Chapter 18 - The savage leftovers

Next morning Kendra woke up really early. She slowly got out the bed so she wouldn't wake up the sleeping Isaa and went out as she heard the two elders whispering.

''Good morning. I have to ask you a question. I see that you didn't pack blankets and pots and beds...'' she counted on her hand.''How much is it if you sell it to me or did you sell someone else.?''

They looked at still sleepy child thinking about such things.

''Child. We never planned to take those things with us.'' said elder woman while patting her head'' We will just take some clothes, money and some food with us. If we take those old pots and blankets and rest of it how can our son-in-law show his face in the city.''

''Child'' said the man,'' we can't walk around with old stuff, so we sold it to you together with the house. Accept that, how long would then take us to travel to the capital city if we take all those heavy things. Not worthy of our time. The money that we would pay for transportation would be the same as we just buy new stuff in the city.''

Kendra got sober immediately. Her eyes shone even in the slight dawn light.

''Sooo we get everything in house and garden for free?'' she said realizing they don't need to spend money this year on any new things.

''You..'' the woman looked at her laughing'' Didn't you know that before. We clearly told you when we sighed the contract.''She said while lightly poking the child's head.

Kendra gave them shiniest smile she had. They got blinded for a moment. This child is just too good looking. It is good he is in City Lord's protection or who knows what could happen to him...

They hugged Kendra tightly and heard a voice behind them.

''Aunt, uncle are you leaving now?'' asked Isaa who just woke up and had not yet totally woken up.

They went cuddled the cute girl in their hands and left while waving hands. The carriage already waited for them in front of the house gate. The two children vigorously waved at them as they slowly turned around the corner and went their way to the new city and the new home.

''Isaa go back to bed. Brother will go get some water and make some food for us.''

Isaa nodded as she was still tired. She went back into a still warm bed and fell asleep right away.

Kendra tucked her in and as the light of a day became stronger she went into the corner to take some water from the well.

She opened the door and let the light brake through the corner and shine upon the water. She could clearly see now the way all the way downstairs. Luckily it was not far. She came back fast with two small buckets of water.

It was enough for them to have to slightly wash, make breakfast and drink.

She took water in the side room as she saw last night that there is a kitchen.

She saw something she didn't know they had. Metal oven. With the small opening to put fire in and on side oven to bake...this...is better than anything. She turned around and saw that the door to the side room could be closed and there was a door to the sleeping room so they heated the place that way...She looked up and saw that smoke could go out through what it seems chimney.

This is the best present ever. They slept in a smaller room from the other side of the kitchen. There is one more door. She slowly opened it and started smiling again brightly. These people are just too cute. She saw a small note stuck on the door and opened it.

-Child. We can't eat all this and we can't take it with us. So we give it to you two. Eat well.-

Kendra closed the note and looked with big eyes at the huge pantry.

On all walls of pantry were shelf's filled with all kind of food. She saw two big boxes in the corner of the pantry. She got curious and when she opened it she got almost scared.

They were to brim filled. One side had white flour and the other side had the one they usually eat.

She looked at sealing speechlessly and almost didn't faint. The sealing was filled with all kind of dried meat and sausages.

'Who are these people actually. They didn't spend all that money I gave them for this food? Didn't they?' she looked in awe the walls filled with different kind of pots. She will need to find out what is in the pots. Sigh, they could have written that much.

Actually, these two people were nobility as well but had to hide their heritage as they need to watch the well. It was their free choice. When their daughter got married to the youngest cousin of the city Lord, they gave newlyweds the land and mansion and just wanted to have a simple life. But then Lord asked them to be watchers as the previous one died shortly before.

So they didn't lie when they said that their son-in-law made a house for them. He really did. They didn't want to big as it would be conspicuous. They just made one that looked like other houses. Just that the size of the rooms was quite bigger.And much more comfortable. But no one could see that from the outside, because of the high fence.

Their son-in-law went to the war with the neighboring country a while ago and saved kings life, so he was called to the main city to attend the king. That was a great honor for the whole city. But Kendra didn't know the story till much later...

So when they left they just filled as much they could the pantry and left many good things in the house. They liked the children but they needed someone that could be trusted as a watcher and these kids will live long. In beginning the man was worried that they would bother the Lord but as they spoke to the children they saw that they are indeed pure and good. He said his in-laws about the children and as he hoped the Lord promised him to protect them

Kendra didn't know any of that. She now just had a headache. How can she get those sausages...She wants to fry some for breakfast. She looked around and found the ladder. Good, they taught about that as well. She climbed up and cut a string of sausages.

Then she looked in those pots. One huge had so much fat, the other had as it seems olive oil and third had some salt. Kendra guess was right. Salt was expensive. She saw only a bit of salt inside and remembered her own. She runs in front of the house where their baskets were and took them into the pantry. She poured the salt in the big pot but even after both baskets were empty them in the pot didn't seem to be any different.

