Chapter 17 - Going back and so tired

They slept well. When they woke up it was already afternoon. Kendra went to look if the salt is already dried and how is the salt water doing. She almost got shocked. The saltwater was almost all dried out and big pieces of salt were in the pot. She took them out and put them this time on the flat basket. It was already afternoon and soon the tide will come so she didn't want to take chances.

She put the dry salt in one flat basket and gave Isaa to take it back to the cave and the wet one she took to the forest and let it dry on the wind. Then she went and took the pot and washed it a bit. After all, she needs to use it again.

The fire was out but there were still some of the embers that survived. She put them slowly on the flat stone and in a hurry went to the cave to make fire there. Its faster with ember. She put some dried grass on and some branches and then put the corner of big peace of wood she found nearby. She didn't want to put whole, or the fire might get too big now.

She searched for more wood for later use and saw something strange. In mid of forest was something like a small stream. She got excited as she was worried about the water. They didn't have any freshwater and she planed at first to go back home in the evening if they didn't find any but this is perfect. She used the branch to dig a little bit and put the stones in it to make tiny pond as so when she needs water she will use it from there.

After that, they choose to play in the water for a while. Kendra went with Isaa in deeper water further away from the beach. But it was still no problem with them neither with swimming or breathing. Kendra looked at various plants and animals. Indeed her old world had so much pollution that this kind of things didn't even exist anymore.

As they went into deeper water the sight of the water world opened to them. The fishes in various sizes, crabs, clams and even lobsters. They saw so many other things like different kind of water plants that gave so lively color to the sight. They played and swam for a long time. They caught a lobster for dinner. They still have bunch of vegetables so they can have a nice dinner.

After a long time, Kendra started to feel uncomfortable so they left the sea. When they went out she knew why she felt like that. It was time for the big tide. They came out of the water just in time before the first big waves started crashing at the beach. They went back to the cave and Kendra started preparing the dinner.

The lobster was quite big but as they played under the water for a long time they were really hungry. She used the big pot for salt and cooked lobster in it because the little one was too small. She planned to prepare vegetables but on end she just let it be for tomorrow because she was too tired.

The lobster was fast done. They ate it with relish and they went to sleep.

Next few days they did the same. Made salt let it dry and swam underwater going always further and further. Kendra saw many oysters and taught about the possibility of pearls. So they went for the cloth they usually use to dry themselves.

They tied ends together and had them over a shoulder across their chest as that was the easiest way to gather. They put in Isaa's bag about dozen big shells and Kendra took over two dozen. In the last few days since they started swimming undersea their skin, muscles and rest of the body became stronger.

For them to take this much out was not a big problem.

When they came out Kendra set her mind. Even if they don't find pearls they can dry the meat and sell it. Luckily they had knives with them. The oysters were only as big as her hand so she knew she can handle them. She slowly opened first and saw a shiny object even before fully opening it. It was not big but the color stunned her. It was completely back and had weird l.u.s.ter on it.

She opened a few more but unfortunately, she didn't find any. She continued without stopping and found more of black pearls. From over three dozen of oysters there were seven of those black pearls. The pearls seemed to be strange, but she couldn't tell how. She started wondering. Why no one came here to fish. After all, is a great place.

Little did she know that place was famous for their undercurrents and no normal person could swim there. But as they had the ability to be under water they didn't feel any discomfort while feeling them, they actually loved to swim with the undercurrents. She could feel only when tide starting to shift. Like a warning signal for her to get out the water.

So for them, this place was perfect because it was abandoned by people. So no matter what, this was the safe zone for them. But they didn't know. And as a matter of fact, they didn't care at the moment.

The baskets were almost full of salt. Kendra chooses to bury the collapsible pot in the corner of the cave under grass and stones they used before. They hid all traces of them being on half-island and in the late afternoon, they left with the passing carriage. The old man stopped right away and took them inside the carriage. Kendra paid him for each of them a coin and he took it this time.

When they left carriage it was already late afternoon. They were really tired so they choose to sleep in the city house. It had two sleeping rooms so even if the elders were there they could still use the other room.

They waved at the young man and hurriedly went to the gate. They were lucky. The gate usually closes at this time of day. They were lucky that the soldier that Kendra saw the first time was on the gate and saw them hurrying back. He knew they bought a house inside the city so he let the officer know about them and wait for them to close the gates.

