Chapter 16
Fountain Grove, State: Percival, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat Year: 2040, Planet: Grimoire
Within the boardinghouse, Sapphire and Anara found plenty of work they could do for Miss Shiloh while the others were out hunting. They also gained some perspective on how the boardinghouse differed from running an Inn. There was more protocol that was observed, and rules followed by occupants and staff that were strictly enforced.
Much to Anara's bemusement, she soon discovered that Miss Shiloh was somewhat flustered at her and Sapphire's efficiency when it came to doing laundry and resetting beds and other furniture in their proper places.
"So, is this similar to working in the Inn when it comes to preparing rooms for prospective occupants?" Miss Shiloh inquired.
"Yes, though ours didn't feature such amenities that're necessary for long-term occupants," Anara confirmed. "We simply made sure that each room was clean and equipped with essentials, such as extra blankets, pillows, sheets." She shrugged. "Small items for snacks that weren't perishable in nature and could be taken along when they headed out after a single night's stay."
Sapphire grimaced. "There were a few groups that did stay for two or three nights, but that only happened when a festival was set to occur." She shook her head. "That was when many outsiders or important individuals came to reside at the Inn for an entire fortnight." She shuddered. "On those occasions, we got extra help for the restaurant that was operating twenty-four hours during those days."
Not one of their best memories, Anara shivered. "There were some very seedy characters that thought we'd be easy pickings since we didn't have acknowledged fathers." She stated flatly. "That was another reason for us going to Three Prongs Fork plains land. We're hoping that we can start fresh there." She was wondering if that was even possible though.
Shiloh smiled. "You'll be able to do that and more." She reassured them. Her head tilted and she seemed surprised. "Huh, they came back earlier than I thought."
Huh? Anara and Sapphire exchanged puzzled glances.
Upon seeing their bewilderment, Shiloh clarified. "Your brothers and sisters who went hunting. Apparently, they caught quite the haul and required assistance to bring it all back." She shrugged. "I gather that Ms. Marten wants to familiarize you all with how to handle currency-based purchasing."
Oh right, that was definitely not something that any of them were used to. "I had learned about the theory in class." Anara nodded. "However, we used a bartering and credit system in the township." She shrugged. "Not that we didn't get some idea of how it worked when we went with hunting groups in the past. We rarely did the haggling after the carcasses were dismantled and sold for the best rates."
Anara and her siblings were probably cheated out of a sizable number of profits because of their ignorance of that type of bargaining. "I don't think it'll hurt to learn how to recognize what types of currency are out there and how to use them properly." She shrugged uncomfortably. "I never was pleased with the fact that we didn't see a cent go to our mother from our share of the profits."
Shiloh's eyes darkened. "Hmm, well, I'm sure that Ms. Hermina will clarify what exactly you've inherited from your mother within the next several days while you're learning the basics." She nodded her head decisively. "Now, shall we greet your siblings?"
Sapphire and Anara exchanged glances. "I hope they had time to wash off the grime and blood." Sapphire grimaced. "Sometimes they don't remember to do something just that simple." Anara nodded in mild distaste.
Shiloh laughed. "I have a strict policy regarding that type of thing. I know for certain that they did wash up and get a new change of clothing before stepping into the main part of the boardinghouse." She confirmed.
*
Harper and the others did indeed wash thoroughly and dressed in fresh clothing that was waiting for them in the water closet just inside the main gate. He was pleased that he didn't have to go inside the boardinghouse dressed in filthy clothing. That wasn't something Harper enjoyed doing anyway.
Once they rejoined their sisters, Harper was mystified when he looked at a pile of paper bills and metallic-looking objects that made clinking noises when he nudged them. Then he recognized what they were. "Huh, are these the paper bills and metallic currency that we're supposed to use?" They had faces of different authority figures or historical landmarks, Harper noticed. Interesting way of honoring those areas and people of the past.
"Yes, that is correct." Shiloh nodded. "I want you all to count what is there."
Harper took the smallest number of coins, counted them, and wrote down the total on a piece of paper. He made sure that the type of currency matched the one on the paper. "Is this some kind of deposit slip?" He had seen that type of thing before.
"Yes," Hermina nodded. "Write your name on it."
Once Harper did so, she pushed a small pile of paper currency toward him. He hesitated but also counted that and matched the number with the corresponding ones on the paper and his eyes widened. "Goodness, that's quite the large amount gained from this day's hunt?"
Harper was surprised as he looked from the paper in his hands to what his siblings were doing. That's when he saw that all the paper and coins were evenly distributed between the eight of them. It had been quite the sizable amount, now that he thought about it.
"Yes, I knew that your sisters probably gave you some buffs before you left, which is why I included them in the distribution." Shiloh nodded. Hermina inclined her head in agreement.
Harper sighed with relief. "Yes, they did." He acknowledged.
"It was how we detected those individuals following us," Jennifer mentioned.
"I view it as a necessary ritual of sorts," Sherpa murmured. "It just wasn't the same without them."
When the others agreed with their viewpoints, Harper was relieved. He was pleased that the adults included Anara and Sapphire in receiving some monetary reward. Now to find out what was next on the agenda. He watched the adults curious because he wasn't going to step on any toes while living in someone else's abode.
*
Shiloh was pleased with the way the eight siblings didn't squabble over the distribution of money. Granted it was obvious a few of them weren't pleased with the inclusion of Sapphire and Anara--notably Holly and Ambrose--Shiloh would have to address their hidden anger. Then she realized it was doused when they realized how invaluable the buffs their sisters gave them when it came to being secure in their abilities.
She found it interesting how they interacted with one another, whether there were adults around or not. They tended to behave like miniature adults regardless of what scenario they encountered. Now to send them off to the marketplace. Hmm, how should this be handled?
Hermina caught Shiloh's gaze. "I'll take them there myself, but I think we're going to need at least three guards just in case some riffraff try assailing us later."
True it was getting late, but the night market was the best time for these youngsters to obtain supplies they would need in the future. Shiloh remembered something else. All of the prices in the night market generally lowered simply because it was when the less economically stable individuals came to purchase needed stockpiles. It was also when dock, warehouse, and daytime vendor workers were just getting off work. They couldn't return home without some meal items for their families.
On the other hand, which meant there would be thieves and ruffians just waiting to cause problems for the public. There weren't as many guards around either. Hmm, that was worrisome. "I'll see whom I can find that would be willing to work as guards." Shiloh wasn't going to make the individuals do it for free since it meant giving up time to spend with families.
Hermina cleared her throat. "I already found a few people who were willing to help out." She told Shiloh. "Your men don't need to give up their free time," Hermina smirked. "The idiots that got caught are now paying the price."
Ah, so that was how she'd swung that agreement. Shiloh was amused at her cleverness. Then again, Hermina knew many men and women who were adventurers who owed her several favors. It appeared she was now calling in those favors. "Are you doing this to relieve unpaid debts owed?"
Hermina shrugged. "Yes, they are ones owed to Davina that I'm now calling in due." Her smirk faded. "Otherwise, I doubt any of the children would survive on the journey to Three Prongs."
Shiloh grunted. "Well take off then. The ten p.m. curfew won't be lifted just for them." That would give them a complete four hours to accomplish what they needed to do. She figured they would be eating dinner somewhere in that marketplace. Therefore, she didn't need to worry about providing a bigger amount of food as she'd done the previous night and this morning.
"We're heading out then," Hermina shooed all eight siblings out the door. Shiloh watched as they clambered into two carriages in an orderly fashion. The adventurers chosen to be the guards were already astride horses and flanking the two vehicles. She dropped the curtain.
Now it was time to go about the evening chores as usual.