The Inkeepers Daughter

I sat beside the flowers that littered the fields. The purple lavender swayed with the gentle breeze. This early morning had started like many others before it, a gentle wakeup from my mother. Shivering in the early summer air, I'd made my way just out of Beaumont to the small patch of land my mother rented to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers for our family Inn: Twisted Oak. The sun was rising, warming me as it rose. My purple skirts spilled out around me as I idly picked some of the early season lavender. As per usual, I'd weeded, dragged buckets of water to the plants and checked on the seedlings my mother had planted two weeks prior. I couldn't help but to feel a but, melancholic. I laid back in the grass, looking up at the sparse clouds above. I should be heading back I mused aloud to myself. I just cannot bring myself to want to. Leaves tickled my legs. Despite knowing how incredibly lucky I was to have this life, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it if I wandered outside of Beaumont. A possibility, I'd never dared to entertain. With a deep sigh, I rose to my feet. Surely Mama would need my help feeding the guests and turning over rooms. Soon enough today. Boredom of routine made me drag my feet. My basket heavy with foraged foods, I headed back, already weary. Beaumont's Mill was still this morning so far in the distance. The further I trekked forward on the dirt road, the more I dreaded returning to my routine. I passed by the Livery, listening to a donkey bray loudly inside. The baker opened his doors, the smell of fresh bread making my mouth water. I knew the roads of Beaumont so well I could've tested myself to every shopkeeper blindfolded. A bird flitted from the gnarled oak hanging sign of the Inn. The whitewashed building shone brightly in the light. I came to a stop near the front door. A small group of potential guests had just freshly arrived. Patiently, I waited as a dark haired woman collected coin and the group quickly dispersed. Interestingly enough, only a tall, blonde woman entered the Inn. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps, it would be a lighter workload today after all, provided they didn't stay here. The woman closed the door behind her, recapturing my attention. I entered the Inn. Vennison stew bubbled behind the counter in the cooking. I headed behind the counter to grab myself a bowl, dropping my basket at the table behind the counter. Mama stopped me with a gentle hand. "Flora, did you manage to find any wild carrots while you were out? Did you clean your knife after?" I nodded "Yes, Mama." My mother looked confused. "Yes to both to clarify" I said tiredly. "Thank you, I'll need you to wash those, draw three baths for rooms one, two and four. I'm sorry dear, once that's done I'll try to see if we can eat our morning meal together." I looked at Mama, frustration filling my face. "Thank you." Mama said wincing before walking away. I turned around to face the quiet dining room. So far, it was relatively empty except a few local morning regulars and the blonde who was seated at the table next to the fireplace across the room. I rolled up my sleeves, dusted off my apron, gritted my teeth and began to work. I dragged the buckets of water from the well outside, pulled them up by the pulley to the hallway window upstairs, and deposited them into a large cast iron pot to heat in one of the fireplaces in her apartment upstairs. Bucket after bucket, dragging copper half tubs from the edge of the room's to in front of their respective freshly lit fireplaces. Mama made the beds and cleaned the rooms as I worked. I watched her run up and down the stairs to feed guests, send laundry out to the laundress and take a message as I poured water. Two hours later, I was covered in soot, burned my right hand at least once and perspiring enough to wish I could stand in front of a cold winter breeze, I finally finished. I returned to our apartment in the Inn and laid out exhausted on the soft sofa. Mama entered, with warm buttered bread in hand. She handed me a slice and patted me affectionately on the head. My arms felt as heavy as lead. Childishly I attempted to eat it with no hands at first before Mama gave me a confused look. I sat up and shrugged. My sore shoulders complained with the movement. Between bites I asked Mama "How many guests are we up to now Mama?" Mama thought for a moment. "You know that performance troupe that came last summer? They are back plus an additional guest that fell asleep at the table. Poor thing looks terrible." I struggled to remember who she meant and gave up. "Can I take a break for now? I asked. "For a little bit. I still need you to wash and string up some of the herbs you left on the counter yesterday" Mama gave me a disaproving look. "You still need to mend those sheets that ripped last week as well. You've been putting it off far too long Flora. I really need your help. I can't do it all." She said with a shrug. I covered my face in my hands tiredly and groaned. Mama caught my wiggling foot in her hand for a moment and retied my boot quickly. "I'll do it today. Thank you for fixing my boot Mama" Mama got up from her chair, put her hands on her hips and said "I know you will, I'm-" I interrupted and joined in unison "Counting on you." Mama smiled. "I'll meet you downstairs in a few." I nodded and watched her walk out the door. I looked at the dying embers of our own fire and scowled. "I just don't want to Mama." I said quietly. I hoped she couldn't hear me. I sighed heavily and followed loosely behind Mama's echoing footsteps.