A ray of sun crept through the small window in the attic that had white lacy curtains adorning and covering it. Mariah responded by pulling the covers over her head tired from the work in the chapel being up late the night before. The annoying sound of the roosters' early squawks made her bury her head under the pillow. Mariah managed to drift back to sleep for another hour despite the noise outside and people downstairs stirring around. After that hour, she could hear horses whining in the distant and more stirring elsewhere in the inn. She finally decided to get up and go down and help Matilda with early morning breakfast. The doors to the inn weren't opened until late sunrise, but she could hear the bustling sound of horses, wagons, and many people already present in the village.
"The open market" Mariah mumbled to herself remembering.
She cursed herself for sleeping in, but usually if she was needed they definitely let her know fairly quick. She expediently went through the old chest where she put her sack of clean clothes. She pulled out her old green plaid dress which was a gift from her last birthday from Matilda who had purchased it from a traveling merchant. She braided her hair, put on her stockings, shoes, a little rose essence perfume, and left the solace of the attic. Downstairs she could smell the fresh scent of baked bread, and frying sausage. It was always a pleasant smell in the morning to wake up to. When she went into the kitchen she saw both Jordan and Bradley helping their grandmother, but also their mother who continued chopping vegetables. Johann came out of the office with his son Dirk who was a bit taller and broader with sandy blond hair and a short beard. The tension was already percolating in the air as Dirk quickly turned his back to her.
"Ah Mariah, today I just want you manning the front desk" Johann said sounding like he was in a better mood.
"As you wish" Mariah said walking back out of the kitchen. As she began sorting through the guest log, Jordan quickly came behind her.
"I brought you something to eat" Jordan said putting a small plate with a huge roll and a small piece of sausage.
"Thanks Jordan" Mariah said appreciative as the sausage was still hot.
"Sorry about mom and dad, they..." Jordan started but Mariah stopped him.
"I know they don't care for me, so that's why I'm out here today and probably going to tell me to only go back to the kitchen if necessary" Mariah finished whispering.
"Well...our neighbour's husband was one of the watchmen killed last night, so all is not well" Jordan explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry..." Mariah apologized.
"I can't remember anyone dying in the line of duty since..." Jordan paused.
"I know, when I came with my family, it was bad" Mariah finished his sentence.
"I-I didn't mean it like that" Jordan quickly clarified.
"It's ok...I figured with the open market today that the tavern would be busy. Is your father staying to help too?" Mariah asked.
"No, he is preparing for the funeral they are going to have in an hour before the open market opens their stalls" Jordan continued.
"Jordan!" a woman's voice called out from the kitchen.
"Ok, I have to get back to the kitchen" Jordan said quickly disappearing.
Mariah began arranging the tables for breakfast for those who were staying at the inn. She lifted the curtain and arranged them so the sun could come through the windows. As she prepared, she couldn't stop thinking about everyone else at the chapel the other night. Were they ok, were they still there? She kept working until she could hear doors opening and the steps creaking as those who were staying began to emerge. Three of the four fishermen were down first. They took their seats by the window and began discussing what they would do. Mariah waved at the one fishermen she helped treat at the chapel.
"How is your friend?" Mariah inquired.
"Not sure, we're going up to go check on him after we eat" the fisherman sighed. The other two sat quietly gazing out the window preoccupied with other concerns.
"When's breakfast?" one of them spoke up.
At that moment, Bradley came out with a tray and three plates already portioned with sausage, bread, and a boiled egg.
"Good morning sirs" he said putting the tray down on the table and carefully placing each plate in front of them.
"After last night...whew! Going to need a good, good, meal!" one of the other two fishermen smiled.
"Yes...it was... let's eat and get going, got to make some money!" the other quiet fishermen said with a more serious tone.
Bradley quickly returned to the kitchen with the tray. Mariah saw Ms. Havisham come out of her room with her maid and personal body guard. She looked a lot different than she did the night before with dishevelled hair, bright red faces, with a loose demeanor. They chose the table furthest away from the fishermen as if that was going to make witnesses who saw what they did the night before forget about it. She was dressed in a fancy Victorian style black dress with a purple frilly corset. She wore a purple hair net over her salt and pepper hair. Her maid wore too a similar outfit only her corset was red instead of purple. The guard was silent like a sentinel while observing everyone else. Mariah didn't know what to make of him wearing a full sleeved white shirt with a black cavalier hat, a pair of black pants, and a pair of fancy leather boots.
"Here you are Ms. Havisham!" Johann came out of the kitchen quickly with a tray of three plates.
"It's about time...I had to wait almost five minutes!" Ms. Havisham retorted slightly annoyed looking at her hands as Johann began setting the plates out in front of them.
"I'm so very sorry Ms. Havisham" Johann apologized while the maid snickered and the body guard watched but began eating.
"Aristocracy, to have that kind of power over people" Mariah mused as Ms. Havisham readjusted her rings.
"Why didn't you let me know Ms. Havisham was waiting?!" Johann whispered as he walked by the front desk to Mariah drawing her out of her thought. Mariah could only respond with a confused stare. Johann didn't wait for a response and returned to the back. Before she could think of anything else, the short stout red bearded man emerged from his room at last startling Mariah.
