The Best Catch

"Just a little more... aaaand... There we go!" My father cheered as I finally fixed the hole in his white overcoat. "Good job, Pocky!"

I felt really good! "Now then, papa, will you finally take me out to the city?!" His face suddenly fell. I guess that's a no... I don't understand why father won't ever let me out of this village!

"Maybe some other day, alright? But, to make up for that, I bought you something nice!" He pulled out of his pocket what looked like a flute!

"PAPA!!! HOW DID YOU GET THIS!!!" I yelled in awe as I saw my favourite instrument in his hands. He handed it to me and I put it to my mouth immediately to sing a tune.

But father stopped me before i could, and whispered

"This flute is special, so treasure it and sing a tune only when it is a special moment. Otherwise, it will reject you."

So that's this flute's magic! That sounded ominous!

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5 years later...

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I was never the kind of person who played with everyone normally, as a child. It never changed. Even as I grew older. I frequently got sick, and my body seemed to stop growing entirely, even though i was 17. The only thing that matured was my soul and mind. I was a general topic of gossip for the people of the village. Being so timid, weak, with petite frame and a face too smooth and lips too lush. Nobody accepted me as a proper man. Not even the very people who raised me.

Even though they tried to hide it, they would let little emotions slip by. When talking to each other, The words I often heard was "What will the future be like for him?" It was expected of someone belonging to an ancient race of warriors, to be tall and strong.

But for someone with a weak heart like mine couldn't hope to survive without support on a battlefield. I still didn't understand why they put so much of a stress on this warrior title even though it meant nothing in this village. It was peaceful. So why would you need everyone to be big and strong? It's not my fault I ended up like a shrimp!

Even still, every now and then, I would look out of the window and wonder... Was there a place for me in this world? The moon looked especially bright today. Another full moon. It was strange today. The moon had a slightly red hue to it... like that of embers. Was this a blood moon?

Something smelled off. I could hear running and screaming outside my window. The first thought that came to my mind was a festival. But the screaming was different from that of festivals. It sounded disturbing and made my hair stand on its end. It sent chills through my body.

Screams of Terror...

And then I remembered mother had gone out to the market! What was going on out there? I had to find out, no matter what!

"Seize the women! everyone else can die!" as soon as i heard that I understood who they were... Raiders from the south! "Also find the holder of Frey's flute!" That was father's name! I knew I had to hide! If they found me, I would end up end! I could hear swords ripping into flesh, psychotic laughing and blood splattering on the walls nearby...

I mustered what strength I had to get up and out of my bed and made way for the roof.

Suddenly, I heard them tear through the front door and rush up the stairs! I made it to the roof, but where next! My head started ringing. I climbed too quickly and now I was out of breath. Even still, i had to get up and run! I had to live! But what was i supposed to do now?!

My vision was slowly fading out... I was about to be unconscious. Was this the end for me? Was I going to burn down with this building? I cursed myself for being so weak one last time before blacking out.

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Few hours later..

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It was pitch black. I couldn't move my arms or legs. I wasn't dead. But how? I tried to remember, but in vain.

"You better keep your hands off the best catch. We're going to sell it for a high price, and I know we can really hit gold with this one!"

"But can't we atleast get a small taste? Please, chief, I'm itching to do her!"

"Too bad for you, we're going to the duchess herself. So go help yourself with the other ones."

"But chief, why would she want female pets especially?"

"I'm not sure myself, but I have heard rumours of her being someone who swings both ways."

What were they talking about? and who was the top prize? I'm a boy so why was I left alive?

"Oh. We're here!"

I heard iron gates opening up, the carriage became much smoother. I felt we were in a very grand area, considering they were about to meet a duchess. Suddenly, I heard the curtains draw, and the light blinded me. It was hard to see properly from being in a dark carriage all night long

"Get out here, you bitch!" I heard one of them call out. I didnt know what it meant, but i knew it wasn't a simple greeting. I heard the click unlocking my feet and hands. When I finally opened my eyes, i was met with horror and pure awe.

Her castle stood in front of us. Magnificent. To my right and left were women who looked dead inside. I almost puked imagining what they went through. I could see many other men, Tall and muscular, what i wanted to be. They used violence on those who failed to follow instructions even by a single bit. But none of them laid a single hand on me. The others were treated like... lowly beings.

I silently gritted my teeth. I couldn't show hostility, but it was hard to hide it.

Suddenly, one of them approached me with what seemed like a crown of flowers in his hand.

He placed it on my head carefully. WHat was happening to me? Why the special treatment?

Little did I know what it meant.

"Well well, the best catch really looks like the rarest find in a while huh. The crown makes her even more appealing.

Wait. That's Impossible. How could it be? I denied it but it was stamped in my mind.

They mistook me for a girl.