PREVIOUSLY
Piper is a young apprentice and prodigy in the music guild of Castle Welf. With the death of his grandfather, the Grand Master of the guild, Piper is assigned to a new music master. Master Braun takes Piper on his first traveling tour. During their travels, a wolf attack separates Piper and his friend Rupert from the traveling troupe. Redd-Leif Summerstorm, a powerful Fae, and Sheba, an enchanted wolf, rescue the boys and take them to the faerie realm. When we last left Piper, the flute that he has had since he was six had just come to life and frightened off three elven youths who were teasing him. Piper is now wondering about his trusty flute and what has happened to it.

END OF PREVIOUS CHAPTER

Jasmine finished her intricate flight pattern, ending with a run up the flute. Faerie dust trailed after her making the flute sparkle in the bright sun. Then Jasmine stopped in mid-air and hovered over the flute; her bright eyes focused on Piper. “Well? Can I be your guardian faerie?”

She looked so earnest he wasn’t sure whether to be excited or frightened.

The flute whistled, sending a vibration up his arms. He looked down at the flute. Piper gulped. If this flute was enchanted from the first, did I ever have a choice?

Chapter 44

Captain Burkehart jolted awake. He sat up, groaned, and rubbed his sore neck, shaking his head to clear the haze. What woke me?

He repositioned himself among the leaves and branches that made up his hiding place, bumping his bandaged hand against a stray piece of wood in the process. “Ouch.” At least it was a dull ache, not the throbbing of a few days ago. He blew on his fingers to ease the pain.

An insect buzzed past so close that he felt the vibration against his cheek. Leaning forward, he studied the adjoining area. A few hornets were zipping around, but that was all. For once, not a single faerie was in sight, not a single tinkling voice irritated his ears. But some strange sensation was raising goosebumps on his skin. What magic would do that? He adjusted to a kneeling position and peered through the trees. What charm would make the faeries desert the plateau?

Burkehart huffed. He was letting his imagination get the best of him. He had no idea what normal behavior was for faeries. Maybe, they just moved to another area.

He rubbed his arms, but the strange sensation persisted. Perhaps, he should venture out and look around. It would feel good to get out of this cramped area and stretch his legs. He couldn’t hide here forever anyway.

Burkehart strapped on his sword, and adjusted the position of the dagger on his belt. He considered his cloak for a moment. No, it isn’t that chilly and I can move more freely without it. He took a deep breath. All he could smell was moist soil and forest vegetation. Satisfied, he emerged from his hiding place. A bird chirped in the distance; a few insects buzzed about.

He stole along the edge of the clearing, careful to consider every step. Near the top of the trail that led to the plateau, he crouched behind a rock and peered down the slope. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Is that Piper? Is he alone?  His smile broadened. I couldn’t be that lucky.

A twig snapped underfoot as he shifted his weight. Out of habit, Burkehart’s hand went to his sword hilt. He held his breath. All was quiet. Piper was too far away to notice his movements. Besides, the sound of a flute seemed to be distracting Piper. Strange, he wasn’t playing the instrument, but the music was coming from somewhere near Piper and the lad did seem to be talking to someone. Is another music lesson in progress?

Burkehart edged his way down the trail, merging with the shadows, using vegetation as a shield against detection. As he drew closer, snatches of Piper’s comments drifted toward him.

“…won’t be long…talk to the flute to calm it down…”

What does that mean?

He crept closer and noticed two faeries hovering near Piper. The flute case hung on a tree limb and flute sounds came in chirps and squeals. The music seemed discordant, not at all what Piper would normally play. But no one appeared to be playing the flute.

Burkehart inched closer to hear what Piper was saying. The flute seemed to grow more agitated with each step he took. The case bounced as if the flute were trying to free itself. Probably some faerie charm. Those pesky faeries were making obnoxious tinkling noises as they hovered between the flute and Piper.

“I’m sorry. I thought you could understand it.” Piper addressed the female faerie. “Oh, you don’t speak flute? No, it’s upset because I’ve never left it behind before. I won’t be long, I promise.”

Is Piper talking with faeries? Burkehart’s eyes narrowed. Only fair folk could do that, and not all of them had the ability. But…hadn’t someone told him long ago that Faerie was a language that could be learned? He didn’t know anyone who spoke it. Piper is a bright lad and he's been in the faerie realm for over a week. Maybe, he's picked up a bit of the language. Or, maybe, he's pretending so he can appease the faeries.

Piper turned and started up the path, but the female faerie zipped over to hover in front of him, tinkling wildly.

“Nonsense, Jasmine. I’ll only be gone a few minutes,” Piper said. “Well…ah, you see…since the flute has come to life, it gets so excited that I’m afraid that it won’t be able to contain itself and its excited trilling will spoil the surprise. So…it is best if I do this alone so the flute will be surprised, too.”

The flute has come to life? Is that the magic that is making my skin crawl? The conversation continued, but Burkehart turned and edged back up the slope so he could be at the plateau when Piper arrived.

At the top of the trail, Burkehart looked back to see Piper about mid-way up the slope. It would only take him a few more minutes to reach the plateau. Burkehart hurried to his hiding place and reached for his knapsack. He rummaged through it to locate the small pouch he had hidden in the bottom. Opening the pouch, he examined the contents then tied it to his belt. Not much left, but it doesn’t require much.

When Burkehart emerged from his lair, Piper was walking toward the spot where he had his lessons with the music master.

“Hello, Piper,” Burkehart called.

Piper turned, a puzzled look on his face. “Hello?” He glanced toward the path he’d just climbed, probably considering an escape route.

Burkehart looked down at his clothes. His trip through the falls and hiding in the small grove of trees had left him with rips in his tunic; dirt clung to his clothes. He looked tattered. The bandaged hand didn’t help. Admittedly, he hadn’t even paused to comb his hair this morning. Not very professional for the head of the castle guard.

“Piper, it’s me, Captain Burkehart. I know I must look a little…ah…disheveled.”

Relief crossed Piper’s face. “Captain? What...why...how did you get here?”

Burkehart put on his best smile. “It wasn’t easy. The entrance to the faerie realm is well hidden. We should catch up. I was about to have some tea and a biscuit. It isn’t much, but you’re welcome to join me.”

“Thank you for the offer, sir. I would like that. I can gather wood, if you like.”

“I would appreciate that.”

Burkehart bit his lip as the tinder ignited. Discovery seems unlikely now the faeries are gone. And something hot sounds delightful after so many days of cold rations. Besides, I need the tea if this plan is to work. He poured water from his water skin into a small pot and placed it on the fire, keeping a watchful eye on Piper as he sat on a convenient rock and stared off into the distance.

“You’re awfully quiet, young man.”

Piper looked up. “Sorry, sir. I have a lot on my mind.”

“Anything I can help with?”

Piper shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, you think about it and let me know. Being in this realm can be unsettling.”

“Yeah, it can.” Piper turned to look at a bird that flew by. “Nice colors.”

“I agree.” 

While Piper was distracted, Burkehart reached two fingers into the pouch on his belt then flicked a pinch of dark powder into a cup. He added hot tea and watched the powder dissolve. Elfbane. It was deadly to anyone with elven blood. I'll have my answer soon.

Burkehart walked over and handed the cup to Piper.

“Thank you, Captain.”

Burkehart nodded. “You’re welcome, young man.”

Down the slope, flute music grew into a shrill cacophony of frenzied trills and squeals.

~~~~~~