"Say there lass, is it possible to get those lads to help me with my chest again?"
"Oh!" Mariah quickly turned to the man.
"Sorry lass, didn't mean to startle ya there, but you seemed a little lost" the man spoke again gaining her attention.
"Um...they are in the back, but they're busy-" Mariah replied not really sure what to say.
"Well if you get them for me I will toss ya a nice shiny coin-after I eat of course" he smiled.
"When my boss comes out, I will ask him for you" Mariah assured him.
"Tell them to give me an extra plate, I'll pay for it if I have to" the man said straightening his tunic and tussling his red beard.
"You have another guest in your room?" Mariah asked quietly before she could think to keep that thought to herself.
"Well kind of-but she's outside, she's my best friend" the man smiled.
"I see... well I will tell my boss like I said" Mariah repeated.
Mariah quickly ran to the kitchen as Matilda and her daughter in-law were busy preparing food while Bradley and Jordan were busy helping. Mariah could hear Johann's son's voice raise a bit further to the back but couldn't make out what was being said.
"I have a patron out here who wants an extra breakfast plate" Mariah shouted.
"Ok Mariah, Leanne, can you throw another plate together for me. I have to cook more sausage" Matilda said focusing on the task.
"Yes" Leanne looked up at Mariah with an extreme aversion, then responded. She kept her hair up in a full white bonnet. She too was petite and slim with fair skin, but had auburn hair with green eyes.
Mariah quickly returned to the burly man. "They will have another plate coming"
"Perfect, she's hungry" the man said with a smile.
The middle-aged couple finally emerged as well taking a seat at the table adjacent from the burly red bearded man. They both waved at Mariah just as Jordan came out with a tray of plates giving anyone and everyone who didn't yet get a plate their meal.
"Thank you lad" the red bearded man smiled.
"You're welcome sir"
"Did you get the request for another plate? Also, if you're available could you help me with my chest again?" Thompkins quickly asked before Jordan could walk away.
"Um... let me finish serving breakfast and I'll see what we can do" Jordan answered diplomatically.
"Fair enough" the man responded as he quickly began eating. It wasn't even five minutes later when Jordan came rushing out of the kitchen with another plate and quickly placed it in front of Thompkins.
"Buckshot thanks you" Jordan heard Thompkins say as he scurried away.
The middle-aged woman waved her hand to Mariah while she ate. Mariah made her way over to her and her presumed husband's table.
"I have a question young lady, how many days does the market last?" she asked.
"Until Sunday evening madam" Mariah quickly answered.
"Good, we travel a lot and buy 'antiques'" she said in a very low voice.
"That's nice..." Mariah nodded looking around not wanting to get caught talking to the patrons for any pro-longed amount of time.
"You're not from around here, so where are you from?" the woman asked revealing her strange guttural accent. The question caught Mariah off-guard as she was speechless for a moment. She gazed at both the dark haired woman and her husband whom she noticed was quite muscular under that flowing fancy black poet's shirt. Then she regarded the woman about to answer when she noticed a peculiar tentacle or possibly elephant trinket around her neck.
"...How do you know...?" was all Mariah could say when she heard what was said with quite a bit of surprise. Her gaze was quickly diverted.
"Mariah!" she heard Johann's scolding tone.
"Sir Johann I presume?" Thompkins said standing that instant and approaching Johann putting a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"Yes?" Johann raised an eyebrow with his attention now redirected.
"I wanted to compliment you on your cooking! Just superb! I also need to borrow your grandsons again to help me with my chest. They will be needed to get my chest down to set my stall up for the day" Thompkins quickly explained not giving Johann a chance to say thank you.
"You're welcome sir, but I am afraid that they are preoccupied with other chores" Johann explained.
"Listen, I can't lift that chest by myself, is there anyone else who can just give me a little bit of their time?" Thompkins pleaded taking out a shiny gold coin.
At that moment Mariah returned to the counter sorting through the guest book and straightening the front. Dirk came out from the back with a disdainful look on his face. Mariah could feel his eyes boring into her back, but the tension was quickly diffused as Johann called him over.
"Dirk, could you help this gentleman carry his chest down to the market?" his father asked him politely.
"I guess I can..." Dirk said absently reshaping his demeanor.
"Why I kindly thank you, if you don't mind I'm ready whenever you are" Thompkins said stretching.
"Fine, lead the way" Dirk said without emotion.
Mariah watched Thompkins lead Dirk upstairs as Johann came to her as she tried to look busy.
"This is a warning, do not harass my customers, I've been hearing you can't stop chattering with them" Johann said in an even tone.
"But I wasn't bothering them-they ask me a question!" Mariah countered.
"Mariah, you need to understand that there are people who are strange, and their motives aren't exactly virtuous" Johann lowered his voice to almost a whisper then walked away.
Mariah watched out of the corner of her eye while Johann walked around to each of the customer's tables greeting them with a quick 'Hello and how are you?'. She noticed he spent more time with the rich lady and then the middle-aged couple. Dirk came down with Thompkins carrying his large chest. They stopped by the door with Thompkins smiling and giving a nod to Mariah while Dirk refused to even acknowledge her, then they continued out the door. Mariah walked over to the door and looked out watching as Dirk and Thompkins carried the chest with a fairly large dark brown hound following.
