Does the minstrel taking the maiden from another character count as the "encounter" or is it similar to a "free action"

It's a Special Ability of the Minstrel, so you have to encounter a Character and choose to use that Special Ability. It's like the Sorceress Special Ability but restrained to some specific Followers.

Thanks! That is what I thought. His turn would end after stealing the maiden and/or princess.