Kali carried along with him whatever little stuff he had left with him the last day and since Shui was eager to help, he tagged along to locate the shop. They reached the village after what was just a few minutes of walk. Since, the capital market will be closed until noon, most of the market was still shut, since the caapital market was mostly the root source of most of the businesses. Some bought their essentials from there to use them and develop products while others were solely dependent on the merchants there who'd buy their products. After they had finished the initial task, they went back to their house.
"Let's get done with our breakfast and next will come the actual work." Kali stated, matter of factly as he walked on speedily.
"Yeah, that's fine by me," Shui responded as he was almost running while trying to catch up with Kali who was most likely focused more on the meal than the work. Though that was not bad.
While they reached the hut, Maki had already prepared the food. She was sitting by the woods that Kali left to dry under the sun's heat; while her melodious voice reached out to the forests, as she was singing for the little birds. The birds, too, looked like they were enticed by her song, sitting around her, motionless, as if grasping the underlying meaning. It was a folk song she had learnt from her mother, who was very fond of music. Her mother used to say that she had learnt it from her husband. At the age when she was oblivious to the deep meaning that lived within those magnificently woven words, she learnt the song while she carerfully combed her mother's long, beautiful hair with her tiny hands.
She suddenly stopped as she sensed that her brother and SHUI were back. The birds, as if deciphering that the show was over, flew away.
"You look quite happy!" Kali with a wide grin on his face teased Maki.
"I...I'm always happy." replied Maki as she stole a glance of Shui.
"Well, that's good. Now..." before Kali could complete the sentence, Maki interrupted, "Yes, yes, the food's ready. Now wash your hands and sit down, I'll serve the food." Kali's mind read by his little sister. Shui chuckled softly. Maki smiled as she returned inside the hut, preparing to serve them the food.
Kali, followed by Shui, reached a little earthern pot put by the kitchen door, and used the water to cleanse their hands and faces.
After they has finished their meals, both of them left to gather woods for supply. As Kali was about to leave, he saw that Maki was trying to say something, but was hesitant. He understood that even though she was comfortable with not wearing scarf and all, she didn't want to go out like that. Kali put his hands on her shoulders and with a smile on his face, in a comforting voice he reassured her, "You don't need to go to the shop if you don't feel comfortable. Shui and I will look after the shop. You, instead stay at home and do what you like. Don't bother with the shop."
"But..."
"No buts, listen to your brother once in a while." Kali hushed her with a demanding tone. Relieved, Maki smiled, and as he left, waved him goodbye.
With Shui helping, Kali's workload has been almost halved. Kali chopped woods of certain varieties of trees, while Shui carried them to the where Kali's shop was. After this task was done, they both took a seat in Kali's shop as they wiped the sweat all over their face. The market was slowly starting to bustle. Most shops were starting to open by now that the capital market was soon to open. The idea still felt weird to Shui, but he didn't question it any longer since Maki warned him not to mention it.
"You might as well head to the capital," Kali reminded. "The market will open soon and I am not sure but, maybe the army will be recruiting today, perhaps."
"That sounds great! Then I shall actually try for that." Somehow the army seemed much better of an option than business. He felt as if he was acquainted with it forever, though unsure sure of the feeling.
"Maybe. But, I told you I am not sure if it starts today."
"Also," Kali added, "I've heard they've got high restrictions. So, it might be hard. Even so, good luck."
"Thanks! It is nice to have some information." Shui gratefully answered as he picked himself up."
"Oho Kali! Good to see ya!!" A voice loudly called out.
"Good morning sir. The pleasure's all mine." Kali humbly replied.
"Now, now don't be so formal. We've been acquainted for years now. You're quite the businessman, I must say." The old man guffawed as he caressed his thick beard.
Shui, who was at the back of the shop, now stood by the right of the old gentleman, who, despite the plain looking clothes, carried a demeanor of wisdom. He glanced at the old man, who appeared to have lost most of his hair, yet his beard looked young.
As Kali invited the old man to sit and discussed some business matters, Shui waved at him, signalling that he was leaving for the capital.
After he walked a distance, he realised that he didn't know which direction he was supposed to go. He walked on a few more steps when he saw a stall was open. He reached out towards it. Assuming him to be a customer, the lady on the front-desk, asked him to take a seat and wait while she called out her husband. The woman who appeared to be in her mid-fifties, with few locks of black hair left amidst the bunch of white hairs, called out to he husband. Well... er... actually... shouted.
"She turned around. "Please wait a little, he seems to have slept. I'll call him up." she stated,apologetically.
"Madam, thank you but, I just..." before he could tell her his purpose, she disappeard between those heavy curtains at the back door of the shop. Troubled, Shui decided to wait until she returned.
Soon, a frail old man, who must've crossed his fifties long ago, emerged from the curtains as the women followed him.
"What would you like to have, young un(one)?" inquired the old man, the owner of the little stall by the almost deserted road.
"Actually...," as Shui started he noticed the lady was ready to take orders, "I wanted to know the way to the capital." Shui confessed. He felt a little guilty as he noted that the woman's face went pale.
"Just get lost if you have no order to place." the frustated old lady blurted her thoughts aloud as she stomped back into the room behind the curtains.
Though quite disappointed himself, the old man still inquired why he was going to the capital and where had he come from. To which Shui replied that he was out for job hunting and since he heard that the royal army is recruiting, he wanted to give it a shot. He added that he returned to the country after five years and so wasn't sure about the directions, even if he himself had a hard time believing that, he still decided to go with it.
The old man frowned at the mention of the army. His poised tone turned to a hiss as he instructed Shui of the directions and shook him off of the stall.
Unaware of the reason for the hostility, Shui walked on the path to the capital. In search of work!