Yes... And Christine is quite taken by her dashing hero

The outlaw let go of Christine but not before giving her face a slow lick from her chin and across her ear causing her squeal and kick her legs in disgust.

"Fine. Have them. Serves them right for travelling alone."

The outlaws would have been troublesome to take to the gaol (jail) so the Verderer let them go free. He didn't want to needlessly spill blood, and sadly even if this trio were hanged there would be four more to step into their place. He considered the trembling children standing before him. The pair were as filthy as the outlaws, but the cloth of their clothing was thick and well dyed. "Where are you off too?"

"Oldchester." There was really only one destination along this road, so that was no surprise, but even though she spoke but the one word, the man could tell she was no street rat.

"On what business?" He smiled at the pair, trying to get them to relax a little after their traumatic encounter.

"Merthin the notary on Gold Street." Definitely not common folk if they were traveling to meet a man on Gold Street, but that just raised more questions.

"And alone?"

Christine wanted to explain but remembered what her father had told her. "Yes. My brother and I are traveling alone. Our mother is sick, and my father is away on pilgrimage. Merthin is a family friend who is supporting us financially while my father is away."

"Couldn't a relative take you?"

"Plague took them all last year."

"That's some bad news you've had as a family." The Verderer took a moment to digest the information. Then added, "No doubt your father has gone to Jerusalem to pray for the lost souls." He dismounted casually as he came to a decision. "The two of you ride. I'll lead you to Oldchester." Christine almost blushed when she found herself staring at the handsome man's steady gaze.

"Thank you, kind sir. Such a gentleman."

"Thank you." The boy spoke for the first time, his quiet voice as polished as the girl's but lacking his sister's confidence. Well, after that, who wouldn't be scared? The thought of his boys wandering alone in these woods brought a hardness to his face that he quickly replaced with a smile.

"I have children of the same age and I wouldn't want them alone." In one swoop the Verderer lifted Erik onto the horse. He then, while being a little gentler, did the same with Christine. The Verderer couldn't help admiring her figure as her cloak briefly opened, she was older than he first thought, despite her diminutive stature. He placed her in front of her brother, straddling the saddle. Being so close to the young woman aroused him, and he thanked God that he had been nearby when she first started screaming.

Christine felt thankful for being rescued but also after a day of walking and worries it was nice to finally rest her feet. Erik rested his head on his sister's back and soon drifted in and out of a doze.

The attack by the outlaws had been horrific. But it had opened her eyes to a whole new world, a dangerous one for young girls who lacked worldly ways.

Despite ordeal, she experienced a sensation she had never felt before. Being touched underneath her cloak had opened a sinful box of confused emotions and she wasn't sure what it was or how to handle it. Her innocence had been crippled if not broken.

Straddling the saddle, the rhythmic movement of the horse was sending a pleasant massage up through her loins that spread to her toes, nipples and fingers. She felt herself pressing down onto the saddle against the motion of the horse. It was driving her crazy.

Christine found herself gazing down on the Verderer and thought him handsome and noble. He might be in his late thirties to early forties, but he was healthy and obviously active. He had a long face, and his skin was tanned, and his beard well kept.

The Verderer felt Christine's eyes upon him. "You old enough to wed?"

"I am. But I'm not in love. Are you married? You mentioned children."

"My wife and I have two boys who would love you. The older one is not quite yet a man. His time will come, though."

Still aroused she gushed. "Shame."

"A woman of your looks must have men battering down the door."

"My father is always looking for suitors. But I have not met one I like yet."

"Your accent suggests you have standing. When not on pilgrimage what does your father do for work?"

Christine left it vague. "A merchant." The Verderer nodded silently, in spite of her young age, this girl was clearly not going to chat carelessly with anyone, not even an agent of the crown.

Over the past mile the road became busier. The tree cover thinned and the tell tales of man we're littered around. Rubbish tips, lumbered trees and pauper's shacks. Soon these were accompanied by beggars, preachers and peddlers offering food and prayers to travelers.

Then they arrived at the large imposing gates of the grey stone city wall just as the sun was starting to set. Christine had been to Oldchester before, but she usually arrived inside a closed carriage, so she had never before seen the walls from this perspective.

A long queue was waiting to gain entrance slowed by the inspection and careful questioning by the armed guards of the sheriff who we're checking for nare-do-wells and inspecting carts. There was tension too. News obviously travelled fast about what happened at Bartholomew Castle.

The Verderer was known. And with his young companions, he was given passage into the city without questioning.

Once through the great gates the Verderer turned to Christine who was still upon his house. He thought her so naturally pretty. As a younger man he could easily have fallen in love with a face such as hers. Even now as he approached old age, he could still feel himself tempted. "Do you want to come back to my house? You can rest and, wash, and eat before meeting Merthin."