A Piper's Song: The Pied Piper Tales

by C. K. Johnson

  Malcolm stayed silent while my brother stopped the truck and I got in. He stood watching as we pulled away, a lone figure against the forest backdrop. I contemplated everything we addressed. The danger seemed more real, closer than it ever did before. Would other clans come after me because of my power? Would my own? Did I belong to a clan by blood or association? I could come to no definitive conclusions. If my apprenticeship followed as most did, then I would have several years to coax answers out of him. Perhaps I would learn his own story. I hoped that it wouldn’t take that long. I was not sure I had that long.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The Creature Inside

  BY THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER, MY skills were already beyond my brothers’ power. My lessons with Malcom soon turned to practical uses of piper magic, like helping people forget they saw you zombify someone.

  Even with my new control, Malcolm didn’t seem too anxious to allow me to practice surrounded by several apartments full of families.

  I knew it would not be long before McKennan vetoed any more practicing out at camp Malcolm. It was getting too dangerous to drive there. I was not looking forward to that confrontation. As an apprentice, I show up whenever, wherever my Master commands.

  The next Saturday, we were all shocked when Malcolm showed up unannounced. “Shall we start with scales today?” Malcolm asked as he ruffled Conner’s hair. We all stood like statues adjusting to the change. Conner straightened his shoulders and nodded solemnly as if he had issued a direct order.

  “Can I do something else? I think I’ve moved a little past scales by now. Wouldn’t you say?” I asked, itching to move forward. Most of the time, I didn’t feel held back by him repeating a lesson around my brothers. It gave me more practice and them a chance to train without feeling foolish for eavesdropping on their little sister’s lessons. There was so much father had not taught them. Today, however, was not one of those days.

  Malcolm raised an eyebrow and met Conner’s gaze. Conner giggled at something Malcolm did, then nodded vigorously. “I see, how foolish of me to not realize my student was beyond scales.” He shook his head and glanced at Conner again. “What do you think, Conner? Shall we have her play a game?” Conner nodded so hard, his whole body bobbed with the effort. I swallowed, already wishing I hadn’t said it.

  “The game is rather simple. All you have to do is lift the ball in the air without using your hands,” he said, reaching behind Conner’s ear. Conner laughed again as Malcolm winked and pretended to pull out a small blue ball. I couldn’t help wearing a grin to match Conner’s. Malcolm was finally going to let me do something cool.

  The excitement petered about my fourth attempt. The idea of using my piper magic to lift a ball in the air without using my hands had sounded awesome—the execution of it was much harder. I clenched my fist and stared at the blue ball, willing it to rise with my ascending scale. I pushed down the thrill that rose steadily with the scale as I realized the ball might actually reach higher than E flat this time. My breath hitched and I panicked. All that lay between me and finishing was a stupid little bauble that wobbled precariously.

  I breathed through my nose, which allowed me to sustain the note and continue the upward climb. I hit the F note. Take that, Malcolm, I thought. I shot him a triumphant look as I hit the perfectly pitched tone. He smiled and pointed up. The lesson wasn’t over until I hit the next C note.

  By the time I reached B flat, I barely suppressed my desire to start jumping up and down. I wanted to shout to the world, or at least everyone in the living room, that I won.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw McKennan nudging the front door open with his elbow. My concentration wavered along with the ball. He held Molly in his arms.

  It was weird to think of her as ten years old. How could ten be so much taller than nine? I thought. My joy to see her was quickly followed by sorrow that she had changed so much while I wasn’t watching. In that moment, my power reared. It was meant to move a ball, but it was no longer directed toward it. It twisted into something ugly and violent. Its murderous intent wanted to end my pain, end the thing that caused me pain. I shuddered, grasping at it, trying to beat it into submission. It slipped through my control and continued after its target.

  The image of Molly trying to stop Abby from dripping milk everywhere came to mind. My sweet sister, who was always helping someone, was a far better person than me.

  No!

