One More Step

''We realized that our clothes became too small and wanted to donate it. We thought about it and wanted to go around the village and see if anyone else has something they don't need as well. We want to support refugees that want to go back home. They probably won't have any basic stuff. So we will gather anything suitable if you have.'' Their words made sense.

She nodded. ''We always do. Wait we will ask the lady of the house what we could gift.'' She went inside and soon the servants brought a few packages withs clothes and some old pans and pots.

The girls bowed and went to another house. Soon they realized a big problem. Their carriage is too small. So they went to Chief Jafar's house. Of course, he was happy to join in. So he and his family joined in the collection process.

They filled a dozen carriages with stuff and brought them to the girls. At that moment girls knew that a new problem arose. So they asked the guys to bring all to their home, sorted it out by the size, by purpose and need and put them on carriages again.

After lunch, the Jafars boys came back and they all again went down to the city, making again furor. Kyra went straight to the officer in charge and explained what they are planning to do. So he gave her a list of two dozen families that planned to go back home.

In the refugee camp were people that started at their carriages going from one house to another providing the people with basic needs for their survival. On the end, Chief Jafar stood on the carriage and shouted. ''Our foreign village has not many things. But we know that some people want to go back, but have nothing to survive. We bought some basic things and some seeds for their start. For now, we can provide only this much. We are sorry we can't do much more as the winter was long. We hope you will forgive us.''

They all bowed, including the girls, and left refugee camp. When they checked with families they got an answer that they all got a new set of clothes, a set of old clothes, pots, pans, tools, some seeds and food for their travel. They felt a bit jealous. Now they hoped that more people would donate so they could go back home as well.

Meanwhile, girls had their fun. They bought new clothes in the newly opened shop. Then they bought again some grains and seeds and went to eat in a restaurant.

''Girls, will you provide us with greens again this year. Buddha's days are soon here so we need a lot of vegetables.'' The owner was a bit worried. Except for these girls, not many people had fresh green salads.

Anna sighed. ''Uncle, last year was easier as we had Chen to help us out. But this year is hard for us. We promise we will deliver it as long the celebrations are.''

He nodded. ''It is enough. After the celebrations, we will have some salads from our homestead. You can then bring the greens whenever you have time. No need every day if you can't.''

They happily nodded. ''We will be able to do that 3-4 times a week, but every day would be quite a task.''

So they agreed on that and ate happily the meals. Grandparents went to another city where hot spring was and just relaxed for a while before Buddha's prayers.

On their way home, they stopped by the medicine hall and made an agreement with Ling. She was happy after she found out that girls already started making new essential oils.

''We will be back in three days. We have many new flavors. I think you will like it. By the way, we have started gathering healing lants as well. As soon they are dry will bring some to you.'' Kyra could literally see that the medicine hall lacked healing plants.

''Actually, that is in this moment more urgent than essential oils. After such a long winter, there are so many people getting sick. I am afraid that soon we will have big trouble with diseases. Be careful.'' She was worried about these girls.

They nodded and promised. Outside the city, they met the old woman again that just sold a few greens they had in the garden and some pickled vegetables. Kyra suddenly had an idea.

''Grandma, we would like to ask your family to help us with something.'' Kyra slowly took her underarm and brought her to a silent corner.

Grandma was excited. Thes girls never made her disappointed. ''Tell me now.'' She smiled but spoke slowly.

''We can tell you the spots where you can forage the greens for you and your family. But for that idea, you will need to pay us the tenth of the price. Now you have a carriage and your family can help you forage it. We can explain how you can do it and who will buy it off for a good price. We cant handle that as we have now a garden. Last year we didn't. Unfortunately, it's just the two of us and we cant handle running to the forest and garden at the same time. If you accept the price we will explain to you everything.'' The girls were not dumb to sell it for free.

Grandma smiled. ''I accept. Let me call my grandson he is here with me and he will follow you, girls, with the horse.'' Her heart excitedly jumped. The greens now ere as an expense as last year. If they could earn some extra money, maybe they could buy more farmland.

Her grandson quickly came. He was a simple young man in a villager outfit and even they were foreigners, he showed respect to them. He clearly knew about the deal with the grandmother and last year's help.

On their way home he never spoke much and answered only with simple words so after a while girls stopped asking him. Soon the forest came and girls jumped off the carriage and freed horses. Then they rushed with horses a bit deeper in the forest and showed him a big spot of greens near the small stream that had run to the river.

After realizing that these greens they had even in their village he almost laughed. To have such good things and not using it, how foolish are they. So he gratefully thanked them and went back home while girls rushed back.

It was late afternoon when they arrived home and tiredly sat on their chairs looking at the slowly darkening sky. Kyra stood up and smiled.

''From tomorrow on let's gather herbs. As many as possible. We can dry them here and in the cave. We have no enough space for it.'' Kyra had planned to gather herbs as Ling's words still were in her mind. Yes, after so many bad things happening, it would be a wonder if there is no disease.

Anna was tired and just weakly nodded. ''Good. We will gather every third day the greens here and will dry them. After all, last year it saved so many people. If they are not eaten, we can still give them to animals as an addition to their food.''

Kyra smiled and patted her shoulder. ''Go to bed. I will come right after. I need to give some food to our horses and I will eat a bit or two as well. I am hungry.''

Her sleepy expression made her chuckle. ''If you don't go to bed I will paint mustaches on your face. Go.''

The girl's pout was so cute but she heavily nodded and in the half-dazed state, she went to wash a bit, took her clothes off and fell asleep moment her head touched the pillow. Kyra tucked her in and took care of horses.

She looked at the full moon and smiled. ''Oh, full moon. Thank you for last year's good harvest. I hope you will still keep your eyes on us and help us grow stronger. Thank you.'' She went on her knees and bowed three times completely and then smiled brightly.

She went into the house that didn't need even candles. The moonshine was so strong that she could see enough to cut a piece of bread and eat it before washing up and going to bed.

The two men got used to it by now. ''Praying to the sun, then praying to the moon, clouds, rain, snow... I give up. These girls have their own way of understanding nature laws. If they can feel the energy, it's good enough. Isn't it?''

The man turned to his companion and saw him spreading his hands just like her and bowing to the moon. ''What do you think you are doing?''

He calmly answered. ''Gettig used to. If this child is chosen, later on, we might start copying her acts. So doing that before and not later is a way of showing my respect. Thank Mother Nature for her protection...'' He mumbled his own prayer hoping it will help them.

The other man was stunned by the statement and just joined in. ''It can never hurt. If we can get more protection power this way...''

But the moment they finished their bows their protection shields started shinning tuning again into thin foil surrounding their bodies.

''Its refilled. It is truly refilled. I am so happy. Now, no matter what happens we are protected. And we can protect them. We must.'' In their eyes rose more respect and determination while a small girl closed her eyes with a smile on her lips.