Farryn

Chapter 3- Part 2

No matter how many times Farryn whispered her mantra to herself, she couldn't fall asleep. So she sat up in bed, rocking back and forth gently.

When the key turned in the door, Farryn let go of the candlestick. She had been gripping it so tightly all night that the ridges had left an imprint on her skin.

"Felicia," Iris called into the room, opening the door. She paused when she spotted Farryn. "Saints, you look ill. Are you alright?"

"No," Farryn said, and she was shocked by how easily she laughed. Like everything is okay. "It was a bit warm during the night. I might crack the window open today."

Iris nodded. "Yes, it does get warm. You left the candle lit?" 

Farryn looked down at the candle in her hand, and sure enough, there was still a weak flame. "Yes, I'm sorry."

"Don't do it again," Iris said simply.

"I won't." I will.

Iris left her in the room to get ready, and Farryn put down the candle. She didn't have any clothes to change into, just what she had on. I should go into town and buy myself something.

She tidied up best she could, and joined Iris in the nursery. She was changing one of the boys, and she absentmindedly waved Farryn away when she entered. "Go down to the kitchens and ask for their meals. And then go back down and fetch a pint of hot water."

Farryn hurried off excited by the prospect of seeing more of the house. Finally, a chance to snoop around. Where would they store employment records? The library, or maybe an office? She hoped it was the former and not the latter.

She wandered about for a little while, poking her head into rooms or pressing her ear to closed doors. She didn't find anything useful, though, and she got caught by Lady Trison too, when she accidentally peeked into the dining hall. The woman greeted her with a scowl, and Farryn hurried away.

I'd better go to the kitchens before Iris comes looking for me, she thought. It took her a while to find the kitchens, but eventually, she found the hallway she and Luli had come in through the day before, and walked towards the noise.

The kitchen was bustling with life. There were ten workers at most, but they were all moving so fast, and talking loudly over the bubbling pots and meat hissing in the heat. Farryn barely managed to get out of the way as a man waving a knife hurried past her, yelling at someone.

"Sorry, I'm here to pick up the childrens' meals," she said. The din swallowed her voice, so she approached a woman who was slicing away and tapped her shoulder.

The woman jumped, and when she turned Farryn realised she was the one they'd met yesterday. "What are you doing, sneaking about like that!" she yelled, dumping the diced carrots into the bubbling pot next to her.

"I'm sorry! I am here for the childrens' food!"

"Horace!" the woman yelled. 

A man with a bushy beard turned to them, angry "If you don't stop screaming at me-"

"Give this girl the food!" she shoved Farryn so hard she almost went tumbling into someone's path. "And get the little one to come clean up this mess!"

The man turned away, grumbling, and then handed Farryn a tray with three covered platters. "She also asked for hot water," she said. His frown deepened.

"Well, it isn't ready," he said, and turned away.

Farryn practically made a run for the door, but as she did she felt someone squeeze past her. "Luli!"