Etheral Enchantress
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wellesley College!
Posts: 1,461
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Giedd, daughter of Frécne
The whistle of the teakettle brought Giedd out of her meditative work. She started and as she did so, felt the sharp needle pierce her finger. She started again with a tiny shriek of pain. Finally, index finger in her mouth, she rose and poured herself tea. The beverage was placed on the table untouched, however, and Giedd went back to make the final touches on the apron.
Only when that final immaculate white apron was finished and folded neatly on the pile of aprons and frocks did Giedd allow herself to drink the tea. As she put down her cup, she examined the small hole the needle had made in her finger, contemplating it and verifying its existence. Even after these few years, Giedd still often found herself with such “wounds.” If she could, Giedd would have given up such work long ago, devoting her life to caring for the children of the town instead. This did not pay for food, however, so Giedd had to supplement her income with sewing for the town. The pile she was currently working on was to go to the White Horse Inn this very morning.
Looking at the risen sun, Giedd sighed and rose, placing her tea in the sink. She would wash prepare breakfast when she returned from her delivery. Hefting the pile of clothing, Giedd made her way to the door. Shifting the pile to one arm, she flailed slightly with her right hand to open her door. Leaning on the portal, she pushed her way out into the street, then closed the entrance to her tiny house.
Waving to the occasional mother and child, Giedd made her way up the street towards the White Horse Inn. When she arrived, a few patrons were already scattered around the Inn, enjoying tea or breakfast.
“Excuse me?” Giedd interrupted a serving girl. The girl, carrying a full tray, gave Giedd a pleading look. “Do you know where I could find Mistress Bęthberry?”
“Might be in the back,” the girl grunted, shifting the weight of the tray uncomfortably. After a pause, “Is there anything else, Miss?”
“No, no, thank you,” Giedd said. She saw the girl deflate with a relieved sigh, then scurry off to rid herself of the load.
Giedd wandered back towards the kitchens, nodding to the occasional acquaintance. Eventually, after checking with a few other harried-looking girls, Giedd found Bęthberry.
“Mistress Bęthberry? I have your aprons and frocks,” Giedd finally deposited the pile on a table, glad to be rid of the burden. She never rested well until a job was finished.
“Giedd,” Bethberry acknowledged warmly. “As always punctual with the delivery too. Now what do I owe you for these?”
After Giedd and Bęthberry settled the matter of payment and Giedd felt the comforting weight of the coins in her pocket – she was now assured of dinner for at least a few nights more – she and Bęthberry discussed more pleasurable things.
“I must confess, Giedd,” Bęthberry said, “That Ruthven and I were just thinking of your name last night.”
Giedd remained silent, trying to indicate elaboration from Bęthberry would be well-received. However, Bęthberry did not seem entirely prepared to relate the context. Giedd’s stomach gave a small rumble, pushing curiosity from her mind.
“Do you suppose, Mistress, that I could trouble your staff with one more breakfast? I was going to eat when I returned home, but I confess that it would be far preferable to eat here.”
“Be all means, Giedd, be our guest,” Bęthberry said. Giedd left Bęthberry to her work, wandering back to the bustle of the tavern. A few more patrons had woken, though there were still plenty of tables available for Giedd to choose from. She chose a table by the side of the room – not in the corner, but at the perfect angle to view all of the other diners and employees from afar. Giedd ordered coffee – though she already had enjoyed her tea at home – and a hearty breakfast.
Running through her list of chores for the day, Giedd realized that she had time to dawdle at the Inn. The girl serving her did not seem to be in a hurry to push her out, so, after she had eaten her breakfast, Giedd sat drinking her coffee and watching the fascinating visitors that always seemed to frequent the White Horse Inn.
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