The once mob was in a awe this lady was asking for trade, did she not understand they didn't have anything. Didn't Mr. Theodor and Mrs. Clair told what happened to the town before she arrived? They were perplexed by her, they didn't know if they should be angry, yell or attack even if it meant getting shot by a arrow, they saw how quick she was, even if one of them dared to attack they didn't know if they would be the only ones attacking. What could they offer her if not their loyalty? She clearly scoffed at them when they offered that, so what else could they offer?
"My lady! " Called out a young girl "Am I allowed to come forward?" She said while pushing forward, she stopped in front of the crowd waiting for a confirmation from the young lady. As Alana nodded she came forward.
" My dad ..he is ... was.. one of the knights that went to fight with Master. Now is only me and my granma ...she is sick.. and .. and Iast time... I mean we've been saving a onion, is already half but we can trade for a potato." Said the little girl taking out the onion she had. Some of the spectators were scoffing secretly.
'That child how could she think the lady will trade a potatoe for an half eaten onion. '
'I feel like the lady will burst in anger because of that little girl'
'maybe someone should just smack that little girl back home...'
" I accept!" Said Alana loud and clear.
Everyone was amazed, with the response.
" I'll give you two potatoes , for that half of onion."
Alana was thinking of propagating that half onion if she could and if it would work, she not only have potatoes she would also have onions.
The little girl smile grow big after seeing the lady whispering to Mrs. Clair.
The servant quickly went inside and comeback with corb with potatoes, the eyes of the ex Mob beamed with a sight of many potatoes. Alana took two and gave to the girl and received the onion.
"Comeback tomorrow if you can help me with some errands I will give you two more." She said smiling.
The girl's eyes beamed and happily she said yes.
"What is your name? "
"My name is Edah. " Said the little girl smiling.
"Nice to meet you Edah, I will see you tomorrow now go to your grandma." The little girl took the potatoes and ran home.
Everyone finally realised they went about this situation all wrong, they did have something to offer, besides their loyalty which shouldn't be bought for a potato, but something that for the moment would benefit them and the lady. Shame come over their faces as they looked down realising what they have done.
"My cow... I have a cow she can't produce milk because we don't have enough food, but if we get food for her I am sure in time she will give us milk and we can trade the milk for potatoes." Said one young lady, her face was pretty despite her malnourished skin.
Alana had a thinking look, she scratched her chin, paused and made a gesture for the girl to come forward.
"Give me your cow instead I will nurture her until she is healthy, I will take 10% of the milk that she will produce and you will keep the rest. I will give 5 potatoes a day a cautionary fee for the cow, while she is under my care. " In the beginning the faces of those listening were speechless for the audacity of the young lady but as they kept listening it was not a bad deal to take if the cow produced milk at all. Even if she didn't she would still get 5 potatoes a day untill the cow manage to produce milk.
"Yes ." Said the girl, "I will offer my services to you in caring for the cow."
"I will wait for you to bring me the cow today.... Here take these. "
" Yes , my lady, thank you " said the girl as she took the potatoes in her hand and ran off.
" I can make clothes ." Yelled one from the back. "I mean I don't have much cloth with me but I can make you worm clothes, fit for a lady such as yourself, you won't have to wear those..." The girl bit her lip before saying anything distasteful that could rend an arrow on her.
Alana didn't have any warm clothes herself she only used her late husband clothes, she still had to tie them so it could fit her. "
Alana laughed, very loud she was amused, they all noticed her dressing state and still didn't comment much on it. They weren't bad people indeed. "Alright I will take upon your offer. Please comeback here later, so we could discuss more about your services, here take this." Handing the potato to her.
More and more came forward offering their services, one little kid brought one clove of garlic, it was a little dry but, if Alana used Tera's power it would probably be okay for her to produce more.
One offered his skills as woodworker, other as builder he would rebuild the walls around town, as another as blacksmith, Alana was particularly exicited for the blacksmith since she could seal completely the wintergarden, he could help her seal the fends so that she could hold the warmth in.
After awhile the crowd went about their new trade proposals with the lady, and went satisfied back to their homes.
The injuried man who had stepped forward, still remained there in front the house as everyone was leaving with their portion of potatoes.
He was in a awe how she mobilised the dying town and assigned everyone to do something reviving their spirits and motivation.
He realised she wasn't just trading potatoes, she was trading hope.
They all had hopeful look in their faces as they all went back, he stared at her. Is mind was still in shambles, what if ... what if... he tried to shake any doubtful thoughts. What use was it, if they were to die, at least they had better tomorrow to hope for.
He knelt down in front of Alana, with his head low, his tears ran down.
"Our master trusted me to keep everyone save until he cameback ... However I failed miserably I couldn't protect anyone.." he said while sobbing.
"Rahul..." Whispered Mrs Clair as she clenched her chest, she knew well how Rahul had fought against the bandits and how he chased away the other guards who were abusing of the people.
"What are you going to do now to atone your sins against your master?"
His head was still lowered as those words beat him down to his core. What could he do, he is nothing but a invalid, a cripple, how could he fight missing one hand. His legs were both injured he would limp for the rest of his life.
" My lady , I could only die if is to atone for my sins against my master." He said bitterly.
"Then die! " Said Alana coldly as she turned around.
"My lady ." Gasped Mr. Theodor and Mr. Clair at the same time. They knew what strong Warrior Rahul was and loyal subject of his master.
"Even so ... even now I do not wish to die, I do wish to live, I want to live my lady." His knees were cold, his hands wet because of the snow, his lips were becoming purple.
Alana stopped, and turned around looking at him she told him to stand up, she walk up to him, even in his crippled state he was still bigger than her.
"So what will you do to atone for your sins?" She repeated coldly.