the enchanted island of yew-第25章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
But the prince saw the reflections of all the others； and then made the discovery that the forms of the Ki and the High Ki had become invisible。 No one except himself appeared to be standing in the great hall of the Red Rogue's castle！ Yet grouped within the glass were the likenesses of all his friends； as well as those of Lady Seseley and her companions； and all were staring back at him earnestly； as if imploring him to save them。
The mystery was now explained； and Prince Marvel rushed from the hall to find the treacherous Red Rogue。 But that clever trickster had hidden himself in an upper room； and for the present was safely concealed。
For a time Prince Marvel could not think what to do。 Such magic was all unknown to him； and how to free the imprisoned forms of his friends was a real problem。 He walked around the castle； but no one was in sight； the Rogue having given orders to all his people to keep away。 Only the tethered horses did he see； and these raised their heads and whinnied as if in sympathy with his perplexity。
Then he went back into the hall and searched all the rooms of the castle without finding a single person。 On his return he stopped in front of the mirror and sorrowfully regarded the faces of his friends； who again seemed to plead for relief。
And while he looked a sudden fit of anger came over him at being outwitted by this Red Rogue of Dawna。 Scarcely knowing what he did； he seized his sword by the blade and struck the mirror a powerful blow with the heavy hilt。 It shattered into a thousand fragments； which fell clattering upon the stone floor in every direction。 And at once the charm was broken； each of his friends now became visible。 They appeared running toward him from all parts of the castle； where they had been wandering in their invisible forms。
They called out joyful greetings to one another； and then all of them surrounded the prince and thanked him earnestly for releasing them。
The little Lady Seseley and her friends； Berna and Helda； were a bit shy in the presence of so many strangers； but they alone knew the prince's secret； and that he was a fairy transformed for a year； so they regarded him as an old and intimate acquaintance； and after being introduced by him to the others of his party they became more at ease。
The sweet little High Ki maids at once attracted Seseley； and she loved them almost at first sight。 But it was Nerle who became the little lady's staunchest friend； for there was something rather mystical and unnatural to him about the High Ki； who seemed almost like fairies； while in Seseley he recognized a hearty； substantial girl of his own rank in life。
While they stood talking and congratulating one another outside of the castle； the Red Rogue of Dawna appeared among them。 He had heard the noise of the smashing of his great mirror； and had come running downstairs from his hiding…place to find his cunning had all been for naught and his captives were free。
A furious anger then took possession of the Rogue； and forgetting his personal weakness he caught up a huge battle…ax and rushed out to hurl himself upon Prince Marvel； intending to do him serious injury。
But the prince was not taken unawares。 He saw the Red Rogue coming and met him with drawn sword； striking quickly at the arm that wielded the big ax。 The stroke was as sure as it was quick； and piercing the arm of the giant caused him to drop the ax with a howl of pain。
Then Prince Marvel seized the Red Rogue by the earwhich he was just tall enough to reachand dragged him up the steps and into the castle； the big fellow crying for mercy at every step and trembling like a leaf through cowardice。
But down the hall Marvel marched him； seeking some room where the Rogue might be safely locked in。 The great curtain that covered the second enchanted mirror now caught Prince Marvel's eye； and； still holding his prisoner by the ear； he reached out his left hand and pulled aside the drapery。
The Red Rogue looked to see what his captor was doing； and beheld his own reflection in the magic mirror。 Instantly he gave a wild cry and disappeared； his body becoming absolutely invisible； while his coarse red countenance stared back from the mirror。
And then Prince Marvel gave a sigh of relief and dropped the curtain over the surface of the mirror。 For he realized that the Red Rogue of Dawna had at last met with just punishment and was safely imprisoned for all time。
25。 The Adventurers Separate
When Prince Marvel and his friends had ridden away from the castle the savage followers of the Red One came creeping up to listen for their master's voice。 But silence reigned in every part of the castle； and after stealing fearfully through the rooms without seeing any one the fellows became filled with terror and fled from the place； never to return。
And afterward the neighbors whispered that the castle was haunted by the spirit of the terrible Red Rogue； and travelers dared not stop in the neighborhood； but passed by quickly and with averted faces。
The prince and his party rode gaily along toward the Kingdom of Heg； for Nerle had invited them all to visit his father's castle。 They were very happy over their escape； and only the little Lady Seseley became sad at times； when she thought of her father's sad fate。
The Baron Neggar； who was Nerle's father； was not only a wealthy nobleman； but exceedingly kind and courteous； so that every member of Prince Marvel's party was welcomed to the big castle in a very hospitable manner。
Nerle was eagerly embraced by both his father and mother； who were overjoyed to see him return safe and sound after his wanderings and adventures。
〃And have you been cured of your longing for something that you can not have？〃 asked the baron； anxiously。
〃Not quite；〃 said Nerle； laughing； 〃but I am more reconciled to my lot。 For I find wherever I go people are longing for just the things they can not get； and probably would not want if they had them。 So； as it seems to be the fate of most mortals to live unsatisfied； I shall try hereafter to be more contented。〃
These words delighted the good baron； and he gave a rich and magnificent feast in honor of his son's return。
The High Ki of Twi； after passing several pleasant days at Nerle's home； now decided that they had seen enough of the world and would be glad to return to their own kingdom； where all was peaceful and uneventful； and rule it to the end of their days。 So the baron furnished them an escort of twenty men…at…arms； and these conducted the High Ki and the aged Ki safely back to the hole in the hedge。
And after they had entered the Land of Twi； the first act of the High Ki was to order the hedge repaired and the hole blocked up； and I have never heard that any one； from that time forth； ever succeeded in gaining admittance to the hidden kingdom。 So its subsequent history is unknown。
King Terribus also bade the prince an affectionate farewell and rode back to his own kingdom； and burly Wul…Takim accompanied him as far as the cave； where the fifty…eight reformed thieves awaited him。
Nerle's mother gladly adopted the Lady Seseley and her two companions； and thereafter they made their home at the baron's castle。 And years afterward； when they had grown to be women； Seseley was married to Nerle and became the lady of the castle herself。
Prince Marvel enjoyed the feasting and dancing at the castle very much； but after the party began to break up； and the High Ki and the Ki had left him； as well as King Terribus and honest Wul…Takim； the young knight grew thoughtful and sometimes uneasy； and his happy laugh was less frequently heard。 Nerle often regarded his young master with a feeling of awe； for there occasionally came a look into Marvel's eyes that reminded him more of the immortals than of any human being。 But the prince treated him with rare kindness and always pressed Nerle's hand affectionately when he bade him good night； for he had grown fond of his esquire。 Also they had long conversations together； during which Nerle gleaned a great deal of knowledge and received some advice that was of much use to him in his later life。
One day Prince Marvel sought out Lady Se
