The strain of the spell the Fae was casting was taking all his concentration, the very air warping under the spell. Then with a snap, the magical saturation levels dropped and the whole tavern shook like an earthquake had just gone off. With a pained smile the Fae relaxed, and continued his singing.

  —--

  Into view some crows carefully hopped,

  Then some lengths of rope were quickly dropped.

  A voice called out he needed them dead or alive,

  So with some cooperation all could survive,

  They called for everyone's wrists to be bound,

  Then all would be allowed up from the ground,

  The trio discussed if they should comply,

  With every second more crows filled the sky,

  It soon became quite very clear,

  That too many crows did hungrily peer,

  So to avoid death from a thousand pecks,

  They bound each others wrists to save their necks,

  The crows cawed loudly once they were done,

  Then a person's silhouette did block out the Sun,

  A well made ladder was lowered into the hole,

  With their hands bound climbing took its toll,

  Once all three were up and safely out,

  Upon each shoulder landed a feathered lout,

  They got a good look for the first time,

  Of this trap master whose voice dripped with slime,

  Dressed in leathers, blackened for stealth,

  And a grin that drained everyone's health,

  They were told that misbehaviour would have a reward,

  That the crows beaks would be used like a sword,

  A quick pace was set, not taxing to any here,

  Many a glance at the crows with a bit of fear,

  Before the town they turned off the path,

  Their captor seemed enjoying himself with a laugh,

  A few miles later they approached a stone wall,

  Guarded by many that would make a climber fall,

  Escorted by several guards they were let in,

  And on they walked until the trees began to thin,

  Their gazes fell upon a house so great,

  Whose wealth they could not accurately rate,

  Into a lavishly furnished room they were led,

  Every wall was filled with books, that looked worn and read,

  Their captor now apologised for the situation,

  And opened a window without hesitation,

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  He admitted that he would soon let them go,

  Once he had finished today's bloody show,

  As he had desired another's death,

  Who deeply wished their final breath,

  So as bait that would easily grant him an audience,

  And he requested that he be shown some lenience,

  Keeping up appearances were rather taxing,

  The thought that things would soon be over was rather relaxing,

  They were kept waiting for quite a long time,

  Until an hour after they heard dinners chime,

  Then in walked a man, who was clearly a Lord,

  A permanent look of being always bored,

  Clothes with ruffles and extra pieces,

  Without the sign of any unwanted creases,

  He took a look at The Lovers and broke out into a smile,

  And dropped all pretense of culture and guile,

  He demanded The Lovers grovel at his feet,

  As he made his way to the largest seat,

  Not noticing the gathering crows at the window,

  All glaring at him as if they could see his impending woe,

  Then with a cry he Captor sent out a command,

  All the assembled crows gladly obeyed his demand,

  They swarmed the Lord pecking at every inch,

  With every wound inflicted he did loudly flinch,

  Soon from cuts blood was freely flowing,

  And his resistance was now finally slowing,

  The birds continued long after he had died,

  Every inch of his body the crows had tried,

  With the Lord dead and the deed done,

  The Slimy man jumped out the window and did run,

  He shouted that their gear would be with the Mayor tomorrow,

  And once again apologies for the unwarranted sorrow,

  With additional lift from crows he soared,

  The trees and walls in his way, ignored,

  Finally the staff of the House entered the room,

  To see their Lord and his gruesome doom,

  Three people bound and seated not near,

  That blood had not reached them, not even a smear,

  The shock and horror was unprecedented,

  As more than one worker cries lamented.

  —----

  It wasn’t long before they found their thread,

  Bound and wounded, but not dead,

  It was time for them to look deep within,

  What changes his actions would surely bring,

  Would they need to prune this errant life,

  With cutting shears or a vicious knife.