บท 22: 22. Potatoes

The potatoes.Kendra was lost in taught while Isaa was stunned by the sheer amount of the boxes.

She started at Kendra then at boxes.She saw one box opened and peeked at it.Only what she saw its ugly thing.She turned around to stare at Kendra.

''What...is...this...ugly...thing?''she said slowly with questions all over her face.

When Kendra snapped out of her taught and saw her face she started first chuckling then laughing aloud.They are really ugly plants.

''Its called potato.I promise I will cook today and you will love it.''she said smugly.In past life it was her favorite food.To bad she didn't see any sweet potato.

''And these?''Isaa pointed at strange things in basket.

''Those are peppers and tomatoes.They taste very good.But we need seeds from them.Can you carefully wash them.I need to put away the sugar.We need to start cooking jam before the fruits don't turn into alcohol.''

Kendra checked the soft fruits and they were still fine.She put old clothes on again as she didn't want them to get dirty. Isaa washed the vegetables well.She got used to use her newly earned water power

with everything.She still can't produce water out air but she can control water for smaller things like washing fruits and vegetables.Or watering plants.

''Put the vegetables in pantry and if you want come help me clean the fruits from skin.''said Kendra while taking knife and starting to clean apricots.These had harder skin.So cooking the jam with them would not make sense.

Isaa as well helped.As soon the skin was of it was easy to take out the stone out of it.They were done quite fast.Kendra lit fire and put big pot to make jam.She put the apricot inside and two pounds of sugar.She sighed no other way.Apricots here are indeed tasty but have sour and bitter note if she cook it without sugar she was sure they would turn bad in no time.

But as the fruit was quite ripe the jam was very fast done.In same time she heard outside the commotion.She pulled the jam on the side and went out to see whats going on.

In that moment donkey carriage came and Goluk with small pots.Just in time.

She wanted to help them but they were quite fast. They have put the jars in big baskets and it was easier for them to transport.She let them put the jars in small room and payed the man 10 coins.

Goluk looked at the boxes and then questioningly at her.She shook hear head.

''Its not mine.The previous owner just wanted to put few things and then take it away.I just let them.''

She said while she shrugged.She gave him money for the small jars and he told her he brought ten more as promised for jam.He waved at her and went back home.

Kendra looked at the street through small gap but there was no one who cared why the carriage come and go.She put hand on hear heart in relief.She didn't know that actually most of houses in this alley belonged to Lords servants. So she was actually quite safe. But she didn't know that.

She quickly put few jars on oven and in oven to make it war so she could put the hot jam inside.

Even if in begin the big pot was full with apricots ,but now only six small pots of jam were filled. She put them in the oven to grow bit skin.That would give them longevity as well.

She let it cool down in small room and looked at the plums.There will be more work with these.She pulled stones out of them and just cut them in small peaces.They didn't cut the skin off.She put this time one and half pounds of sugar.But this time it was ten small jars of jam as plum had less water in it.Plum jam and the apricot jam she didn't want to sell.She will leave ten small jars of strawberry jam and the rest she will sell.

There are still some berries in forest but its seems they will be ripe at end of the summer.

She if finished with jam and its not evening yet.She choose to dry most plums for winter and some she just took the stone out and left in ice cellar. She already found straw mats so she will put the plums inside and just leave them near wall.There is most sunny and hot.She took stones from apricots and put them as well and put them as well on straw mats but in shade.If apricots get too dry its hard to eat them but if plums get too dry u need to just cook a bit and they are fine.

Kendra looked at all the fruits that were ready.She put in smaller baskets some greener fruit to the pantry so they can eat them as well later.

''Isaa go bring me five big potatoes and wash them.''Said Kendra realizing its already evening.Its time for food.She took one yellow pepper and took the seeds out. She needs it just in case.Who knows what is that good for.She put seeds on dry cloth and left it in the small room (that became store room as it seems.).She took pepper and cut it in big peaces.Then she took the potato that Isaa washed and started peeling. Isaa saw what she did took her small knife and peeled three while Kendra peeled only two. Kendra shook hear head. This child ,since she got the knife she became frighteningly fast with it.She did grow taller in last few weeks as well.

She cut the potatoes on squares and put in already boiling water.She took cut in small peaces and fried it in hot oil till it became light brown.She put it in the pot with potatoes.On side she took dry carrots put inside as well.Some seasonings and salt.Then she remembered.She went into ice cellar took peace of braised meat.She fried it till it was brownish and put in the pot.Now all she had to do is to wait till potatoes are almost done.

When the potatoes became soft she put couple small peaces of pepper inside and rest she wanted to eat just like that.Crispy and sweet.

She scooped two bowls of potato soup and they ate it slowly in garden.They waited till heat was not bit down and started eating.

Isaa at first just tried but as she tasted potato she didn't stop till whole bowl was not empty.She cutely and with shiny eyes looked at Kendra .Cat?

