The Piper's Son

A colorful wagon pulled by two stocky horses left the magic forest's northern entrance late in the day. Shortly after passing the boundary markers, the driver pulled his beasts to a halt. Leaping off the driver's perch, the man studied the area. After a moment, he stepped off the road and moved toward a moss covered rock. Searching the area, he paused and bent down. Straightening, he held up a battered slipper.

“Myrna.” He spoke the name slowly, tucking the slipper into his belt. He had searched the forest for many hours the previous day, but had not found the girl. After spending the night in the forest, Kreilk had concluded that the most likely direction she would have traveled was north. That was familiar land for the girl. Whether she would return to her brother was uncertain.

The ignorant merchant hadn't realized what power his sister had, but Kreilk noticed. The brother's debt had been a excellent way to gain the sister's service. It had taken some time to train Myrna so that her ability became powerful enough to be useful.

But before Kreilk could complete the goal he had left home to do, the girl had run away.

“Foolish girl.” He muttered as he returned to the wagon. Heading to the back, Kreilk unlocked the door to the wagon's supplies and stepped in. Crouching among the various wares, the magician sorted through fine cloth bags until he found the one he was looking for. Once outside, he locked the door and returned to the driver's perch.

Pulling the girl's slipper from his belt, Kreilk opened a small, elegant blue bag. He put his fingers in and grabbed a pinch of red dust. Sprinkling the dust on the slipper, he whispered. “Myrna Hilborn.” Closing the bag and placing it in a pouch on his belt, Kreilk picked up the slipper. It offered a slight pull north: following the road.

With a flick of the reins the horses began forward.

“You will help me fulfill my quest, girl.” Kreilk muttered to the slipper. For he had known, since the moment he first felt her ability, that this girl was the key to finding what he was searching for. It was why he had been led to the card game where he met her brother. Kreilk had learned long ago to trust the instincts he had inherited from his mother.

For a fairy's instinct always led true.