A difficult choice.

The sun broke and Christine and Erik were already walking the pale light of dawn. The inns and taverns that had been raucous we're silent. The drunkards who had earlier hollered at Christine as she passed were now asleep or nursing hangovers. The loudest sound was the dull rumbling from their stomachs. Erik asked, "What can we eat?"

"Unless someone takes pity, we need money to buy food." The thought of begging killed what pride Christine had left.

"What are we going to do for money?"

"I don't know. Guess we're going to have to work. Get jobs."

"Like what?"

Feeling tired and hungry, Christine snapped. "Erik. Stop asking questions." She then felt a little guilty. "I can sew a little. Maybe I can find a seamstress who will employ me."

"And me?"

"I don't know. Maybe you can go fishing in the river or something, but for now I don't know. We need to find a knight to take you on as a squire. That's the eventual goal." Christine knew it would take a miracle. "We just have to find a way of making enough money so I can sponsor you. Fast."

"The Verderer was a nice man. Do you think he can he give us work?"

"Erm…" So far, the Verderer had been the only kindness they had found. "Maybe, but we need to find him. Yet I don't even know where to begin to look. We don't even know his name."

There was a silence amongst the pair as they thought of the Verderer. Christine couldn't believe she hadn't asked for his name. Someone would know of course. But to know his name the person would need to be of some stature and the siblings were meant to be trying to avoid highbornes. And the Verderer wouldn't live in the town. He'd be out in the forest, surely. But didn't he say he was visiting his wife and family in Oldchester? Maybe his wife was staying at her parents. Maybe she wasn't adjusted to living in the wilds. Who knows? Christine turned these facts around and around in her mind as her shoes pounded the cobbles.

~

The morning was one big disappointment. Countless merchants refused to employ them as apprentices. Every position was filled and even if it wasn't the merchant seemed **** employ an untrained stranger.

The one bit of good news they learned was the approximate location of the Verderer.

Even the church was unwilling to help with alms as the pair hadn't registered with the town watch. They hadn't done so because Christine didn't want to reveal her own name in case of reprisal. She believed Oldchester will be next on the Bastard Prince's list, and she knew that Henry was not going to let them live in peace. Erik, because he could one day become a threat to Henry's rule, and herself ... Christine knew all too well what the Back Prince wanted with her chaste body.

By the afternoon they were stalked by thirst, hunger and a crushing sense of failure.

In the late afternoon Christne found what she believed to be a seamstress. She knocked on the door and entered the small rickety townhouse while Erik waited outside and prayed for a successful outcome.

The young lad sensed curious eyes studying him. He had felt them for the previous few minutes. Finally, he turned and spotted a woman across the bustling street. She smiled and waved. At a guess be thought she was about the same age as Christine, maybe a year older. She was well dressed in new clothes and pretty, with her golden hair and a kind face.

Christine then stepped out of the house. Her voice sounded empty of hope. "No good. This town is just one big disappointment. Come, follow me. We'll keep looking."

And so, they moved on.

A hundred yards down the road Erik asked Christine. "Have you noticed the pretty blonde girl following us? She waved at me before, "

"I have."

Erik asked, "Why do you think she keeps looking at us for?"

"I don't know. But she has been following us for a couple of minutes. I noticed her before the last seamstress." Christine felt she better investigate, and stopped, then turned to face their stalker. "Are you lonely, or just bored?"

"Me?"

"Yes. It is you who is stalking the two of us like a lonely shadow."

The blonde woman asked, "I just wanted to know. Are you homeless?"

"What's it to you?"

"I can help."

Christine felt **** to tell the truth. But her hunger was crushing. "Then, yes. We are. We haven't eaten in two days. Nor had a proper drink."

"Abandoned?"

"Our parents were… taken away from us. We have no family."

The blonde appeared saddened by the familiar story. "How tragic. My heart goes out to you." Her large blue eyes widened, and her lips opened into a smile. It all seemed well practiced like a fine art. "Then it is your lucky day. My name is Alice. Come with me."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You can't. But believe when I say, I was once penniless like you, but I now have enough to put good food and drink on the table. And have a roof over my head."

"Well, that sounds good to me."

"You don't sound like me and the others, you have the accent of a highborne."

Christine waited a moment then answered, "I was well brought up."

"Don't worry that will work in your favour."

~

Alice guided Christine and Erik to a large stone house which was set one street back from the docks. It was two stories high, the upper floors timber built. It looked fit for a merchant captain.

The ground floor looked like a well-kept inn lit by plenty of large candles. However, the clientele weren't men of the street, but we're well dressed like wealthy merchants or men with plentiful means. They sat at long tables topped with hearty food and fine wine. Christine even noticed glassware which was a sure sign of wealth.

These tables were serviced by young women and girls who all seemed overly familiar with their guests.

