She's not happy

As they got closer to the castle walls the sun was completely blocked from the sky and the streets narrowed; it felt almost like the Verderer was leading them down a badger's burrow. The handsome rider seemed to go slower and slower the closer he got to home, by the time he finally stopped in front of a three-story townhouse even Erik had to slow his pace. The building looked much like all the others on this street, with cut stonework on the bottom floor and plastered walls above, but unlike the houses that flanked it with their open windows and herbs growing on the windowsills, this house looked dark and uninviting.

The upper walls of the house had once been brightly whitewashed, but the cracked plaster was now grey with age and the set of small steps leading up to the entryway was scattered with leaves fallen from the large scraggly rose bush was clinging to the corner of the house above the stable door. It was a far cry from her father's castle, and Christine could only wonder what kind of reception she and Erik might receive.

As the Verderer dismounted, the wide stable door swung open and two boys perhaps a little younger than her burst from the house and jumped into the man's arms, and Christine chided herself for jumping to conclusions. She could not imagine a more lovely greeting for the man of the house returning from a long day afield.

"Da, you're home!" The pair laughed as their father swung them around in a great circle that made their heels swing out almost striking Christine. The older of the two boys looked much like his father, although he lacked the man's broad shoulders, while the younger boy reminded her a little of Erik. For a moment she wondered what it might feel like to throw herself into this man's arms and be swept off her feet like that. Immediately she felt a wave of guilt, as she remembered her own beloved father and how he might be suffering in Prince Henry's grasp.

"Take Bruno, boys and see he is cared for." The father passed the gelding's reigns to the older of the two lads and motioned for her to follow him through the smaller door to the left of the open stable door. Pulling Erik's hand tightly behind her she followed the Verderer into a large smoky hall dominated by a large table. Sitting at the table was a middle-aged woman whose bodice was heavily embroidered with silver and whose greying hair was largely covered by an elegant hat stitched in the latest fashion. From her seat she supervised a haggard-looking servant plucking rolls from the hearth and placing them carefully in a basket. Only after the last roll was safely secured did the well-dressed matron turn her sharp eyes to the three.

"The boys said you were home, finally, but they didn't mention that you bought stragglers in your wake." The mistress of the house surveyed the three of them like a merchant looking over shoddy goods. "Who are these sorry wretches?" The woman's rudeness clearly bothered the Verderer, and Christine felt a pang as she watched his lips tighten. His goodwife had poise and even a stern beauty, but neither could make up for her lack of grace and the way she looked down at her husband. Christine sensed that this matron was as cold-hearted as her husband was kind and wondered how these two ever ended up as a match.

"A mud-covered strumpet and thieving urchin?" The matron lifted her nose even higher, "Werner, where did you find these two, and why-ever did you bring them here?" Christine was too tired to take offense at characterization, instead she glanced at the man, already regretting her decision to accept his invitation and the trouble she was causing. Perhaps sensing her pity, the Verderer straightened his shoulders and met his wife's cool stare with the same strength she saw in him when he confronted the outlaws.

"I found them in the King's woods," Werner omitted any reference to their dire straits when he came upon them. "I promised the lass and the boy that we'd give them a bite to eat and a chance to clean-up." Perhaps sensing that her husband was not going to be denied this thing, the woman turned her attention to Christine.

"What's your name, girl?"

"Ah, Evelyn" Christine curtseyed as she provided the first name that popped into her head. As aliases go, using her best friend's name was not the best choice, but she did better with her brother. "This is Franklin, but most folks call him Frank." Christine could see the surprise on Erik's face, but hopefully that was because she knew him better than anyone else in the world.

"Very well," the sharp-eyed matron agreed with a scowl, "but not in here." It was clear that this woman was not happy about being reminded abut who was in charge of the household. "Werner, take them out to the stables, they can wash out there. But make sure you watch them; I'll not have our kindness repaid with petty thievery."

Christine choked back her angry retort, this was twice now that the shrew had accused them of being thieves. Instead, she wondered if the Verderer would indeed follow his wife's direction and watch them as they tried to clean themselves. Even if she kept on her slip and leggings, the thought of that that man with his clear blue eyes watching her as she slipped out of her gown made her blush fiercely. At least Erik would not be separated from her, and for that small blessing she gave silent thanks.