Page 48 of The Piper's Pursuit

He didn’t really want to talk about confession. He was focused on his dream and his increased drive to get them out of there before time ran out and Hennek had them killed.

“Listen.” He looked her intently in the eye. “Tonight, when the guards think everyone is asleep, we’ll escape. I’ll find a way to steal a sword. Once I get that guard’s sword, I’ll kill him and another guard, then I’ll throw you the second guard’s sword.”

Katerina nodded.

“I have another idea.”

Steffan spun around to confront the small voice behind him. The older boy who had been staring at them since they’d arrived was crouching there.

“I am Albrecht. My friend Verena and I have a plan.”

Katerina’s arm brushed Steffan’s as she leaned forward to get closer to the child. “There are fifty-two of us. But the others are not far from here, digging in that passageway.” He pointed behind him.

“What is your plan?”

“There is a pit down that passageway on the left. It’s where we dump our loose stones and dirt. If the children in the passageway create a lot of noise and force the guards to come see what is happening, we can trip them or attack them with our picks and push them into the pit. There are too many of us for them to kill us all.”

“That sounds very dangerous for you,” Katerina said.

“No more dangerous than you and this man trying to kill all the guards by yourselves. Besides, it will work. The guards have become less cautious with us. We’re only children, after all. They don’t expect us to do anything.”

“No.” Steffan shook his head. “I cannot let you endanger yourselves. I can kill the guards, and Katerina can help me. While we are fighting the guards, you and the other children can escape. Are there any other openings or ways to get out of this place?”

“I believe there is only one.”

“Well, then, let’s get to it. I will wait until the fresh guards come, just after we’ve all laid down for the night, and then I will attack. So listen for a commotion, then stay where you are and wait for us to come and get you.”

“We can help,” Albrecht said.

“I don’t want any of you doing anything that could get you hurt. Do you understand?” His throat constricted and he could barely speak. What was wrong with him?

The boy Albrecht stared back at him. “We will defend ourselves and fight for our freedom.”

“You are just children. Let Katerina and me defend you.”

Albrecht didn’t say anything.

“Be very careful,” Katerina said. “Watch over the little ones and make sure they get out. Steffan and I shall do our very best, with God’s help, to save us all.”

Steffan was still struggling to breathe. He knew why. This boy reminded him of the shepherd’s boy. He couldn’t let these children die, because then he’d be haunted by all of them as well. He wasn’t sure he could bear it.

“You stay alive,” he heard himself telling Albrecht. “All of you, stay alive.”

“What passes there?” A guard took a step toward them. “You, boy. What are you doing? Go along, back to your place. And you two.” He pointed at Steffan and Katerina. “Stop talking or I’ll see that you get no supper tonight.”

The guard grunted and went back to the rock where he’d been sitting. These guards didn’t really believe it was possible for their prisoners to escape, and hopefully that would work in their favor.

***

Katerina lay on her blanket and held her breath while the new guards arrived and the old ones left.

Steffan’s body looked tense as he lay staring in the guards’ direction. His head was on the ground, but his arms were taut and his hand was beside him, as though ready to push himself up. He told her he would wait until he was sure the daytime guards were well away and would not hear his attack.

Katerina prayed,Help us, God.Her thoughts were flitting so fast, it was the only thing she was able to say.Help us.

The lecherous Ruger was there. But he was short, and Katerina suspected he was the weakest of the guards. Hopefully Steffan would pick him to attack first.

Minutes passed as Katerina clutched her little chisel under her thin, moth-eaten blanket. None of the guards called out anyone to ridicule or harass, as they sometimes did. Instead, though they were facing their prisoners, they were standing close to each other, talking in low voices. She heard Hennek’s name once or twice.