The Golden City: A Medieval Time Travel Romance (Eternity Rings Book 2)

by Paige Elwood

  It was very sedate compared to her expectations. Tables were scattered around, with several chairs at each table. Iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Ladies sat in groups together, and some men were seated with a single lady, occasionally two. They were mostly talking, drinking wine, and playing cards. She saw the occasional touch of a leg over clothing that would have been considered improper, or a hand against a cheek, but it certainly wasn’t the terrible den of immodesty that she’d imagined it might be.

  She saw Leona sitting and talking to a man with wavy salt and pepper hair. He occasionally ran his hand through it in an absent-minded way that reminded her of Max. They were playing a game of cards and talking animatedly. Leona saw her standing there and waved her over, gesturing to the empty seat at their table.

  Sarah shook her head, aghast, but Leona laughed and gestured more insistently. Sarah went over and sat on the edge of the seat, her hands folded primly in her lap.

  “Sarah, this is George,” Leona said. “George, Sarah is a friend who is staying here a few days.” She paused before adding, “she’s not one of Edita’s girls.”

  George eyed Sarah curiously. “George is an alchemist,” Leona said. “It’s terribly fascinating and terribly secret, so he comes here for companionship and to be among other people who the church would consider outcasts and heretics.”

  As introductions went, it was one of the more interesting ones Sarah had experienced. “An alchemist?” She raised a brow. “Found the Philosopher’s Stone yet?”

  George’s mouth dropped open. “What do you know of the Philosopher’s Stone?”

  Sarah smiled. “Not so much, just that alchemists believed that it would help them change materials into gold.”

  “Believed?” he asked.

  “Sorry, believe. It’s been a very long day.” She rubbed at her temples.

  “Wine?” he poured a glass. It seemed rude to decline, so she took it and pretended to sip it. The smell was disgusting. “In answer to your question, I have not,” he said.

  “What have you discovered in your pursuit?” she asked. “I’m genuinely curious.”

  “I am trying to discover new cures for old illnesses,” he said. “But so far I have not managed to discover much other than how to create fire.”

  “Fire?” Sarah asked, suddenly all ears.

  George nodded. “I mixed two compounds together, hoping they would be able to purify blood that was diseased. Unfortunately, they set alight almost immediately after they were mixed.”

  Sarah leaned forward. “Do you know what those compounds were?”

  “Well, yes of course I know. But we do not divulge our secrets easily,” he said in a low voice.

  “What if I told you it was for the good of the kingdom?” Sarah said.

  “Perhaps I’m interested,” he said. “And perhaps I am not.”

  “I know somebody who is trying to invent a fire missile that ignites on impact.”

  “I can help with the ignition,” George said. “But perhaps not with the impact part. Maybe…”

  “We already have a vessel that would mix two compounds on impact. We just didn’t know what would work.”

  “Then perhaps I could help. Who is building this weapon? I don’t want it to fall into the wrong hands.”

  “The Prince.”

  “You know the Prince?”

  “Yes. Well, I did. I know people in the castle, I can get word to him.”

  “Let me think about it. I prefer to remain secretive, on the whole.”

  “I understand,” Sarah said. She was a little disappointed, but the truth was she wasn’t sure if she could get word to the Prince anyway. She didn’t want to put Agata in any danger by sending messages with her.

  She spent a pleasant evening playing cards with Leona and George, but retired to bed quite early. She had a lot of ideas swimming around in her head, and she wanted to get some sleep. Sometimes a good sleep provided clarity, and she wanted to be sharp and ready to research the next morning.

  Agata was unable to leave the castle the next day, but the priest seemed pretty clueless, so Sarah was sure they wouldn’t need anyone to keep watch. Hopefully, they’d find what they needed, and she could put an end to this insanity.

  Chapter 36

  She rose early the next morning and met Leona in the kitchen for breakfast. At least breakfast here wasn’t gruel, she thought, as she gobbled down boiled eggs and bread with plenty of butter.

