******

I couldn't decide if I should be terrified or excited at the sight of magic.

Real magic. Not the stingy little vials that came in from the few provinces which still had functioning Fountains. Not the meagre scraps that farmers, merchants and the like had to make do with. This was raw, mind-blowingly powerful magic.

I poked my head out of the carriage window. We'd just rolled past the last of the farming lands, and now the grandeur of Heidelberg sat before me, sprawling across my vision, the very definition of glory itself. No defensive walls were necessary; the magical barrier around the borders of the area protected everyone who sought shelter within it.

I didn't know if said barrier was supposed to be visible to all, but I definitely knew it was there-a ripple in the air, an odd sighing I felt through the soles of my unbalanced feet. Maybe it was my imagination, my craving for magic playing with my mind.

Or maybe it was because we had spent five days passing through desolate landscapes and barren meadows, all depressing signs of what once was. We'd also encountered quite a few monsters along the way. Fortunately, we were blessed with Lord Himmel's magic-he'd cast a protective shield over the carriage before it had left Heidelberg. Thus, Franz, the driver, was able to coax the horses to speed along and escape potential danger. Evidently we came out in one piece, but it still didn't ease off the sensation of having a close brush with death. Even from the safety of the carriage, the sight of the creatures had invoked a primal fear within me. No wonder travelling in between provinces was a rare luxury-assuming you could make it out of the wastelands alive.

I banished the images of demonic hags and hellish creatures out of my mind. We were nearing the barrier. The horses whickered with excitement. Their hooves pounded against the earth, steady drums matching the poundings of my heart.

Ignoring the aching protests of my bad leg, I leaned out of the window. I savoured the taste of the wind on my tongue, letting the fresh air kiss my cheeks and the coolness dance with my dark brown curls.

The barrier approached us, and we approached the barrier. We were nearing Heidelberg.

Then a lightning bolt cracked across my head.

Or at least, that was how it felt like when the carriage had become one with the barrier for a fleeting moment. It was clarity, washing my fears and doubts and sorrow away, peeling off all the masks I had layered upon myself till my core was exposed, as beautiful and as radiant as the sun beating down upon the cobble-stoned paths.

I retracted my head dizzily, a crazy grin splitting my face into two. We were in Heidelberg. Far, far away from Hamelin. From another life.

I focused my attention upon the city. The scent of activity wafted on the tip of my tongue, sending a bright rush through my head. We passed merchants, washerwomen, craftsmen, children and the like. Then lower class folks gave way to nobility, and silks of red and gold and every colour imaginable trailed around the streets. I suddenly felt useless in my best day gown, a deep blue affair which matched my eyes.

There were none of the hearty bellows that echoed about the poorer districts, although more business was dealt with here. Negotiations were hushed; but they were no less intense. I continued to marvel at the city, even sticking my hand out once to catch the trailing ends of a lady's skirt. It felt like running water on my skin. Belatedly, I realised that I was lucky to not have anyone notice my impulsive touch.

Despite the fact that Heidelberg seemed to be overflowing with people, they automatically parted for us, either in respect of the emblem etched onto the carriage's door, or for fear of being trampled on mercilessly. The carriage bounced along happily.

Soon, the upperclassmen's houses faded. We were moving up an inclined slope, and the horses' weariness bogged our pace down. The people were replaced by willows and oaks and yews. They extended their branches towards us as though they were trying to snag us in their grasp. Sunlight shafted through the leaves, sparkling like gemstones across the surface of my skirts.

Stone-grey turrets peeked over the trees. Eventually archways, towers and the structure of a castle came into view. It was strangely built, all domes and curves, instead of the sharp angles of the Mayor's abode. If I concentrated though, I could see a certain pattern in the irregularity: heavy limbs in the form of the fortress walls, a resting head and a powerful body in the domes. A sleeping giant ready to wake up and fend its home if necessary.

I barely noticed when the horses jerked to a stop. I'd been so enraptured by the ever-shifting view. The footman, Weiss, opened my door with a flourish. His enthusiastic actions did little to disguise his dour expression. I took his hand and gingerly slid down.

