Page 7 of The Piper's Pursuit

A well-dressed woman came gliding down the stairs as they stood in the entryway of the large house. Katerina slipped off her crossbow and addressed her.

“Mother, this man wishes to speak to my stepfather.”

So Katerina was the mayor’s stepdaughter.

The woman said softly, “Change your clothing quickly, darling.”

Katerina hurried up the steps without even a backward glance.

Steffan stared as she made her way up to the top of the staircase and disappeared from view. Was she also the daughter whose hand in marriage the mayor was giving as part of the reward?

“May I ask your name?” The lovely woman whom Katerina had called Mother wore a gentle, refined expression. Katerina had obviously acquired her lovely eyes and mouth from her mother, who did not look much older than Katerina.

“I am Steffan of Hagenheim.” He might as well tell her the truth. “My father is Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim.”

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. She bowed her head to him. “Lord Steffan, you are most welcome here. I am Ayla Grymmelin, and my husband is Hennek Grymmelin.”

“I am honored, Frau Grymmelin.” Steffan bowed.

“The servant will take your saddlebag.”

He’d forgotten he’d slung it over his shoulder. It contained nearly all he owned, and his sword and scabbard were strapped to it.

A servant who had been lurking in the shadows came forward, and Steffan handed it to him.

“Won’t you please stay for supper?” Frau Grymmelin’s voice was soft and pleasing. “We would be honored to have you as our guest for as long as you would like to stay.”

Her voice was mild but her eyes studied him, and in them he saw a glimmer of something—fear, hope, desperation, or maybe all three.

She turned and led him through a doorway to a dining hall dominated by a large table and ornately carved chairs.

Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs behind them, too heavy to be Katerina’s. Frau Grymmelin took a step back, toward the wall. A moment later, a large man almost as tall as Steffan entered the room.

“Husband, this is Lord Steffan of Hagenheim.” Something about her expression made a memory spring to Steffan’s mind. Years ago he and his brother Wolfgang had been walking through theMarktplatzwhen they saw a man beating a dog. They had rescued the pup, taking her and keeping her as a pet, but he’d never forgotten the way the dog had cowered before the man.

The mayor of Hamlin had thick black hair interspersed with white and equally thick black eyebrows. A few wrinkles around his eyes hardly took away from his otherwise smooth face and even smoother smile, which broke out on his face when his wife introduced him.

“It is an honor to meet you. You are the duke’s son, yes?” He raised his brows as he stared hard at Steffan’s face.

“I am.”

“An honor indeed! And I am the duke’s humble servant, Hennek Grymmelin, Bürgermeister of this fine town. Please, sit at my right hand and enjoy the best I have to offer. Ayla, have the food brought in.”

Steffan and the mayor sat while Frau Grymmelin hurried away.

“Shall I play my pipe for you while we wait?”

Steffan must have looked surprised, because the mayor said, “You did not think the Mayor of Hamlin would play such a humble instrument?”

“No, it’s just that... I also play the pipe.” Steffan extracted his own small pipe from inside his outer garment.

“Oh-ho! You wish to best me, no doubt.”

“No, no, please play something. I rarely get to listen. I’m usually the one playing.”

“Very well, then.” The mayor placed the flute to his lips and started playing a popular tune, a well-known song Steffan was often asked to play.

The mayor was proficient, but Steffan noticed he skipped a note here and there. He had barely reached the end of one verse and chorus when he stopped.