Chapter 225 - Five - We arrive at my home village (2/2)

Sun was quick to fill his own bowl before slowing down to at least show he had some manners, but seeing the country bumpkin beside him shocked silly by the volumes disappearing into one stomach he instructed; ”If you don't grab something now, there really won't be anything left.”  This jolted Russ from his frozen state and he quickly followed Sun's example, though he shared Leon's awkwardness when it came to using chopsticks.

Quickly the plates were cleared and the four had satisfied stomachs at last.

*****

The name of the Village was Herb and the men and women that lived there raised pigs and chickens, grew vegetables in their gardens and potatoes and common herbs in their fields.  There was also an abundant woodland close to the village's eastern outskirts and this was where many wild herbs grew, therefore the villagers were easily able to supplement their small incomes after harvest and before winter came.  But that did not make it any easy life.

For example, Russ' family was large, consisting of his grandmother, his own folks, uncle and aunt-in-laws, plus numerous sisters and cousins. However, there were far more women than men and his grandmother had spoiled her sons to the point that they were lazy and only did the minimum of work necessary. His father also liked to drink, so whatever money he did not give to his old mother, he kept for himself and his habit, forgetting that he had a wife, son and three daughters to feed.

Therefore it could be said that his wife and children lived on his mother's charity, but in actual fact, for sometime, they had lived by earning their own pennies, selling embroideries, selling wild herbs and the earnings Russ had obtained by taking odd jobs. Actually, it was not that his old grandmother gave them nothing, more that she only gave allowances based on the number of grandsons born and Russ' mother had just one son and many daughters. Russ really wanted for his mother to divorce his wastrel father and separate from the rest of the family, but this was against the rules of filial piety and respect, so he could only hope to improve his immediate family's lot in other ways.

The carriage caused quite the alarm as it entered the village, the old village chief dragged himself from his dinner to meet the wealthy dignitaries, but their carriage did not stop before his house. He watched as crowds of curious onlookers followed the carriage as it finally came to a stop outside old man Leonard's house. His wife then helped him put on his coat and boots that he might see what was going on.

A driver leapt down and pulled back the thick curtain and a man with a straight posture and plain, but well tailored clothing stepped out, before turning back to focus on the exiting occupants. The first was a boy with long, brown hair tied neatly in a white silver crown, a thick furred coat about his shoulders and a curious, but sunny expression upon his face.

”This is your home, right?” He called into the carriage.

”En,” came the reply and another boy with Yin yang hair stepped out, all in white and also wearing a silver crown to tame his wealth of hair.  He adjusted his glasses upon his nose as he looked about.

”Eh?” The village chief suddenly blurted out. ”In't tha' our village's Leo?”