Max Hystory - Adventures in Time - Glencoe

Women at work

Chapter 8

Sam's lack of sleep has apparently traveled back in time with her, because even the hard wooden bench she has sat on for the last few hours is becoming comfortable enough. Sam lays over on the wooden bench and falls fast asleep, which is a blessing for the guard who was getting frustrated with all her questions. Now he has some peace and quiet while standing his post, then as if on cue, Sam begins to snore, and loudly. The day after a Ceilidh in the grand hall is usually a quiet, uneventful day. Most of the people are either sleeping off a hangover, or they are powering through their jobs with a hangover. A couple hours after Sam has fallen asleep a group of women come to the entrance of the Grand Hall to clean up the mess that was left after all the festivities. The guard lets them in as he was expecting them, but he stops red-haired Mary because he is kind of sweet on her.

"A few girls shy this morning eh Mary?" Asks the guard.

"Yea, a couple of the girls are sleeping last night off, so its just us. Don't worry we will have the hall good as new before anyone the matters wakes up," Mary explains.

"Why you so late in the coming, eh Mary?" Asks the Guard.

"Well, It looks like Stable boys decided to get blethered last night, and to make matters worse they have another boy with them not a soul has ever seen before," Mary explains.

"To be sure, me too. One of the soldiers brought this young lady in early this morn, speaks funny, but she has spunk. Well she did, now all she does is snore," The guard explains as he kicks the bench Sam lays upon.

"Who is she?" Asks Mary.

"No clue, if you need another hand cleaning you can use her all you need, she is waiting to see the Laird and that will probably be well past mid-day," the guard offers.

"Yea, that'll do, why should she get to sleep while the rest of us work," Mary states.

So the Guard walks over to Sam and rousts hr out of a sound sleep, she sits up and wonders where she is for a moment, then wants to know when she can see the Laird. 

"Get up lass, the Laird will be along later, for now you're gonna help me and girls, and no sass from you, trust me there are worse fates here than doing a little work," Mary explains.

"Well if I have no choice in the matter, I guess I volunteer," Sam replies holding out her hands to have the shackles taken off so she can clean.

"Theres only one way out girl so do as your told and those just might stay off your wrists," The guard states.

"Thank you kind sir, " Sam says as she curtseys and walks off with Mary into the great hall.

Mary leads Sam into the great hall and the other girls are already busy cleaning within, another girl wheels in a large hand cart and places it in the middle of the hall. Mary guides Sam to an area of the hall and explains to her what is expected, and what not to do. 

"What's your name girl?" Mary asks.

"Sam..antha, its Samantha, but everybody calls me Sam," She answers nervously.

"Well Sam, Just do as I told you and you will have no problems here. And...If you are looking for a something from our Laird, this is a good way to win his favor," Mary explains as she walks away yelling at one of the other girls.

Sam turns around and looks at the piles of rubbish before her, she sighs and then begins picking up broken dishes, food, articles of clothing, and even pools of blood. The centerpieces are scattered across the floor, chairs are turned over, some even broken. Sam puts her all into what she is doing, she works hard for a good hour before she has her cart filled up and overflowing.