Once my good foot was on the ground, I twisted around to get my crutches. Except that Weiss had beaten me to it. Scowling, I took them from him; triumph crowned his face.

With the aid of my crutches, I could finally get a good look of my surroundings. We were inside the castle grounds, within the safety of the fortress. A sea of flora was spread before me, an ocean of emerald and teal and viridian cradling sunbeam in their branches. Bright splotches of colour were interwoven here and there. The crisp scent of life hung still in the air; the only things that disturbed the silence were the chirps of fluttering birds and the occasional buzzing bee.

A man approached us amidst the sprawling greens. He was dressed in a scarlet jerkin, gold buttons down the front catching the sun's rays and temporarily dazzling my eyes. His sleeves were slashed to reveal the silken material beneath; his feet were tucked into embroidered poulaines. In fact, the clothes seemed to be specially made to distract any eyes from the man's features. It wasn't an ugly face, by all means, but not an outstanding one either. His jewels were much nicer to look at.

"Lord Himmel!" cried Weiss. I looked at the footman, then at the young man before us with surprise. This was Lord Himmel? Lord of Heidelberg, all-powerful Magus and my fiancée? I had been expecting a middle-aged man with a scratchy beard and a pot belly. This man possessed none of those features. He wasn't tall, but he was lean and healthy-looking, and he walked with the grace of a leaf.

"Weiss. Good to see you again." His voice almost had a musical quality to it. He fixed crystalline eyes upon me; I bowed my head in lieu of a curtsy. "This is the future Lady Himmel, I presume?"

"Indeed, milord," said Weiss.

I heard Lord Himmel taking a few steps towards me. I kept my eyes downcast, careful to obey every single rule the Mayor had drilled into my head before I'd left for Heidelberg: stand up straight, don't look at any proper lord in the eye, and most of all, don't talk back. I recalled his relentless grilling, his desperation to transform me into a lady fit to be the wife of a lord. Once, he'd flung a cupful of wine at me once in a raging frenzy, when I'd stuttered in response to one of his questions in nervousness; and another time he had me strip to my underwear and thrashed me in front of his remaining servants, sneering at me with his hard, obsidian eyes while I wept and bled all over his carpet.

I suppressed a shudder-ignoring the lashes on my back that hadn't fully recovered-and focused on the present.

Fingers caught my chin and jerked it upwards. I couldn't help but flinch. Any sudden contact usually didn't bode well for me. Lord Himmel grinned at my trembling. His eyes were old, and they didn't seem to fit into his youthful mask. I fought the urge to slap his hands away; my fingers were curled painfully around the handles of my crutches.

Lord Himmel furrowed his brows, narrowing his eyes at me. His mouth was a disbelieving, irritated line. "Impossible," he barked. "This long, and no one noticed?" At his words, I felt something stirring within me, as though my soul were reaching out for his. A warm ache grew in the pit of my belly...

Abruptly, he released me from his grip. I nearly lost my balance; my jaw throbbed at where his fingers pressed against it. Lord Himmel made an impatient gesture. "Weiss, take Lady Klaudia's things and bring them to Mistress Elise. She'll know what to do. Franz, take the carriage away."

Franz had already hopped down from his position in the driver's seat. Now he and Weiss chimed in perfect unison: "Of course, milord." They scurried away.

"Do you have a last name, girl?" he called over his shoulder as he stalked off. He wanted me to follow him, I presumed. So I did. The doors leading into the castle were already open, and a few manservants were on standby, bowing towards their lord as he entered. I ducked into the hallway after him.

"No, I do not, milord," I replied in a huff, slightly out of breath. He was walking so fast.

"I suppose it doesn't matter," Lord Himmel said. He turned back with a frown once he realised that I couldn't keep up with his pace. I gritted my teeth and pressed on, determined to not show any weakness. "You'll have a last name soon anyway."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I shut my mouth.

He didn't say anymore, leading me up a flight of spiralling stairs. I huffed and panted, exerting every fibre of my weak, untrained muscles. He didn't offer any help, only deigning to slow his pace. Even then, he seemed annoyed. His hand twitched to grab my wrist and drag me up the steps. I wasn't risking that, so I forced myself to move faster.