Alice guided the pair through the large dining space, Erik couldn't take his eyes off the food, his mouth moist and his stomach paining. Christine felt the same way, but also noticed all the men seemed interested in her. Their eyes following her every move.

Alice ordered the siblings. "Eat and drink first, I will then take you to meet your new employer." The pair were shown to an empty bench where Alice asked them both to sit. Another woman then placed a plate of chicken, bread and roasted vegetables. Another woman then placed a tankard of weak ale in front of both siblings.

Dying of thirst both Christine and Erik drank their tankards to the last sip.

As they placed the tankards back on the table the smiling woman was going to refill the tankards from a jug, but Alice came back and angrily scolded woman. "Christine is a lady, she will drink from a glass."

The woman nodded knowingly.

A glass was then placed in front of both. Despite coming from a wealthy family Christine had rarely drank from a glass. "No, it's Okay. A tankard or goblet is standard for me."

"I insist."

For the next five minutes Alice watched as their new guests ate. She had caught many unfortunate souls. She would always work hard to gain their trust, careful to treat them with kindness. Then make it impossible for them to leave.

Despite being a master of finding the right girls, she had never found a highborne. A few bankrupt merchant daughters, but she could tell Christine was from another level completely. Her clothes were a dead giveaway. She also talked different. Ate different. Even walked different. She was also curvy but not fat like a glutton

Alice knew Christine will bring her rich rewards, and much favor with her employer.

Once she saw the empty plates, Alice asked Christine to join her, and to leave Erik at the table. She then and knocked on a door and a haughty voice from inside asked her to enter. Alice opened the door and gestured towards a slim well-dressed middle-aged woman with a painted face. "This is Lady Scarlett."

Scarlett smiled, "Why, hello. What is your name?"

"Ah, Evelyn." If Lady Scarlett noticed the brief hesitation as she made up a name, she did not comment on it. She had decided to use the name of her favorite Lady-in-waiting, she did not like to lie, but she could hardly keep telling people that she was Lady Christine of house Gerard.

"Well, Evelyn. You're petty little thing."

"Thank you."

Scarlett stepped up to Christine. A tall woman, she loomed over her. She placed a boney finger on Chistine's chin and tilted her head backwards. "Such a pretty, innocent face." She then mapped the flanks of Christine's torso through her embroidered tunic then felt her waist. "A good figure too..." Scarlett could tell Christine felt uncomfortable with such close personal contact. But she didn't let it stop her. "With a fine healthy bosom for a young girl,"

"Thank you."

"Alice is right. You are a highborne. I can tell." Christine didn't know how to answer. Scarlett continued. "Despite your situation you look well fed with strong teeth. You speak well. Yes, I have no doubt that you're a highborn, am I right?" Christine didn't answer. "No bother. So, you're not married? I suppose you wouldn't be here if you were."

"No, I am not."

Scarlett's face beamed with smile. "Are you pure?"

"Excuse me?"

"Have you been with a man? And I don't just mean a bit of tickling in a field."

"Never. But why do you wish to know?"

Scarlett could see the panic etched on Christne's face. "I will bring you safety, support and comfort, as well as make you filthy rich."

"I think it best I leave. But thank you for your kind offer."

"You've eaten my food and drink. Do you know how much a place at my table costs? It's not a cheap establishment. It's owned by the Guild of Merchants. Only the rich visit here."

Alice took this line as notice and discretely left the room. A distressed Chrstine hadn't noticed as she answered Scarlett. "I haven't got any money."

"Don't worry. I'll take your service as payment. Once you cover the cost, you'll be free."

"Never. My soul will burn in hell."

Suddenly there was a commotion from behind the door. It opened and Alice dragged Erik inside the room. "Sorry for interrupting. But your drunk brother has smashed a glass."

Christine could tell by his stupid grin, that Erik was drunk. "Erik you fool."

"Oh, dear. Your runt of a brother has also broken a glass. You know how much that cost? It came all the way from Jerusalem."

"I feel like this is one big stitch up."

"I assure you it is not."

Christine began to sob. "What am I to do?"

"Look. No one messes with my girls and I. I will protect you. You'll be reserved for the very highest members. You will be Princess to my Queen. " Scarlett glanced towards Alice and grinned. "Sorry Alice."

"Well, I can't argue with beauty."

"My girls are not street whores. They are paid, protected by the guild, most work short hours, and all live a comfortable life. Yes, they have to be creative and, of course, be pleasers in the bedroom."

"And what about Erik?"

Alice interrupted. "He told me he wants to be a squire. I'm sure we can sort that out."

"Not a problem." Scarlett then beamed towards a visibly worried Christine. "We know plenty of knights here. Some are even knights of the Cross. What more could you wish for than secure your brothers future?"

"And if I choose to leave… right now?"

"Well, no one leaves without settling their debt. We have a dungeon for those clients, or girls who try to cheat us. You won't find it a nice place… and cruel men would be sure to find you down there."