The next day, in the village, Anna spread some chaff on the ground. A group of chicks clucked and scurried around, pecking at the food while rubbing their soft feathers against Anna's smooth ankles.
Watching the chicks clean up the food, Anna smiled contentedly. She glanced at the sun, now nearing noon. Eager to help, Anna entered the house, took the clay pot from young Louis, and decided to make porridge for Mike Bai.
Though she had learned to cook porridge under Louis's guidance, her first attempt was a bit clumsy. The simple pot of barley porridge turned out with distinct layers, making the village chief shake his head in disbelief.
Despite her awkwardness, Anna stubbornly continued, ignoring the smoke rising from the fire. She stirred the barley, scraping the bottom of the pot, and worked to thicken the clear broth on top. Her face blackened by smoke, Anna still laughed happily.
"Anna! We're back!" A voice called from outside.
Hearing the shout, Anna immediately dropped the spoon and rushed outside. Mike Bai, holding a chicken with a spear, was shouting outside the house. Beside him, Ginn waved happily.
"Enno!" Anna rushed into Mike Bai's arms with a joyful laugh, her eyes shimmering with tears.
"Thank goodness! You're finally back!" Anna buried her head in Mike Bai's chest, her voice trembling with emotion.
Mike Bai felt a pang of guilt and gently patted her back, offering reassurance. "I'm fine, I'm back in one piece. Look, I even brought a chicken."
He lowered the spear, showing the chicken he had "borrowed" from the drunken knight's estate.
Suddenly, Mike Bai felt Anna's hand probing his side.
She looked up with tear-filled eyes and asked, "Are you hurt? There's a hole here!"
Mike Bai glanced at the hole and explained, "It's part of our spoils. Ginn made it."
At this point, the village chief and Louis emerged and noticed the change in Mike Bai and Ginn's attire. Both were now wearing helmets, Ginn was dressed in a different leather armor, while Mike Bai had a reinforced tunic with a short sword at his waist and a fine spear in hand.
"Looks like you two struck it rich!" the village chief remarked, admiring their new gear. That much armor would cost at least 25 silver dinars.
"Just a little," Mike Bai responded nonchalantly.
"We'll eat well for lunch!" The village chief, grateful for their help, brought out dried sausages, cheese, and fresh vegetables, cooking a large pot of hearty chicken stew. The five of them ate until they almost cracked the wooden plates.
After the meal, Mike Bai expressed his thanks for the village's hospitality and informed them of their departure.
"Wait until tomorrow," the village chief suggested. "A trade caravan will pass by, and you can join them for the next leg of your journey. It'll be safer."
"Then we'll stay another night. Thanks for everything," Mike Bai replied.
The next morning, a small caravan of five wagons arrived in the village. As soon as they did, the caravan leader, along with his apprentice, began shouting loudly to attract customers.
"Come take a look! Premium sea salt, just 2 silver dinars for a jar!"
"Don't miss out! Wool cloth from Dijon, cheap!"
"Look at these sturdy clay pots! Madam, don't you want one to entertain guests?"
The villagers, eager to trade, surrounded the caravan, offering wheat, sausages, and cheese in exchange for hand-made goods. The usually quiet village was filled with bustle, with Louis and the other children excitedly gathering around to see the rare goods.
By midday, the villagers had spent most of their limited buying power, and the crowd began to disperse.
Seeing the caravan leader finally free, Mike Bai and Ginn hurried over to introduce themselves.
"Boss! Need mercenaries?" Mike Bai asked, eager to make a deal.
The caravan leader turned, eyeing Mike Bai and Ginn carefully. Their mismatched gear suggested they were mercenaries. Ginn, at least, looked seasoned, but Mike Bai, still young, had the appearance of a child.
"If it's just him, I'm not interested. But you, maybe," the leader said, shaking his head regretfully.
"How dare you look down on me!" Mike Bai bristled. "Do you think this gear just appeared? It's all spoils from a battle with a knight!"
He pointed to the hole in his tunic. "See? I killed that guy and took his armor!"
The leader looked at Mike Bai, surprised by his bravado. Considering the upcoming dangerous journey, he realized his five mercenaries weren't enough.
"How much do you want?" the leader asked, calculating.
"Just two copper pennies a day for me, but my older brother wants five copper pennies," Mike Bai said, inflating the price.
"What! That's too much! I can only offer half!" The leader countered.
"I'm negotiable! But my brother won't budge!" Mike Bai pushed Ginn forward and introduced him loudly. "This is my brother, 'The Surgeon,' Ginn! He's fought three battles for the lord, and every time he had to disembowel an enemy!"
Ginn, stunned, didn't know when he had gotten this nickname, but after Mike Bai subtly nudged him, he puffed out his chest and put on a fierce expression.
A few days ago, Ginn would've been caught, but with the bloodstains still on his gear, the leader believed him.
"Alright, I'll take him for four copper pennies a day, no more," the leader said with a dismissive shrug.
"Deal! But I'll bring my sister along. No food needed, just a place to sleep," Mike Bai bargained.
"Done!" The leader agreed.
Though both sides were a bit dissatisfied with the deal, they secretly felt triumphant. The leader was pleased to have hired a tough fighter like Ginn and Mike Bai, who would be useful in various tasks.
Mike Bai, on the other hand, was excited to follow the caravan and get free food and pay.