One More Step

''What do you have to report? Speak.'' deep voice sounded from darkness.

''The girls were attacked multiple times by some strangers.'' second voice answered.

''How do they live? Can they be next ones?'' asked the first voice.

''How should I explain this? They as it seems literally hate people pitying them. At first they even just dry bread and some green grass but didn't ask anyone for help. Now they found out that the same green grass has healing and nurturing abilities and chose to sell them. The people that got the grass got famous by the Queen and were given expensive items. Out thanks, they wanted to gift some of those items to girls. But they literally hated the idea. They asked only to be paid for various healing plants they found in the forest. Their luck was good that last year was drought and after that winter was long so the green stuff this spring went into unimaginable heights.''

''Luck is a skill as well. Not everyone can have it. Do they know the rules?''

''Actually, there lies real problem...''

''What are you talking about?''

''From one girl the parents died before explaining to her and the other grew up with a grandmother and had no idea as well. The girls have no idea about the Process.''

''What?''

''Should we go and tell them?''

''No. Let's see their conduct even if they don't know. This is a better test. If they can survive on their own next few years without being greedy and learning skills by themselves, we can send them true masters. Anything else?''

''It seems one of the girls can unintentionally feel Nature's powers. She calls them differently but the way she learned it, it's different.''

''But she understands it?''

''Yes.''

''Let's hope they survive. Keep them safe from imminent danger like before but don't help them in any other matter, understood?''

''Yes... What about that man that lingers around them.''

''That man helps them?''

''Yes, and no... They pay him for half a day of work with money and meal.''

''Then he is worker. They are smart. And proud. Maybe they are our new generation.''

''I will keep my eyes on them.''

''Do that. Go. Summon me only extreme case. If nothing big happens I will come back in one year to get a new report on them.''

''Then, in one year.''

''In one year...''

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''Anna our garden is almost done.'' Two days later they earned a bunch of money by sending all kinds of green stuff they found.

''It seems quite big. Will we have enough seeds for the whole garden?''

''No. Later Chen will come. He promised that he will make new drying racks for us.'' Kyra made him that day make a couple drying racks so she could dry the flowers under the sun.

Over the night they would cover the flowers. Now it is the third day and they knew that flowers are finished.

''We can bring most of the flowers to the medicine hall. Let's save some for us. I read in the book that these flowers are healthy to drink by smaller colds or when you can't sleep.''

Kyra knocked Anna's head. ''Like you need that.''

Anna pouted. ''I might not need now. But when you are sick the worst is when you can't go to sleep so your body can't heal.''

''Just say you want to drink tea. I read in the book that there are wild berry bushes. 'They are healthily dried and in tea. I think if we drink fruit tea in the summer it will relieve us from heat a little bit.''

''Tomorrow we can go to the city and talk to the Zhen family. We actually need to know how much of the greens they need. Cattail grass is not much. It will take time to replenish itself. But in the next two weeks, the prices are still high. So this is our chance to seel as much we can.'' Kyra already considered everything.

''Shall we ask Chen today to go with us and gather the greens next water? We can share the money.''

It's better they earn more money as long they can.

''We can ask him.'' They checked the flowers and carefully put them in small bags they made. And then in pots.

They gathered flowers every day. But these are ready for sale. Who would have thought that the flowers didn't loose on size? They even looked beautiful.

But since the other day, they gathered the plants in the early morning.

''The blue flowers will be amazing. I will keep some of these as well. They are good for all kinds of bleeding and even internal bleedings can be stopped with them. People usually make tinctures, but it can be used as a tea as well.''

Anna was interested in the medical powers of plants and Kyra more on how to regrow them.

''Anna. I think later on you can become a healer. You learned the things in the book just in these couple days. I am a bit ashamed that I cant follow your speed.'' Kyra was truly happy for her friend.

''What about you? All the plants you gathered look perfect. You know how to handle plants. I am glad we can complement each other like this.'' Anna hugged her and leaned her head on Kyra's shoulder.

''''I do not know why, but I love being around plants.'' Kyra was even happy when she could touch them and feel their vital energy streaming in their veins.

''Kyra. In these few days, we earned enough money to make one of my wishes come true. Can you help me with it?'' Anna poked Kyra's cheeks.

''Sure. Let's do that.''

''I want to expand the house. In our old house, the fireplace was different. It was made out of metal and stones and could heat all rooms.''

Kyra knew that kind of houses so she nodded.

''Then we can do that. We will find a master to build the metal fireplace and in time between we ill make the kitchen and dining area bigger. You know let's not complicate this. We will make a door between the kitchen and our room. If we now start renovating people will start having weird ideas. We can just extend the porch. It's good protection in summer and winter."

Anna had to admit. if they change too much, they might incite to much trouble. Better save money.

"I have one idea. We can build a cellar under the pavilion. Just in case. We can ask brothers to do that. I have an idea of how deep it should be. The food won't be hot in summer there and won't freeze wintertime."

