The Piper's Pursuit

by Melanie Dickerson

  Rats were coming down the street toward him. Kat backed away, pressing herself against the wall of her house and standing on a little stool to get away from them. The rats continued to come down the street from both directions and from the smaller streets and alleys. And Steffan continued to play and walk, moving toward the marketplace.

  Katerina followed. People opened their windows and looked out of their homes. Others followed, curious to see what would happen to all the rats following him.

  Once he was in the marketplace, which was the center of town, he led them down the street until he came to one of the town gates. He led the rats through it, still playing his lively tune, onto the road and up the hill just outside town, the same hill where the entrance to the silver mine was hidden. A few people, including Katerina, continued to follow the massive herd of rats that accompanied Steffan out of town, but the rest stood at the gate and watched until they were out of sight.

  They went the rest of the way up the hill, and Steffan kept playing until he reached the opening in the mine. He went down into the hole, holding the pipe. Would the rats follow him into the hole? The rodents crowded around the opening, then began to fall into it until they had all disappeared into the mine.

  The people standing around the entrance to the mine looked at each other. Finally, Katerina stepped forward and went down to see what was happening.

  She could hear the hollow sound of Steffan playing his pipe. She followed the music, keeping her hand on the wall. She found a lighted torch and took it with her. Every so often she found another lighted torch. Had Steffan come down here and lit them ahead of time?

  She followed the sound of the pipe into the tunnel that led to the deep hole where the children had entombed the guards. She finally saw Steffan on the other side, still playing, as the rats were streaming forward and falling to their doom.

  When the last rat had fallen in, Steffan stopped playing and met her eye in the torchlight.

  “You did it!” Katerina grinned across the chasm at him.

  “All for you, Lady Mayor.”

  “Just be careful getting back around that hole.” She watched, holding her breath, as Steffan carefully plastered himself against the wall of the passageway and moved toward her. She breathed a sigh of relief when he was safely next to her and put her arm around him.

  “Do you think the rats will be able to get out?”

  “It couldn’t hurt to send some men to throw some large rocks in and cover them up. But for now, let’s get out of here.”

  “Yes. If I never see this place again, I will not be sad.”

  Soon Katerina and Steffan came back down the hill, but without the rats.

  Men and women cheered as they entered the gate and walked down the street. They crowded around Steffan and patted him on the back. When they were finally back at her home, Kat said, “You know we have to have a celebration now that the rats are gone.”

  Steffan leaned against the wall. “And we should have a festival to celebrate the children being brought back.”

  “We could also celebrate that the Beasts of Hamlin are dead.”

  “Good idea.”

  “So why do you think the rats were here? Why so many of them?”

  Steffan sat down in one of the cushioned chairs. “My guess is that the mining drove them out of their homes in the ground and into town.”

  “That makes sense, I suppose. But are you sure we should leave all those rats in that hole? The mine will smell like rotting rodent, and then no one will want to work in the mine.”

  “At least they aren’t running around town.”

  Katerina shook her head. “But how did you know they would follow you?”

  “A few of the children said the rats followed Hennek when he played his pipe.”

  “I think you need a reward for ridding our town of the rats.”

  “Oh yes, I definitely am entitled to a reward.”

  But before Kat could say anything else, people were knocking on the door wanting to thank the Rat Slayer of Hamlin.

  * * *

  A few days later, a guard knocked at the door and handed Kat a missive.

  “What is it?” Steffan, who happened to be there making his report to the mayor as the captain of the guard, came to look over her shoulder.

  “The town council wants to present you with a reward in the square for getting rid of the rats, for killing the Beasts of Hamlin, and for saving the children.”

  Steffan pointed at the writing, “It also mentions you. You’re getting a proclamation read over you too.”

  “The town council agreed that we should have a festival to celebrate the return of our children and the end of the rat plague.”

  Another week passed and the marketplace was teeming with musicians, food, and wares. People sang and danced and ate bread rolls made in the shape of rats.

  Katerina walked arm in arm with her piper, who was dressed almost as colorfully as a jongleur.

  “Herr Pied Piper!” one man called to him. “Did you get your reward for ridding the town of its rats?”

  “Not yet!” Steffan called back.

  All the people standing around suddenly stilled, the musicians stopped playing, and a hush fell on the entire marketplace.

  “What is going on?” Katerina asked. But when she turned to Steffan, he leaped onto the stone fountain in the center of the town square.

  “May I please have your attention!” Steffan called. “The reward that I request for the favor of ridding the town of the rat pestilence is to marry your beautiful Bürgermeister, Katerina Ludken. And if she will accept me, I promise to love her until I die.” He stretched out his hand to Katerina. “Do you?”

  Kat could feel her face blushing. “I do!”

  Steffan jumped back down and kissed her, and neither one of them seemed to notice that the whole town was watching.

  Epilogue

  After Steffan led the rats into the mine, and the men of the town used some big rocks to fill up the deep hole, a rat could occasionally be seen in town, but Hamlin was never plagued with large numbers of them again.