  “Hungry?” Leona said, watching her eat.

  Sarah’s cheeks colored. “I just like food,” she shrugged. Although her metabolism was starting to feel sluggish. She hadn’t been able to get outside to run, or go for a walk, and her bedroom was so small she couldn’t do yoga either. The sooner this nonsense was sorted out, the better.

  Leona smiled, popping the last piece of her slice of bread in her mouth, chewing slowly. “Let’s go,” she said, handing Sarah the shawl. Sarah wrinkled her nose.

  “You know you have to,” Leona chastised her, and Sarah took the shawl from her outstretched hand and wrapped it around her head.

  It was raining lightly, and the additional moisture amplified the musty smell of the shawl. Sarah began to feel queasy and wished she hadn’t eaten quite so much. By the time she arrived at the church she felt nauseous and dizzy.

  She took a seat on a pew as they entered the church. “Are you alright?” Leona whispered.

  Sarah nodded. “I think so, just the smell of this shawl!”

  The priest from yesterday appeared almost out of nowhere, making Leona shriek. He was stealthy for such a rotund figure.

  “Just the two of you today?” he asked.

  “Yes, my cousin is working,” Leona said. “But we’d like to continue looking if that’s alright?”

  The priest shrugged. “It is. But it will be quicker if I help you.”

  “We don’t need help, honestly, it’s fine,” Leona smiled.

  “But I don’t have anything else to do for hours,” he said. “I was kind of looking forward to having something to do.”

  Sarah’s stomach roiled, and she snatched the shawl off her head. “Fine,” she said. “Come help us, I need as much help as I can get.”

  “Sarah,” Leona said through gritted teeth. “What are you doing?”

  “He seems like a nice man. He can help us,” Sarah said.

  Father Thomas stared at her. “Sorry. I just assumed you were old.”

  “Well, I’m not,” Sarah said. “Shall we get to work?”

  The unlikely trio of lecturer, prostitute, and priest traipsed up the stairs to the record room. Father Thomas unlocked the door with the key that dangled from the belt on his cassock. Sara wondered how the rope stayed up, as it was slid underneath his stomach.

  They entered the room, and Sarah was aggrieved to see the candles lit near the books once more.

  “What are you looking for?” the priest asked.

  “Anything related to the Romanov family,” she said.

  “Anything? What exactly do you want to find?”

  “My family. I need to prove my lineage.”

  “What for?”

  “To marry a Prince.”

  “It’s a reason I suppose,” he shrugged. “Do you know what year to start with?”

  “I’m just working backwards from this year to see what I can find,” she said, “We got through six years’ worth yesterday.”

  “Should we not just look at the year you were born?” he asked.

  “No,” Sarah said. “I don’t have all the information, and I need to know as much as I can.”

  “Ok, we’ll do it the hard way then,” he grumbled.

  Sarah ignored him and picked up the next three record book. “There you go,” she said.

  He took the book and started leafing through. She handed a second one to Leona before settling down with the third one for herself.

  She was two-thirds of the way through her book, when Father Thomas said, “Peter Romanov?”
r />   “Yes!” Sarah said. “What did you find?”

  “The deed for the house passing to him after his parent’s death,” Father Thomas said.

  “Does it name his parents?”

  “Sarah and Dimitri Romanov. The house is part of titled lands too. Peter was a Lord.”

  “This is great,” Sarah said, excitedly. “I need that deed!”

  “I can get a copy from the lawyer in the city,” Father Thomas said.

  “Yes! That would be perfect!”

  Father Thomas beamed. “I’d be happy to help. I’ll go now and see if I can get it.” He got up and dusted off his cassock. “I’ll be about an hour. Try not to get into any trouble.”

  Leona smiled at him. “We won’t.”

  The two women continued searching through the books. Sarah’s eyes were starting to hurt when she spotted a birth record for a Sarah Romanov, whose father was Peter Romanov. Her heart leaped. This was perfect!

