One More Step

Kyra woke up Anna not long after that. ''Anna lets go. This work will b done in just a few weeks after this and then we can pack our bags and go travel the forest a bit. I want to find more flowers and just enjoy our time before heavy sun heat starts hitting. What do you think?''

Anna stretched a bit and then hugged Kyra. ''I think it is indeed a wonderful idea. Even tho I am lazy but going out and walking the forest we can search for more medicinal herbs and grasses. I think I understood most of the book, but I need more herbs to be sure about their uses.''

Kyra had already an idea. ''I planned to send a message to the Jiang clothing store and ask them could they make leather backpacks for us.''

''Why leather?''

''Because it's more durable and in case of rain. Our clothes stone and tinder and food can be safely dry until we find shelter. We just will send a message trough Chen and that's it.''

Anna agreed. She liked the backpacks they had now, but in case of rain Kyra is right, lather would protect the change of clothing.

''Why do we need boy's clothes?'' She was still a bit baffled when they got the boy's clothes.

''You want to travel the forest in the skirt?'' Kyra looked at her like she was crazy.

Anna tilted her head bit not understanding anything. Suddenly a finger poked her head.

''Anna, you are actually a smart person, but can't you be logical as well. If we wear skirts in the forest, not only bugs will bite us, the branches will tear the skirt if we go deeper into the forest. Did you already forget what happened two days ago?'' Kyra reminded her about the memory she wanted to erase from her head forever.

She tripped and almost broke her front teeth as she stepped on her skirt while walking up the mountain. Even now her mouth felt highly painful. She was lucky that Kyra reacted quickly so she didn't completely hit the tree in front of her face.

Instead of walking with such a long thing, they can just wear boy clothes and walk comfortably through the forest.

''But if people see us...''She felt a bit ashamed.

''Anna. We are two foreigner girls but if we put our hair up like boys here and just wear these clothes they will think we are two foreigner male children. No need to feel ashamed. And after all, how many people actually enter the forest. I have no idea why people are afraid of it. I feel more worried about that city... Ugh.'' Kyra shook her head as she remembered the small incident with that servant. ''Nope. I definitely prefer the forest. Even if it's filled with wild animals we can just run and climb or hide, but how to hide from human viciousness.''

''That is indeed true. Oh never mind. We can start preparing the food we can carry on our way.'' Anna was thinking about food whiel Kyra just shook her head.

''We can just bring few seasonings with us and some basic food. The forest will give us rest. After all, now we know how to hunt. And we can eat teh plants and fruits of the forest. And in the worst case, we can turn and come back home.'' Kyra was confident in this matter. No need to stress too much.

''That is fair. We need to learn more about our surroundings anyway. I hope we find some secret spots. Wouldnt that be great?'' She packed her basket and walked towards the gate.

It was the time to cut the will greens next to the stream. While they walked they checked the fish trap as well and as usual couple fishes were inside.

They didn't sell these fishes. Some they ate, some they dried and some they baked, dried and then crushed into powder adding bunch other seasonings and salt. They used this as a seasoning as well.

Actually they did similar to chickens. They found wild chickens in their traps and as they had stiff but more fragrant meat they baked it, dried it and then made as well powder that was mixed with dried carrots, parsley leaves and some other herbs making it perfect seasoning for many dishes.

''Kyra shall we eat some fish soup tonight?'' Anna looked at Kyra as she remembered the taste when Kyra made it a few days ago.

''No problem. When you spoke now of fishes I thought we can go to the city with Chen and wait for him until the evening when he comes back. We do not nee dto rush. I planned to order some still water fishes to put into that small pond we had on our land and then we can have fish next year to eat right there. What do you think?''

Anna had a similar idea but realized that her idea was not feasible. Those fast fishes needed streaming water. If tehy put them into the pond tehy might suffocate. So she was quite glad that Kyra got that idea so soon.

They already filled almost all baskets when they heard knocking on the main gate.

Chen stood there and just nodded at them. ''Evening.''

They got used to it by now. He spoke only when he thought he needed to say. But usually, he would just say a couple of words and do his job.

Kyra saw him taking the straw rope to cut the cattail grass but was stopped by her. ''Cattail grass is near. Can you do and finish the wild greens, please? I will need time to cook dinner and need to start now.''

She took out the fishing net few fishes that splashed in the water and started cleaning them and cutting them in pieces. He stood there and gulped. ''Fish stew''

She nodded and he took in hurry the baskets and walked fast as Anna practically run behind him.

Kyra just rolled her eyes and started frying the fishes while potatoes and some vegetables already cooked in the other pot.

Why frying? Once she found out that fried fish gave even better fragrance to the fish stew that just cooked fish. Stronger.

It was still fine to eat it this way as they still grow, but later on, she will need to be careful not to eat so much oily stuff or she will turn into a pumpkin.

When fish turned red she took it out oil and put aside. In the time between she checked if the potato rice soup was done and when she was sure in it she put the fish pieces inside and let closed it with lit after taking it off the fire.

The smell spread out the kitchen and suddenly two different kinds of gulps could be heard on the door.

Kyra turned her head and saw Chen and Anna peeking around the corner while staring at the pot.

''Wash your hands and let's eat.'' She prepared the while green salad as a balance to the soup. Not even a few moments later, two wolf-like creatures stormed in and jumped to fill their bowls until brim with tasty fish stew.

the three peopel were indeed quite hungry as the whole pot of fish stew was empty by end of teh dinner. Chen patted his stomach and was about to stand up when he was stopped by girls.

''Uncle Chen. Can we drive tomorrow with you and in the evening come back together?''

''Be ready. Good night.'' He walked out of the gate and didn't even look back when he drove off.

The girls closed the gate and started laughing. ''Always the same with him.''

They prepared hot water and bathed in the tub in the last room that was turned into their washing room.

Sitting in warm water that was filled with some flowers and put some essential oils the girls enjoyed the relaxation. ''This feels so good.''

Kyra was so relaxed that she wanted just to stay inside the water and sleep. But Anna saw her sleepy appearance and helped her get out of the water and pushed her into the next room. ''Let me dry your hair a bit and then let's go sleep.''

While she dried slowly Kyra's hair she realized how much more this girl in front of her does than herself. Waking before dawn and sleeping only when the night falls.

For Kyra to be so sleepy is no wonder at all. She pushed her slowly into the bed and covered with the blanket. Then she went out and sat down on the porch looking at the waning Moon.

''I beg you, give her health. She is overestimating herself. Give me more strength so I can help her endure the coming days. If she continues like this... Luckily we have Chen... should we get a servant?''

She pouted while she chatted with the Moon. Her sigh could be heard as she stood up and went inside teh room.

She tucked Kyra one more time to make sure she is comfortable and slowly entered the bed and fell asleep as soon her head touched the pillow.

The two men outside shook their heads. The one making deals with the Moon and the other asking for health and strength. These two children, what is it actually in their heads?