  Hennek was tried and sentenced to a year imprisonment in Hagenheim’s dungeon to be followed by a lifetime of banishment in the frozen North Country. Duke Wilhelm arranged to have the Church give Katerina’s mother a writ of divorce, freeing her from Hennek’s tyranny. It was as if a weight had been lifted off Katerina’s shoulders to know she never had to see him again.

  Two weeks later, Steffan and Katerina and the town councilman who was now in charge of the orphanage, as well as Verena and her mother, traveled to Keiterhafen to visit the orphans who had been left with Herr and Frau Gruber. They seemed to be settling in well and were happy to see Verena. Albrecht and Verena talked quietly together and exchanged letters, and Katerina offered to provide a courier to take letters back and forth between Hamlin and Keiterhafen.

  The banns were cried for Katerina and Steffan, and after four weeks they stood on the steps of the Hamlin Cathedral and vowed to remain true to each other until death, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.

  The sun was shining as they walked back home from the church with Katerina’s hand tucked in Steffan’s arm. Katerina wore her hair loose down her back, a few ribbons and flowers interwoven.

  After they waved to all the people who walked with them, Katerina and Steffan went inside their home.

  “Thank you for not giving up on me,” she said just before he kissed her.

  “Giving up on you?”

  “Yes, when I was so rude to you and called you arrogant and told you I didn’t need you and that you should go back to Hagenheim.”

  “Maybe you should confess to the priest. I’ve forgotten all about that.” He kissed her again.

  “Maybe I should.” She laughed.

  “And thank you for not running away from me when I told you I was a bad man.”

  She realized they could thank each other for hours, but instead she said, “I’m just glad yo
u came to Hamlin when you did.”

  “Yes. It’s been very rewarding.”

  Author’s Note

  The idea for The Piper’s Pursuit, you might say, started way back in 1992 when I visited the German town of Hameln, Hamelin, or Hamlin, depending on how you wish to spell it. I was fortunate enough to see the modern-day results of the “Pied Piper of Hamlin” fairy tale—all kinds of rat-shaped souvenirs being sold all over town, as well as a church glockenspiel that plays the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin, an annual play, and various displays of a man wearing colorful clothing and playing a pipe. I myself came home with a picture of me standing next to a colorful statue of the Pied Piper, and a bread roll in the shape of a rat, very intricately done, and shellacked with something that has preserved it to this day. (I can see the cringes on some of your faces, but it’s still in perfect condition, complete with straws of hay for whiskers!)

  I was familiar with the fairy tale story of the Pied Piper when I started to plan my own version of the tale and how it could work into my Hagenheim series, but I discovered in my research something that surprised me. Unlike most of Grimm’s fairy tales, the tale of the Pied Piper was actually a true story.

  The first known depiction of the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin was on a stained glass window in the Market Church in Hamlin, which was built in 1300 and survived until 1633. And the town’s written record begins with this ominous statement: “It is 100 years since our children left.” That was written in 1384.

  According to the Lüneburg Manuscript, written in the 1400s, “In the year of 1284, on the day of Saints John and Paul on June 26, by a piper, clothed in many kinds of colours, 130 children born in Hamelin were seduced, and lost at the place of execution near the koppen.” The word koppen means “hills.”

  And these are the best, most reliable, and most contemporary accounts to the event. The stained glass window that depicted a pied piper luring children up to a hill just outside of town has been recreated using written descriptions and can be found online. There are many theories as to what actually happened to the children of Hamlin that were lost, but it was the stained glass window, more than anything, I suppose, that inspired my own story.

  Another inspiration for me was the story of the Beast of Gévaudan, which I happened to stumble across one day. Between the years 1764 and 1767, an animal in south-central France attacked between 90 and 210 people, depending on the source. At least 60 people, and as many as 113, were killed by this large animal. No one was ever sure if the beast was a wolf or possibly the offspring of a wolf and a very large dog, but by all accounts, it was larger than a normal wolf. There were accounts of at least a couple of women who successfully fought off the attacking beast. And these women inspired my heroine, Katerina.

  I hope you enjoyed The Piper’s Pursuit, which was born of both history and imagination. And love and romance too, of course.

  Discussion Questions

  Why was it so shocking for Katerina to find Bridda? What did the townspeople think had happened to all the children who had gone missing?

  What were Katerina’s first impressions of Steffan? How were her opinions of him influenced by her own past experiences? Have you ever had a wrong first impression of someone?

  Why did Steffan come to Hamlin? Did his purpose or motives change through the course of the story? If so, how?

  Steffan admits to growing up with a lot of anger and rebelling against his father. What caused these feelings? What things had he done that he felt shame and guilt about? What is the difference between guilt and shame?

  Katerina does not allow herself to trust men. How does she overcome her mistrust of Steffan?

  Can mistrust be a good thing? How can it be a bad thing? Do you consider yourself a trusting person? Why or why not?

  What were some of the things Hennek did to fool people into thinking he was a good person?