  She slid a hairpin in the page and continued turning the pages. Six pages later, there was a death record for Sarah Romanov. She’d only lived a few short weeks. Her eyes pricked with tears for the poor baby, and her parents who had to say goodbye so soon. She said a silent prayer for them before continuing to leaf through the book. She didn’t find anything else of interest, but she was confident now that she could stake a claim.

  She heard the priest’s heavy footsteps on the stairs minutes before he came barreling into the room. “Got it!” he puffed, brandishing a paper sealed with wax and the lawyer’s seal.

  “That was fast,” Sarah said, eying the deed hungrily.

  “He owed me a favor,” the priest said, handing her the document. She tucked it safely into her dress, the stiff paper rubbing a little against her skin.

  She opened the record book next to her at the hairpin-marked page. “This birth record, how do I get a copy of it?”

  He peered at the book. “I just write those out,” he said, grabbing a quill from the desk and rummaging around in the mess for a piece of paper. He found one eventually, a little creased, but still usable, and copied out the birth record. He folded and sealed it, handing it over.

  “Anything else?” he said, looking at the pile of unread records on the table apprehensively.

  “No,” Sarah grinned, “I have everything I need to get me a Prince.”

  “May I ask a favor?”

  “What is it?”

  “I’d like the honor of being the one to marry you to your Prince? A royal wedding would be a dream come true.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. I still have to convince his father yet. But if I can, you’re my first choice!” She gave him a kiss on his plump cheek, and he blushed.

  “Good luck,” he called after them as they left the records room and descended the steps to the main church.

  “Put your shawl on,” Leona hissed as Sarah almost stepped out into the square without it. Sarah grimaced, but wrapped the smelly fabric around her head and shoulders. It would be a shame to fall at the final hurdle now that she was so close.

  She stepped out into the square and was filled with relief that Leona had reminded her about the shawl. The square was crawling with the king’s guards. She could hear Cedric’s voice barking orders to his men, and her blood froze. She gripped Leona’s arm and shuffled as fast as she could out of the square and over the bridge.

  “What are they looking for?” she whispered to Leona.

  “I don’t know,” Leona said, “But I think we should get you inside quickly.”

  They reached the house and shut the door behind them, sagging against the closed door in relief. Sarah pulled the shawl off. Hopefully it would be the last time she’d need it!

  Chapter 37

  Max changed his clothes, hiding the paper underneath his mattress. It was his lifeline, his only ally, and was possibly where Sarah had gone. He had no idea if she knew the address by heart, but she’d been banished from the city and it was the only place he could think of to look. At least Katherine would help, and it would be somewhere to stay, to start his new non-royal life.

  If Sarah was there, they could start afresh and live a simple life. He didn’t need all the finery he had in the castle. His best times were always just outside, walking or running with Sarah, or when they worked on his inventions. He could do that anywhere and be happy. He couldn’t be happy if he stayed here.

  He straightened his clothes and headed to the door. He’d attend the Lord’s council, and he’d pretend he was going to agree to marry a different Princess. But while he was pretending, Henry would be helping him arrange his escape. He snuck into the passageways, relieved that his father hadn’t added the to the guard’s patrols. His workshop had been dismantled and locked up, but the passageways were still open to him.

  He met with Henry in the space between the hedge and the castle wall and explained his plan. “Will you help me one last time?” he asked his old friend.

  Henry regarded him balefully, his rheumy eyes cloudier than usual, but he nodded his head. “You know I will, my Prince. Meet me in the third street across after the clock in the square turns midnight. I’ll have what you need.”

  “Thank you.” Max pulled Henry in for a hug, and the old man stiffened in surprise before patting the Prince on the back.

  “Are you sure you have to do this?” Henry asked.

  “I’m certain. I can’t stay here, not without Sarah.”

  “I knew that girl would be trouble.” Henry shook his head sadly.

  “Now, Henry,” Max said. “She saved me. It might not look like it, but she did.”

