Page 94 of The Piper's Pursuit

“Silver that you enslaved children to mine? A mine that did not belong to you?”

“I discovered it. I mined it. And you’ve stolen it from me.”

Mother looked pale and frightened, but she did not make a sound as Hennek dragged her along with him slowly down the stairs one step at a time, his hand wrapped around her throat.

“I suppose it must still be in the mine. Where did you last see it? Perhaps you mislaid it.”

“You mock me. You always were a rebellious girl. You have a demonic, rebellious spirit! You never would submit to those in authority over you. God shall smite you for being rebellious and controlling. You always did want to be in control, and now you’ve bewitched Duke Wilhelm into believing all your lies about me.”

“Was it a lie that you enslaved children after stealing them off the streets?”

“Could I help it if they heard my music and decided to follow me? They liked the music. They came willingly.”

“Your mind is sick.”

“No, you are the one who is sick!” Hennek’s jaw was clenched, his eyes wild as he pointed his dagger at Katerina now.

Kat was nearly to the bottom of the stairs.

“You’re not entitled to whatever you want, Hennek. You don’t deserve the silver in that mine just because you desire it.”

“Silence! You unsubmissive, unrepentant girl! I shall kill both you and your mother. Throw down your sword,” Hennek shouted, “or I will kill her this moment.”

Katerina threw down her sword and it clattered on the floor.

“Hennek.”

Kat glanced over her shoulder to see Hans standing there.Thank God.But why did he not have his sword drawn?

“Hans.” Her voice squeaked. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Hennek has escaped.”

“Get what you want and get out.”

Was Hans speaking to Hennek? He must be trying to make Hennek think he was helping him so that he wouldn’t hurt Mother.

“Yes,” Kat added, “take whatever you want, but leave my mother alone. She has nothing to do with this.”

“Katerina, just tell him where to find the silver and he will let you both go.”

Kat turned to look at Hans. “What?”

“Just give him what he wants so he can leave.”

Hans must have a plan to recapture Hennek. But would Hennek let her mother go if she told him where the silver was?

“Very well. The silver that was taken from the mine is now in the strong box in the Rathous undercroft.”

“Give me the key to the strong box,” Hennek said in a raspy voice, his expression dark. “I know you have it.”

“Give it to him, Katerina.”

Katerina went into the study and toward the desk that used to belong to Hennek but was now where she worked.

“Is it in the desk? Step aside and let Hans get it.” Hennek motioned to Hans, who immediately strode over to the desk.

“Where is it, Katerina?”

Something was wrong. She stared hard at Hans.