Just a note. Edward is now 16.
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Its amazing how the time flies. Its like just yesterday, Father gave me permission to explore Damcyan. I'm now fluent in all my studies. Secretly, swords and battles still terrify me though. The tutor Lucius no longer has to teach me, and after being promoted, he was able to retire a few years later.

Kristoff still instructs me with music. I use a full-sized harp now. In addition, Kristoff had given me a lute, and taught me how to play that as well. My mother adores my music, and often has me play at the palace parties.

Even though Lucius had originally suggested the idea of venturing farther than the walls of Damcyan, Mother and Father both agreed, that for my own safety, they wait until I was older before letting me go anywhere other than to Fabul with them.

Father has never mentioned the Fire Crystal again since that day when I was ten. I turned sixteen a month ago. This morning, Father, and Mother both came into my room while I strummed my harp. My mother gave me a kind smile. My father cleared his throat, and I placed the harp gently on the floor before looking at them.

"Edward, we think you should know about some things," Mother said softly. 

"Yes, its time you learned of some of the global issues," Father added. I nodded. "So come with me." Like six years before, I followed my father to the throne room. At the small door, Mother stepped aside. I understood. She would not come with us. So Father and I went into the Crystal Chamber alone.

"What is it, Father?" I asked him. He seemed troubled. What could be so important that Mother couldn't be there; or that the conversation must take place here in the most secure part of Damcyan Castle?

"The King of Baron has continued to strengthen his military forces. Many of us; the king of Fabul and myself included, suspect he may attack one of our kingdoms someday."

"What? We've been at peace with Baron for the past one hundred years though. Why now?"

"I don't know, my son. Now though, I worry if Damcyan Castle could remain standing, should a kingdom like Baron lay siege to us. Should there be an attack, and Damcyan fell, refugees would be forced to flee to Fabul, or Kaipo."

"At least the monsters in the desert have been peaceful," I said optimistically.

"Very true," he murmured. "It is unlikely that Baron would do that anyways... The king of Baron is a just man."

Music ran through my mind, like someone singing.

"Did you hear that?" I asked my father.

"Hear what? I didn't hear anything. Did you?"

"Yes...music...beautiful music..." Father shook his head.

"You've been practicing too much. Come now, its almost time for your lesson with Kristoff." I nodded. As I was exiting the chamber, I saw a flash of a figure in white. It was gone before I could say anything. 

"Well, here he is!" Kristoff greeted me. I nodded, and brought out my harp. Before we started, I wanted to ask something.

"Kristoff? You know how Damcyan guards the Fire Crystal, right?" My teacher looked at me, intrigued.

"Yes. Your father took you into the chamber earlier, did he not?" I nodded. "What of it?"

"Is it normal...to hear music in the chamber?" Kristoff wrinkled his eyebrows.

"Not that I'm aware of..." his eyes widened. "You can play it from memory! Maybe that will ring a bell." I nodded again and pulled the strings on my harp. It was a difficult piece. I watched Kristoff's go from intrigued to shocked.

"You... heard that? And your father... didn't?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Unbelievable," my teacher murmured.

"What is it?" I asked.

"That... was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard, Edward." I nodded.

"But why could only I hear it?"

"I don't know, Edward. Its like how some can play music, and others can't. Then ones like you are naturals." He thought, then added, "I have heard that the Crystals react to people with magic though." My eyes widened.

"Really? I have magic? Is it Black magic or White magic?" Kristoff shook his head and chuckled.

"It's rare, but not unheard of. Its neither Black, nor White magic. Its called Bardsong." I tilted my head.

"Bardsong? What's that?"

"Its a type of magic that comes from music. I thought I had an old copy of one Bardsong melody..." he shuffled through his bag. "Yes! Here it is! 'Hog Call', huh, I wonder what that is..." he handed it to me. "Here, try it." I looked over it. It was a fairly simple piece, with easy lyrics. I pulled the harp's strings, and sung the words softly. A flash filled the room. When the light faded, Kristoff wasn't there. 

"Kristoff! I'm sorry. Where are you?"

"Snort. Under the table. Snort. Silly boy..." I looked under the table, and found a small pig on its hind legs.

"Kristoff?"

"Who else? Snort. Do you think a pig just walked in?" The pig-no, Kristoff, said. "Now change me back."

"I... don't know how..."

"Just reread the song!" Kristoff sighed exasperatedly. "Its probably the same as a transformation spell with Black or White magic." I quickly replayed the song, and Kristoff reclaimed his own form during the flash of light.

After he stopped glaring at me, he broke out in laughter. "You should have seen your face, Your Highness! Hahahaha!!!!"

I was confused. He was laughing after I just turned him into a pig? I shook my head. Kristoff stopped laughing suddenly. "Edward, we'll have to let your parents know."

"No."

"Your Highness, they are your parents; they should know. Besides, you could aid your men during battle-"

"No. I won't use music to harm others."

"My prince! You could save lives... change the tide of a battle-!"

"I said no!" I said loudly. Kristoff froze, but I sighed and relented.

We both left to find my parents, who were both in the throne room.

"Your Majesties, we've discovered that Edward is capable of doing magic."

Mother was surprised, but Father just seemed intrigued.

"What type of magic can you do, Edward?"

"Its a magic called Bardsong; I can do magic through my music."

"What can you do?" Mother asked me.

"I only know one Bardsong melody, and that is used to change people into hogs." Father chuckled, while mother stifled a laugh.

"You found out the hard way didn't you, Kristoff?" The musician nodded sheepishly.

"How will Edward learn other melodies?"

"Little is known of Bardsong, my liege. There are some melodies written on parchment; and others can only be learned by hearing another person play it. The final way is through self-composition. As he becomes better, the melodies will just come to him. It would help him if he were permitted to leave Damcyan for periods of time. My parents nodded.

" I agree. However, there is no rush for him to learn the songs, is there? I will allow Edward to travel freely once he is eighteen years old." That's two years from now, though! I opened my mouth to protest, but Mother silenced me.
"We know how you want to see the world, Edward, but you can't cross the desert now without an escort of guards."

"You're smart, and talented, my son, but you simply don't have the physical strength to go through the Underground Waterway. Which you would have to use, since you aren't old enough to operate the hovercraft."

"Yes, Father."

"Good, you understand."

"You'll be eighteen before you know it," Mother added. I nodded before I was dismissed.