''More?Can I have more?It taste delicious.''

''I will give you half bowl if you eat to much tonight you will get upset stomach.Please trust me.'' she was after all just little girl.If she eats two big bowls of food her tummy will hurt.

Isaa nodded her head.She knew Kendra means it well and she is already almost full.She ate the half of bowl that Kendra gave her and went to sleep with bulging stomach.

''Little piglet.''murmured Kendra with smile.No matter even if she turns into piglet ,her sister is just too cute.

Kendra washed the dishes and trow the dirty water into the sewage.When she came back she looked at those peels, fruit and vegetable rests.What is she going to do with that.

She looked around the small garden and found big bucket...She looked inside and it was gross. This is place all that stuff and excrement's go...

She quickly trow the biodegradable inside and run away...She needs to bath anyway....

She hopes the manure dude comes soon.This is some nasty stuff.She indeed used out house.But she never changed the pot.She will ask him to clean that and give him extra cash.

After taking bath with cool well water she put night gown and went to sleep.She did so much today...So tiered.

Next morning she went to city office to find officer Luar as long Isaa was still sleeping.She didn't want to wake her up.This time it was his early shift luckily.

''Good morning mr.Luar.''she said entering his office.She saw him with head over bunch of papers.

He looked at her and smiled.

''Good morning Kendra.What can I do for you today.Did you find enough fishes?''

''No.Of course not that fast''she laughed''I would like to ask you to send message to his lordship that I have important thing for this city...accept fish.''she said seriously.

He stood up and in two steps got in front the child.Kendra was after all almost eight but she was still not even till his chest.She stepped back as she felt uncomfortable looking him from that angle.

''I will send to the Lord message.Do you want to wait here or at home?''he said while looking at the child.

''Hmmmm.''she craned her head at side while thinking''probably better if someone comes straight to my house.''After all the potatoes are there.She needs to explain.

''Go home and wait''said the officer Luar.''Someone from main office will come to you.''

Kendra nodded politely and went back home.On her way home she passed the baker and this time she got fresh bread.The bread made from maslin was dark bread , but as it came just out the oven it smelled deliciously.

She came home with the bread.She made fire in the oven for quick breakfast. She fried eggs and she will eat it with fresh bread .Isaa woke up and put some clothes on as well.

Kendra looked at her new clothes and choose to keep them on as the people from office are about to come.She told Isaa to change to different dress as well.They ate eggs and as Isaa seemed to be still hungry,Kendra cut two peaces of bread spread some butter on it and some apricot jam.

As they finished their breakfast,someone came knocking at the gate.She opened gate and saw young and tall man. He had nice clothes on.She assumed its someone from main office or castle.She politely bowed.

''Good morning.You must be from the castle.Officer Luar told me someone will come by.''she said while letting young man in.Behind him seemed to be more people so she opened wide the gate.

''Don't worry about them.We are doing inspection around city.They can go and continue I will stay here for while.''said main while waving at them.The slightly bowed and went down the street.

''Now tell me why did you call main office.''said young man with serious face and strict tone.

''There is something I bought and I think in case of famine or lock down of city it will be quite helpful''she said while not even looking bit scared.She ignored his attitude.She met many even scarier people in past life.If she flinches now they will just step on her.

He looked at her while slight astonishment flew trough his eyes.Not afraid is good.

''Then tell me''he said while looking around small garden.His eyes stopped at little mountain of boxes in corner.Kendra walked straight there.

''I bought this yesterday at the vegetable shop in inner city.I went to sell something to one of the houses and saw this in front of the shop.''she explained.''I is called potato.It seems people use it as animal fodder.I am interested in finding new ways to survive sir.So I tried it.''

He looked at her apparently astonished.Child ,are you that hungry?But he didn't ask.he waited to find out why is this important.

''Sir,cabbage is edible,carrots are edible,so many vegetables we eat but we can give them as well to the animals.He didn't even try eating it and he classified it into animal fodder.How mean.This thing is ugly but taste amazing and is filling.''she started shooting at him with her word.

''You mean its edible for humans.''He took one of the potatoes from open box and saw it was quite ugly.When he smelled it. It smelled just like earth. Nothing else.He crunched his eyebrows in disgust.

''Sir trust me.Me and my sister made soup and if you would just try it.I would like to bake it for you. Trust em sir this will be good supplement to bread.''she looked at him pleadingly

He nodded his head and went inside the house and sat at the table.It is good that Kendra kept house clean.There was not even speck of dust inside.

''Isaa go wash and peel five of the potatoes ''she called Isaa while rushing to turn fire in the oven. She took the pot with last night soup and let it get warm.

Isaa was fast back with clean and shiny pealed potatoes. The man stood up and saw that.He wanted to see the process.She first cut potatoes in big long peaces.She dried with clean cloth and sprinkled

oil over potatoes in a flat pan. The oven was already hot.She put potatoes inside in hope they would bake properly.

