“Sir! Please, I beg of you, spare an apple or a coin.” Terrabeth shyly pulled the tattered dress to cover her bare shoulder.
The man was high born by the horse he rode, clothes he wore and gold signet ring. A lord, possibly.
She arranged herself more artfully on the rock, allowing a hint of ankle to show. Her silky hair brushed the ground.
He rode past while giving her the side eye then did a double take and rode back.
“You live here wench?” He did not hide his disgust as he looked over the weathered hut behind her.
“Yes, my lord.”
“And your man?”
“None.” She bent and tugged her dress over her ankle making her sleeve slip off her shoulder again. “A coin, my lord?”
Behind her, she could feel the hut holding its breath. It was here good men were distinguished from louts.
“What do I get for my coin?”
“Anything you wish.”
“Then we’ll be taking our business inside.”
The hut was pleased, it gave a soft chuckle she felt through the rock she sat upon.
“If you must, my lord.”
She lowered her gaze to hide her smile and led him inside.
An hour later the hut burped. Terrabeth watched as a rock erupted along the left side of the it. The rock was moss free but would soon look like the others. She folded the last of the lord’s fine clothing, mounted his horse and rode into town to sell her well gotten gains.