Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/365

Rh to the inmost of all, and there he saw his little mother sitting on a high pearl throne, dressed in a robe of brocade sewn with seed pearls, and wearing a Tzaritza's pearly crown.

When she saw him she ran to him, and embracing him, fell to weeping. "How hast thou found me here," she cried, "my brave and beloved son? For I, thy mother, am in the power of this mighty Wizard who comes to me each day. Thou wilt strive to overcome him, yet is he strong in his enchantments, while thou art but an untried youth, so that I greatly fear for thee!"

"The wind doth not blow for ever," said the Tzarevich, and he comforted his mother and they kissed and caressed one another, when there rose a roaring of wind so that all the crystal windows rattled. "Kastchey comes even now," she said. "Hide thee quickly beneath my mantle!"

He concealed himself and scarce had he done so when the Wizard entered, green-eyed, naked and hairy, with a bared sword in his hand and a nose curved like a scimitar. He hastened to the Tzaritza and began to pet and fondle her. "Hast thou been lonely, light of mine eyes?" he asked.

'Yes," she answered. "Thou travelest far and hast many enemies and I fear for thy life."