As days passed, Maya uncovered and learnt more about Ironstone. Sala was an excellent teacher, and during their time together, she revealed a side of her that she had thought she would never see in Sala.
Despite rigid beliefs concerning the old religion, Sala had become to her like a mother. It was a good distraction while she anxiously awaited Dakran's return. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she fixed the main gate of Ironstone with her gaze.
" He will return soon! Now stop pouting and help me with these sheets!" Sala admonished, feigned irritation, but she had failed miserably as a smile slowly split on her lips.
Maya nodded " Of course! I must apologise for my wandering thoughts." she blushed and flustered, picking one corner of the sheet that Sala was trying to fold.
" It's alright, my dear. We all have been there. Young love has its charms. " Sala seemed to know what she was talking about. There was a certain wistful candour in her eyes that made her wonder who was the lucky man that escaped through her fingers.
Maya hummed " You seem to know more about matters of the hearts than you let on." she tried to find out more without asking Sala directly what she wanted to know. Sala was private and didn't like to share much about her person.
Sala gave a pointed look. That was a no. She wasn't ready to share more about her life.
" Come!" Sala beckoned, picking up the folded bed sheets and shuffling her way out of the laundry room.
" Where are we going?" Maya hurriedly asked as she picked up her pace to catch up to Sala.
" We need to prepare the rooms for the people staying in Ironstone. They've sent a message through Issare. They should be here in due time." Sala informed as she pushed the door open to one of the chambers.
" Maras has added more makeshift beds to some Chambers to accommodate all. The servant's quarters will be full as well. Some will have to stay in the upper levels. Remember to put everything in the logbook. It doesn't matter now, but the master likes to know what he spends. I taught you about inventory and how to record it. Once you and Master are married, it will be your responsibility to weigh how much and distribute accordingly. I have done all this in his absence, but now it will be yours." Sala explained as she moved around the room, putting bed sheets on the extra beds and repeating herself. She had already told her how to run Ironstone, especially when Dakran wasn't around.
A loud thud startled them, and both rushed to the door, peeking their heads through the ajar door curiously, looking to see what or who had caused it.
It didn't take long before a head full of dark hair peeked at them as its owner climbed up the steps, and it was clear that it was a man. For a moment, Maya stopped breathing. Her eyes widened, and a bright smile split on her lips. Moments later, Haren appeared in her view, followed by a dreadful feeling and disappointment. Next to him was a dark-haired woman, almost as tall as he was, with dark clothing clinging to her slender body.
The woman's head whipped at her the moment they noticed their presence and gave her a deadly stare.
" Is that her?" the woman asked, taking her eyes off her and turning to Haren.
Haren hummed and nodded but didn't bother to spare them a glance. His animosity towards her was unfounded, she had done nothing to him, but for some reason, the man was not happy having her around.
" She is not that pretty!" the woman commented loud enough for her to hear, but Haren remained silent and kept walking through the corridor. Dakran's warning worked like a charm.
Maya looked at Sala. Plenty of questions lingered in her mind regarding the woman, but one took prevalence over the others. Who was she?
" Kaishin! Inari tribe leader!" Sala briefly answered the unspoken question and stepped back into the room.
" I'm just curious why she is here. She has no business in Ironstone!" Sala blabbered out loud, and her hand flew to her mouth when she realised she had voiced them.
Maya frowned and followed Sala inside the room, pushing the door close with her heel. That was her next question, but there was no point asking it. Sala had already answered it. They were more akin than she would have liked to admit.
Sala raised her head " We're done here. Time to help with dinner. We have guests now, and I'm guessing they will want food." Sala brushed the top of the cover to make them neat and scurried her way out of the room, leaving Maya behind.
Maya sighed, trying to devise a plan to heed Dakran's advice to stay out of Haren's way. There was no better place to hide than the kitchen. She hoped that he would never step inside it, ever. She'd become accustomed to having dinner with the Sala and Falkirk to chase away the loneliness and the dirty thoughts she had of Dakran whenever she found herself alone.
Maya bit her lips and nodded to herself, following Sala out of the room as fast as she could, slipping into the kitchen like a thief. Avoiding Haren was her only goal. She didn't want any trouble, and with Dakran away, it was an open season with her as the primary target.
" Dear, is everything all right?" Sala asked, looking a little worried at her sudden shift in behaviour.
Maya smiled and nodded " What can I do to help?" she changed the subject as fast as she could. No doubt, Sala would understand, but she had no interest in being the source of gossip within Ironstone. It would be unbecoming of her to behave in such a way.
" Dice the vegetables and put them in the pot once you're done," Sala instructed with a questioning look.
Maya nodded and took her place at the kitchen counter, and began dicing the vegetables. " Where is the Falkirk?" she asked with her head down and focused on keeping her fingers intact.
" He went to get the salted meat. He will be back, don't worry." Sala stirred in a pan with bubbling sauce.
" Oho!" Falkirk beamed, overly excited to see her " We have help! That's great. I love having you in the kitchen!" he continued to express his enthusiasm by kissing her temple, and Maya scrunched her face at the gesture and pulled to the side.
" Falkirk! Watch your manners!" Sala admonished, waving a knife at him.
" She is like the daughter I never had." Falkirk waved Sala off and scoffed.
" Look at me!" he pointed at himself, waving the salted meat in the air " I'm old and cranky. This girl is a ray of sunshine in my life. She brightens up my day whenever she comes in here." Falkirk sounded truthful in his words.
" Oh, hush now with your nonsense and let the girl be!" Sala admonished some more. Her mood turned sour relatively fast.
" We are both old and craggy dear !" Falkirk laughed, slapping the meat with his hand, and let out a heartfelt chuckle.