Kendra was grateful for sea and summer. She will go to make salt again in a few days. First, she needs to gather those strawberries before the season didn't end. Even if they had food and money she still needs to earn more.Much more if she wants to travel. She opened one handkerchief and saw the seven black pearls. She will later use them but now she will just continue hunting and fishing and making jam. She saw near the wall slight line and choose to transplant some of the strawberries here after the season ends. And around trees...

She didn't feel like baking bread today but she remembered that there is a bakery near the main gate.

She took some money with her and wanted to go for bread. But then remembered that if Isaa wakes up and don't see her, she will make trouble. She slowly went to the room and patted Isaa's head.

''Isaa'' she called her'' Wake up. Brother is going to buy fresh bread. Do you want to come?''

Isaa opened eyes and looked at her.

''Will you come back?'' she looked her with sleepy eyes and slightly flushed face from sleeping.

''Of course. I just wanted you to know so you don't worry. I will be back and make delicious breakfast.''Isaa nodded and hugged Kendra.

''Come back quickly. I will go back to sleep,'' she yawned slightly and fell asleep again.

Kendra tucked her in as usual and went slowly out the gate. She put the basket on her back and opened the gate. When she came out she saw a bunch of woman walking down the city market. Kendra remembered that it was market day. She then rushed faster as she wanted to buy some milk for them. Maybe some eggs. They ate most and rest they gave to fishes as Kendra was trying the all possible recipes for fish food.

She came quite fast to the market. First, she went to the two women to greet them and see what they had for sale. One had garlic and other had onions. She bought some of each. Then she looked around and saw most vegetables that they already had in their small garden.

She turned to the place she knew that sold milk produce. She was lucky. She took a small pot she took from home and got it filled with milk. The lady let her pay only one coin. It seems that milk products are quite cheap in this place. She saw some cheese and butter.

She bought butter even tho it was quite expensive. A pound of butter was 50 coins. But is fine. She doesn't plan to buy them every day. Accept that she plans to make some cookies with that butter. They can eat it anytime for a long time.

She went then to the overfilled bakery. She regretted that she didn't come early. Next time she will come first here, suddenly she heard a familiar voice.

''Child, where have you being?''

Kendra turned her head around and saw a familiar face, the cook.

''Good morning,'' she greeted him with smile'' I went to search for fish grounds. I think I will bring some fish and some jam to the market in three days.''

''Did you bring something today for sale?'' he asked while curiously looking at the basket.

''No we came back last night so I just came back to buy some stuff as we need some food.''She sighed while thinking in glee about all that yummy stuff in her pantry. Omg. She really became gluttonous.

He looked at her with a smile while she tried to peek in the bakery, if they still have some bread left.

''You need bread?'' he asked.

''Yes I promised my little sister that I will buy bread,'' she said while still trying to peak between people.

''I am done with shopping. Come with me. I will sell you some bread. I have an offer for you as well.'' he said while looking at the anxious child.

Kendra looked at him in surprise.

''But my sister will wake up soon, is it far?'' she said while thinking about Isaa.

''No we are not far away from the inner city gate. Come with me we will chat there,'' he said determined not to let this golden goose go.

The second gate is the gate to the inner city. Here live all those that have some power but are not nobles.

The house was really not far from the gate. It was a three-storey house with a big entryway and lots of land and trees. They went to the servant's gate and entered kitchen filled with smells and people rushing to finish they work before the lairds didn't wake up.

He took her to a smaller room that seemed to be his office and asked to sit down.

''I am really not trying to be rude but I really want to go home fast. Isaa, my little sister had shock a few days ago as mother died. Since then I can't leave her alone for too long or she starts getting cramps please hurry.'' she said as politely as she could.

He nodded as he understood her situation.

''I brought you here so when you get some goods in three days to bring first to me and then if there is left over sell to the market. I promise I won't be skimping on price,'' he said in hope that child would agree. Kendra taught about that and nodded. It made more sense to sell directly.

''I agree. As long you don't skimp on a price I would be glad to supply you with the fish when I find some.'' she looked at him seriously and he knew he got the big deal. His employer was very generous last time as some of the nobles were visiting him and he could give each one a fish. They were so amazed and accepted the offer for cooperation. If he could get a supply of good food for while it would be good for everyone.

The sea fish is different. It is everywhere. So its quite cheap to buy. But the river fish is expensive as the nearest river is too dirty so nothing could live there. And another nearby river is almost 200 miles away. So having river fish was expensive.

This child just happens to do something for him. He went to another side of the kitchen and took one freshly baked bread. It was not from white flour but it was still smelling delicious.

Kendra smelled the fresh bread and quickly took out her money pouch.

''Wait, you don't have to pay for this. I will give you this as a gift for start from our cooperation,'' he said smilingly at the child.

''Then I will not be polite and will take it said Kendra while holding tightly the bread in her hands.''Sir one more question. What do you put inside to make it grow.?''

''Oh.Yeast.Why?You plan to make bread?'' he asked while looking at the child with growing interest.

''Just for two of us.'' she said calmly'' How much is yeast?''

''I will give you some. If you want to make your own, just leave some bread and let the yeast it in dark place and you will always have your own,'' he said. She remembered that there is a possibility that there is yeast at home but she will still take his offer. As long is for free...