  Henry shrugged. “I will just have to take your word for it.”

  “You’ve been a great friend, Henry,” Max said. “And a better father figure than my own could ever be.”

  A tear slid down Henry’s face. “It has been an honor helping you. I will see you tonight at the meeting point.” He slipped away, face down and wiping at his eyes as he went.

  Max made his way straight to the Council chamber. He flung the door wide and strode in as though he didn’t have a care in the world. His father looked only slightly surprised when Max took his seat at the table next to him. The Lords pretended not to stare, but he knew that the rumors would have been flying by now. Lord Novak was the only one that boldly held his gaze as he looked round the table.

  He thought Lord Novak looked pleased about something. He hoped his father hadn’t offered to marry him to one of his daughters. They were cruel and petty from what little he had seen of them. Katherine had been difficult at times, but she had never been truly malicious.

  The meeting dragged, and Max struggled to look like he as paying attention. He was pleased nobody asked him any questions, as most of the time he was planning his escape.

  When the meeting finally ended and all of the Lords had shuffled out, his father turned to him. “Have you given any more thought to the Italian Princess?” he asked.

  “I haven’t had time yet, but I’m sure she will make a lovely bride, Max said.

  “Indeed, she will. Even more lovely than Katherine.”

  Max nodded absently. “You might be pleased to know that your ridiculous stunt with Katherine hasn’t entirely decimated our alliance with Bohemia,” the King added.

  Max sat up. “Yes, I am pleased to hear that. Have you spoken with the King?”

  “I have. Katherine is their youngest daughter, but they also have two sons, so their dynasty is not quite as affected by your childish behavior as ours would be.”

  Max rubbed at his neck. Katherine had never spoken of her brothers, but he’s been aware that the Bohemian royal family had more children. His father continued, “We have agreed to remain allies, and the King will not disown his daughter.”

  “He said that?” Max asked.

  “Once it was clear that both of you were at fault, and not just one of you, the King found it rather a funny story,” his father said, his lip curling. “Of course, as I’ve said, he does not have the same conc
erns that we would have.”

  His father clamped a hand on his shoulder. “I am glad you’re seeing sense. I wish you’d have made the right decisions in the first place, but we can put this right now. In a few months, nobody will even remember Katherine or that commoner.”

  Max stiffened at the insult against Sarah but said nothing. There was no point now in arguing with his father. His decision was made, so there was nothing to be gained.

  He’d been sleepwalking through his life and hadn’t even realized it until she’d arrived at the castle. Now he knew what it felt like to be alive, and he couldn’t go back to his old life. Nothing mattered anymore without Sarah. She was his purpose and he was adrift without her.

  He made his excuses and headed to his bedchamber to gather the few belongings he wanted to take. In a small knapsack, he threw in a change of clothing, the copy of Gorgias from the library, and the paper with Katherine’s address written on it. Then he sat himself down opposite his window and watched the distant figure of the clock tower, awaiting the time to make his move.

  Chapter 38

  The passageway was silent save for her own footsteps echoing against the stone. She clutched the papers to her chest with one arm, and with the other she felt her way through the passageways, since she couldn’t use a candle to light her way. After what seemed like an eternity, she reached the exit that would let her out by the throne room. She was almost there. If she could just get to the king before the guards carted her away she could show them her proof.

  She hoped Max would be in there. She wanted to see him, but her priority right now was dealing with the King and getting her claim to nobility agreed. She nudged open the door and slipped out slowly without disturbing the tapestry. With her back pressed against the wall she shuffled sideways until she could peer around the edge of the fabric. She held her breath as she peered out. She could hear no sounds, and there were no guards visible.

  She stepped out from behind the tapestry and walked quickly towards the throne room. Her footsteps echoed across the floor, and she suddenly became aware of the sound of a second set of footprints. Her heart thudded in her chest and she picked up speed, going as fast as she could toward the throne room doors.