We stopped at the first landing. He led me down another series of hallways, the shadows cast by several floating balls of light giving the impression of menacing, spindly fingers tingling to kidnap stray children. I eyed the light balls uneasily, waiting to see if they would transform in some sort of demon as we continued walking. They didn't.

After what seemed like an eternity, he flung a set of doors open. He gestured towards the inside. "Enter," he said. Not a suggestion-an order.

I almost collapsed in shock when I entered the room.

It was impossibly neat, not a single speck of dust to be seen anywhere. On one side were various stools and music stands, arranged for a possible orchestra. On the other side were long lost friends: a grand pianoforte, lutes, violins, and every instrument imaginable under the skies. They were humming, calling out to me, beckoning me to close the space between us and take up each and every one of them.

I restrained myself to stay still.

"Klaudia-is it?" I nodded mechanically. "Are you all right?"

Of all times to show concern. Of course I was all right-I was better than all right! But I didn't tell him that. Instead, I said, "Yes, milord." I tried to keep my tone as nonchalant as possible.

"Can you play instruments?"

"Yes, milord. I'm best with the flute."

"Good. I was hoping that you'd be able to play something for me, if you're not too tired, that is."

He somehow managed to make his request sound like an insult, but I didn't care. Music was right before me. After ten years of being separated from my one true love, we were brought back together. "Yes! I'd love to play for you, milord."

"Excellent." He whisked past me, striding towards a clear glass casing and plucking out a flute. He motioned for me to take a seat; I did. He carefully set a music stand before me, then dumped a stack of music sheets onto it. The flute was thrust forcefully into my hands. I took it half-consciously, stroking the smooth ebony with a lover's delicacy. It was heavier than my homemade one, but it would do. Lord Himmel had pulled a seat for himself; he now watched me with an intense gaze.

I decided to start off with scales to calm my racing mind. They were stilted, raw, unpolished. Then my fingers started to remember. Muscle memory guided them; the notes glided over each other, slowly evening themselves out. Each breath I took was like releasing a knot in my soul.

It had been far too long since I'd last breathed life into an instrument.

I felt my fingers losing some of the stiffness that was in them. I stopped the scales, meeting Lord Himmel's piercing look. "Which song would you like me to play, milord?" I asked.

He gestured impatiently. "Anything you like." Then, with an unexpected softness, he added, "Remember to pour all your emotion into the song, no matter what."

I took in his words with a nod. I sifted through the sheets, finally settling on a song that looked promising. It looked fairly simple. I couldn't choose a complicated piece after a decade of not playing anything, even if I was more talented than most.

Putting the flute to my lips, I tentatively blew into it. Although I hadn't seen the notations for quite a while, I still recalled what each one stood for, the various ups and downs, sharps and flats, modulations and directions. It was hard to describe how I knew. I just did. Music was as instinctive to me as breathing, the one thing I held so dearly before the plague had come to Hamelin. So I played with few mistakes.

But something felt wrong. The melody wasn't calling out to me-I wasn't melding into it. I felt as though I were searching my way through the forest, rushing and stumbling over brambles, desperately seeking a clearing to get to my destination.

Gradually, I found my path--I found my rhythm. I was still playing the melody. Beneath it though, I added a few improvisations, echoing the main lines, lending weight to the song. I found its shape: a lonely, aimless traveller wandering about, constantly searching a way to get home, but never finding it. It was breathtakingly sad, and as Lord Himmel said, I poured all my emotion into it.

I lingered on the last note, reluctant to release the song. When it was done, I opened my eyes. To my surprise, Lord Himmel had two perfect streaks of tears running down his face. His chest was racked with sobs. His eyes were open, but they were blank, unseeing.

I tried to move and help him. Only, blood started to pound in my head incessantly. I dropped the flute and dug the heels of my palms into my temples. Black spots swarmed my vision; my head began to swim.

I pitched face-first into darkness.

******

Song of the PiperConstantine