  How did Steffan’s past affect the way he viewed children? Did his feelings toward children change?

  What was Katerina’s greatest fear?

  What was Steffan’s fear that kept him from going home?

  What did Katerina hope to accomplish by killing the Beast of Hamlin?

  What made Katerina’s friend Hans betray her?

  What did you think of Duke Wilhelm’s choice of mayor for Hamlin? What did Steffan think?

  What were Steffan’s and Katerina’s goals? Did they achieve them?

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank my editors, Kimberly Carlton and Julie Breihan, for all their hard work on this story, for helping me catch weaknesses and errors, and for all their insights. I also want to thank my agent, Natasha Kern, for all she does for me, my books, and my career. And many thanks to my publisher and everyone at Thomas Nelson and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for all they do to make my books beautiful and successful.

  I have to thank my two wonderful girls, Grace and Faith, for helping me brainstorm this story and being willing to let me talk it out with them. They are just the best, if I do say so myself.

  Thanks to any and all friends who helped me brainstorm, offered their homes for me to write in, and asked me, “How’s the writing going?” over the course of almost a year that I spent, off and on, writing and editing this story. Moral support means a lot.

  I should probably also thank Atlanta Bread Company for all the times they let me sit for a couple of hours so many mornings for the price of a hot tea and a pastry.

  As always, thanks to my wonderful readers whom I love and appreciate so much. Thanks for buying my books, and especially for telling your friends about my books, posting reviews, posting my books on Instagram, and all the other things you do to get the word out. If it weren’t for you, I’d have to get a real job, and that would stink! God bless you.

  About the Author

  Jodie Westfall Photography

  Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author and a Christy Award winner. Her book The Healer’s Apprentice won the National Readers’ Choice Award for Best First Book in 2010, and The Merchant’s Daughter won the 2012 Carol Award. Melanie spends her time daydreaming, researching the most fascinating historical time periods, and writing stories at her home near Huntsville, Alabama, where she gathers dandelion greens for her two adorable guinea pigs between writing and editing her happily-ever-afters.

  * * *

  Visit her online at MelanieDickerson.com

  Instagram: MelanieDickerson123

  Facebook: MelanieDickersonBooks

  Twitter: @MelanieAuthor

  Praise for Melanie Dickerson

  “The Piper’s Pursuit is a lovely tale of adventure, romance, and redemption. Kat and Steffan’s righteous quest will have you rooting them on until the very satisfying end!”

  —Lorie Langdon, author of Olivia Twist and the Doon series

  “Christian fiction fans will relish Dickerson’s eloquent story.”

  —School Library Journal on The Orphan’s Wish

  “The Goose Girl, a little retold fairy tale, sparkles in Dickerson’s hands, with endearing characters and a charming setting that will appeal to teens and adults alike.”

  —RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on The Noble Servant

  “Dickerson is a masterful storyteller with a carefully crafted plot, richly drawn characters, and a detailed setting. The reader is easily pulled into the story. Does everything end happily ever after? Read it and see! Recommended for young adults and adults who are young at heart.”

  —Christian Library Journal on The Noble Servant

  “[The Silent Songbird] will have you jumping out of your seat with anticipation at times. Moderate to fast-paced, you will not want this book to end. Recommended for all, especially lovers of historical romance.”

  —RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

  “A terrific YA crossover medieval romance from the author of The Golden Braid.”

  —Library Journal on The Silent Songbird

  “When it comes to happily-ever-a
fters, Melanie Dickerson is the undisputed queen of fairy-tale romance, and all I can say is—long live the queen! From start to finish The Beautiful Pretender is yet another brilliant gem in her crown, spinning a medieval love story that will steal you away—heart, soul, and sleep!”

  —Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series

  “I couldn’t stop reading! Melanie has done what so many other historical novelists have tried and failed: she’s created a heroine that is at once both smart and self-assured without seeming modern. A woman so fixed in her time and place that she is able to speak to ours as well.”

  —Siri Mitchell, author of Flirtation Walk and Chateau of Echoes, on The Beautiful Pretender

  “Dickerson breathes life into the age-old story of Rapunzel, blending it seamlessly with the other YA novels she has written in this time and place . . . The character development is solid, and she captures religious medieval life splendidly.”

  —Booklist on The Golden Braid

  “Readers who love getting lost in a fairy-tale romance will cheer for Rapunzel’s courage as she rises above her overwhelming past. The surprising way Dickerson weaves threads of this enchanting companion novel with those of her other Hagenheim stories is simply delightful. Her fans will love it.”

  —Jill Williamson, Christy Award–winning author of the Blood of Kings trilogy and the Kinsman Chronicles, on The Golden Braid

  “Readers will find themselves supporting the romance between the sweet yet determined Odette and the insecure but hardworking Jorgen from the beginning. Dickerson spins a retelling of Robin Hood with emotionally compelling characters, offering hope that love may indeed conquer all as they unite in a shared desire to serve both the Lord and those in need.”

  —RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, on The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest