Captain Burkehart sat on a log across from Piper, drinking tea from a tin cup. He clenched and unclenched his right hand to relieve the swelling and stiffness of his bandaged index and middle fingers. As he did so, he studied Piper.

The lad’s tall for his age and slender like an elf. But the same could be said of some human youths. At his age it’s difficult to be certain. Elves don’t develop pointy ears until puberty, some even later, especially if their blood is mixed. Burkehart noted the cup of tea he’d given Piper sat on the rock beside him, untouched.

“You should drink that tea while it is still hot, young man. I made it from some of the flowers and herbs on this plateau.” He took another gulp. “It’s tasty, if I say so myself.”

Piper looked up. “I will, sir. I’m letting it cool down first.” A weak smile tugged at his lips. “Grandpa Acker used to tease me about liking my tea lukewarm.”

Burkehart took a final bite of his biscuit and another gulp of tea. “Speaking of the music master, didn’t I hear you were only nine when you came to live at Castle Welf with your grandfather? Why so young? Most apprentices start at twelve or thirteen.”

“I was visiting him for the summer. While I was away, my parents died of the fever.” Piper poked at the dirt with a stick. “I guess I was lucky. If I’d been at home, it’s likely I would have died, too. Anyway, I had no other relatives to take me in and it seemed logical to begin my apprenticeship since I wanted to be  a musician.”

“So that’s how you became the youngest prodigy of Castle Welf.”

Piper blushed. “Yeah. Some people say that.”

Burkehart glanced at his sword resting next to him, then toward the trail. He made a quick survey of the surrounding area. Rocky walls rose on one end. Stands of trees boarded the other. Short green grass covered the ground; velvety moss hugged shaded spots. In the canyon below, the roar of the river rushing towards Hidden Falls gave a muted hint of its power. Except for a few hornets buzzing around and the occasional bird flying past, they had the plateau to themselves. He took another gulp of tea.

Come on, Piper. Drink the tea. If you’re human, like I hope, it won’t harm you. We’ll get out of this cursed realm and away from the fair folk. But if you have elven blood the elfbane will do its work.

Burkehart hated to admit it, but a part of him hoped Piper would spill the contents of that cup. Piper reminded him of himself as a youth—reserved, unsure of his heritage or his future, but full of promise and dreams.

“Something bothering you, Piper? You’re awfully quiet.”

Piper shrugged. “Sorry, Captain. I have a lot to think about. So much has happened the last few weeks.”

 “Such as?”

“The wolf attack, coming to the faerie realm.” He sighed. “My flute coming to life.”

“Come to life? In what way?”

“Well, it plays music by itself. I’ve never seen that before. In the human realm, a musician controls his instruments.”

“Yes, that would be unsettling. It’s enchanted, no doubt.” Burkehart noted the missing flute and felt a twinge of hope. Piper seems disturbed about the flute’s enchantment and being in this realm. Maybe he is human. “Where is the flute?”

“Just down the trail. Can’t you hear it?”

“Ah, so that is your flute making all that noise?”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t play itself nearly as well as you play it.”

“Thank you, Captain. But…well, I’m not sure if I should play it now.”

“That must be difficult; you’ve had it a long time.”

“Since I was six.” Piper’s shoulders slumped. “It’s just so changed.”

Not sure what else to say, Burkehart stood. “I’m getting more tea. Want another biscuit while I’m up?”

“No, thank you, sir.”

Even though the fire was only a few feet away, Burkehart noted the position of his sword against the log before stepping away. His hand went to the dagger at his side and stayed there until he stooped to pour tea into his cup. Once the cup was full, his hand went back to the dagger. Through every motion, he kept an eye on Piper.

Piper picked up the cup next to him.

Finally.

The lad sniffed the contents.

Can he smell the elfbane? Burkehart tensed. Come on, Piper. Take a sip.

Piper put the cup to his lips.

A sudden blur of motion sent the cup flying, the contents splashing in various directions as the cup bounced across the grass. Piper yelped and jumped to his feet.

Burkehart dove for his sword, drawing first the sword then his dagger from their sheaths as he rolled to a crouching position and rose to his feet. He stepped toward Piper, but a large, powerful Fae was already blocking his path. Burkehart’s lips curled into a snarl. “Summerstorm.”

 Wide-eyed, Piper addressed the tall, angry Fae in front of him. “What…why?”

Summerstorm regarded his son. “I’m not sure what the elfbane would do to you, my boy. I couldn’t take the chance.”

“Elfbane?”

“I could smell it in the tea. It’s deadly to elves and you are part elf.”

So, you are faerie-born. Burkehart felt the hatred welling inside him.

Piper shook his head. “No, you’re wrong. Captain Burkehart wouldn’t hurt me. He came to find me, to help me.” He turned to Burkehart. “Right, Captain?”

Burkehart glared at Piper. Through clenched teeth he said, “Yes. I came to find you.”

Piper blanched and took a step back.

“But you’re not here to help Piper, are you?” Summerstorm asked. “You used him to get into the faerie realm. Why?”

Burkehart adjusted his stance and pointed his blades at the unarmed Fae. Then he sneered. “Revenge.”