Page 31 of The Piper's Pursuit

“There is a mine underneath Hamlin?” He sat up.

“I’ve never heard of one. But what if there are more children, like Bridda, who are still alive? This could be where they are.” Her eyes were wide and her jaw was set.

“Let’s go get them.” His heart leapt as he jumped to his feet.

Katerina took off at a gentle run and Steffan kept up with her, running by her side.

“I have to warn you,” she said. “It appears the entrance to the supposed mine is very near where we saw the beasts. I don’t know what those animals have to do with this mine, but I have a feeling Hennek is involved.”

“You think Hennek is responsible for the missing children?”

“Yes. And there may be guards near the entrance. It could be dangerous.”

Were they foolish to attempt to rescue the children by themselves? Just the two of them? But she was so brave, how could he dissuade her? If he suggested they wait until he could go to Hagenheim and fetch his father and his soldiers, he’d look like a coward. Besides, she might insist on going alone. And he couldn’t allow that.

Still, he had to try. It was the wise thing to do.

“I can go to Hagenheim and get help. If your stepfather has guards protecting the mine, and if they overpower us and kill us, we will have failed these children.”

She slowed her pace, then stopped, staring out at the hill they were heading toward.

“If you know anyone who’s not on Hennek’s side who could help us...”

She shook her head. “Perhaps you are right.” She let out a long breath.

“So you will allow me to ride to Hagenheim tonight?”

“You can’t get to Hagenheim in one night.”

“No, but I can leave tonight and get there in two days. Will you wait until I come back before you go looking for the children?”

She only looked at him with troubled, downturned brows, biting her lip.

He had his answer. “You have to come with me, then.”

“I don’t obey commands from you.” Her eyes widened along with her stance.

“I won’t go to get help unless you come with me.”

“It matters not to me if you go get help or stay.” She huffed out a breath, uncrossed her arms, and bit her lip again. “I want to do my best for the children. But if we are killed...”

Perhaps she wasn’t as stubborn as he’d thought. His heart warmed at the intense look on her face.

“Then we shall travel to Hagenheim and get help. Do you have anyone here who could assist us?”

“There is one guard who is very loyal to me and would never tell Hennek. His name is Hans.”

Was that the guard whom she seemed so friendly with when he arrived? Why did she trust him so much? A pang went through him. He wanted her to trust him that much.

“But could we at least go and take a look?” She turned her intense look on him. “Don’t we need to confirm that there is a mine? Come on.”

It probably wasn’t wise. But then again, if they couldn’t find the mine, how would they find the children? And what real evidence did they have that the children were still alive and hadn’t been eaten by the Beast of Hamlin? Besides that, his curiosity was getting the better of him. So as she started walking away from the town wall, he followed her.

After skirting the area around the gate, they made their way toward the hill where they’d killed the beast.

Just before they entered the forest, Steffan glanced over his shoulder. He didn’t see anyone following them, but of course, the guard they slipped away from might guess they were coming this way.

Steffan laid his hand on his sword, remembering times he’d used it in battle, when he’d killed and injured men who were only defending their homes. But he shook his head to rid himself of the images. He’d rather remember how he and Katerina had slain the Beast of Hamlin, an act that, no doubt, had saved people’s lives.