This is one I started awhile ago, the world is Mercedes Lackey's the story is mine, the title becomes clearer later. I tried to fix this, I hope it looks better.
Ch 1 Summer Dreams
Raialla swept the floor of the kitchen coughing a bit as the dust raised caught in her throat. After she finished she grabbed the bucket with the old wash water and poured the lukewarm soapy water, watching as it ran down the slight incline towards the door that led to the alley.
As early as it was, the days heat shimmered in the air: reminding her of the dreams she had been having the last few weeks. These days it seemed that she could smell the smoke even when she was awake. It was unnerving.
The only reason she was sweeping the kitchen herself, was because of the dream she had last night. When she was disturbed she often wanted something physical to do to keep her mind occupied.
She sighed to herself. There was no one she could confide in. She had to be careful, there were those who would be watching for any weakness.
She was very young to own an inn, especially one as popular as the Silver Kettle . If her Father's will hadn't been ironclad her Uncle and his sons would have been glad to take over. They often came around, drinking her best wine and trying to give unwanted advice certain that she was desperate to hand everything over to them. It hadn't happened yet, but they never seemed to lose their certainty.
Hope springs eternal she thought to herself with a grin. Already the good smells of the days bread baking and the stew that was always simmering at the kitchen hearth filled the Tavern. She looked over at the cook and her assistant working on the morning porridge for the breakfast crowd.
They seemed to have everything in order so she left the kitchen and went to check the main room. Though it was almost time to open for the public there were already a few men at the tables, guests from the rooms above.
She frowned looking at the two women in the room. Their gaudy gowns looked out of place in the dim morning light. She didn't like the work they did, but they were good customers.
In fact they were one of the bones of contention her Uncle had with her. She merely rented them rooms in her Inn. Her uncle wanted her to demand a portion of their profits.
While she knew that most of the other Inns did that, she didn't like the idea of taking their hard earned wages. She didn't even charge them for protection it was part of renting their rooms. She knew that they brought in more business for her. She didn't need to take more than that.
Since the main dining area looked good she nodded at the servers and started up the stairs to check with the maids before going to her office.
She had been at the figures for a couple of candlemarks when one of the servers knocked on her door. She looked up and smiled, it was Nallie one of her favorites.
"Raialla, please come downstairs there is a problem with one of the customers"
Nallie looked worried. Raialla stood and shook out her cramped hands before following
Nallie to the door separating her and the staff from the guests. "What is the problem " she asked Nallie as they made their way down the cramped back stairway.