I felt unease after they left because I could not figure out who to be more worried about. His behavior or my own today. I took a deep breath before keeping my head held high and walking out of my room. I should always remember that I am a prince before I am a man.

I walked out and headed for the front gate. I felt the music before I heard it. The bard was playing his flute with a small crowd of guards. I let out a loud squeak when I felt the first rat pass over my foot. One of the nearby guards started to laugh until a rat ran over his foot as well. He screamed louder than I did. The bard did not hear us, and he walked out of the castle with a line of rats behind him. I ran over to the wall and attempted to climb up. I did not care about how unprince-like I looked. One of the guards helpped me up before climbing up himself.

It was my old friend from the guards, Dirk. I grew up with Dirk most of my life because his father is the head guard. When we were younger, we would get into trouble together. Now, he is the one to help get me out of trouble.

“Sir, I know that this is amazing to watch but you have to be careful.”

“Isn’t just incredible how he just uses music to solve our problems.”

He was smiling at my words as I was kicking my feet on the wall. Then, we continued to watch the bard.

“I have not seen that look on your face in such a long time. Not since your mother was alive.”

My mother died shortly after giving birth to my brother. I was only eight years old at the time and I am now eighteen. I started to frown from the memory. The bard looked towards my way and I saw the wink. My face heated up and I tried to hide behind my hand.

“I see that the bard likes you and vice versa.”

“I am a high prince. I cannot burden myself with such meaningless desires.”

We did not say anything else after that but I could see the worried look on his face. I stayed up on the wall until I saw him disappear into the nearby forest with the rats following him. I walked back inside and went straight to the throne room to speak with my father.

“Has the pests left the village?”

No ‘hello’ or ‘good morning son’, it is always just business with him.

“Yes father, have you prepared the reward for the bard?”

“Why should I give the piper a reward? He just blew air and they followed him. For all I know, he could have sent the rats to us in the first place.”

I was angry with him because he cheated the poor bastard.

“Father! He saved the kingdom and Thomas! He saved your own son!”

“You cannot see beyond your emotions. You cannot expect to take control of this kingdom if you cannot control your age.” I turned around and started to storm out of the room. “Guards! Take the prince to his room and make sure that he cannot leave!”

Two of the guards grabbed me by the arms and picked me up. I was yelling curses and slurs at him as they dragged me off. They tossed me into my room and locked the door. I did not care how bratty I must have looked as I was banging on the door. My hands started to bleed so I moved to the window to stare outside my prison.

For two whole days, I spoke to no words and I never moved from my spot. Dirk was the one that would deliver my meals but I ignored him every time that he would tried to talk. I saw the bard walking toward the castle, and I started banging on the window to get his attention. He looked up and waved at me. I could feel hot tears falling down my face because he was walking into a trap. After he reached the castle, I could hear shouting coming from the throne room. I could not leave my prison as he stormed out. He looked up at my window as he put his flute to his lips. I felt the pull of the music as he started walking away. I tried to resist the musical pull as I saw the servant children starting to walk out of the castle.

“Thomas!” I shouted out as I saw my brother join the group.

As he continued walking, more children from the villages joined them. One of the servants started to open the door to bring me my meal. I slipped past them and ran towards the stables. The guards were shouting at me as I ran past them. The stable man had a horse prepared with some packs.

“I was preparing to go after my daughter but you looked like you would be better suited for this.”

“Thank you.” I told him as I grabbed the reins. “I will do my best to bring back your daughter as well as the other children.”

I climbed onto the horse as I heard the guards’ shouting getting closer.

“Go now and I will try to delay the guards.”

I nodded my head as I rode off. I could see on the ground, that the road was torn from all the small feet of the children. I was a few hours behind but the road was tricky with the horse. The sun was starting to sink into the earth. I had to stop my journey because nighttime hides many creatures that could harm the horse or me. I hoped that he was protecting the children.

I opened the packs and found food. There were also matches but I did not want to take my chances with the wild life. I tied the horse to a nearby tree before preparing to go to sleep. It was a miracle that I was not attacked at all during the night.

