than he
inhabits the lands through which you must pass."

How or when the giant had discovered the presence of himself and the
Shadow Witch, the Prince could not guess, unless it had been in that one
unguarded moment before the Cave, but now he was upon them with his
enchantments, and he might be able to overpower them both, armed though
they were with the Cloak of Ash and the Sword of Fire. 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! He has discovered us, and means to destroy us!"

Prince Ember cast his arm about her and pressed her dear head
protectingly to his breast. Spurred on by his love for her his courage
mounted high. Looking to where she directed his gaze, he, too, saw,
looming out of the murky clouds, a great shape, fierce and terrible--the
giant, Curling Smoke.

From his huge arms hung the veils of which the Shadow Witch had spoken,
held always ready to use against any who provoked his wrath. He stood
still, at some distance from them, and searched the dim spaces about him
with piercing eyes, but seemed not to find the ones he sought.

"He does not see us, dearest," spoke the Prince, under his breath. "The
Cloak conceals us, as the Elf promised that it would."

"True," answered the Shadow Witch, "but before we escape this giant we
must do battle with him. I know well his ways, and I doubt not that he
has joined himself to my brother for our des