Faerie Ale - Prologue

Faerie Ale - Prologue

Dancing across the skies lazily, the fair clouds shone happily against the vibrant blue of the heavens while below them laid the scene of the story: a secluded forest far from the eyes of common folk where only the most magical of beings resided. There happened to be one who dared to enter the woods on that crucial day: a plain and simple man with unfulfilled desires.

“102 Witchhazel Lane,” the man said aloud as he peered at the wooden signpost that was stuck into the ground. Gazing past the marker, his eyes fell upon an immense tower of stone. Awe and amazement was easily written on his face. “Wow.”

When his eyes spied an opening at the very top, he felt his heart pound mercilessly in his chest. He swallowed then took a deep breath. It was just as he had been told: a tower in the forest that held a beautiful princess.

“What was her name?” he whispered, biting at his lip for a moment. The gears in his head were turning as he tried to remember the story the old man at the bar had told him. “Ra-rapun…zel?”

He cracked a smile and nodded to himself. That was it.

Craning his head upward while throwing out his arm to the window, he bellowed loudly, “Rapunzel, please let down your golden hair!”

It was exactly what the old man had told him to say. Sure, the young man felt a little goofy yelling it to tower window, but it would be well worth it. He held his breath, waiting.

Moments later, a person appeared in the window, leaning against the windowsill while gazing down at the man below. It wasn’t a princess. It wasn’t even female. Instead, the one called forth was a young man with radiant beauty.

“Rapunzel is two towers down.” The captured man pointed toward the left then sighed. “106 Witchhazel Lane. I’m 102. Simple mistake. But good luck in saving her…you’ll need it.”

“Eh?” the man below said, looking back and forth. “Is this some kind of joke?”

Slowly, the bewildered man backed away from the tower then inched his way out of sight, leaving the imprisoned man watching in disgust. It was the story of his life.

“When will it be me?!” he screamed at the skies above. The captive man flicked off the heavens then turned back into his tower, hiding once more until someone else calls out for a princess’ name.