Find Merthin

The winding narrow streets of Oldchester lay like a giant spider web draped over several hills and across a wide mercantile river. Even this early in the morning, the ancient streets are already filling with traders and peddlers setting up their goods.

As Christine made her way towards the spire that indicated the location of the cathedral, the houses crowded the streets; two and three-storied buildings with cramped lofts hung over the narrow streets. On more than one occasion chamber pots were emptied from above into the gutters that ran along the cobbled streets. As they got closer to the Cathedral, the houses got bigger and richer occupied by merchants, guildsmen and clergy near the Gothic cathedral.

The air was a mass of competing smells from bakers, cookhouses, butchers, and fishmongers. But the smell of excrement and waste was never far from the noses. The smell was complemented by a soundtrack of competing sellers and drunken louts.

The castle that crowned the tallest hill was the sheriff's keep, built on the foundation of the ruins of a Roman citadel. The impressive fortification was undoubtably where the Verderer was off to and where he would no doubt learn about Prince Henry's growing search for Christine and Erik. A man as intelligent as Master Werner, would immediately recognize Christine and Erik for who they were. She pushed away the thought that telling the Verderer that she intended to go to the notary was probably a mistake.

Gold Street was as grand as the name suggests, it was clean and neatly organized with large stone-built houses with tiled roofs. And sure enough, Merthin's sign hung from the grandest of all. It was clear he was a wealthy man indeed.

A thickset armed guard stood at the entrance. His yellow tunic showed he wasn't of the town watch or the crown but a private soldier.

More than ever, Christine was grateful that the Verderer had allowed her and Erik a chance to clean up. She could only imagine what this guard's reaction would have been if she had arrived covered in filth and worn to the bone. As it was, she knew she had to sound confident and use her real name in the hope it would strike a chord with the guard. "My name is Lady Christine, Baron Bartholomew's only daughter. I'm here to visit Merthin the notary."

"Is Master Merthin expecting you?" The guard is clearly not inclined to just let her waltz in to see his boss.

"Yes."

The guard considered Christine's determined face clear accent. "Wait here, I will check with the master."

"Thank-you." The first hurdle passed. Now, she could only hope that Merthin would acknowledge his debt to Baron Gerard.

Christine waited. And waited some more. She wasn't used to waiting and found it infuriating. Erik tugged on his sister's long sleeve. "What do you think is happening?"

"I don't know."

"The guard was mean."

"He was doing his job, Erik." Christine tried to give the guard the benefit of the doubt. "He can't just anyone see the Notary without questioning them."

Erik glanced at his tired feet. "I still don't like him."

"Everything is going to be alright," she said the words as confidently as she could as much to convince herself as Erik, "just be patient."

The door finally opened, and the guard stepped out. "It's your lucky day. You may enter."

Christine and Erik walked into a large room that was lit with a large candelabra. Mertin sat at a long table which had both a half-eaten breakfast and a collection of assorted parchments.

"Thank-you, Master Merthin. for taking the time to see us." Christine gave a pretty curtsy, "My father the Bar-" She stopped when Merthin raised his hand abruptly.

"Do not mention your family." He warned. "Jacob has been instructed to forget the name you gave him, and I advise you to do the same." She didn't let Merthin's curt manner offend her, and she gave a polite curtsey as she meekly agreed.

"Yes Master Merthin. I have been traveling under the name of Evelynn." Her acquiescence and foresight softened the notary's visage for a heartbeat before his face tightened into a scowl again.

"Good." He took another bite of his breakfast, wiping his mouth carefully with a white linen napkin before continuing. "If you know what's good for you, you'll put away your highborn airs." Christine stared at Merthin in stunned silence holding back her tears as best she could.

Seeing her confusion, Merthin rose from his chair. "I shouldn't need to explain to a girl. But seeing as it's you, " He picked up a scroll emblazoned with the Royal Seal from the table and handed it to her. "Here. You can read, can't you?"

"Of course."

The official scroll announced that as a traitor to the crown, Bartholomew Gerard faced trial in the royal court and is to have his land confiscated as well as forfeit all titles, properties and privileges. If found guilty her father would face the headman's axe. It struck fear into her heart and great sadness weighed down her soul. "My father is a great man, Merthin."

"He was. Don't forget, I knew him personally. But he was too principled for his own good, plotting against Prince Henry, unfortunately he was out-maneuvered."

"It is Henry who has overstepped his place! The peers of the realm will not put up with it." But even as she protested, it dawned on Christine that she was no longer one of those powerful elite. She was now a lowly commoner with no means or resources to help Erik. "Will you help me?"