In time between the soup was already boiling hot.She scooped potatoes with meat and veggies in big bowl and gave him spoon.He slowly blew into the soup waiting that it gets bit colder.As the potatoes are quite starchy,the soup turned bit creamy.He looked at Kendra.

''Did you put white flour inside?''he looked at the light color of the cream soup.

''No sir.That happens after you cook soup bit longer with lots of potatoes.It seems they are starchy.And that is reason they are as well quite filling.''she said while looking at him calmly.

He slowly put fist spoon in his mouth and slowly and elegantly chewed.How can someone eat this elegantly ,taught Kendra.In her past life she always ate fast.On parties and dinners she always spoke a lot so never ate there..And in this life she got used to it slow but she never learned to eat in elegance.

He looked at her and took another spoon and then another.He didn't speak til he didn't finish the food.He looked at the oven.Kendra turned around and opened oven. Inside the potatoes baked perfectly.She spread bit salt over the potatoes put it on plate and gave him knife and fork.

At first he was shocked with the smell and then with cutlery.How did she...Most villagers use or their hands or spoon.He took the fork cut peace of steaming hot potato and slowly blew to make it colder.He slowly put the peace in his mouth and stared chewing.He didn't stop til he was done with whole plate.

Kendra was shocked seeing him finish all,but then she taught who can escape perfect potatoes.

He looked at her went out and took again the potato in his hand.He smelled it and it still smelled like earth.If he didn't see the process he would thinks he was cheated.

''How can this save castle,speak.''he asked Kendra as he turned around and looked at her still holding the potato.He wants to hear what this child found out.

''I could smell earth from it sir.That means its put in earth and it grew many.I assume if you put the smaller ones as seed it will grew like parnship''she looked at him calmly.''I think this is one of those plants that give lots of produce.If his lordship put this in earth it might save many people.But if you do not believe me its is fine as well.I will next year use it to grow some.''

''Then do that.If this thing grow enough next year the Lord will give you great present.''

''I like money.''she said calmly matter-of-factly.

''I will tell him that.What will you do with so much potatoes now.?Will you sell some?''he asked as his eyes shone with light.

''As matter of fact I have absolutely no intentions to do that.''she said looking at him.''We need to survive this winter.I actually didn't plan to sell these.Just wanted to let the Lord know that there is such plant.He can send someone to vegetable market and that trader might have more.I bought most of it anyway.But I need to survive winter without wasting to much money.Please understand.''

She really didn't plan to sell right away.She will put most of the potatoes in all those empty jars. Better than being empty.She will be able to fill most of pantry with potatoes and rest she will eat this summer.She can take it even to the sea and bake it in fire directly.Or cook soup there as well.It is plant that can wait for long time.And she will buy more land find people to clean it and plow.She can then put the fall potatoes for spring and in spring the ones for summer.

She is to little and she still needs to learn more about her abilities.Its better at lest this year to stay in safe place and do this.She made decision.She will do that and sell potatoes for fat money. Didn't that trader said that he got them from passing trader...It will be hard to find these so fast.

He looked at him with her brilliant smile.

''Sir I made something tasty.Would you like to try?''she sad while looking at him.He nodded .

She cut bread in slices,spread some butter and strawberry jam ad gave him.He looked at that brown bread but still took the slice and bit .With astonishment he at rest of it.

''Where did you get this?''he asked.He eats jams but usually they are not from those wild plants.

''Its strawberry jam.We made it''she said while giving one slice of butter-jam bread to Isaa.

''I still have some more and will sell some on market day.I promised few to one house in inner city.But rest will be for sale.''she said while patting Isaa who tried to fight the slice without getting dirty.Half of face was with jam besmeared but she still gave Kendra shiny smile.

''Isaa,when you finish please wash your face.''she said laughing at her small piglet,truly piglet.

He looked at the two children and felt sorry for them.This child tries everything to survive.He would go so far to eat animal fodder.

''I will buy few.How much is pot.''he looked ta child.

''Pot is 10 silver''she looked at his eyes without shame and said the price.

He got stunned.He taught he would ask for silver or two.But ten silver...

''I will say this sir.Even if price seems over the top.The strawberry season is almost over. When you get strawberries one basket is one small pot.Do you know I get for small baskets five silver why should i not ask for big basket and my work ten silver.I have to buy pots I have to gather,then cook. And if everything goes well and the jam don't burn I still have from one big basket one small pot of jam.Asking for ten silver is cheap in my eyes.''she thickened her skin since she knew that prices got higher the higher the costumer is.

He looked at her astonished. Yes the strawberries are tasty but people are scared of animals and snakes .So they are expensive.It seems this boy knows it.But he as well needs to know it.He is this little but in less then two months he bought land outside then the house inside.He must be really want to survive in this world.He and his sister.He looked closely at them and then he realized.They....