"Uhm. Can't we put it near the house?. Isn't it better?"

"Actually, if we build a new house, I would ask for one. But in this case, if we put next to the house it will be bothersome. Our ideas might not be right in the end. Let's see what the brothers would say. Maybe they have ideas."

After they spoke to brothers they came back happily.

They just closed the door and the knock could be heard on the gate. They rushed to open it.

"Uncle Chen. Come in." He got inside without a bit of hesitation.

"So, this is the money they sent to you two." He went into the kitchen as usual and put the big bag on the table.

Anna just nodded. She got shocked the first time. Her little heart still quivered when she took the bag in her hands.

Kyra put the food on the table. He was not eating with them for the last three days. Last time she forgot the bread. Luckily it didn't burn.

Today the meal was a bit different.

Chief Jafar killed sheep and Kyra bought some. She prepared some tasty ribs with potatoes. She baked bread today before time so when he came it was already done.

She put green grass salad on the table after mixing it up with salt, sesame oil and bit vinegar.

He saw greens on the table but this time he didn't bat an eye and just ate. These greens are not grass so it tasted if course differently.

He ate his fill and then waited for them to be done.

"Uncle Chen, we need a few more drying racks. And there is one more thing." Kyra took the dishes out while Anna spoke with Chen. "Come with us to the forest today. We plan to go to the city tomorrow. With your help, we can bring more. We will share profit. "

Kyra was outside washing dishes but heard everything spoken inside as she was not far from doors.

He nodded. "Good. I will help you out."

''We actually have plant to make large porch and in mid pavilion then connect pavilion with the house so we can go there. But as we can't change anything on hose we choose to make storage space under the pavilion. You know this land better than us. Is that a good idea after all?'' Kyra was worried about underground waters.

''True, if you want underground storage it is best near the house or under the house but if you make it under pavilion it will be something new. The ground here is good. I can see your face and I know what you might be thinking about. Even my house has underground storage. So if you want to make it, don't worry it is indeed a good idea. Even when there were big rain and half of that river swelled the people in this village never had water in their storage.'' He calmly started making teh racks while they spoke.

''The reason is that we are near the water.'' Anna was a bit worried as well.

''Your house lies over 5 zhang over water level. Before you even get flooded, the capital would be completely under the water. Do you think Emperor would let it happen?''

''Oh.'' The girls shrugged. ''Then it is fine as you said.''

He swept with his eyes over the yard and scrunched his eyebrows. ''Where do you plan to put it, your yard is, pretty tiny.''

''I already spoke to the sons of Chief Jafar. One of the sons is getting married soon so we came to an agreement that they will provide with everything needed and I will pay them 100 silver stones.''

''What? only for the pavilion?'' He coudlnt believe that they would cheat them.

''Of course not. They are to make our garden three times the size. In mid of it will be a pavilion with big storage under. They will make the walkway with stones and around the garden with stones from the forest. The pavilion and the porch will be made from trees in the forest. '' Anna started recounting.

Actually, for that price, they could buy better house in the mid of the village, but they liked it here.

His eyes twitched as he realized that girls had all the way the idea to make themself comfortable.

''We asked them to build a tall wall so it wouldn't be easy to climb up. I think for that task I will ad more money. It's worth it.''

Now he understood their mind. If there is a taller wall, not many people would see what is going on inside. ''You still have more ideas?''

Kyra nodded. ''The front gate will be pushed further and there will be entryway that would protect from outside glances here.''

He wanted to ask them what kind of weird plans they have for the future but he stopped himself.

''When do you gather those weird plants?'' he asked as he finished the last drying rack.

''In just a bit. Uncle Chen. Do you want to go with us to cut the tiny greens or go down to the pond and cut the cattail greens?'' He was a big man after all.

''I will cut this time a lot of cattail greens. It is too heavy for you. How do I handle it then?''

''Do you see the old bed cloth? We usually just wet it and let the cattail inside the whole night to preserve freshness. '' They saw him understanding their words so they picked up their baskets and left.

As soon they had full baskets they came back and took other baskets. Luckily they had enough of these around the house. No idea why the other owner needed these but it was convenient for them.

He cut fast trough cattail.

Soon the big cloth was filled with the leaves so he just rolled it up and let it on the side. He sat down and waited until the girls came back. they went already the fourth time and the garden was almost filled with all teh greens.

It seems he needs to bring a bigger carriage this time. In the smaller carriage, there wouldn't be enough space for everything.

While he was thinking he could hear the girls chatting and giggling. Somehow he got attache dto them even after such a short time. But seeing their pride he didn't dare to offer them a free helping hand.

So he would just come and help them with minor things and let them happily pay his labor.

In this world where everyone is trying to use anyone to have such people around is quite fresh.

Around them, he could lower his guard and not fear to backstab.

Maybe one day, he could trust them enough... There is time. Later... much later...