“I have not forgotten how you rescued me from the eagle; I promised to repay you, I think I have done so to-day.”

“I owe everything to you, Mr. Raven,” responded Avenant, as, holding Galifron’s head, he rode off.

When he entered the town, crowds followed him crying, “Here is the brave Avenant who has slain the monster.”

Avenant advanced to the Princess, and said, “Madam, your enemy is dead.  I hope you will no more refuse the King, my master.”

“Although it is so,” answered the Princess, “I shall refuse him unless you will bring me some water from the Grotto of Darkness.  At the entrance there are two dragons, with fire in their eyes and mouths; inside the grotto there is a deep pit into which you must descend, it is full of toads, scorpions, and serpents.  At the bottom of this pit there is a little cave where flows the fountain of beauty and health.  Positively I must possess the water; all who wash in it, if they are beautiful, continue so always, if they are ugly they become beautiful; if they are young they remain young, if they are old they regain their youth.  You cannot wonder, Avenant, that I will not leave my kingdom without taking it with me.”

So once more Avenant and Cabriole set out; they journeyed on until they came to a rock, black as ink, from which smoke was issuing, and a moment later there appeared one of the dragons belching forth fire from his eyes and mouth.  He was a frightful looking creature with a green and yellow body, and his tail was so long that it went into a hundred curves.  Avenant saw all this, but resolved to die, he drew his sword, and, carrying the flask the Princess had given to him to hold the water, he said to Cabriole: 

“My days are ended, I can never obtain that water the dragons are guarding; when I am dead, fill this flask with my blood and carry it to the Princess, that she may know what it has cost me, then go to the King, my master, and tell him of my misfortune.”

As he was speaking, a voice called, “Avenant, Avenant,” and looking around he saw an owl.  “You saved my life from the fowlers,” said the owl.  “I promised to repay you, the time has now come.  Give me your flask.  I will bring you the water of beauty.”

And carrying the flask, the owl entered the grotto, unhindered, returning in less than a quarter of an hour with it full to the brim.  Avenant thanked the owl heartily, and joyously started for the town, where he presented the flask to the Princess, who immediately gave orders to prepare for her departure.

But as she considered Avenant altogether charming, before she set out, she several times said to him:  “If you wish, we need not go, for I will make you king of my country.”  But Avenant made reply: 

“I would not displease my master for all the kingdoms of earth, although your beauty I consider greater than that of the sun.”