He saw that they were quite tiered and it was anyway end of his shift so he took them home. It was after all evening. Even if there is no big crime in the city, there are always people that could make trouble for these two small children walking around alone at this time. When he saw that they safely entered their alley he left for home. His wife and children were waiting for him for dinner.

Kendra and Isaa were already really tired. The salt was heavier as they taught. She even left the blanket hidden in the cave together with that pot under dry grass and stones. It was any way the old one and she planned to buy new anyway. But it was still heavy. They put some clothing over salt and no one checked what they had in their baskets so they were happy.

As they went near the house they saw the elders sitting outside and talking to one young woman. It seems that it's their daughter.

''Good evening,'' said Kendra politely.

They didn't see her because the plot was higher than their heads, but the elder recognized her voice.

''Kids are here,'' he said with joy. Even if they were not his blood he felt kindness and compassion for these two children.

They opened the gate and they saw two children that seemed very tired.

''Come in fast. You two seemed to have had an arduous trip outside the town,'' he said while watching at exhausted children.

''We are a bit tired I admit.''Said Kendra'' Would you mind if we stay here tonight we don't have the strength to go to our house.''

''This is your home now. Please feel comfortable. Are you hungry?'' asked his wife in worry.

''Mother I will help children wash and you prepare some porridge. They should eat something light before sleeping.'' said young woman as she took off the baskets of their back.

Then she took them to the corner that had something like a tub. Her father got water while she prepared the cloth to dry them. She saw that they had spare clean clothes in baskets so she will change them into it.

But suddenly Kendra remembered that everyone thinks she is a boy. If they find out now, it will be bad.

''I am sorry but I would like to take bath by myself. Please understand,'' she said politely.

''I understand don't mind me, please. Do you need help with washing your sister?''

''No I am used to'' Kendra said with a polite nod.

The young woman turned around and felt that boy is cute. She guessed he was quite shy about what is normal in his age. After all, she already has children of his age. She snickered lightly and went back to the house to make their beds.

The elder came back with two buckets of cold water. It was summer so cold water was not a problem for the two girls. Especially since they found out that they don't feel the difference.Strange.Maybe that is why they could do so many things that other kids wouldn't even think about.

Kendra quickly helped Isaa wash and let her watch out as long she washed. She just finished putting fresh clothes on when the old man came.

''Did you use soap while washing?'' he asked as he looked at almost clean water.

''No sir. We just washed with water to refresh us a bit,'' she said while curiously looking at him. He took the water and watered the plants.

''If you use water without soap, you can give watering to the plants. There is a drain hole nearby house. Every household has it. The water that has fat and soap goes there. After that, it goes out into the river. That's why the city is clean and the river dirty. So throw your wastewater there. The waste like septic will be collected once a week. You pay the fee for taking care of the waste every month 5 coins or you can pay once in the year if it's more convenient, that would be then 50 coins. They make it cheaper if it's paid yearly.'' he said while trying to give them last information before they go.

''We will go to daughters home early tomorrow morning as we want to leave the city at the start of a day and get to resting post before night,'' he said while patting the child's head.

''I understand. We shall see you off than tomorrow,'' said Kendra.

''You are tired. Go eat,'' he said while looking at Isaa that started yawning.

They went into the house and ate just a bit of porridge, but felt too tired to continue. Isaa's head almost ended up in porridge so Kendra took her to the preparation room and they went to sleep. Even if she was tired she still didn't fall asleep and heard them talking.

''Mother, we'll see you in the morning. The children are tired. Let them sleep.'' said the young voice.

''Don't worry and go home. Tomorrow will be the start of a long trip. It will be tiring for you as well.'' said the woman. She heard closing the gate.

''I am happy that these children are here. The Lord said that they are under his protection so half of city and nobles know about it. I am happy that those nobles won't extend their dirty fingers toward those two cute children inside.'' said the man.

''Yes. It is strange. Our grandsons seem to be bit older than that boy but I trust more that boy living alone than even our own. He seems to give people sense of reliability.No wonder that little girl is always around him. He gives a feeling of safety. The strange feeling from a child of his age.'' she said while sighing. If her grandchildren became even half of this boy she would be happy.

''Yes. Let's go to sleep as well. We need to wake up before dawn.'' he said and then it was quiet. Kendra couldn't hold it anymore and slip into dreams as well. Her last taught was how lucky she was is meeting so many good people as it seems that this world and the city are not that safe as she taught. She is still lucky...yes...lu..c..k..y...zzzzzzzz