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Show 130 think it was because of the noise from the heavens and the pealing from the church spire. Gast turned through the East Gate, doing a strange little dance himself, and the children followed him. None of them acted the least bit curious that they were leaving Hamelin town - all had their gaunt eyes fastened on Gast as if he were their saviour. They seemed so tired that I didn't know how far they would be able to follow him. I stayed behind to make sure there were no laggards, and when the last child had hopped through the gate, I ran to the head of the line to where Gast was. "Where are we going?" I asked him. "To Calvary Mountain, first. I want to keep the children's spirits high, Geist. Think of a song we can sing to buoy them." "I'm not a singer-" "Any song. It doesn't matter." So I began to sing the Salve Regina and the children joined in, their faces growing more peaceful as they sang the words of praise to the mother of God. The pathway leading to Calvary Mountain was level and straight as we made our way along it for half a mile or better. I thought the children might tire, but with each step they seemed to gain a little in strength, although they had stopped dancing and were only plodding along behind Gast. We had almost reached the stone cross on the pilgrimage route when Hilde screamed loudly, sending a cold blade of fear through me. She was bent forward from the waist, her legs spread awkwardly and her feet shuffling. |
