Farryn

Chapter 2- Part 1

They were woken by a banging at the door the next morning. Farryn turned over to find Luli asleep on her arm, snot smeared across her face as she snored softly.

The door shook and Farryn forced herself out of bed, hurrying across the cold floor towards it. She cracked it open, and the gruff owner informed her that their stay was over.

Farryn looked out the dirty window. It couldn't be any later than nine, and she'd paid to be left alone till ten at least, but she thanked him and shut the door.

"Luli, we have to go," she whispered, shaking the girl's arm. When she finally woke up, she was cranky and upset at having to get up so early. She sat on the bed, kicking her feet as Farryn gathered what little they had.

"Did you sleep well?" Farryn asked. 

Luli nodded. "I slept like a man." 

"Like a man? Don't you mean like a baby?"

Luli shook her head. "Mama says babies don't sleep. But hard-working men do. Because they're so tired." 

"And what about women," Farryn asked, a smile creeping over her face. 

The little girl paused, contemplating it, and then shrugged. "I don't know."

"Well. I sleep quite well," Farryn lied "And I'm a woman."

They vacated the room and headed down to the street below. It was a cool, breezy morning, and the town was bustling with life as children hurried to school and other children helped their parents get to the market, wheeling barrows or carrying packages.

"How'd you get so dirty, Luli?" Farryn asked as they walked. Somehow, she seemed more approachable in the sunlight. Not that Farryn was intimidated by a girl almost a quarter her age.

Luli didn't seem too interested in answering, though. Hand clamped around Farryn's skirt, she was looking around the street, eyes fastening on anything that moved. A bird fluttered out of the way as a cart came by and she practically squealed as it flew to the sky in a flurry of white and grey. "He's got a worm! In his beak!" She cried, pointing up at the bird. Farryn looked up at it, but she couldn't see a worm.

They walked for a while, and Farryn decided that Luli needed a bath. She asked a few people for directions to a bathhouse, and soon enough they found it. It was a squat little building, with a fence built around it to dissuade peepers.

Luli's face scrunched up the moment they entered the front lobby. It was sealed off from the baths, but it was still humid and muggy.

"I'd like a private bath, please," Farryn said to the woman behind the counter. She nodded, and smiled down at Luli, who was still scowling. 

"I don't want a bath," She whispered to Farryn as she paid. 

"Too bad. You're getting one."

Their small bath was at the very back of the bathhouse. The room was empty but for two towels on the rack, a wooden bucket and a bell in the corner.

Luli knelt next to the wooden tub and peered into the hot water. "It's not safe," she muttered. 

"What? Is it too hot?" Farryn tested it with one of her hands. It wasn't that hot.

"It's fine." She said. 

Luli shook her head. "No! It's not! I don't want to get in the water."

Farryn stared her down, but Luli was determined not to budge. She splashed the water between both of her hands, but wouldn't actually get in the tub. "Will you at least let me wash your hair?"