[*Varda*]

Iona wiped a blonde strand of hair out of her face as she put two pints of beer down in front of two men in the hall, before rushing back into the kitchens.

“Iona! Get those dishes washed!” Froma called to her as she ran back in.

“But there’s still so many people to serve out there!” she protested.

“How can we serve them if there’s no dishes?” Froma responded. “Mia’s still serving, and we could really do with you in here. Now, get cleaning!”

Iona stalked over to the sink, where she immersed her hands in the soapy water. Was the Inn always this busy? She had barely been here a day, after all, and she was already run off her feet. She didn’t see Iswyn anywhere about either, and she was supposed to be the main scullery maid, after all. Wiping and rinsing the glasses methodically, she stared out the window and watched the people go by, some merry, some sad. Behind her she just heard banging as Froma continued cooking. She had mixed feelings about him – he seemed mean, and shouted, but everyone else assured her that he was a nice man really. Only time would tell, she supposed.

Drying off the dishes, Iona let out a yawn, and rubbed her eyes. Only an hour left, and her first shift would be over. Despite the hard work, this Inn seemed a lot more reputable than the other places she had worked in the past six years. Her parents would be pleased to hear she had found a new position, and somewhere to live, as the last they had heard she had lost her job and was out on the street. All due to those broken dishes…Iona vowed to herself that she would not be so easily distracted by minor things in this job.

The dishes finished, Iona picked up a large tray, which nearly seemed to knock her small figure over as she left the kitchens. Placing it down in front of the customers, she smiled, dimples showing as she observed the good cheer of the White Horse Inn.