` Put your hand into my right ear , ' said the horse , ` and throw the brush you will find there behind you . ' The princess did so , and a great forest sprang up behind them , and , so thick were its leaves , that even a wren could not get through . But the old woman seized hold of the branches and flung herself like a monkey from one to the others , and always she drew nearer -- always , always -- till their hair was singed by the flames of her mouth . Then , in despair , the princess again bent down and asked if there was nothing more to be done , and Sunlight replied ` Quick , quick , take off the betrothal ring on the finger of Iliane and throw it behind you . ' This time there sprang up a great tower of stone , smooth as ivory , hard as steel , which reached up to heaven itself . And the mother of the genius gave a howl of rage , knowing that she could neither climb it nor get through it . But she was not beaten yet , and gathering herself together , she made a prodigious leap , which landed her on the top of the tower , right in the middle of Iliane 's ring which lay there , and held her tight . Only her claws could be seen grasping the battlements . All that could be done the old witch did ; but the fire that poured from her mouth never reached the fugitives , though it laid waste the country a hundred miles round the tower , like the flames of a volcano . Then , with one last effort to free herself , her hands gave way , and , falling down to the bottom of the tower , she was broken in pieces . When the flying princess saw what had happened she rode back to the spot , as Sunlight counselled her , and placed her finger on the top of the tower , which was gradually shrinking into the earth . In an instant the tower had vanished as if it had never been , and in its place was the finger of the princess with a ring round it . The emperor received Iliane with all the respect that was due to her , and fell in love at first sight besides . But this did not seem to please Iliane , whose face was sad as she walked about the palace or gardens , wondering how it was that , while other girls did as they liked , she was always in the power of someone whom she hated . So when the emperor asked her to share his throne Iliane answered : ` Noble Sovereign , I may not think of marriage till my stud of horses has been brought me , with their trappings all complete . ' When he heard this , the emperor once more sent for Fet-Fruners , and said : ` Fet-Fruners , fetch me instantly the stud of mares , with their trappings all complete . If not , your head shall pay the forfeit . ' ` Mighty Emperor , I kiss your hands ! I have but just returned from doing your bidding , and , behold , you send me on another mission , and stake my head on its fulfilment , when your court is full of valiant young men , pining to win their spurs . They say you are a just man ; then why not entrust this quest to one of them ?
Where am I to seek these mares that I am XXXXX bring you ? '
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