THE PIPA PLAYER

Centuries ago,

Privately, without the knowledge of other Royals, the King was notified about the state of the Fifth Prince. He was told of how the Prince had bitten the guard that had been sent to feed him.

In the dead of the night, a physician not considered as one of Royal physicians was ushered to check on him.

The King stood outside the cell with the Physician as the Physician looked at Kamaz, trying to see if he could examine anything about the chained man before him.

The King wasn't comfortable with a non-Royal physician examining the Prince but he knew that regardless of how professional the Royal physicians are meant to uphold their duty, most of them answer to the Queen.

Whatever state they find out from their examination of the Prince would lead to a gossip as wild as a burning bush that will travel quickly along the Kingdom.

“My King, I'm sorry for questioning you again but is it true what was said? That he actually bit a man and drank his blood?” The physician inquired.

"Yes, that was the report that was brought to me.

The blood stains are still on the floor as you can see” The King said.

The only thing keeping him alive is his duty towards his Kingdom and his promise to Kamaz’ mother - his true love. If he is to die now and leave everything behind, the Queen would rule the Kingdom as she wishes and Kamaz' head would be the first thing to roll.

“I'd like to confirm this again. If the King may permit, a guard should be sent in again” The physician said.

The two warriors that were standing guard before the cell where Kamaz was caged exchanged knowing looks.

It took only a nudge from the King and a few seconds later, one of them was carefully approaching Kamaz. Fear was clearly written but a Royal order is a Royal order…it cannot be refuted.

Kamaz sensed a presence around him and this presence was getting closer with every passing breath. He opened his eyes to see a guard coming closer to him, although cautiously.

The demon within him felt rejuvenated. Another person meant more food…more blood.

With one powerful hook like he had done to the last guard, he locked him in and his teeth clamped down on the guard's neck.

The King's eyes almost fell out of their sockets at the sight before him.

‘Never in his years of staying alive and going for wars has he ever seen anything like this!’

Two more warriors entered the cell. One of them slashed Kamaz with a sword at his back and Kamaz let go of the guard, his mouth dripping with blood.

The guard came out of the cell and quickly locked the demon inside.

“What is this? What do you have to say about this now?" The King questioned, perplexed.

“Your Majesty. The Fifth Prince is possessed. He is possessed by something and this is beyond the confines of what my medicine can heal.

“Then what is it that you suggest? The Prince cannot be left like this. Once the sun rises, the Queen would want to know about him.

He has to be made better before dawn” The King commanded.

It was a good thing Kamaz had been taken to the dungeon because if it was the regular cells he was in, there was a chance the palace had known some of the things going on.

The physician looked, his eyes darting left and right. He had a theory at heart but he was scared of telling the king. It could involve his only child…his little girl.

“Tell me Physician. No one must come to know of this by the morrow. What can be done to restore the Prince to good health again?” The King questioned again, this time, fiercer than before.

‘Whatever it is that is happening to the Prince, isn't something that should be taken lightly.’

“The Pipa being played!" The Physician said suddenly startling the King.

He looked at the King. “No one knows about this but a few months ago, Nobleman Jevra’s daughter was possessed by a spirit.

Nothing worked on her till she heard the sound of the Pipa being played and suddenly she was well again.

I suggest Your Majesty, that your most trusted soldiers get three men skilled with the Piper and bring them here tonight, “ The Physician said.

There was no other option and as much as what was being said was sounding like a load of horse shit, the King decided to do as the non- Royal Physician had said.

The King's two personal and most trusted soldiers picked their two most trusted soldiers and they were sent into the night, to bring three men skilled in playing the Piper.

The soldiers arrived, dropping the men and their pipers at the King's feet.

They bowed down, their foreheads scraping the dust off the floor.

“Your Majesty, it's an honour to…” One of them started.

"On normal circumstances, there is no way you would have been made to meet with me so save your breath.

Handsomely you will be rewarded for your discreet work and your skilled hands.

I need you to play a tune to my ears and for the Prince. Get to work!” The King ordered.

It was an order and quickly the men scampered to their instruments.

They got closer to the cell and sat on their knees.

The first one began to play…

“How do we know if he is back to himself?" The King asked the physician.

“I'll know My King."

When the three men had taken turns playing their best pieces, another guard was sent into the cell.

Yet again, Kamaz' eyes flashed red and he gripped the guard with his legs which had become stronger.

The guard was able to push back before Kamaz could sink his fangs in his neck.

Kamaz’ demon within him became angry as he watched the fellow run away from the cell.

He began to snag on the chains that were holding him and a brick on the wall crumpled off.

“What is going on Physician? Why is he more agitated? What have you done?!" The King demanded.

“Nobody must know of this I told you and yet… Instead of my son facing whatever to come, I'll have you beheaded first. Zorah!” The King called.

“Your Majesty!" Zorah responded as he came into view.

“Execute him!" The King ordered.

The Physician’s heart began to palpitate very quickly as Zorah drew his sword.

"My King!

You have to believe me. Give me one more chance. Just one more.

My daughter is a skilled Pipa player and she was the one who…who had healed the Noble man’s daughter.

Please My King! Let me fetch her here” The Physician said, his head to the earth.

"Hold on!” The King said to Zorah.

"Send some guards to get the girl” The order followed suit.

"No my King. I'll go get…"

“Any more word will earn you your tongue.." The eerie dare of the King was enough to send chills to the bones of the Physician and he sealed his lips.

It was almost dawn when the girl was found and brought to the dungeon. Her father was still on his knees.

“Zelda…” Her father called immediately he set his eyes on her.