  I was not sure if I screamed it or thought it. This one lapse, after so many months of success, would not just fry the ground at my feet, it would kill her, it would kill Molly. Father was right—I was too dangerous to be around anyone, much less my family.

  Malcolm took a step forward and snapped his fingers in front of my nose, and I—along with the errant power—froze. My heart raced in my chest and I took a ragged breath. I could feel the song ricocheting, bouncing back and forth within my body.

  Molly, unaware of the danger, watched me curiously. I was a living, breathing statue.

  She’s okay. If I could have moved, I would have sighed my relief. I wanted to take her in a hug, and not let her go. All I could manage, after several seconds of struggling, was a blink.

  He left me there, frozen in place, letting the lesson sink in. Don’t ever let yourself get distracted, for any reason, while working with even simple piper magic.

  He gave my sister the same half bow he had given me and flashed that smile that caused her to blush and stammer a “Hi,” before she slipped behind McKennan.

  “So have you come to learn with your brothers and your sister?” he asked, tilting his head to her level.

  “Yes,” she whispered so shyly, I would have laughed if I could have. She used to be the loud one, if you could really call any of our family loud.

  “Well, this is getting to be quite the tribe. I fear I will need to draw a line soon. I have only contracted to take on your sister. I have a friend who should be rolling through soon, if memory serves right. If he agrees, I suppose he could take on the training of the rest of you. For now, while we wait, I will do my best to help you all, but Kyra must come first, because I have a deal to uphold. Do you understand?” he said as gently as I had seen him speak to the birds.

  “Yes,” she replied, looking up at McKennan and smiling. McKennan patted the top of her head and carried her to the recliner.

  Less than fifteen minutes later, shyness forgotten, she sat down beside Malcolm. He set her to work with some of the beginner lessons he had previously given Conner.

  “Ready to work?” he asked, grinning as he held out his hand. I wanted to nod, do something to respond, nope. Still frozen. I had an itch on my left elbow that was driving me insane. I glared at him with all the malice I could muster, given the fact that he had just saved my sister’s life.

  He wiggled his eyebrows in mock laughter, which made Molly start giggling uncontrollably.

  He patted the top of her head and snapped with his outstretched hand. My frozen muscles released. All of the tension from the last half hour rushed out in a huge sigh of relief. But my power remained in check. I started working again.

  When Malcolm left that night, he glanced at Molly, and then looked at McKennan. McKennan shrugged and went to prepare dinner. Malcolm nodded and left.

  Later that night, there was a soft knock on my bedroom door. I immediately glanced over at Molly. A half-smile pulled at my lips as I watched the steady rise and fall of the blankets she had burrowed into an hour ago. She twitched, but when no other movement came, I eased out of bed, tiptoed across the carpet, and opened the door.

  “Hey,” I said to Kelly. I opened my mouth wide as a yawn escaped me.

  “How’s she doing?” he asked as he glanced past me toward her sleeping form.

  I stepped back so he could get a better look, and waited. He nodded after a moment and started to leave. I grabbed his wrist, stopping his retreat.

  “So, you going to tell me what happened?” I whispered.

  “Mom said Molly w
as skipping around the house singing and Father started yelling at her so loudly, she got scared. Her song got away and hit Mom. Mom’s okay—Father made Molly fix it—but she thought it best if Molly came here for a bit, until Father got his temper under control,” he said, bitterness tinting his voice.

  I nodded; I knew all too well the terror I’d felt when Father’s temper was directed at me. But Kelly had not been there to intercede for her like he was there for me. I left my hand on Kelly’s wrist a moment longer to offer quiet comfort. He wrapped me in a hug.

  Now who is comforting who?

  The next day’s lesson took place, sadly, outside in the deep snow. Malcolm had gotten a truck from somewhere. All I know is that before now there was never a vehicle at his rustic camp. I didn’t think it wise to ask either. We drove back out to the woods near his tent. I couldn’t stop shivering and wished I had worn at least three sweaters.

