Page 35 of The Piper's Pursuit

Just then the sound of a horse’s hooves—two horses, at least—came thundering down the hill. Instinctively he grabbed Katerina’s arm and pulled her back as he stepped into the shadows of the shelter. She shrank back with him, her body pressed against his side, her hand against his chest.

The horses thundered past, moving too fast for him to recognize the riders.

Katerina moved away from him, pulling her hand away from his chest as if she hadn’t realized she’d been touching him. A bereft feeling, of missing her warmth, swept over him.

They moved at the same time, hurrying away from the shelter and running toward the town wall.

“Wait,” Katerina said, veering off the path. She went to the tree where she’d fetched the hidden bandages she’d used to wrap his arm. She reached into her sleeve and pulled out some rolled-up parchments, then stuffed them in the hole in the tree.

“Those are the papers you found in Hennek’s study?”

“Yes. I don’t think anyone will find them here.”

“Good idea,” Steffan said. Now hopefully they’d be able to prove Hennek’s corruption so there’d be no doubt of his guilt.

They headed for the hole in the town wall where they had come through earlier. When they reached it, Steffan could see it was too high for Katerina, but she quickly said, “You’ll have to grab my leg and give me a boost. And see that you don’t touch anything but my foot and lower leg.”

“Upon my honor, my lady, you have my solemn word.” Steffan bent and grabbed her calf with one hand and her heel with the other. She wasn’t heavy, so it was easy to boost her up to the opening, then help her through by letting her use his hand and shoulder to push against.

A fallen tree was nearby. He dragged it over, stood on it, and was able to grasp the bottom of the opening and pull himself up.

He’d expected her to have run on toward Hennek’s stable when he stuck his head through, but she was waiting.

“Grab this handhold across the way.” She pointed to the building across the narrow alley. Some stones jutted out, and he reached out and grabbed them, pulling himself the rest of the way through, then dropping to the ground beside her.

Together they hurried down the alley.

Once they reached the street, they slowed to a normal pace. He stayed just behind Katerina, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to check for Hennek’s henchmen.

Hennek’s stable, where Steffan’s horse was being boarded, was just behind the mayor’s four-story house. They skirted past the house, not seeing anyone outside, nor any faces through the windows, and entered the stable.

Steffan grabbed his saddle while Katerina also started saddling a horse.

“I’ll pack some provisions,” Katerina whispered. “Do you think you can risk retrieving your things?”

“Not worth it. It’s only two days to Hagenheim, and my father can provide us whatever we need when we get there.”

“What have we here?” Hennek’s voice was behind them, near the entrance of the stable.

Steffan froze. Four men were with Hennek, two on each side of him, standing menacingly tall and straight. Steffan probably couldn’t fight off so many, and he had Katerina to protect. He thought quickly.

“Since the wolf we killed was not the Beast of Hamlin, we are going to see if we can track down the real beast.”

“Together? I did not know the two of you were such good friends.”

“We are not, but you know what a skilled hunter your stepdaughter is.” Steffan shrugged and tried to smile. “I talked her into coming with me.”

Hennek’s face, even in the dim light of the stable, was hard and unflinching.

“I would rather you did not go looking for this beast.” Hennek’s voice was cold, so different from how he had spoken to him before. “I might not be able to explain to your father about your getting injured while here in my town.”

“Oh, Father will think nothing of it. I’ve been injured many times in battle, and just tilting with wooden swords with my brothers.”

“Nevertheless, I wish you to come back into the house with me. It is nearly time for supper.”

“We shall not be gone long. Have to take advantage of the waning daylight.”

Hennek’s face grew darker, his expression completely without mirth or the bluster he usually displayed.