The Ballad of the Pipe Player

by Kate Seidel

  Chapter Eight: Ballad

             

  Emrys walked for what seemed like months with Coju over his shoulder. He only stopped for water. Food he could do without for a while, and forget about sleep! By the time he had gotten off the mountain, gone through the Thieves Forest, around Witchmount, and in the farmland surrounding the center of Orlyn, Emrys no longer appeared like the suave man he once was. His hair was matted and twigs stuck out of it at odd angles. His eyes were bloodshot and his glasses were filthy, as were his clothes. But Emrys pressed on. He refused to think about M- no, he wouldn’t ever say, write, or think her name again. His job was now to return Coju home and then to go home himself. Emrys received many a strange look, and a few people cried out as they locked onto their childhood friend lifeless on this mysterious boy’s shoulder. Finally Emrys reached what was Coju’s house. Emrys was just about to knock on the door when it opened, revealing the grim face of Aettas the farmer. His grizzled gray beard and hair curled wildly as he took in the boy he had raised like a son.

  “I knew it would happen,” Aettas gruffly said. “Ever since his parents died I knew he’d follow soon after.”

   

  He beckoned Emrys into the small hut. It contained only a bed, two chairs, and a table, with a tiny cupboard built into the wall. Emrys carefully rested Coju on the bed.

  “Sit down, lad,” Aettas grunted. Emrys sat. For the first time in weeks Emrys realized how tired he was. Aettas smiled with no joy. “You want to tell me what happened?”

  For two hours Emrys explained exactly what had happened over the course of the quest. He did not omit anything, although he was strongly tempted to totally ban her from the story. For his own reason he changed her name to Rain. This amused him a little because of all the tears she had rained upon the ground.

  “The dragon lied. He lied!” Emrys sobbed. By the time he had finished the sentence, wayward tears had started running down his face. Aettas handed him a grimy handkerchief. Emrys blew his nose. Emrys continued talking. After a few more minutes he sighed.

  “That is everything that happened. I wish I could have saved him. But he was too wounded. Dragon fire will kill almost anything it touches, and Coju was no exception.”

  Aettas stood. “I have three things to tell you. First, I believe very well that you would have given your life for Coju just to make Rain happy, let alone save a friend. Second, I think Rain was very upset and shocked. You should not have treated her as you did. Last, go home. You have had more than your fill of adventure for now, no?”

  Emrys nodded. He got up and thanked Aettas. Then Emrys walked out the door. Before he could exit the small front yard, he heard a low, hoarse voice singing.

  Deep in the dreams

  Of a small orphan boy

  He dreamed to fight dragons.

  But one day his dream

  Came true in a flash

  And although he fought bravely

  His ending was dashed

  Upon the rocks of the Tall Mountainside,

  Coju, the Pipe Player, lived and then died.