Katarina was halfway through her morning tea and a drainage survey when Ottavia appeared in the study doorway, drying her hands on a rag and looking like she'd drawn the short straw to do whatever she was about to do.
"Signora, there's a woman at the gate."
"Who?"
"Fiorda. The water hauler from the lower quarter." Ottavia leaned against the frame and crossed her arms. "She looks like she wants to kill you. Specifically you. She used your name and everything."
Katarina rolled her eyes.
"Wonderful. Tell Enza to let her in."
"I already did. Enza took one look at her face and came to get me instead." Ottavia paused. "I came to get you because I don't get paid enough to prepare your funeral."
"That's an odd way of asking for a raise."
Ottavia shrugged. Then, she tossed the rag over her shoulder and disappeared back down the hallway... muttering something about salt reserves.
