Page 55 of The Piper's Pursuit

Steffan quickened his pace as the man was getting closer. He was nearly to the front of the group of children when the man said, “Where are all you children going? So many of you?”

Steffan said in a loud, cheerful voice, “We are headed to Hagenheim. Can you tell us if we are on the right road?”

“As a matter of fact, you are not. This is the road north to Keiterhafen. To go to Hagenheim, you need to go east.”

“Thank you, sir,” Steffan said quickly. “Are you headed to market?”

“My master, the Baron of Rotterfurt, sent me to market at Keiterhafen, and I am now returning with the goods he bade me buy.”

“All the way from Keiterhafen? You must be tired.”

“It is only about two miles.”

Two more miles!Katerina’s heart sank.

Steffan nodded and smiled and conversed with the man a few more moments. Then Steffan bid him fare well and began to walk again.

The man looked slightly chagrined at not getting to talk longer. Katerina did not even acknowledge him, but kept walking with her bundle.

When they were out of sight of the stranger, the little girl in Kat’s arms, apparently awakened by the voices, lifted her head and yawned.

Just then another little one started crying as two others stopped and simply collapsed on the ground and lay down on the hard dirt.

“Can you walk?” Kat pushed the hair out of the little girl’s face.

She nodded and Kat put her down.

“Let me carry you,” Kat said to the crying child.

“The Piper is going to get us,” she said, sobbing.

“No, Steffan and I won’t let the Piper get you.” Steffan must have seen the two children collapse on the ground, because he’d put down the ones he’d been carrying and was walking toward them.

“I don’t think the children will make it two more miles. Not without another rest.” Kat felt the tears sting her eyes, but she blinked them away. She had to be strong.

“They have to make it. They can and they will.” Steffan scooped up one child, then the other. Neither one even seemed to awaken as he settled them, one on each shoulder.

Katerina bent and lifted the crying child into her arms.

“I’m tired,” one of the children said.

“I’m tired too.”

“I’m thirsty.”

“I’m thirsty too.”

“Let’s sing a song.” Katerina made her voice as cheerful as she could. “What’s your favorite song?”

No one responded, so she asked, “Does anyone know this one?” and began to sing a well-known troubadour ballad. Steffan joined in, his voice deeper than she might have guessed. Soon some of the children began to sing along. Katerina sang as many of the verses as she could remember, then fell silent.

“I’m hungry.”

The voice was so forlorn, tears stung Kat’s eyes.

O God, don’t forget us. We are grateful to be free, but please have mercy now and help us.

“We do need to find water,” Steffan said softly. “I think there might be some down this ravine.” He pointed off the road.