  I struggled to concentrate and for the life of me couldn’t seem to muster even a tiny song. Malcolm admonished me several times to focus, but try as I might, every time my teeth started chattering, I would lose it. My only success was that despite the fact I kept failing, I wasn’t losing control of the power.

  My last lesson weighed heavily on my heart. It frustrated me, terrified me really, that I had almost hurt my sister. It felt like I had taken a step back in my training and Malcolm had said nothing more since then.

  After the third time, Malcolm stepped in front of me and rested his hands on my shoulders. “Do you love your family?”

  “Yes,” I said, confused why he asked this of me.

  “Do you want your family to starve? Do you want your brothers to be overburdened by the weight of a family that isn’t of their own making?” he asked.

  “No.” I finally followed where his thoughts were leading. A sadness blossomed in my heart.

  “Then call a deer. Take one burden off their minds. This winter, if nothing else, there will be meat,” he said as he pointed into the woods.

  “I can’t kill the deer,” I whispered. Yet I knew I would if it meant helping Kelly and Mckennan take care of our small band of misfit pipers.

  “You mean you don’t want to kill the deer. Know this, Kyra. Your power can sing a man to his death. It can bring an army to its knees. It can most certainly kill a deer if you will it to happen.” He shivered in the cold. “Ease your mind, child, I only ask you to call it. I will do the rest, for now. If it hurts your conscience, call an elderly deer, one whose time is coming anyway. But do it quickly before our time comes and we die of frostbite.” He glanced at me and then back to the field.

  I wanted to say I couldn’t, I wasn’t that good, but he believed I could, so I can. I closed my eyes, pushed the cold out of my mind, and started singing.

  The words flooded out, wrapped in a melancholy tune. My Starry Night in minor with a sprinkle of high notes to paint the sky. The world is harsh—it sang out—I can take away the suffering, the pain, and the struggle. Come and we will help it end. The song told of something I couldn’t fully wrap my mind around, a peaceful death.

  I shivered as Malcolm wrapped my hand around something cold. Without opening my eyes, I knew it to be a pipe. Excitement leapt up my throat and I had to force myself to keep the song steady.

  When I stopped next to take a breath, I held the pipe to my lips and let the song flow out stronger, further. Malcolm had been right. The pipe amplified the song. The air around me began to sizzle. Warmth surrounded and flowed out of me. I started to burn through my energy faster. By the time I opened my eyes again, I swayed and almost fell over. Malcolm was there to catch me.

  I gazed into his widening eyes and knew that I had shocked him. I studied his brown eyes to see if any fear lay hidden behind them and was grateful that I saw none. I think I would have lost it if I had.

  “Heaven help us all,” he whispered. He was not looking at me. Instead, he was scanning the field where I had sent my song.

  He set me on my feet and I gasped. Hundreds of mature deer stood at attention before us. Some had already slumped to the ground, tongues lolling. All waited for what I promised. I started crying and dropped my head against his shoulder. So much for an end to suffering. My promise couldn’t extend to even half of them.

  Malcolm took the pipe back and started playing a gentler tune that had touches of a major key promising hope. It took longer than my calling, but bit by bit, the deer started to depart. When he finished, only a couple remained staring at us with curiosity and awe.

  “Sometimes you will pipe for food, sometimes for justice, and sometimes because there is no other option. Remember that sometimes, what we do can be a mercy.”

  His words eased my sadness. He gave me a moment then pointed to his tent. I understood what he meant. Malcolm waited for me to enter and close the flap, before continuing with what I couldn’t make myself do. I cried for the deer, even though I knew we needed this.

  Awhile later, he opened the tent flap and gently said, “You can come out now.”

