Free Crimson by Jeremy Laszlo Page A

in sleep like that smithy girl all those years ago.”
    “What do you mean?” Anna asked. “What happened?”
    “I dunno what happened,” Momma shrugged. “You were carried home by Mack and Glen. They said you passed out in the privy and busted your head on the floor. Broke a pitcher too, and cut your neck when you landed. They said they tried to wake you for over an hour before bringing you back here.”
    “Why would I suddenly pass out?” Anna asked, trying to recall the event.
    “I don’t rightly know, angel,” Momma admitted. “Perhaps, this being your first cycle, your body is not used to the blood loss. I hear it is that way with some women.”
    “Makes sense I guess,” Anna replied, her voice betraying her uncertainty.
    Pulling her long red hair over one shoulder, Anna again spun upon the bed to place her feet upon the floor. Then looking up, she accepted the bowl her mother had brought, and peering inside admired the dark colored broth with chunks of vegetables and meat floating in it. Though it was mostly broth, the scents of spices and garlic filled Anna’s nostrils and she grinned appreciatively.
    “I thought if you were awake, and your cycle is the issue, a skimpy breakfast simply would not do. This will give you energy,” Momma smiled, watching her daughter anxiously.
    “I’ll be fine Momma,” Anna assured her.
    “Even so, if you are not up to it, then you stay at home today,” Momma said. “You understand?”
    “Yes Momma, but I am fine, and we need the money,” Anna answered. “I am OK to work, I promise.”
    For a long moment Momma looked Anna over. Both knew that they needed every coin they could get. They barely made ends meet as it was with just the two of them. Seemingly come to a decision, Momma paused in the middle of turning to leave the room.
    “You feel even the slightest bit weak, you bring your bottom right back to this bed,” Momma ordered sternly. “You ain’t gonna give me another scare like you did last night.”
    “Yes Momma.”
    Without another word Anna was left alone in her room to eat her breakfast in the hour before the sun would rise to light the sky. Though a day of rest sounded like perfection, Anna knew that a day skipping work was three days skipping a meal. Though she knew it would not be the first time she had skipped a meal, nor would it likely be her last, she preferred the other option available. Anna ate quickly and dressed even faster in an effort to get to the tavern before sun up. If she was late, her pay would be docked, and that was something she and Momma could not afford.
    Dressed in one of the three simple dresses she owned, Anna rushed from her house down the dirt road that ran between the two rows of buildings that made up the little village called Traiven. It wasn’t much of a place to live, but it was home. Lots of visitors came and went on their way to or from the capital city of Valdadore to the west. Less than a hundred people lived in Traiven but thousands passed through each year, and in order to serve them all, everyone started work before sunrise.
    Sliding to a halt in front of the tavern door, Anna shoved it open and rushed inside. Dodging between tables and chairs, she nearly tripped, not once but twice as the floor sped beneath her. Unlike times past, she managed to catch herself before falling. Rounding the bar, she stooped to snatch up an apron before tying it about her waist while barging through yet another door into the kitchen.
    Letting the door swing closed behind her, Anna watched as all eyes in the kitchen turned their gazes upon her and each face stretched into smiles of something more than recognition.
    “She’s alive!” shouted Marcy, a plump woman who spent her days eating nearly as much as she cooked.
    “Yup, I’m fine,” Anna stated simply.
    Everyone took turns welcoming her back from the seemingly dead, before quickly returning to their duties in preparation for the day ahead.
    Grabbing a damp rag, Anna