Mariah returned inside beginning to help clean up the tables as the patrons were making their way out to the market which had begun. No one had asked for their room to be tidied up on her way out which left her a few hours of down time if she wasn't busy helping in the kitchen. Before Mariah decided to do anything she went to the back to be absolutely sure. She was quickly met by Jordan who was getting ready to come out.
"You're in a hurry" Mariah commented.
"No, just wanted to let you know that grandmom said you were free to do whatever you want for the next couple of hours" Jordan informed her.
"I wonder why so generous today?" Mariah asked absently.
"Mom is here, and she thought it was better you take some time rather than...you know" Jordan explained.
"I get it, well then I'm taking a trip into the market" Mariah declared with some enthusiasm.
Mariah dashed up to her room to grab a small yellow shawl and half her pouch of gold she always kept hidden. Something about this market seemed different and exciting, but she would also make her way to the chapel to see how Frau Heidi's patients were doing. She slipped her bodice dagger in a small sheath hiding it carefully. The young woman thought with all that's been happening lately who knows what could happen. Without giving it much more thought, she dashed out to the market.
Meanwhile back at the inn...
"Why can't you and Johann just get rid of her?" Leanne finally asked as she and Matilda watched the big pot of stew simmer on the fire.
"We can't just throw her out, where will she go?" Matilda asked with compassion.
"Who cares! She's a grown woman now, and the inn would have more patrons if she wasn't here" Leanne argued.
"Listen at you! You have two sons and a daughter, and you would not show compassion?" Matilda brushed her off as she finished washing the rest of her crockery.
"I think we're doing fine. As of right now, the inn is full" Matilda shot her argument down.
"Only because this is fisher's and farmer's market, if not you would barely have a few rooms occupied. Only a few patrons come to drink, most stay home. Another thing is, I think Jordan may be developing a bit of an eye for her; and she lured him outside while those monsters were attacking nearly getting my oldest son killed!" Leanne complained fervently.
"She also stayed and helped Jordan defeat the monster, something most women would not have had the heart to do" Matilda said unfazed.
Johann entered the kitchen with Jordan and Bradley as they brought some fire logs into the kitchen.
"You agree don't you Johann?" Leanne continued on.
"Agree about what?" Jordan looked at his mother with curiosity.
"Mariah should move on, she's a grown woman, we've lived with this shame long enough on our family" Leanne explained.
"I don't want to hear anymore of it. I hear it from Dirk as well daily!" Johann said as he surveyed the amount of fire logs in the corner.
"Dad says he thinks she's a witch" Bradley blurted out.
"Shut up!" Jordan said elbowing his younger brother.
"Sorry! It's what dad says" Bradley shrugged defensively.
"I have no reason to throw her out when she has been very helpful to the inn. She works when no one else wants to" Johann spoke up.
"I will help in her stead. I'm family, she is not" Leanne quickly volunteered.
"For now, I cannot just throw her out without good cause, end of discussion" Johann concluded.
Leanne sighed and walked out of the kitchen accompanied with Bradley.
xxxxxxxx
The clouds were rolling in leaving only gold rays of light coming through cracks of the clouds. Leanne darted towards the edge of town near the docks. There were at least thirty or forty stalls. The town was slowly coming alive as there were small groups dotted all around. Not wanting to be easily discovered, she covered her head up with her faded yellow shawl. The stalls closer to town were not fish, but a variety of practical and odd merchandise. The first was an incense shop with odd knick-nacks on a crowded couple of crates covered by a tent. A person wrapped in robes and shawls sat behind rearranging little statues. Mariah couldn't tell if the person was a man or a woman.
Across from that store was a produce stall with a variety of potatoes, beets, onions, and cabbage. An old man whom Mariah had seen from the previous market the month before had a couple bushels of each. The next two stalls were hunters who were selling their game. Salted and cured deer meat, bear meet, and other wild game. The next four stalls down were more produce of slightly different variation: tomatoes, green beans, carrots, cucumbers, black beans, and peppers. There was a sweet stall full of home made hard candy of different colors which attracted the children.
She kept walking until she noticed the red bearded man set up where the docks and boats met. She saw Dirk standing there talking to the man and his dark brown hound. He had a couple of crates in front of him displaying a set of swords, daggers, and axes. Mariah walked a little closer, but kept her distance. With all the noise, she could not hear what they were talking about. She saw the other patrons browsing aimlessly about, but was able to wander without molestation. She could only see Thompkins facial expressions. He seemed to have a slightly troubled look on his face. He cocked his eyebrows a few times and shrugged helplessly once. Dirk pivoted toward her way, and she mixed in with a small crowd of people walking toward the fisher's market side. Dirk suddenly turned and walked away from the docks back towards town.
"What could he be talking about that would make our guest act like that?" Mariah wondered as she debated on whether to go visit Mr. Thompkin's stall or just avoid it all together. Mariah looked around her and could see more people trickling down her way.