Free The Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn Page B

have been trying for years to get a job here. Tearsa is very particular about who gets hired on. You must know someone important or have great references.” Knowing the circumstances by which I was given the job, I decided to make a noncommittal noise instead.
    Berry opened the door she was standing in front of and entered. I immediately noticed the wooden sign depicting a needle and thread hanging above the door to her workrooms.
    The room consisted of table upon table of workspace and at each table sat two or three young ladies in different stages of sewing projects. Along the wall were shelves with a wide selection of bolts of fabrics, from colored silks from far countries, to homespun fabrics, linens and furs. Various baskets held buttons, ribbons and lace. The room was well lit from various skylights in the ceiling and numerous sconces lined the walls to keep it well lit into the night.
    Berry entered a back room and came back with a basket full of various cloth items. “Here you go. You have bedding, sleep clothes, underclothes and uniforms, but we will have to get those adjusted after you put on some weight.” A slight blush rose to her cheeks. “I can tell you haven’t had it the easiest, but believe me, after a couple of weeks of the Citadel's food, you will fill out alright.” She began to giggle and covered her mouth with her hand.
    Berry pointed me toward my room and made me promise to come back and visit her. But even with directions I was still lost until I spotted Forrest and asked him if he knew were Avina’s room was. He nodded his head and took me there without a word.
    “Thank you so much, Forrest!” I squeezed his arm in thanks and I saw a blush come to his withered cheeks reminding myself to not overlook the silent servant.
    Taking the bedding and setting it on the bed I went to the closet and started to hang up the night clothes, when I noticed the other items that Berry had slipped into my basket. There were some ribbons, a small hair comb and a bar of sweat smelling soap. Bless her! I made a promise to myself to buy her a present in town when I got my first wages, but first I had to get to the kitchen. I quickly changed into my uniform. It was a sturdy, simple blue skirt, white chemise and gray bodice. She had included an apron as well. I donned the uniform with the same boy boots I had before and hoped my skirts would cover the fact that they were still a little big.
    Fully dressed, I hurried in the direction of the kitchen. After a few wrong turns, I found the back entry and was immediately put to work doing dishes. I was awkward at first and didn't work fast enough. When it came time to serve the students I spent the whole time hiding in the kitchen and ate lunch with the rest of the servants at a long worn wooden table.
    One of the cooks named Donn introduced me to the rest of the kitchen staff and I got to meet Avina, a short girl who looked about fourteen with red braids and freckles. I smiled at her and watched her grin back at me in delight. After how bad my luck has been lately I figured it was a Godsend that I got someone young who was happy to have a roommate instead of someone like Syrani.
    Dinner followed the same routine, working in the kitchen preparing food, or stoking the ovens. Tearsa handed me a peeling knife and I was put to work peeling potatoes for the soup. My punishment, I believe, for being really slow on the dishes. Before long the heat of the kitchen got to me and I was covered in sweat, soap and soup, when I heard the students begin to enter the dining hall for dinner. I ached to catch a glimpse of Joss but at the same time I was embarrassed.
    Joss was the one constant in my vastly changing world, but the way I treated him the other day would guarantee a change in our friendship, if we even had one anymore. But the thought that we were both still at the Citadel gave me the hope to go on and try and make a new future here for myself.
    When dinner began to die down, I