| Subject: New Job |
Author:
Harion
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Date Posted: 10:27:50 06/29/02 Sat
Harion grinned, "Thank you, I'd like that" He turned to see the sun's position in the sky.
"Time is getting on. I'd better go and start hunting for work. Or else, I'll be stuck out here overnight. I'll let you know where I'm staying, once I get a place." Sahrien smiled and waved as he walked off into the winding streets.
* * * * * * * *
Several hours later, Harion entered the dark and noisy Tavern. He wove his way in and out of the tables, avoiding the men in various stages of drunkenness. Finally he made his way to the bar at the back.
A girl at the bar smiled at him, her flaxen hair flowing down her back.
“Can I serve you sir?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with fun.
“I don’t want a drink...” Harion started, but the girl cut him off.
“Upstairs Business? No problem. I’m not on duty at the moment, but my workmate should be nearly finished. If you’d like to take a seat in the corner.” Harion realised what she meant and flushed.
“No, I...” The barmaid cut him off again,
“No need to be ashamed,” she smiled. “We keep all our customers confidential. If you’re worried about your girl or wife finding out, we won’t tell her.”
“Wait” Harion tried to shut her up long enough to speak. “I don’t want Upstairs Business. I’d like to see the owner of the bar.” The girl laughed.
“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” She turned and disappeared into the kitchen, emerging with a small dark haired woman, early tints of silver highlighting her hair. She fixed her cool grey eyes on Harion, as if judging his character.
“Can I help you, my husband is not here at the moment.”
Harion explained who he was and his need for work. He was sick of telling his story by now. He had tried so many different places, but nowhere would take him on. He finished and stared hopefully at the woman. She was silent, and her expression was stern. Harion sighed and turned to go. There must be somewhere in the city that he had not tried yet.
“Where are you going?” The woman’s tone was authoritative and brisk. Harion looked back,
“I assumed that you wouldn’t take me on.” The woman stared at him, her eyes contemplating.
“I did not order you to go. If you are going to work for me, then you had better learn to obey orders.” Harion stared at her dumbly, hardly believing his ears.
“You will start work immediately. Your duties will include cooking, cleaning and serving at the bar. You can stay in an attic bedroom on the second floor, the rent will be taken from your wages. The second floor belongs primarily to my family. If you make a nuisance of yourself, you will be asked to leave. The first floor contains the bedrooms of the serving girls, you will not need to go there, unless as a paying customer. Are there any questions?” Harion shook his head, trying to remember the stream of gabbled instructions.
“Good. You will begin now, I need the vegetables peeled and chopped for the stew tonight. I will prepare your room.”
Harion ducked around the bar and followed the woman into the kitchen. A young girl was standing at the table chopping vegetables.
“This is my daughter Drea” his mistress introduced the girl. “This is Harion, our latest member of the staff.” Drea turned to look in Harion’s direction. Her pale blue eyes
stared blindly over his shoulder.
“Pleased to meet you” she smiled and returned to the vegetables.
Drea’s mother leaned towards Harion to whisper in his ear.
“As you can see, my daughter is blind. That does not affect her ability to work, and you will not treat her any different. She has enough of that outside.”
Drea’s cheeks flushed slightly as she concentrated on feeling the potato for any remains of skin. Her hearing was still good, Harion realised.
“Get to work then.” Drea’s mother pointed at the pile of vegetables, then hurried from the room, long dark skirts sweeping the floor. Harion dropped his few belongings and kicked them into a corner. He picked up a knife and got to work, Life was looking up.
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