King of the Crows

chapter 2

I awoke to several loud meows echoing around my house.

"Poppy, please be quieter in the mornings!"

 I got silence in return and sighed. Loud purring began on my lap and I sat up to stroke my two Bengal kittens. They had just been found on the street too young so were handed into my care for as long as they wanted to stay. Id already named them Dusty and Jinx. Common names but I felt they fit. I stroked them for a long while, letting myself settle into being awake and enjoy the early morning light streaming in. My room mainly consisted of plants and strange sketches I'd done plastered on the walls. 

As a druid, I loved to be around nature as much as possible so a large tree growing in the centre of my kitchen was perfect. When I finally hauled myself up I pulled on my cleaning overalls from the night before and trudged to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and splashing my face I pulled my brown hair around the base of my horns into what looked like buns with a giant twirling horn through it. 

My white freckles were becoming brighter due to the warmer weather. I liked both those things. My freckles dotted all over my face framed my large green eyes nicely. Because I had mainly human features besides my horns and fangs I didn't face much bigotry. Tieflings who had strikingly inhuman features were often killed at birth by their horrified parents or such. Only those tieflings with subtle features or perhaps born to someone indifferent to their appearance, either out of acceptance or cruel purpose, were likely to reach adulthood. I hadn't met my father but my mother died shortly after my birth. There were many questions I had about my bloodline that I was afraid would never be answered. 

"Gotta go, gotta go I'm late!"

 I was rushing around the corners of my counter and table to feed each cat of which there were many and only one of them I officially owned. Her name was poppy and she was a beautiful orange tabby. I loved orange cats and especially her. 

She was a diva and bossed all the others around at mealtimes. I didn't have time to feed my growling stomach and instead grabbed my bag of essentials and headed out. I had the important task of cleaning the tavern from the night before and cleaning the guest's rooms. Lucky for me there weren't many occupants but I did hope to see if the knight had rented a room. I was as curious as a cat and it hadn't killed me yet. I made it to the inn on time and as expected I was alone. The bar hadn't opened yet and wouldn't till noon. I quickly set to the task of the floors. It was exhausting to scrub those mucky alcohol stained floors. I had to remind myself of how well it paid and the hot bath I could have in the back when I was done. As I worked through the whole bottom floor, picking up the odd penny or button I thought of the orc and how strangely quickly I was to not question him as a foe. 

You had to be careful you see, anyone could want your head. Most safety was to be apart of a pack or kingdom but for that, you had to be born into it or mates with someone inside. I was neither and so I had to be smart and careful with where I went and who I trusted. By the time I finished, I was about to pass out from hunger. I quickly made my way to the back where a big metal tub Zesty kept to "make sure I was clean enough". 

He was a germaphobe. Or a creep. Either way, I got a free wash so I couldn't complain. I'd shed my clothes and filled the bath with warm water. I chomped on an apple I brought while I waited to get in. When I did enter I relished in the feeling of the hot water almost burning my skin, easing my tired muscles. I let myself soak till the water ran cold then scrubbed my body with the lavender wash I'd brought from home, I kept my horns above water to avoid ruining my hair. Leisurely I took an ankle-length skirt and a simple shirt our of my bag to wear. My body felt slow and calm thanks to the water so I took my time dressing. Sooner than I'd have liked I'd drained the water and was ready to service the occupied rooms.

Five rooms out of the 10 available were taken, I only hoped the men hadn't taken after the pigs next door. Buckling my belt with everything I needed I used the broom to thrust me up the stairs onto the landing. It was very quiet so I presumed they had all left for the day. I calmed knowing that I wouldn't have to bump into anyone and knocked on the first door down the hall, just in case. More silence hung in the air so I pushed the door and came to find quite the mess. I huffed. This one wasn't a pig but perhaps a cow.

 I started with the bed, changing the sheets and making it up. I straightened the weapons on the desk, opened the curtains and let some air in. I'd throw out all the papers and wrappers including a few small plates of half-eaten chicken and beans. I wiped and scrubbed the bathroom must to my displeasure but after an hour or so I was done. I smiled proudly and shut the door behind me.The next three rooms took an hour each but I didn't seem to notice as I rifled secretly through their stuff. Some had pictures of what looked like family or lovers. Basic adventuring things like compasses and maps. I may have snagged a few things, like a dainty red jewelled pocket knife and some maps of the surrounding areas. I also found some peculiar coins in a small satin bag that I couldn't resist.

 I may obey most "laws" but I wasn't above petty thievery. One of the men, I think the wolfman from the amount of hair floating around the room, had a small red liquid in a beautiful glass bottle in his possession that I smelt but didn't dare drink. Its scent made my mouthwatering, Like raspberry candies and was hard to put down. It smelt so good in fact that besides not knowing what it was I tucked it into my pocket.