Chapter 14 - New home

Kendra followed the officer through the city. In this world, there are horses and donkeys and carriages. But she didn't have any and neither did he. So they walked. The city seemed to be quite big. The market place seemed to be just on one corner of the city where it didn't disturb the rest of it.

In the beginning, Kendra taught market is in the mid-city but it actually seemed to be in the outer city. As the officer explained to her, there are four gates to the city. Main gate, outer city gate, inner city gate, and nobles circle. As he knew that she didn't have much money, he took her to the other side of the outer city.

It was quite far from the main gate but this way somewhat safer. He walked up the tree story house and on the third floor was an attic apartment, in this case somewhat like a loft. When they came in Kendra almost didn't turn around and run away.

The roof leaked, there are mice everywhere and the flying rats(pigeons) were pooping everywhere. It was not even house, it was a mess. When the officer saw the mess on the attic he wrote it down and went down to the owner of the house.

''What is going on?''He yelled at the fat man that almost choked on his chicken leg.''Do you want to sell it? Sell it yourself. I will report the condition of your house. If you don't clean that mess you will pay the fine. Do you understand?'' he yelled while looking at the stunned man. He was so angry.

In this city there are sanitary laws because there are so many weird sicknesses in other cities, so the city Lord made the decision that there is no dirt, rats or birds inside the city. If someone chooses to have his own land and grow animals they can do it outside. While telling all that to Kendra he got really upset. He works for the city already 15 years and this is the first time to see such condition of the house.

Kendra understood that and even tho she was at first upset, now she understood that this is not common.

''I do not understand. He lives here, he should know. The city sanitary laws are quite extreme. This kind of place can cause us getting one of those sicknesses that other city's have. Not even dwellings are dirty. How disgusting.'' he said while being furious.

Indeed the dwellings across the main gate seemed to really be quite clean. It seems that the law and order that are in the city were taken outside as well.

''Do not worry. There will be such things. But, is it possible for me to find a place further away from this house. I really hate rats.'' she said while shuddering. It will be hard for the house owner to get rid of the rats. And that attic...Her house is a hundred times cleaner.

''I have an idea in my mind.No more apartments. I will show you the house of someone I knew. The friend of mine got married and they went to another city. His wife and parents lived in this house and as they will leave all together they are selling the house. It's not big but for two of you is perfect.'' he said while remembering the house.''Why did I even show them that place? This one is so perfect for these children.''

They walked for a while and they saw rows of streets with smaller houses with tiny gardens. Kendra's eyes shone. It was just what she was looking for.

He turned to one of the streets and went all the way to the end. When they got closer she saw a perfect little house. There were rows of houses from every side but this one was somewhat in corner of the castle. The street was straight passing by her, but there were no other houses near it. It was like the street was as well border between that house the other houses.

''There are only two houses like this in the whole castle. And this one is on the sunny side. In winter it won't be too cold and in summer you can sit outside. There are trees and a garden.'' he said while walking slowly to the house.

From far away it seemed small but when they arrived they saw that house is made from bricks and it was not that small. In the front house, there was an apple tree and on sides, you could see cherries, pears and by the wall even gr.a.p.es. Everything had a tall fence so we had to open the gate to go in.

There were still two older people sitting in the front house and chatting. When they saw them coming they stood up and opened the gate with a smile.

''I brought buyers for the house.''He said while looking at astonished faces of the older pair.

''Parents?'' asked the older man as he looked around.

''No parents but they have enough money to buy a house, so I wanted to recommend yours. I planed them to stay in the loft in an eleventh street bit it was horrible,'' he said with a face of disgust.

''We wanted to report him once because we saw him multiple times pissing at the wall gates. But he threatened us and we are just old people. But now we are leaving and we don't care.'' said old man while looking at children with compassion.

''You two want to buy a house?'' he asked while he looked at them.

''Yes sir. Officer told me the price is 20 coins. Is it possible to give us some discount? Even if I have money I would like to save some .'' she said while looking with big eyes at him. Isaa saw her expression and mimicked it. The two elders were beaten.

''Even if you didn't ask I would have given it cheaper. My son-in-law has no parents so he will take us with him. He got a job in the main city as kings guard. He bought himself a big house and we all will live there. This house is something he helped us built so you can be sure that its a safe place. But there is something only a few people know, as well as city elders and the Lord of the city. We have owned well here. So in case if there was lockdown of the city and city's wells would get dirty or poisoned these wells are last option. Don't tell anyone. We are actually keepers of this well''

He walked to a hidden corner of the place and opened the gate in the wall. He told Isaa to stay outside while taking Kendra downstairs. After taking about 30 something steps on the circular staircase they already saw water. It was deep well that had huge dimensions. It seemed that whole house and garden and part of the streets are over that place.

''Be careful while you take the water. This place goes very deep. When this place was built they made such wells all over the city. My grandfather was at that time just a little boy. There were many wars and famine so this place is built in case of the lockdown of the city so these wells were a source of water for months. But not many know about these. If he brought you here that means he trusts you. It is for city defense so be careful and doesn't tell anyone.''

''Are there any fishes inside?''

