To his house

"How did you find me?" Christine pulled the Verderer's heavy cloak tightly around her as they headed out onto the street. The man's garment on her petite frame was long enough to reach all the way to drag along the cobblestones, so unless someone looked closely, they might not even realize that she was wearing only the skimpiest of a rag under the cloak. Christine was not used to walking in bare feet, but the streets were dry and the cobbles smooth from years of wear, so she was able to match the Verderer pace as he answered.

"Your brother found me just as I was leaving my house."

"Erik?!" Christine grabbed the Verderer's arm excitedly. "Where is he?"

"Well, I don't know about this Erik, but Franklin had the good sense to find me and tell me about your troubles with Lady Scarlet." Franklin was what Erik called his favorite hound; it was as good an alias as 'Evelyn' and Christine realized that her brother had more sense than her.

"Where is he?" She looked around half expecting to see his somber face pop up from behind a barrel.

"The lad's at home with my wife, probably halfway through a loaf of bread and kettle of soup if I know Mari." He took Christine by her arm and steered her back on the road up away from the docks and towards the castle. "You can stay with us there until we find a better solution."

"You can't, Master Werner." Christine demurred, torn between her desire to stay under his protection and her understanding of the situation. "The Black Prince's men are looking for us. If they find either of us in your home, you and your family will be hanged ... or worse."

The pain and emptiness in this maid's soft voice tore at his heart. Master Werner was used to seeing wretched unfortunates both within the city walls and seeking refuge in the king's forest, but this is no common maiden. If his guess was correct this was none other than the daughter of Baron Gerard! Rumors were starting to spread about her family's sudden fall, but only a week ago this pretty young noblewoman was one of the most desired brides in the entire duchy if not the whole kingdom. This young woman had every opportunity in life and now she was a fugitive with no friends or resources. The Verderer spoke without hesitation.

"Then we must make sure that you are not discovered." the Verderer's tone was somber but firm. "I imagine you're as hungry as Franklin and would like a chance to clean up after being down in Scarlet's dungeon." The reminder of the squalor of the stocks with its stench of urine, sweat, blood and fear was almost enough to silence Christine. She tried half-heartedly to explain the risk, but being under the Verderer's protection was too much of a temptation. He glanced back to where she was frozen in doubt a few feet behind him on the empty street.

"First though, milady, we'll have to find you a decent dress." Once again, Christine became acutely embarrassed by the condition of her clothing. The worn linen rag that she had been given not only barely covered her private parts, but it reeked of stale sweat. Her hair was knotted in a tangled bird's nest, and her hands and face were smeared with grime.

Christine could feel her face redden as she realized what she must look and smell like, it is a wonder that Lady Scarlett could find men who wanted a woman after she had been chained in that dark hole. Conceding defeat, she allowed the Verderer to guide her along and breathed in his scent from the heavy cloak. The musky scent of the Verderer was part forest, part smoke and all male that made her belly warm.

Christine allowed her rescuer to lead her through the busy streets up towards where the Oldchester castle loomed. She had been in that very castle on a few different occasions, and not once had she given any thought about the townsfolk that inhabited the streets huddled under its walls. But this time as they made their way away from the river docks, she took the time to note all the different people and the various guild-streets.

The Verderer tried not to think too much about his motives for bringing these refugees into his home. Once before, over twenty years ago now, he rescued a pretty young woman from a brothel very similar to Lady Scarlett's. That pretty blonde had become his wife and given him his sons, but this young woman was no ordinary lass. He wondered briefly if Lady Scarlett knew who she had under her roof, and if she had what her master plan was for her latest victim.

Not only was this petite maiden beautiful and chaste but her father had been well respected and part of the old king's inner council. The young woman walking quietly at his side was almost completely covered by his cloak, but he could not wipe from his mind the sight of her legs and ass when he first found her in Lady Scarlet's **** chamber.

The memory of Lady Christine's young body bent over in the stocks made him stumble. He had never found the appeal in seeing women chained and whipped, and the idea that anyone would do that to this beauty was too much to think of. His misstep must have clearly alarmed the young woman because in spite of her diminutive stature she stepped to his side and wrapped her arm around him.

"Are you well, Master Werner?" Christine asked, "You're not hurt?" She was still trying to come to grip with the turmoil of the past day. Once again, this man appeared out of nowhere to save her from a fate worse than ****. She was suddenly aware of how close she was to the Verderer and how strong and warm his torso felt. She wanted nothing more than to cling to the Verderer; his solid frame was the only constant in the tempest that her life had become.

"Easy, Lass." She felt Master Werner stiffen in her arms. "We're almost there."

The Verderer pulled free of her grasp and continued leading her the last few blooks to his house, the last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself and his pretty companion. Thankfully, in the quiet moments of the early afternoon, the people thronging the streets were more interested in going about their business than in the odd little scene. Lady Christine was right about the risk he was running bringing this young woman and her brother under his roof.

It was only now as they approached his three-story thatched townhouse that he finally allowed himself to consider what his wife might think of his decision to bring this beautiful young woman and her silent brother home with him.