They ran towards it to get a closer look, but it was just the bark of an old fallen tree full of green moss. Andries, however, thought it was magnificent. He touched her and sat on her. There were some mushrooms among the moss, some with red heads and ivory-white stems, while others, the majority, had black caps and thin, long stems.
They continued exploring the clearing. They found in one corner burnt grass that gave off the smell of ash, in another, clumps of a plant full of thorns and, in another, a bush loaded with black berries.
– Can it be eaten?
Andries wanted to know, who tried one and spat it out, making a face. A few hours of exploration passed. Andries felt satisfied. He was just happy. He hadn't found the panthers, but that adventure was wonderful for him.
– The moons! We forgot to look for the moons. Sometimes the normal moon appears during the day, why not the violet ones?
They looked at the sky and found nothing.
– Maybe they're behind the trees. We are not seeing the sky that the foliage hides. – Amber said, climbing on a fallen log to get higher, but she found nothing.
– Can you see any of the mills?
– Neither.
They wanted to return. They started walking. The smell of green grass invaded their nostrils.
– Where is your father? I didn't see him in the hut.
– It went out.
– Where?
– I don't know. It came out early today. He is likely to return at night with fish, but sometimes he leaves for days. I think he's going to negotiate fishing orders, or have fun out there. He doesn't say anything to me when he comes back.
– Sometimes you go out and stay away for weeks. Where are they going?
– To fish.
– My father said that fishermen stay on the river for a maximum of three days before returning with their catch.
– There are often no fish around here and we need to move away in search of a river that provides us with fish.
– Hmm... When you go on a long trip like this, could you bring me a fish from far away? One that no one knows about here?
– I promise I will bring it.
They continued walking towards the hut. Every now and then they saw some windmills coming out of their hiding places behind the foliage. Andries felt happiness as big as the world, he held his friend's hand and they continued on their way. He felt that Amber's hands were rough and warm. A warmth that warmed his heart.
Upon arriving at the hut, they saw Marinus, one of the boys from shoemaking families, accompanied by Teunie, the son of a tracker.
– What are Marinus and Teunie doing here? They approached.
– "I found you!" – Said Marinus with a smile. – Here, we found these fruits along the way. – He said, throwing one for each friend.
The fruit was delicious. Marinus said with his mouth full:
– Your mistress is crazy. She called the entire village to look for her. She knew where she was. So I came to warn you.
– The nanny is annoying.
– Come to the hut, I want to show you some things. – He called everyone Amber.
The hut was simple. A small room that also served as a kitchen and for storing supplies. Two bedrooms and a bathroom. It was very different from the large halls of houses with windmills. The smell of fish permeated the air, but Amber had gotten used to it and no longer felt it. In the living room, Amber opened a trunk that creaked as its aged hinges resisted the strain. From it he took several wooden toys.
– My father makes them. I'm learning from him. Look. I made this one. – He said with a smile.
Andries was fascinated by his friend's skill which earned his admiration. Marinus didn't care for that toy, but he was interested in others that were in the trunk. Teunie, who already knew his friend's toys, let the other two take them first. As they got bored with a toy, putting it aside, Teunie then picked them up with a wide smile. She loved them. The woodsy smell of those toys warmed his heart. The end of the afternoon was approaching, it was time to go back.
– We should go back. It's already dusk. If night falls and he hasn't returned, the nurse could die. I don't want her to die. – Andries said. Amber and Marinus nodded complicitly. Teunie shrugged; she intended to stay.
Amber knew that her father could arrive with fish, if that happened, she would have to help him. Marinus had promised his stepfather Levien that he would help him with the mill in the late afternoon, his father Derrick had married Levien a few years after he was born.
Marinus and Andries left the hut. Teunie helped Amber put away the toys. When the trunk was full, they closed it, lowering the lid, which creaked in protest.
– It's already getting dark. Won't your father be worried, Teunie?
– No. Ask him for permission to spend the night here in the hut.