I climbed on the horse and continued my journey as soon as the sun rose. There was a small clearing on the way that I could tell they used this as a camp. While praying for their safety, I followed the man made road. Out of nowhere, the trail stopped with no children to be seen. I jumped off the horse to get a closer look for any trails.

“Damn it!” I shouted as I kicked a nearby rock.

A sharp musical note cut through the forest and it caused the horse to bolt away. I swore under my breath before glaring into the dark shadows of the forest.

“I know that you are out there! Unless there is another sexy piper that uses magical music!”

A soft melody started playing and I could not tell where it was coming from. It felt like it was all around me.

“So, you think that I am sexy?” He whispered in my ear as soon as the music ended.

“No, I just know that you would respond to a compliment.” I tried to move away from him as I spoke. “Where are the village children?”

“Safely nearby.” He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an embrace. “Did your father send you after me?”

“No, but he might send a few knights because you took my little brother.” I buried my face in his chest for a few moments before continuing. “Please send the children back to their homes.”

“I will only do it under one condition.” He lifted my chin up so I would look him in his eyes. “Stay with me, trade your life for theirs.”

“I will stay with you, now and forever.”

He pulled me into a kiss and I felt faint from the rush.

“Gross big brother! Yucky kissing!” I heard Felix’s voice and I pushed the bard away.

All of the children started to come out of nearby hiding spots.

“The name’s Edwin. I hope that you can moan it soon.” He whispered in my ear.

Before I had a chance to respond, many of the children tackled my legs.

“Bazzy is here! We can all play together here!” One of the little girls said while Edwin tried not to laugh.

I ignored him as I leaned down to her level.

“How about a game of follow the leader?” The children cheered as they followed behind Edwin and me. “We can go to the forest edge and send them to the nearby village so they can be taken care of.” I whispered the last part to him.

“I understand but I hope you will not use this to try and break your oath.” I glared at him for that last comment.

“I am not like my father. I will always keep my oaths.”

He was smiling as he watched me play with the children. We got to the edge of the forest and the children were starting to get upset because the game was over.

“How about we play one last game before it is time to go home.” Edwin told them.

“Are you going to come home with Bazzy?” Felix asked and I tried to hide my pain.

“He cannot because he has his own home to go to. I promised to help him get there. So, it might take me awhile before I can go home with you.” I told him before giving him a hug.

“I hope that I can grow up to be as kind and helpful as you.”

Edwin pulled out his flute and started to play a light, flowing tune. The children started to dance as they walked down the road to the village. We turned away from them as soon as the adults started coming out.

“I added a bit of calming energy to the music so that they will always know that you are safe.”

“Safe from harm or just you?”

“Kitten has claws.” He leaned towards me as he spoke. “Maybe later, I can make the kitten purr.”

“Just promise me one thing.”

“What do you need, my little prince?” He asked me after he kissed my cheek.

“Please don’t use your flute on me.”

“I promise.”

I was hoping that he was telling the truth. Nevertheless, he was a bard with a way with words and music. He took me to a hidden cabin deep within the woods. As soon as I entered the cabin, he played a quick tune and I forgot how I got there. I brushed the incident of because he was used to secrecy. However, it was always right before he left the cabin that he did something to make me lose any urge to leave.

After a few months, I started slowly forgetting about my life before living here. I could not tell if I truly love him or if he just messed with my emotions. I had to fight to keep my senses but it slowly became harder to do. He would sing something as I fell asleep and it made me weak. I made a plan to escape from Edwin’s hold.

I waited until he fell deep asleep then I got out of our bed. I changed into a light tunic and pants before walking to his flute. My body felt weak and I wanted to go back to bed and never leave him. I grabbed the flute and snapped it right before I felt arms wrap around my waist.

“I told you before; the flute is just a focus, my dear Baz.” He whispered in my ear before humming into my neck.

I could feel my body becoming weaker from his tune. I used the small strength that I had left to push him away from me. Then I ran out the door and refused to look back. A haunting melody slowly started playing. It felt like the music was radiating from the trees themselves. His footsteps echoed around me as I continued running from him.