Chapter 13 - Ah,so its a jam...

Next morning she woke up early and run to the fish traps. She got out all the fishes out the hole as well and wrapped them as usually into the big leaves. This time her casket seemed to be full.

When she came back she saw that Isaa was already wide awake. She was already waiting for her. In smaller basket was one rabbit and she took the smaller one in hands. Kendra took jam jar in her hands and they went fast. This time Isaa already was stronger and had shoes so they came to the city at the same time as other people.

They greeted the two woman in a friendly manner and entered the gate together. Kendra didn't see the friendly guard from last time. Maybe other shift. She went to her spot and greeted everyone. Isaa again started chatting around and as she was cute everyone got even friendlier to these two children.

Soon the servants came and looked at bought what they needed. This time no servant came to her but Kendra was not worried. Even if she didn't sell any today she can take them home and dry them for winter. So it is not a big deal.

But as soon as the cooks and housewives came out there was more sale. At first, some of the women felt that the price was too much and asked her for half of the price but Kendra stayed hard. They left grumbling that this child seems to be unkind.

Soon she saw the cook coming straight to her.

''What do you have today? Show me,'' he said while looking at the big amount of fish and two rabbits.

''These fishes are from this morning still fresh and rabbits are alive so really fresh.''Kendra said while joking a little.''I have something I made by chance and would like to sell. I hope you could try it and tell me is it sellable,'' she said while opening the jar and giving him with spoon bit of jam.

He looked at the spoon and knew what it is. He tasted it and was surprised.

''Strawberry jam.Tasty.Not even sour. It is perfect for sweet dishes and with meat.''He gave her information while looking at the child seemingly surprised face.

She had that face because how would she know as a 7-8-year-old boy how to make jam.

''Oh that is what is called. We found many strawberries and didn't know what to do with them so we cook them and this came out. Is this good for sale?'' she said while scrunching her face in question.

''Yes. I will pay for this jar of jam one small silver. Is that fine with you?'' he said while checking the fishes.''Fishes seem to be bigger than last time I will take all as we have a guest again and rabbits can be used later when we need as they are alive.''

He called a servant to gather all the fishes and rabbits while taking himself the jam.

''Next time bring more jam if you can. This is something that is possible to make only in the next few weeks. The strawberries will soon dry out from summer heat so hurry up. And fishes you can bring as many you want. I can always resell to neighbors if there are too many. Don't worry.'' he turned to leave but Kendra stopped him.

''I am sorry sir. As the summer is getting hotter, its harder to find fishes I will not next ten days as I plan to let fishes again come to the spot I found them. These are the last big fishes at the moment. So I need some time until new come. In the time between we will indeed gather some more fruits and make jam. We need to go and find other berries in the forest as well.''She said while apologizing.

''Yes it already wondered that you found this much. I will wait for you to bring some more jam. And rabbits are fine as well.'' he said smiling.

''I have to ask you about something. I saw a pheasant in the forest. Is it forbidden to hunt them?'' she asked cautiously.

''No you can gather as much you want. Lately, they became plague as they are to many of them. And the meat is quite tasty. So if you catch some of those bring them to me. But to catch them will be hard. They are really smart and fast.''

''Is there an animal that I can't hunt in the forest?'' she asked while feeling pain for all those pheasants she let go.

''The only deer is forbidden. Only nobles eat them. You can hunt everything else. But be careful about wild boars. They are quite aggressive.''He said worried that this child will get the idea to go in the deep forest and hunt big animals.''If you need meat you can buy it don't ho in the deep forest and get in danger. Who will bring me fishes.'' he said with bit joking undertone so the child won't feel to much pressure.

''Thank you for your care, sir. I am still small. Even if I would successfully hunt boar but do I have the strength to bring it back.No.So it would be a waste of good meat.''Kendra said while looking at this friendly man. Finally, she knows what she can catch. She is not so foolish with this small body to go and catch big animals. It was hard enough to take care of the few rabbits they had.

When cook left she turned around and saw those woman coming back hurriedly.

''The fish. Where is the fish,'' they asked.

''Sold'' said Kendra in short and dry tone.

''How is this even possible. It was just a short time before.'' they started getting angry and complaining.

''Those who know what I sell know the prices. They came bought and now its all sold,'' she said while ignoring them and looking around for the vegetables she wanted to buy.now she is wealthy and will buy as many as they can. She planned at first to take back the bowls and the tea sat when they came back but now as the baskets are empty she can buy more.

''How unreasonable. We wanted to buy and you should have left some for us.'' they started getting louder.''Didn't we negotiate the price? Why did you sell them?''

Kendra looked at them with amazement. Who is unreasonable? Her or them?

People started gathering around as they saw hustle and bustle. Kendra felt annoyed.

''Sorry but may I ask did you pay the fish? No, you didn't. You wanted half f prize and when I didn't give it to you, so you left. I never promised to keep it for you. Unreasonable? Should I wait just that two of you change your mind and maybe feel like come back? Those who pay get the product those who don't should just accept it.End of discussion.''She said loudly for everyone to hear as the two women stunned looked at her.

People started pointing their finger at them as they were really unreasonable. So they turned around and went away. The people seem to understand what happened before as they patted Kendra's head.

She turned around and saw a few guards rushing to see what is going on. After they heard from people the action of those women they came to her.

''Are you fine? Don't worry. Here we have laws and judges, If something again as this happens just calls guards. They will help you.''He said while looking at two little children with a kind expression.

''Thank you, sir. I will try not to make any problems as well.''Kendra said while lightly bowing her head.

''It is not your fault. You can see so many people selling but no fights. It is because we have strict laws here.No fighting, no killing, no begging. That is why this town is peaceful.'' he said while patting at their heads and turning away to go.''If you need help. Call for the guards. This is our job.''

It seems to be guards are like the police in my world. And this town has strict rules. It seems quite safe.

It is still more comfortable to live outside the city. But she should think about a way to buy a small house or apartment in the city. What if there are problems outside she might live here safer.

She went to the city office again and saw the officer that sold her land inside. How lucky. It is better to deal with people she already knows. She had two rabbits a jar of jam and two dozen fishes today. So she earned 13.5 small silver and from before she had leftover of 8 so it adds on almost 22 small silver coins. Maybe she can get something today.

''Hello sir. I came to ask is it possible to buy a smaller house in the city. And how much it costs.''

''You probably need just small house or apartment. Do you want to rent or buy?''This child is much austere than other children, so he spoke to him like it was grown up.''There are many parts of town I will take you and show you different places. But the price for now. It is not the same as outside. Outside is 50 coins 100. But here a small apartment on the top floor is already 5 silver coins to buy. The small house is 20 silver coins.''He looked seriously at the child as he knew that he wouldn't ask if he didn't have money. But will he have enough?

''I want to see first apartments and then small houses.''Kendra looked at the astonished officer.

''I found a place with lots of fishes and sold them for a lot of money.'' she said honestly. The officer understood then where that money came from. There is no fish in the river as it's dirty but in streams and brooks seemed to have some. But they are hard to catch.

''I understand now. Thank you for explaining. Let's go.''He got his papers and went with him. City officer seemed to be as well as real estate agents. This city is easy to handle with such versatile people.