One More Step

The next morning Kyra and Anna stood alone in the big orchard. This time they brought more bags as they wanted to add more flowers.

This time they worked together. They would gather together the petals from teh trees and bushes and soon their work seems to be almost done. Three bags filled with flowers. Just one more bag left.

Kyra was worried that the flowers would lose their sent if they are too long on sunlight so she chooses to rush together with and gather the wild flowers in a hurry.

By the time the sun went up and started shining on them, they already were on their way back to their room.

There are only two more days left until their departure. Kyra hoped that this essential oil will be done by then. She sieved old petals from the oil. While the oil was warming up, she crushed the petals and put them in the glass jar again. She again layered the oil and flowers and was already happy as the faint fragrance could be felt from the oil already.

This time she took the jars to the next room that was on the side where the sun shone through windows the whole day.

She knew that it was empty so she asked for permission to do so.

She obtained the key to the room and put the glass jars on the window.

Anna was done with fresh flower crushing when Kyra came back. They filled two more jars with fresh flowers and oil and left them in the room. Locking it up.

What no servant knew but Kyra found out by surprise is that there is a hidden path between these two rooms. She used the old petals to prepare old prop and used it as bait for those with long fingers. She put in that oil some crushed nettle as well so whoever tries to use that oil will have problems later on. But it will smell nicely indeed.

After cleaning the room they went down to the kitchen to eat as usual and then went to the gardener that started explaining to them what they have to know about gardening. He understood that they are just two little girls so he taught them some simple stuff.

What he didn't know is that those simple ways saved them so much time and resources later on.

''There are many ways to do gardening. One is just digging earth, put some fertilizer on and then plant the plants. There is another way to plant teh seeds inside the leftover grass over the wintertime and in spring you will not have to fertilize it and it will grow fast. Then there is as well pot plant gardening. ''

''Pot plant gardening?'' They looked ta him in curiosity.

He sighed. ''That one makes sense for those that have no land at all and need some fresh vegetables around house. But in your case, maybe just dig the earth and fertilize it as a start.''

''Is there something we have to be careful about?'' Kyra asked while remembering a few things she already knew from before.

The old Gardner didn't actually want to divulge too many secrets so he just showed them how to shovel and dig the earth. Then how to fertilize. plant and about bugs. He felt that the children won't understand anyway so he just hoped they will find some other way to feed themselves.

Kyra and Anna saw that he was holding back some information but didn't want to comment. It is fine as long he can just help them with base. Later on, Kyra will use anyway her own knowledge and just plant as she wanted. She asked for this lesson just to go through motions, so no one would suspect her later on.

The two days passed and it was almost time for them to leave. They put the clothes they got as present in their backpacks and called servants to help them down with the essential oils.

Kyra would move the essential oil back to their room every night.

The morning of their leaving they didn't crush any more petals. They sieved the petals out and the old oil and petals were trow away at the end of the garden.

Actually, their room in the last couple of days smelled so nice that many servants passed by inhaling the smell intoxicated.

They went down to the main hall and went bowed deeply in front of Lord Jung and Lady Wang. They smiled at them and then curiously looked at the jars.

Anna went forward to teh jars and opened one after another.

The amazing smell started spreading trough whole hallway captivating their senses. Anna quickly closed the jars and went back to Kyra that looked at the people with a smile. ''This is something we made from each taste we will be gifting Lady Wang one jar. But we made this so we hope that Lady Wang can help us exchange the other jars for things we might need.''

Lady Wang looked at two children in curiosity. ''Money?''

Kyar shook her head. ''No. It was enough that you could find us that accommodation. We promise later we will pay you the money back. These essences we made from the flowers in your garden so we can't ask for money. But if we could exchange these for some seeds or some vegetables, we wouldn't mind. ''

Lord Junga waves this hand to his main servant and he runs off to bring them that fast. He turned to look at girls with serious expression..''Are you girls sure nothing else is needed.''

Anna and Kyra looked at each other and then Anna spoke. ''Actually, we want something but are not sure is it possible to get.''

He looked at them and wrinkled his eyebrows like he was annoyed. ''Speak.'''

''Is it possible for us to get couple daggers and maybe bow and arrows? If it's possible..'' Anna spoke slower as she saw his expression getting darker.

''The daggers you can get. But bow and arrows are impossible to give you. Those are meant for my guards so I can't give them to you. Anything else?'' Anna timidly shook her head but Kyra remembered one more thing.

She stood in front of him and sighed. ''One more thing. Can you show us just some simple traps? I think we need to hunt some animals at first for food.''

Everyone gaped about her request but he rolled his eyes. ''Do I look like a hunter to you? I just use a bow and arrow. Sigh. Liuxian, you will bring them to their new home. Show them how to make simple traps and come back right after that.''

Lord Jung then waved his hand as they bowed one more time to him. He turned around to his room. After all, he is big Lord, showing up at their leaving was enough grace from his side.

Kyra blinked before turning to Lady Wang and leaving everyone there. Anna held her hand to give her strength as they left the house. But Anna didn't know that she actually didn't need the strength. It was good enough like this.

Liuxian was one of the people from the Lord's side. He waited for them outside.

After leaving the house he realizes that the two girls had big backpacks that looked heavy.

