To an ... inn?

The Verderer guided Christine and Erik away from the towering castle and wealthier districts near the Cathedral down towards the river on the Eastern side of the city. He guided them through a narrow alleyway and up a half flight of steps to a large stone house which was set one street back from the docks. The building was three stories high, the upper floors timber built. It looked fit for a ship's captain or wealthy merchant. A neatly dressed guard nodded politely to the Verderer appraising Christine with undisguised interest as she passed by wrapped in the long thick cloak.

The ground floor was dominated by a large open room filled with about a dozen sturdy tables that, for the most part, were empty. At two of the large tables were well-dressed merchants or guildsmen with plentiful means. They sprawled lazily on cushioned chairs before tables topped with hearty food and fine wine. Christine even noticed glassware which was a sure sign of wealth.

These diners were attended by young women and girls who all seemed overly familiar with their guests, laughing and teasing the men as they brought them food and refills for their cups. One of the serving girls squealed suddenly with laughter as she was swept onto a grey-haired man's lap and hugged tightly as she wiggled to get free.

Neither the guests not servers seemed concerned by the girl's plight and the Verderer too ignored the action as he steered the pair through the large dining space. Erik couldn't take his eyes off the food, his mouth moist and his stomach paining. Christine however was a more concerned at the way several of the men eyed her; she pulled the heavy woolen cloak tight as their eyes followed her every move trying to gauge what she might look like under the layer of thick wool.

"You'll eat and drink soon, I promise." The Verderer assured them as he led them through an ornately decorated archway to a small chamber off the main room, "There is someone I need to speak to first." He pointed to an empty bench that was richly upholstered in red velvet. "Sit there, and don't talk to anyone - especially not the men." A woman with a low-cut bodice and her skirts tucked into her waistband sashayed by with a heavy tray loaded with chicken, bread and roasted vegetables. Another woman with golden earrings that dangled from her pretty ears followed with four tankards of foaming ale that dripped onto the wooden floor.

For the next few minutes Christine watched the guests through the archway as they ate and bantered with the pretty servers. Slowly, a suspicion was beginning to form in her mind. She had never been in a brothel, but she had read about them, and her father's guards sometimes would talk about these places when they didn't realize that Christine was sitting quietly nearby listening to their ribald jests. She considered taking Erik and leaving, but the truth of the matter was that she had nowhere else to go.

The Verderer was back as silently as he had departed, this time with a stern-looking woman by his side. "Lady Scarlett, may I introduce you to Evelyn and her brother?"

Scarlett smiled warmly, "Why, hello there, I believe you are to be my guests for a while." Only the reassuring presence of the Verderer kept Christine from fearing the worst.

"Yes, Ma'am. This is my brother Franklyn." If Lady Scarlett noticed the brief hesitation as she made up a name, she did not comment on it. Christine had decided to use the name of Erik's favorite hound and to her relief her brother seemed to understand the need for the falsehoods. They could hardly keep telling people that she was Lady Christine of house Gerard and that the lad by her side was the rightful heir to the title.

The woman walked right up to where Christine was sitting and without a hint of hesitation pushed the hood back so she could better see Christine's face.

"Well, Evelyn. You're a petty little thing." Scarlett smiled easily, "You'll blend in easily enough here once you've had a bath and we get you some decent clothes." Christine didn't know whether to be relieved or insulted that this Madam though she looked like one of her prostitutes. She lifted her eyes to meet Scarlett's gaze, refusing to let her weariness and hunger weaken her position.

"Thank you, Ma'am." The words were neutral, and for just a second Christine thought she saw the hint of a smile on her hostess' face before she turned away.

Scarlett, nodded to the Verderer, "You'd best get going Werner. Send my love to Mari." With an encouraging smile, the Verderer took his leave.

"He'll be back, children, when it's safe." again, Christine didn't know how to respond so she kept her mouth shut. After a pregnant pause, Scarlett continued. "He told me a little of your difficulties." Perhaps seeing the worried look on Christine's face, Lady Scarlet went on smoothly, "not all of them I'm sure, but enough to know that you need a place to keep away from unwanted attention." Christine nodded cautiously not sure how much this strange lady knew. "You'll be safe here if you do as I say and don't raise a fuss."

Christine nodded again, wondering exactly what that meant. Did Scarlet expect her to work the tables like the other prostitutes? Would she be expected to ... surely that's not what the Verderer intended when he brought her here ... unless he planned to visit her too ... In spite of her hunger and fatigue, Christine could feel the heat in her cheeks as she imagined Master Werner leading her to one of the small rooms upstairs where the business of the brothel took place.