Farryn

Chapter 2- Part 3

Farryn managed to find a man making deliveries to Trison Estate as they left the tavern, and she insisted he take her up with him. "I have an interview," she stated simply. He looked her up and down, not saying a word. Farryn had no doubt she looked a bit of a mess. Luli had gotten a bath and new clothes, but Farryn had been wearing the same dress for so long, and had only gotten to wash her hair.

Still, she stared back up at him, head high. With a sigh, he moved over in his seat and Farryn climbed up beside him, sitting Luli down between them. Farryn could see him wince every time her sharp little elbows jabbed into his side as they drove up to the estate.

"When we get there, try to be as quiet as possible, okay?" she whispered to her. 

Luli nodded, though she was obviously distracted. "Is that a cow!?"

"No, Luli. It's a cloud. Another one." Luli seemed absolutely fascinated by the scenery, even though it was little more than grass and open skies.

She thought of the stories she'd heard and read about factories, the sort that employed children. There had been a huge fire in one, almost a year ago. They'd found dozens of childrens' corpses, none older than ten, burned to a crisp where they sat chained to their stations. It had made Farryn a little thankful she was sitting in Serval's kitchen.

The ride was uneventful, and when Trison Estate came into view Farryn found herself biting back a wave of nausea. What if she didn't get hired? If they turned her back at the gates? How would she find her then?

She held her breath as they approached the gates, tall, bronze, and formidable. She clutched Luli's hand in warning. Stay silent. Don't draw undue attention to her.

The guards paid them no attention, opening the gates and letting the cart in. Farryn sighed, relieved.

"I'll be driving round to the side," the driver grunted, stopping for the pair to dismount.

 "Thank you. Could you point me to the servants' entrance?" 

He pointed a gnarled finger to the side of the magnificent house. "Go that way, stay off the grass. You'll find a lattice fence, just go through it." 

Farryn thanked him again, and followed his directions, holding Luli's hand.

"It's so big," she sighed, looking up. Farryn agreed. It was a large house, and the walls were whitewashed and polished to a shine.

They found the fence and door within right where the man had said it would be. As Farryn crossed the threshold into the house, the aroma of stewing meat and sweet, cloying smells hit her. She took a deep breath, savouring all of it for a moment.

"Hasar! I swear on all the saints that be, if you don't turn down that flame I will string you up and you can greet tomorrow's sun from the roof."

The person yelling was a small woman, but her voice more than made up for her size as she hurried down the hall at top speed. Farryn jumped out of the way before she got barrelled over, and the woman paused, turning her anger on her.

"Who are you!? Wandering around by my kitchens."

"M-my apologies. My name is Felicia." Farryn put out a hand for a handshake, but the woman didn't take it, scowling at her instead.

"Um. I'm here to inquire about a job."

"What Workhouse sent you?" The woman asked, wiping her hands on her dirty apron. 

"I'm not from one, Ma'am. I'm a nursemaid."

"Do I look like I'm in charge of the nursery? I have work to do."