Kitchen Crew

The woman turned her head toward Maggie. Cover blown. She was not going to be able to use the steam to hide after all. Maggie's mind raced.

Maggie knew from previous trips to the cave that there was a crew of people that cleaned the crockery and utensils used for the banquet hall. She wasn't young and pretty, and captives like her were often obligated to do this duty. There was constant change in the kitchen crew, so it was likely that she could pass as a new member. Also since it was a messy job, the cleaning crew often wore just the essential clothing in order to avoid having to wash it later. This would explain her current minimal outfit.

She called out firmly, in a staccato cadence. "Hello, there. Maggie Temple from the kitchen. I heard a ruckus going on here. What in Nyx's name is going on? How can I help?" She started to sniffle from the tainted air as she approached the other woman. This woman was young and pretty, wearing just a loincloth. Of course. That is why she is working here and not the kitchen. From the tone of those arms, it looks like she keeps in shape.

The other woman was struggling to answer. Tears were now beginning to well in Maggie's eyes.

Maggie said, "Honey, do you have any washcloths? It is horrid here! This air is nasty. I got an idea. There has to be some small wash cloths around here." The other woman staggered toward some towels. Maggie was able to fashion a couple of damp cloths dipped in lemon juice. She tied them off in the back, and they served as masks that could filter out the worst of the foul air, first for the other woman, and next for herself. Then she took another cloth and dabbed it around the eyes of the other woman. This other woman was shaken by whatever happened, and perhaps did not know what to do. Part of her crying may have come from the fouled air, but part of it may have also come from shock from whatever happened to Fred and the dragon. And part may have come from fear for her future.

"Are you breathing halfway normal now?" said Maggie, in a softer voice and more relaxed cadence.

1. The other woman answered. As far as Maggie could tell, there was nobody else around to pay attention.
2. Maggie was interrupted by another person or people.

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