Page 76 of The Piper's Pursuit

She went into the kitchen and made a paste with white wheat flour and water, then spread it on his beard, sprinkling in some additional flour. She even put some on his skin. Oh yes. He would look very handsome when Katerina came riding into town with Father and his army. But at least Hennek wouldn’t recognize him, and that was the purpose.

Steffan took the looking glass from her hand. “I’m not a bad-looking old man.”

Suddenly the front door opened with a bang and a familiar voice, high and anxious, came from inside the house. It was Albrecht.

Steffan gave Frau Goschen the looking glass and hurried into the corridor leading to the front door. Albrecht glanced at Steffan, but then ignored him, saying, “Where is Frau Goschen? I need to speak with her.”

“Albrecht, it’s me, Steffan.”

His eyes widened and he stared. Steffan smiled, which seemed to help him recognize him, because he exclaimed, “Steffan! Oh, thank God. I need your help. Hennek has found our house. He has found the children. I managed to escape. I ran and came here for help.”

“It’s all right. We will save them. Can you tell me how to find the house where you were staying?”

“I know it,” Frau Goschen said behind them. “It is on Hoherstrasse, and it’s not far. Go right, then right again past the Red Boar Inn.”

“I have my sword, but I need a helper, and he’ll need some weapons. What do you have, Frau Goschen?”

She hurried away and came back with her husband’s crossbow and arrows and a knife in its sheath.

“Being a baker, he doesn’t have a lot of enemies,” Frau Goschen said, as if to apologize.

“These are enough. I thank you. Now, Albrecht, I’m going to need your help. I need you to stay out of sight. Frau Goschen, can you get him a hooded cloak that will cover most of his face?”

“Yes.”

“And, Albrecht, I’ll need you to help me by keeping the weapons nearby until I need them, but you’ll have to stay out of sight. You’re tall, but Hennek and his men still might realize you’re one of the children.”

Albrecht’s eyes were shining as he gathered up the crossbow, the daggers, which he stuffed in his belt, and one of the swords. But something about his face ignited a memory, and a cold shiver snaked down Steffan’s spine. Could it be that he was about to get this child killed, as he had little Heinlin? The memory of it was so painful, he wished he had a strong drink to dull it.

No, he would not lead this boy into danger. “I’ve changed my mind. You have to stay here.”

Albrecht’s face fell.

“It’s just that I... I don’t want you to get hurt, and you know how evil Hennek and his men are.”

“I have an idea,” Frau Goschen said. “I will have my servant Klaus go with Albrecht. The two of them can stay out of sight but be there to guard your weapons. Is that good?”

Steffan nodded, even though he wanted to order Albrecht to stay far away. But he sensed that would hurt Albrecht’s pride, who had shown himself so brave.

“And you should round up as many men as you can to defend this house, and get word to the other houses as well, but do it discreetly. You don’t want to attract Hennek’s attention.”

So many children’s lives were at stake. Should he go and fetch Father? No, he didn’t have time to wait. Hennek had already discovered some of the children and would no doubt discover the rest soon.

Steffan had to stop Hennek from killing the children. He wasn’t sure he could live with himself if he allowed them to die.

He took a deep breath, hiding his sword under his cloak, and set out toward Frau Gruber’s house.

Twenty-Three

Steffan prayed as he walked.God, I know I have a lot to confess. I’ve not been a very good person. But please let me save these children, not because I’m good, because I’m not, but because You are good. Bring about justice for these children and for Katerina, because You are a God of justice, and this man is evil.

Albrecht and Klaus were keeping to the far side of the street, each of them carrying weapons in a pack on their back, too lumpy to show what was in them. As soon as Steffan spotted the house, they turned down a narrow side street and disappeared.

A guard was standing outside the front door—Otto.

Steffan remembered to disguise his walk by limping and using his walking stick. Otto was staring hard at him as he approached. Steffan said in a jovial voice, “I am Herr Obenfettel, the leader of the town council. I have learned that the Bürgermeister of Hamlin is staying at this house, and I wish to welcome him.”

“How did you know that?” Otto narrowed his eyes at him.