Ran - Unusual Happenings

22

Morning once again, you stretch and pack up as you see the babies had once again brought meat back, bending down you check it all over and see a fox in the pile, shrugging you hang the bodies on the van sides giving kisses and hugs to them all "okay, homeward" hearing a chorus of different noises in response.

Getting in your seat as the horses shift but wait for the signal you flick the reins and your off with a jolt you laugh, traveling for the first half of the day when you come upon a small village that had life you stop just outside and shout "I have goods to trade anyone speak English?" you sit and wait for a reply.

When it came they said "we all speak a little, what do you have and what do you want to trade?" smiling "I have, furs, soy sauce, flavourings, dried herbs, preserves and I wish to trade for seeds or plants maybe a few animals? I also have some meat?" he waves then disappeared, when he came back he opened the gates saying "outside the village okay?".

Smiling you wave and move over to the gate getting down you nod and set out your things for trading, then saying "I can also milk the cows or goats if wanted?" he smiled as they all come out looking at what you had then with some broken English you managed to trade some flavourings and soy sauce for seeds of various plants.

A older woman asked for the smaller furs and a pan, she handed over two chicks and a duck, smiling at her "thank you" she smiled and went back a few men saw that then came over and asked "what meat do you have and is it fresh?" smiling and answering "well I have dried but I have these as fresh? I haven't prepped them yet they are from this morning. The dried meat I have lamb, beef, bear, wolf, rabbit, pheasant, quail, snake and goat?".

They blink then shiver but they buy some beef and bear meat you received some wheat and cotton seeds along with your knives sharpened, you watched them and asked "do you have a spare of the stone?" the kid rushed off and brought one back you bring out the preserves, waving you off they asked for the fresh rabbit.

Shrugging you get it down and hand it over to smiles, you had received a few bits when a child came over and looked then picked up a small fur you looked as they hesitated and placed a ring down you smile and nod grabbing the fur you wrap some meat and a few potato's in it and said "you paid to much so have this as well?".

They grin and hold it close and run off you smile as an older man sees what he had and looks at you nodded with small tears, the original man says "thank you we all share and do our bits but" you nod and smile he says "bear meat, snake and wolf is it okay to eat?" laughing "I have eaten it. When hungry food is food. I don't waste it" he nods then buys a large fur with a fruit bush and a kitten.

Smiling you accept and bow "thank you for not attacking" he laughs then says "the same" you pack up as the gate closed then sat in your seat you flick the reins and leave waving as you do so, when you left the old man looked inside the fur and saw the meat but also the vegetables you had given enough to eat but two of the potato's were ready to plant, he cried.

Getting some distance from the village you stop at an old garage, getting down and setting up the animal are let out in the fence, the two dogs and cat rushed off you fed all the herbivores and some meat for the kitten then patted the kitten, going into he garage you see what was about, humming as you see a shop area not expecting much but they had cars and a caravan.

Finding the shop mostly intact, you grab the oil, engine cleaners and the antifreeze and screen wash, filling the cart as you grab all the bits seeing vehicle batteries you grab them as well, grabbing  most of the shop then checking the garage area and frowning, then you see a push bike and check it over grinning, you take it and the spares you can find.

Placing it on the back cart opening the large storage chest placing the batteries and car bits in, then sitting down you go through the seeds and bits collected today, as you open the barrel of oiled fish and grab some out, frying with the garlic you had been given today, placing some dried aubergine and squash in it.

Cooking the rice and shucking some corn you sprinkle the corn over the fish dish, tasting it you add some soy and salt then cooked a bit longer tasting again you nod and place the rice in the bowls then add the topping to them leaving them by the fire to keep warm as you eat yours with a grin and sigh.

They came back as you were prepping the animals from this morning, you were humming when they dropped a few fish at your feet, smiling and giving loves as you place their bowls down with a laugh, furs being prepped as the meat had it's rub and was hung up then you gut and clean the fish using a lemon rub for them and hanging them up.

As night fell you yawn and move your shoulders to release the tension, then sipping the hot chocolate made with hot milk you relax back as the night turned black you crawl in to the tent and allow sleep to take you, as they animals stayed alert but still rest.