He's
dancing now as he moves through the streets, three double-steps
forward followed by one step back, a jumping skip....and repeat, all
in time with the mesmerising tune he plays on his pipe. The sea of
rats swells behind him, surging and ebbing through the town like the
tide makes its' way up the beach. He pauses only once, just as he
reaches the edge of the settlement, looking back to make sure all the
rodents are following. All he can see is a tidal wave of little
bodies rolling behind him, its volume increasing with every moment as
rats pour into the street. From ginnels and side streets, windows
and doors, drain pipes and sewer, rats scurry and dance, chitter and
prance in time to his tune. At their head marches King Rat, now
taking their lead, somehow walking upright on hind legs, front paws
swinging back and forth. The piper laughs and shakes his head, his
chuckle petering to a sad sigh of grim resignation. Returning the
pipe to his mouth, he changes the tune, picking up a jaunty march,
leading the massive mischief out of town, along a dirt track into
nearby woods, leading his throng toward the nearby river Weser.