  I stepped out, swaying now that my adrenaline had dropped, and looked around. Though drag marks led off into the forest, I was relieved to see no sign of death. He must have stowed the meat in the truck bed already. Fresh snow covered the spot where the deer last stood. He had gone to the effort to cover it for my benefit. I gave him a weak smile in thanks and started for the truck. I took a few steps before blackness swallowed me whole.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The Pipe

  I BREATHED IN THE FAMILIAR SCENT of cinnamon and fresh-cut wood, alerting me to Kelly’s presence. Why is he out here? Against the advice of my pounding head, I cracked one eye open. We were going up the stairs to our apartment.

  My cheeks flushed red at the realization I must have passed out. This also meant Malcolm had had to carry me the rest of the way to the car.

  “Ugh,” I groaned, the sound echoing through my aching head. I pursed my lips to keep in the whimper that wanted to follow. It, too, would probably hurt if I let it escape. I buried my face in Kelly’s worn flannel shirt and tried to forget how dumb I felt.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Malcolm said you used a little bit too much because you used the pipe for the first time. How did it feel?” he asked, chuckling a little. I’m glad I slept through Malcolm’s attempt to explain to my protective older brother why I was passed out in the car.

  I perked up at the mention of the pipe. “Like all of my favorite things wrapped up into one. Words don’t describe it, Kelly. I should have been scared, or at least been worried with all of that power coming out, and all I wanted was more. Did it feel that way for you?” I asked, leaning my head back against his chest.

  “I didn’t dare touch the pipe. I know a lot more now than I knew then, and I still don’t trust myself. What happened with Maggie and the guitar scared me. Maybe someday I’ll try it.” He waited at the top of the stairs for McKennan to open the front door.

  Inside, Conner yelled, “Look, Kyra! Malcolm brought us food!” He continued running around the kitchen while Malcolm stood in front of the freezer, filling it up. It hurt to see a single bag of frozen peas and a couple of cans of orange juice were all that adorned the shelves. Malcolm was right: we did need the food. Kelly set me down on the recliner before heading into the kitchen to help unload.

  Molly shrieked from down the hall. She came running out, followed closely by Abby, who was always trying to keep up with her older sister. I held my arms out and wrapped them both into a hug. Abby dropped a light kiss on my cheek and ran off. McKennan sank into the couch next to me. The springs gave up their struggle against his large frame.

  “Why not Kate?” I asked. This would leave our last sister, Kate, alone. I didn’t know how all seven of us were going to fit into this tiny apartment, but it seemed wrong to leave them behind.

  “Mother couldn’t part with her. Abigail has been so sad since Molly left that Mom called and asked if she could come visit her. Things have been tight since we left. Father hasn’t gotten
a new job and it hasn’t improved his temper,” McKennan replied.

  “If it’s that bad why doesn’t mom come, too?” I said, looking everywhere but at McKennan’s face. My heart clenched at the mention of my mother. I had done good today, helped the family, and she would probably never know. My power began to hum in response to my emotion.

  His voice dropped to a whisper, though for McKennan that was more a lesser rumble than a decrease in sound. “Kyra, I think you’re old enough to know. She’s staying with him for us.”

  I glanced up, and saw such pain in his eyes I had to look away again. “I don’t understand?”

  “Believe me, I don’t get it completely either,” he said, his hand tightening so hard on the arm of the couch the wood groaned. “You know Father left his clan for Mom, but he got through it because of her. I think she’s afraid if she left him now, he’d break completely and come after us.”

  “If she left, couldn’t he just go back to his piper clan?” I asked. There had to be another way. The idea of using my mom to save me made me sick.

  McKennan hunched forward and dropped his head down. “He was banished because he broke the rules. The only way to lift it is to get rid of any proof that he did so.”

  I leaned closer to him, “What do you mean proof?”

  “We’re proof, Kyra. We’re proof.”

  My music rose up so fast I had to bite my tongue, stopping the words before they escaped with their deadly poison. Father wanting to send me back to his clan became even darker than I initially imagined. Yet, everyday he had a choice to make, let us live and be banished from his clan or get rid of his family and be allowed home. Pipers were messed up.