see author notes for a synopsis of the story so far

Chapter 47

Piper stood motionless, eyeing the two combatants in front of him. Both appeared rooted in place. Both were set to erupt into action at any instant. He clenched his empty fists. I wish I had my flute with me. I’m not sure what I could do, but I feel so helpless without it. Down the trail, the flute continued its agitated cacophony of trills and squeals. Piper resisted the urge to bolt and retrieve it. The slightest twitch on his part might ignite the looming confrontation.

Captain Burkehart’s blades flashed in the sun. The points of his sword and dagger were trained on Summerstorm, poised for attack, daring the Fae to move. The rage in his eyes hinted at a fury barely held in check.

Likewise, Redd-Leif Summerstorm was all flexing muscle and sinew, the embodiment of the legendary Fae warrior. With arms lifted and fingers curled, he appeared ready to seize his opponent and rip him to shreds. He inhaled power. He exhaled intimidation. The glint in his eye looked sharp enough to cut an adversary in two. Even unarmed, he was menacing.

“Revenge?” Summerstorm’s voice was low and deliberate. “Why now, Burkehart? The Human-Elemental Treaties were signed decades ago.”

“Not by me.” Burkehart took a step to his left.

“Be realistic, Captain. Those offenses are long behind us.” Summerstorm moved to his right. Piper was relieved to find himself blocked from Burkehart’s direct line of attack.

“Behind us?” Burkehart huffed. “Never! Someone must pay for what happened to my brother.” Burkehart adjusted the grip on his sword hilt.

 Summerstorm lifted an eyebrow. “Bandaged fingers, Captain? Perhaps the healers should look at your wounds. They could make sure they aren’t infected. We could resume this argument once you recover.”

“I’ve been worse and still bested my foe.” Burkehart sheathed his dagger then gripped the sword hilt with both hands.

Summerstorm took a deep breath. He exhaled ever so slowly, an action which somehow made him appear more threatening. “You blame elementals? It was a human arrow that killed your brother.”

“I blame you. He served under your command. It is your fault he is dead. You lured him away to the faerie realm.” Burkehart swept his sword in a preparatory maneuver.

Piper cringed at the whooshing sound it made.

“We all lost loved ones in the war. I, too, wish it were otherwise. Your brother was a good friend as well as a great warrior.”

“He should have fought with the humans.”

“Like you did? How would that have protected him?”

“At least we would have been together.” The anger in Burkehart’s voice increased. “He was my best friend. You took him from me.”

“Oh?” Summerstorm clenched and unclenched his fists. “Your brother came to us. He said he wanted to honor his grandfather’s troll and elven heritage by joining us.”

“You tricked him. My brother was more human than fair folk.” He arced his sword in another preparatory sweep then shifted several steps to his right.

Piper remained as still as possible to keep from attracting attention.

 “There is no dishonor in acknowledging you are part elf and troll.”

The fire in Burkehart’s eyes increased. “Elves are a pompous lot. Trolls are ugly and stupid.”

“You know better. Elves are as varied as humans in their traits. Trolls may have a different standard of beauty, but they certainly are not stupid. The ones I’ve known are a strong, clever people. You should be proud of your heritage. Troll, elven and human is a unique mix. You gain benefits from each.”

“Benefits?” Burkehart huffed. “All I got out of it is an abnormally long life. I must move every eight or ten years or people get suspicious because I don’t age like they do.”

“You’re too hard on yourself, Captain. Come, live in the faerie realm. Age means little to us. Many people of mixed blood live here.”

“Never.” He slashed the sword twice at Summerstorm who jumped back to avoid the blade. The two started circling. Piper began inching his way along the edge of the trees in the direction of the trail.

Burkehart looked over at Piper.

Piper froze. Oh, I was hoping they’d forgotten I was here.

“He is your son, isn’t he, Summerstorm? It wasn’t just a trick to get him into the faerie realm and exploit his musical talent.”

“Yes. He is my son.” Summerstorm glanced at Piper then returned his focus to Burkehart. “As you say, my son was raised as a human. It’s something you have in common. In fact, he has counted you as a friend. You like the lad, why not let him go now? He has served his purpose.”

“No!”

“Why? He has done nothing to harm you. Anything that passed between the two of us happened decades before he was born. No sense hurting him.”

“Hurting him, hurts you.”

A chill went down Piper’s spine.

“Come on, Summerstorm, stop stalling. Where are those legendary fighting skills I’ve heard so much about? Out of practice?”

“You wish.”

A wasp landed on Burkehart’s cheek. He brushed it off and watched as it buzzed away.

This gave Summerstorm time to pick up several stones which he threw in quick succession. Thud, thud, thud.

Burkehart grunted as each one hit him. He roared then lunged forward to engage Summerstorm who side-stepped. The captain blundered past. He turned, leaving his back to Piper.

Piper wiped at the perspiration beading on his forehead. What can I do? The flute was still protesting down the trail. I can control insects and plants with music, but how can that help? He quickened his pace through the trees. Once he was across from the trail, he paused to survey the clearing. He took a deep breath. Now or never.

Crack! Thunk! Swish!

Piper looked back at the fight.

Summerstorm was wielding a branch like a sword. He blocked a barrage of blows. Burkehart slashed at him. Summerstorm brought the branch down hard. The blade stuck in the wood. The two combatants grappled for position. Summerstorm dropped his hold on the branch and backed up.

The branch dropped to the ground dragging the sword down with it. Burkehart stumbled as he struggled to keep a grip on his sword. Once he regained his footing, he stepped forward to brace his foot against the branch. With a grunt, he yanked his blade free. Panting, he dropped back into fighting stance. “So unimpressive, Summerstorm.”

“You fight more like a troll than a human.”

Burkehart roared.

“Sound more like one, too.”

While the two combatants eyed each other, Piper broke from the shadows and ran for the trail.

Burkehart charged toward Summerstorm then changed direction at the last moment. In the seconds it took for Summerstorm to reposition himself, Burkehart dashed past him to cut off Piper.

Piper yelped. Panicking, he retreated toward the opposite end of the plateau.

Summerstorm tackled Burkehart around the knees. They tumbled to the ground. Burkehart kicked a foot free then smashed Summerstorm in the face.

Summerstorm groaned. He rolled to the side, wiping at the blood on his face. Dazed, he shook his head.

In horror, Piper watched Burkehart get up. The captain started toward him, cutting off his access to the trail. Desperate to avoid being herded toward the rim of the plateau, Piper kept changing course. Each time he did, Burkehart countered. Territory to maneuver quickly diminished until Piper was at the edge of the cliff. He looked down the steep slope. Below him, the rushing river thundered.

Piper turned to face the plateau. Captain Burkehart stood only a few feet away, staring at him.

“Nowhere left to run, elfling.”

Burkehart lifted the sword above his head. Instinctively, Piper raised his hands to block the blow. He closed his eyes. Footsteps crunched toward him.

Smack!

Instead of the impact of the blade, a hand grabbed Piper’s tunic. He was tossed several yards, landing with a thump. Piper rolled to his feet. Glancing back, he saw Burkehart had been knocked to his knees. Summerstorm was struggling for footing at the edge of the cliff. Suddenly, the ground under Summerstorm’s feet crumbled away.

“No!” Piper shouted.

Even as he disappeared over the ledge, Summerstorm called, “Run, Piper!”

Burkehart rose to his feet. The blade of his sword glinted in the sun as he strode to the edge of the cliff. He peered down the slope. Then he turned and locked eyes on Piper.

Piper gulped.

Burkehart sneered. “Like the Fae said. Run.”