''City lord planned to plant some fishes but the river is dirty and then he gave up the idea. The fishes would be great in case of hunger.Sigh.'' he shook his head.

''I know how to do it grandfather.'' she said to him looking seriously.''There is a place outside the city that I can find fishes.' I'll just gather smaller fishes and bring them here to grow up. What do you think?''

''That is great idea child. I know the Lord's main servant, so I will tell him about your idea. As peasant you can't meet the Lord is that fine with you if someone else sends a message.'' he asked with caution in his eyes. After all many generations of his family still lives inside and outside the city. They are all loyal to the Lord.

''Of course. I am after all a child, an orphan and have no achievements. It is fine with me,'' then she got closer to him,'' except that it would be scary for us to see him. The pressure...It is indeed better this way.'' she said while looking all scared.

Kendra had no intention of getting involved in city politics. As long if possible she want to be far away from politicians. In past life, she had to meet them and it was a horrible experience. She knew no matter what age, city, world or dimension is, politicians are politicians.

He saw earnest wish not to get involved and had a sigh of relief. The nobles are seriously disgusting him. He is loyal to the Lord but when he sees nobles he wants to kill them. He heard stories that some nobles like to kidnap little children and do horrible things to them. This place is far from nobles and hidden. These children will be safe.

They went out. On the door, Isaa was standing anxiously and when she saw Kendra coming out she started crying. She runs into the hands of Kendra almost knocking her down.

''Brother you promised you wont let me be alone again...buaaaaahhahh.''She started bawling.

She clung on to Kendra and didn't want to let go.''Why did you leave for so long .Ahhhh...''' She just couldn't stop lamenting and crying. She got used that Kendra being with her all the time. She was afraid to be left alone again.

Kendra sighed. She needs to do some pep talk to her. If she doesn't resolve this early it will be a big problem in the future. She let her cry and hugged her. Then she turned to elders and officer.

''I am really sorry.''She said while looking at their shocked expressions.''Few days ago we got attacked by a bad man. Since then she didn't want to be away from me. Please forgive her. She is just small child.''

Officer and the pair looked at each other and with understanding smiled at her. They are after all just small children. Even the brother seems to be mature for his age. They smiled in sympathy.

She put Isaa down and looked at her strictly and seriously.''I was just a short time away. Stop being a small baby. You already know how to cook and hunt. What other children know that.Just my sister. My sister is the best. She is little but strong and valiant. Hmph. I will be stronger and stronger with time. You need to become strong as well. Understand?''She spoke while boosting Isaa's morale.

Isaa stopped crying and looked at her with big shiny eyes.Se nodded her head and was full of pride because of Kendra's words.''Yes, I am your sister and I will become strong. I will not cry anymore. I know now brother will always come back.''

''So is it. Wherever I may go I will find you if you get lost or we get separated. Is that fine?''Kendra said while wiping her tears and snot with a little handkerchief she made for Isaa.''How can you be so ugly when you cry. I like my sister being happy and pretty.''She said while pulling on her cheeks and teasing her. Isaa's eyes were still red from crying but she already had a smile on her face.

They got used to being alone so they forgot the three people next to them. Kendra looked apologetically at them and saw they all wiped their tears away. Does she need to take care of them as well? Sigh. How can she comfort older people? Its easy with Isaa but them... Sigh...

''Sorry about this. Let's talk about price,'' she said while taking out the purse. They saw the determination in her eyes.

''It was planed 20, we planned to give it to you for 15 but you asked for a discount so we will sell it all with land and everything in the house for 12 small silver coins.'' said the old man. He almost gave it for free but he saw the serious eyes of the child and taught that child would be offended if does that.

Little did he know Kendra would be happy for the free house but at least it was much cheaper as she taught. They signed the contract as the officer already had it with him. They planned to leave for the main city in ten days so she told them to stay there.

Kendra anyway planned to go to the sea and gather some salt and play around. She saw a small garden and taught about those two rabbits they had. She asked them if they could watch them till they came back. They said they will so Isaa was happy and Kendra sighed with relief.

The old people saw that their bags are empty as Kendra didn't buy anything this time. They put in a small bag some gr.a.p.es and in the big bag some carrots, beets, fresh onion, garlic, and fresh eggplant.

When Kendra saw eggplants she got so happy. She saw that they were planted in a small garden and that means whole summer they could have eggplants to eat. She already planned to dry some of it and have it for winter. It's good when making porridge. Even if you don't have meat.

Elders were so happy about her liking the vegetables. They actually planned to pull out vegetables if the owner didn't like it and replant it at their family stead. But this way is most useful.

Kendra said her goodbyes and left with Isaa happily. Now they have some security and there is still so much money left. She looked at the officer and asked him for tax as well. He told her they don't pay tax for that house as they are watchers. Kendra was happy about that. One less thing to pay.

She planned to gather a lot of money so she and Isaa could go traveling. But for now, they have their own land with a basic house and city house. They were quite wealthy when she taught about it. She looked at streets that were cleaner than in her world. She looked at children playing around and knew that Isaa will have friends to play with. They are really lucky...