Enigma: Episode 13 - Expanded Tales of a Young Woman (and her Servant)

In the heart of the gritty, fictional town, Gwladys and Aefelthrith found themselves running Anty Marj's abandoned pawnshop. After a bizarre encounter with Anty Marj herself, who returned with the Watch, Gwladys cleverly convinced her they had paid for the shop - pocketing Aefelthrith's ring in the process. With a little white lie, they managed to keep the shop and avoid suspicion.

One day, 'Arry, a local urchin, returned to work, having been hired by Gwladys to help clear the overgrown garden. While digging, he unearthed an old skull, which he kept hidden at Gwladys' request.

"Arry! You're back, good to see you!" Gwladys smiled as the scruffy child entered the shop.

"Still need me to work the garden?" 'Arry asked, hopeful and relieved.

"Indeed, start from the other end this time," Gwladys responded, leading him into the tangled mess they referred to as a garden.

"Did you ask your mother about the shop?" 'Arry inquired.

"Not much to tell, she thinks it's always been a shop," Gwladys answered.

"No graveyard or anything?" Gwladys hesitated, worried about the implications of the skull 'Arry found.

"No, just a shop," 'Arry dismissed her concerns.

"You didn't tell your mother about the skull?"

"Of course not!" 'Arry looked offended.

"I see, well, I just don't want rumors starting," Gwladys explained.

As 'Arry resumed his work, Aefelthrith arrived, looking refined and proper compared to the scruffy child working in the yard.

"Started on the day, have we?" Aefelthrith asked, hinting at 'Arry's labor.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I asked him to return today," Gwladys retorted, defending her decision.

"Has he discovered anything about our...situation?" Aefelthrith asked, allusion to the mysterious occurrences plaguing the shop.

"Not much, just that it's always been a shop," Gwladys reported.

"No indication of an innocent explanation for...it" Aefelthrith pondered, seeming thoroughly unconvinced.

"Could always be anything before your time," Gwladys suggested hopefully.

"Lightly boiled egg for breakfast, if you please," Aefelthrith requested, looking pained.

"Dear girl, I made porridge, you can like it or lump it!" Gwladys scowled at her.

"Porridge it is, but not without complaint," Aefelthrith huffed.

As they ate, Aefelthrith broached the subject of 'Arry's conversation with his mother.

"You asked your mother about the shop's origins?" 'Arry questioned.

"Indeed, she said it has always been a shop," Gwladys confirmed.

"Did she mention anyone else being involved?" Aefelthrith probed.

"Yes, another woman, her name was Sarah, she worked with Anty Marj," 'Arry answered matter-of-factly.

"A sister?" Gwladys inquired hopefully.

"Yes, according to my mother," 'Arry confirmed.

"And this Sarah woman, what happened to her?" Aefelthrith questioned sternly.

"Disappeared, suddenly," 'Arry shrugged nonchalantly.

After breakfast, 'Arry returned to the garden and Gwladys and Aefelthrith cleared the table.

"Do you think this Sarah woman...could be buried in our garden?" Aefelthrith whispered nervously.

"Could be, but it's a stretch," Gwladys responded.

"But remember, when Anty Marj returned with the Watch, you mentioned we were relatives," Aefelthrith reminded Gwladys.

"Well, yeah, we needed a reason to be here," Gwladys explained.

"And the name you chose was Sarah," Aefelthrith pointed out.

"And how did Anty Marj react?" Gwladys asked, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Shifty, wasn't she?" Gwladys frowned, suspicion growing.

"We need to find out more about this Sarah woman," Gwladys mused.

"Oh, no! I am NOT going back to talk to that Sergeant!" Aefelthrith declared emphatically.

"We need more information, and who better to ask than an Officer of the Watch?" Gwladys reasoned.

Perhaps our enigmatic duo should consider visiting the Watch to gather more information about the missing Sarah and uncover the secrets buried beneath the pawnshop's past. Let's hope their questioning will unravel the mysteries rather than stir up more trouble.

You can own this gripping story and more in the digital or paperback formats of "The Chronicles of a Young Lady (and her Maid)" (link available upon request). Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on this thrilling series.

"Gwladys, in addition to managing the pawnshop, she thought it would be a good idea to expand their business ventures and start selling books and entertainment items."

"Arry, while clearing the garden, suggested that they could use the space to host private plays or readings as new forms of entertainment, to attract more customers to their establishment."