''We have a long way to the village. We have to walk through the whole town. It will take us almost one day to get there, let me help you with the bags. ''

Kyra shook her head and looked around while Anna smiled at him. ''Sorry. But we have some personal stuff inside. We fell kind of uncomfortable to let you take these. But thank you for your offer. ''

Liuxian saw Kyra looking around and then remembered that one of Lod's servant runs off to get the things from the gardener. Soon around corner came man running and stopped in front of them as he heaved.

He couldn't talk so he just pushed stuff into Anna's arms and wanted to go inside the house, but Kyra stopped him.

''I sold Lady Wang the essential oils for seeds and bit food for our trip. This looks more than we can take. Let me see.'' She opened the cloth and shook her head.

'''Anna, come help me out. We will take only the amount we asked. I have no wish to overdo Lord Jung's grace.''

She started opening packages and took from each seed pocket just 20 seeds. It was not a lot but was enough for them to start with something. Then she opened one package and found two simple daggers inside.

Anna got one and she tucked one onto her own waistband. After that, she filled the bags with food and stuffed bit food into the cloth and gave Luxian. ''You said we will go for the whole day. Please take this as we have no money to buy you food on our way.''

He stared at the food in his hands and just shrugged. He heaved the cloth over his shoulders and started walking. Kyra and Anna bowed their heads to the servant and turned to leave as big packages of seeds were left on the stairs of Lord Jung's manor.

Most peopel in modern time would now rumble about Lord Jung letting two little girls go there on foot. But actually, him sending his own soldier as their protection is giving them face.

The society was already content that he found them a safe place to live. So no one rushed forth to condemn him for cold attitude.

If he did more than that, then it would be scandalous.

One more reason was that they learn about their way and surroundings. After this day they have to learn to survive by themselves.

They walked steadily and passed many different streets. Liuxian would tell them in short words about this or that place.

''This is the place that buys and sells herbs for the medical office. That over there is a man that sells food for reasonable prices. That restaurant buys wild meat. That store has cheap cloth...''

As they passed each store he would just give them on point short explanation.

Kyra and Anna would just nod as tehy followed him at a quick pace. He slowed down a bit in front of one store and sighed. ''This store has a lot of interesting things. But the most important thing is they use glass.''

He then quickened his pace as if they were on run from something.

Kyra and Anna chuckled. Anna looked at his ramrod back and crossed her eyes. Then she saw Kyra looking at her like she wanted to make a joke with her so they started pinching each other and laughing while walking quickly behind him.

The sun was almost setting when they arrived at the village. The people knew that they were coming so they curiously looked ta them.

Some waved their hands as a greeting and some just smile at them. The girls showed a proper response and smiled at everyone.

When they arrived at their house the sun was about to go behind the hills and they coudlnt see much. So they just entered.

It was a simple house with three rooms. One room was something like a living room and kitchen mix. The second room was a bedroom and it seems the third room was a bedroom as well. They had an outhouse in the far corner of the small courtyard.

Kyra looked at Liuxian. ''Tonight you sleep in the other room. I think the city gates are closed by now. And you had the assignment to show us how to make traps. ''

He nodded and just went into the room. Kyra sighed and entered the room that had two beds. She winked at Anna and opened her bag.

''Let's eat something. I am starving. That boy, Liuxian is quite fast I have to admit. But because we run this fast we forgot to eat. Now I feel so hungry.''

Anna was about to grab food when Kyra tapped her head with the forefinger. ''Let's fist get some water to wash our hands and face and then let's eat. We will not take bath now as it is too late to light the fire, we can do that tomorrow when we come back home.

Anna nodded and gave her a cute expression.

They came out of the house to find Liuxian having the same idea. They had luckily their own well in the courtyard so it was easy to make small washing and after greeting silent Liuxian they went into teh room and at a bit.

Soon after eating they felt a wave of tiredness hitting their bodies and they fell asleep. After such a long run, it was no wonder that they slept like two little piglets.

In early morning Liuxian knocked loudly on their doors to wake them up.

Anna woke up first and almost scared him to death.

Cute Anna from the day before wore a long white sleeping gown and her hair was all over her face. As tired eyes looked ta him the bags under her eyes were obvious. It seems she didn't sleep enough.

Suddenly behind Anna, a hand appeared and scared him even more.

Kyra pulled Anna inside the room and he could see that she was fully dressed. She tucked Anna under covers and let her sleep more.

She slowly closed the door and walked slowly behind him into teh forest.

''I do not have much time so I will show you once. You make once and I will tell you is it good enough.'' He said the whole sentence and let Kyra pay attention to his movements.

Pair of eyes looked at their doings.

Kyra could feel the eyes but pretended to be obvious.

Liuxian explained to her only once, literally how to make the animal trap. Kyra made one and he just nodded. ''This is good enough for smaller animals. For larger is simple... Dig a trap deep enough, let it fall inside and that's it.''

Kyra nodded and they were about to go back as her trap snapped and she saw a hare stuck inside. Liuxian was so stunned that he didn't speak oen word on their way home.

When they came back he explained how to clean the rabbit fur without making it dirty and then packed this thing and... left. When everything was done, Anna woke up and joined them in learning.

Kyra and Anna expected it so they just bowed to him and he to them and turned around and left.

As soon he was far enough the girls hugged each other and started smiling. ''Can you believe that he explained to us about these things in such a short amount of time...''

''As soon we get used to this lifestyle, the better for both of us. Let's make the third room the storage. We will prepare some simple soup now and later we nee dto go to the head of the village and find out about our farmland. We need to put these seeds soon, so we can have vegetables as soon s possible.''

Anna nodded and started cooking...