Over Maudlin Street
by DJ Tyrer
[this is the second in the three part series–
read Top Hat from the beginning, here]
The last train of the day from Cambridge into Liverpool Street was late and Osric Child was practically jogging as he headed out of the station and sought a cab.
“Maudlin Street,” he told the driver as he sank down into the lumpy seat. “Number 42.”
“Right you are, guv.”
Osric hated London.
They passed the tiny church of St. Erkenwald and pulled up outside his sister’s house. It always struck him as odd that the church was named for some obscure Saxon saint when the street itself was clearly named after Mary Magdalene. Where was her church?
“Keep the change.”
The sky overhead was grey and cloudy as he stepped out onto the pavement.
He knocked on the door and his sister opened it.
They were twins, but in no sense identical. Where he was fair and tall, she was short and dark.
She was still in black in memory of her late husband.
Osric hadn’t liked the man, but he couldn’t fault her for her devotion.
“Come in.” She directed him into the study.
A moth was butting against the light above his head.
“How was Berlin?”
She raised an eyebrow. “How do you think? A real mess. One day, they’ll draw a map which shows just who owns what, save visitors a fortune in bribes and headache pills. Oh, sit down, sit down.”
He did. “You know why I’m here?”
“Drink?”
He shook his head. “Well?”
“So, the worm turns and commences to devour itself?”
“Just give me what’s mine.” He held out his hand.
With a soft huff, she unlocked her desk drawer and took out the Leaden Seal, held it reverently in her hands.
“This should’ve been mine…”
Osric shrugged. “Dad wanted me to have it.”
“Dad never understood what it represents, what it can do. I had it in Berlin. I saw Verethan.”
Sniffing, he shrugged and said,” I leave the truth of it for others to surmise.”
That elicited a hollow laugh.
“You sounded just like Dad, then; he was always using that line.”
He shrugged again. “Can I have it?”
“Fine.” She thrust it into his hand. “But, it will come to bite you, you know that.”
“I don’t know what I know, any more.”
She frowned just a little. “You’ll see. You will see. The Seal shows you things, reshapes your dreams. Sooner or later, you’ll wish you’d left it with me.”
Osric closed his eyes; his head hurt, and, for a moment, he thought he saw a desert road stretching out to infinity before him.
He stood and stumbled for the front door.
The moth watched him go.
It knew.
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