The next morning he woke up with his eyes so puffed up that he was barely able to see. The old lady fussed so much and gave him warm towels to place on his lids.
Laying on the ground, Nico silently sniffed. His nose was of course blocked from all that sobbing.
"what did you do last night lad? Your nose is pink like a pig and your eyes.. gosh did you get stung by a fire ant?"
"no just sobbed my heart out. those feelings needed to come out… or else I might shatter from inside…" he mumbled. The towel slid off his eyes. He replaced it there with a loud sigh.
"you have so many emotions for such a young lad. Whatever you are going through will get better,"
"I know…" Nicolai sat up. "I'm going to find my father,"
"he's alive?"
"yeah definitely. But I don't where he is. He must be close. So I'm going to find him," he said with renewed passion.
The old lady raised a brow whilst knitting a glove. "hmm hmm and where are you from?"
"It's nearby. It's close to the arctic werewolf clan,"
"oh, you came here by ferry, then why did you…"
"I like hearing you talk," Nico gave her a flattering smile.
The old lady chuckled. "your words are sweet, child. Come help my old husband with his chores. Is your body well enough to handle the workload?"
"yes…" Nico stood up hesitantly. "I'm really glad you took me in and gave me a place to stay… but… will I get paid.. I wish to travel a bit. I don't have cash and I wish to return home.. I suspect my dad must be there…..."
Plus, he had no clue what the cash system of this new age was.
"definitely two copper per week, free food and lodging. It will be enough for your ferry home."
"done~" he happily walked out.
It was the crack of dawn. The sun was shining through the huge trees.
The old couple lived close to the river bed, and they had a small shed with farm animals. Sheep and chicken and all the animals he was used to seeing were there.
It gave him a sense of normality.
"come scoop the poo. These pigs really love making a mess,"
Nicolai stood out of the shed with the rake in hand. The whole place was a sticky mess…. It stank…
"go on then. Clean it up," the old man said and left.
Nicolai sighed loudly. "it's all going to be so worth it," holdings his breath he started to clean it up.
The moment when the floor was relatively clean one of the stupid pigs decided it was fun to poo.
Nicolai glared at the pig.
It snorted at him and pooed and peed even more.
"oh my god they are mocking me… let me tell you piggy. You are going to someone's dinner in a few months, just you wait. All the poo you are giving me will be repaid,"
the pig did not bother to look his way.
Pouting Nico raked the poo out again and spread out a layer of dried hay.
By the time he was finished, it was afternoon.
His back was aching so bad.
Nico stretched and cracked it slightly. "farm work is hard."
"you must be from an impoverished family. didn't you get used to it?"
"I am from a slightly well-off family," Nico mumbled.
The old man just gave him a look. "why are you in that state? You're not sick are you? if you are, I would like you to leave this house this instant. I don't want it spreading to my wife,"
"no no I'm not sick. I just haven't had a lot to eat. We… my father and I lost our fortune… so… I guess we are poor."
Anyways even if he had cash, it was just a piece of paper here.
Two pieces of copper can get him a ferry to the arctic wolf tribe…..
He still couldn't estimate the value of those two coins. 'maybe its.. worth fifty dollars or so.. who knows.. if I get paid and if I get home that's all that matters,'
Just like that, two weeks passed so quickly.
The day he was planning to depart came around.
Nico finished up his work as quickly and neatly as he can and came running to the main house.
The old lady handed him a cup of warm milk. "look at you, you're putting on some weight." She gently pinched his cheeks.
"is the ferry ticket being sold close by?"
"my husband has already brought one just for you." She said, gently fluffing up his hair. "drink slowly. I'ts hot,"
Nico slowly sipped the heavenly milk. It tasted so fresh, thick, and slightly sweeter. He loved it.
"I've got something for you," the old lady handed him a small hand-knitted bag.
Nico happily took it from her. Inside there was a beige shirt. it was an actual cotton shirt.
"oh my god," he happily sniffed it. It smelled like tree bark but he did not care. "thank you so much. This shirt was rubbing mem everywhere,"
"I know… but wearing cotton while working the stable will soil it," the old lady nostalgically looked at the clothes.
The shirt looked used. Most likely the old man's clothes.
"It was my son's…. we lost him last winter."
Nico placed the cup down and hugged the old lady. "I'm sorry."
"it's part of life they said… but.. It's hard losing someone you love." She patted his back. "Nico, when you reach home and… if by any chance you are unable to find your parents, come here. You are more than welcome...."
Nico smiled at her. "thank you so much. I've never met anyone as kind as you or your husband."
The dol lady puled him for another hug. "ah I think I will miss you lad,"
"and so will I,"
The old man walked back home with a small metal token. "it's your ferry ticket. Don't lose it. keep it close to your body. and here." He handed him two copper coins.
"but you already brought me my ticket,"
The old lady gently patted his back. "it's for emergencies…. Here." the lady also handed another bag full of bread and a small can of soup.
Nico hugged them both tightly. "ill be home and I will.. send a letter. I think that's what you guys do here right. I'll send for you and even come visit you with my dad the next time."
"yes yes.. go on. it's getting late. the ferry won't wait for you," the old man urged him, whilst subtly wiping his eyes.
Nico smiled dazzlingly. "yes. stay safe, both of you."
He ran.. he knew if he looked back he might change his mind slightly.
So he ran blindly to the river bed. The ferry was docking quite close by.
'This is it.. I'm going home.. yippy!!'