She awoke upon a loft of grains and foods. It was not the first time she had forgotten where she had fallen asleep. Both the blanket and the small mattress she had been provided was more luxury than she'd had for months. The sun shone up from the ladder leading down. She shuffled, still blanket-wrapped, and peered down the open floor hatch. A ladder lead down into a small stable. Before long the girl had redressed and headed down. A musky smell of animal met her nose and engulfed her senses. A step outside revealed a cloudy day. The white screen lit the featureless sky in a uniform light. With a look around she realized the barn was adjourned with the teahouse they had visited yesterday. Syndra lethargically reached for the door and pushed it open. Inside she found an old man moving a rag across the long tables. He looked up and gave her a bright smile. Syndra did not recprocate. By one of the tables Evard was seated.

"Good morning" Syndra said quietly. She received no answer, but for a nod. The man headed out behind the curtains separating the back room. Before long he came back with the lady of the house in tow. Frazzled hair, wrinkled sleeping and tired eyes. A long way from the commanding presence she had had the night before. As she spoke her age revealed itself.

"Good morning" She croaked. The man pulled a pillow out for her and motioned for Syndra to sit. As she did, he placed a tea set by them, and poured a cup for each. The two sat by each other, neither speaking for a while. The silence gnawed at Syndra, and she drew breath to ask if she could leave but was interrupted.

"Yes yes, I know. Your family is still around. We've come to the agreement that you can stay in my loft for the time being, until you find your bearings. I'm rarely partial to wandering folk, but your story struck a chord. Even if it was only a half truth." She paused for a dramatic wink.

Syndra was about to explain that she didn't really have that much of an interest in her family, before she could get a word in, the lady continued: "Your family cares much for you, like you care for them. They chose to let you sleep in, because they couldn't bear to wake you... "

because they want as little to do with me as possible

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"... they've gone to the square to look for work, but if you wouldn't mind, I'd like..." she looked to the man, who had continued his cleaning.

He momentarily stopped, which demanded eye-contact.

"We would like for you to work here. Just in the stable is fine. Consider it a trade for you and your family to come have a cup and stay on our loft. What say you girl?" It doesn't matter what I answer, does it? Syndra thought to herself.

"Great. You can get to work when you're ready. The trough needs a refilling, you can find the feed in the back. If it's full there's a few more sacks on the loft. After that Semmis will show you what to do." With that, she emptied her cup, and went into the back.

Syndra sighed, and looked toward the man, who apparently was named Semmis. He looked at her apologetically. Syndra rolled her eyes, which prompted a mute laugh from the man. She couldn't help but smile at his genuine feelings. In an effort to conceal it, she looked down into her cup. She had nothing better to do anyway she thought, before taking a sip.

The hours passed by quickly. Every time her tasks were done, the silent Semmis was ready to wordlessly guide her through setting up tables and chairs, mucking out, buying tea, flour, and incense. She found his presence oddly comforting. She had wondered which animals would use the barn. None had been present throughout the day, and she hadn't seen any when they first arrived.

Yet as dusk came by, travelers would leave their animals in Syndra's care. She tied them to the trough, like Semmis had told her, well... showed her. Some time around nightfall her parents returned. Eye contact was all they required to move away, and into the tea house. She had grown very hungry during the day. She looked jealously at the animals. At least they could eat however much they wanted. She had barely had the idea, before Semmis arrived with a tray. He sat cross-legged from Syndra. The man looked haggared, like he could barely stay awake.

"Is it from your wife?" She asked He shook his head.

"Your sister?" He shook his head once more, this time with a smile.

"You?" A third time he shook his head, before pointing toward the loft.

She thought for a little while. "My parents?"

He nodded and put the tray in front of her. It was a modest meal. Bread slices and crayfish on a bed of rice. Considering their travels, this might well be the finest meal in the land. Semmis shortly took his leave. Allowing Syndra just a small feeling of silent comfort and safety. She left the tray in the back, intending to bring it in in the morrow. She then climbed to bed. By the time her family would also turn in, she was already fast asleep.