"Stop. Please." His voice was large so he tried to lower it down so it became strange. As he saw their weird out expressions he stepped back. "I mean no harm, I just want to help. Please, trust me."
Nalan Ko gave him a long stare and pointed at one of the logs next to fire. "Sit there. We don't have enough chairs. The child needs to eat first. You will eat after that and we can chat afterward."
Noak was reprimanded by a woman that came barely up to his chest, but he just nodded and sat down. Mei Ling was stunned by his actions and realized how cute he really was.
Nalan Ko pushed her to the side to wash up, while children followed her with million questions. "Sister, are rabbits cute or dangerous? Sister, how strong are those rabbits?"
Such questions went on while she patiently answered one by one with big smiles. Na'an poured water to wash her hands and the girls stood on the side and patiently waited as hse washed her face and hands. Then they took her by hand quickly and pulled her to the table.
Nalan Ko just gently pushed her on a chair and patted her head. ''You worked hard today. Eat, I will talk to the big man.''
Mei Ling was about to eat but then stopped. ''Mother, could you please take a soul bag with you. He brought the stones and I didn't have the bag with me.''
She just nodded and went inside the small hut and came back with simple bag. Noak took his bag out and just quickly pressed on her bag. ''She was important today. Who would have thought that silver rabbits were in the nearby forest? If someone knew that we didn't even go further away, this forest would be filled with all kinds of adventurists.''
Nalan Ko curiously blinked. ''How did you know?''
He pointed at Mei Ling that calmly ate at the table while chatting with her siblings. ''That child told us that she saw tracks. We didn't expect much. If we didn't find it here today we would have gone to the Forest of Green Shadows tomorrow. Now we finished the complete quest and got extra coins as a present. That child really has no idea about questing, doesn't she? Please teach her well or someone might take her portion away without her even knowing. There are half of the coins as usual given to trackers. She deserves it. But when I saw your 'living', I fear I can't go anywhere now. Or you people move now to city right away or I will sleep in front of your door the whole night. Your choice.''
His face looked serious and determined to make it happen as he said, making Nalan Ko completely stunned. ''Why do you care?''
He shook his head. ''I have absolutely no idea. Somehow I fear that if I don't protect you and kids I would slap my own face as a man and person. To leave women and children in such a place makes me feel angry. I don't know your background story and truly speaking I really do not care. I know only one thing, you have now enough money to sleep in tavern tonight and tomorrow I will bring you to the second array and you can buy a normal house. Trust me, you have enough now. Please, I really hate sleeping on the ground.''His words were clear. If she didn't come he will sleepover as protection.
All she did is to chuckle. ''Fine, fine. We don't have many things. Will you help us carry, we don't have carriage or something.''
He showed her his arm muscles. ''I can carry all five of you in one hand and in the other hand that little bit of belongings. No problem.''
Actually Mei Ling could hear the whole conversation as they were not far away and as she heard his boasting she almost chocked. Her coughing turned their intention towards her as Nalan Ko jumped to help her pat her back.
''Eat slowly. Take water. Wait let me help you.'' Calming energy floated trough her body and coughing ebbed and then stopped. She felt completely fine but Nalan Ko still looked at her face in worry. ''Is it better now?''
Mei Ling just smiled brightly. ''Mother's healing power is the best. I am fine, please be at ease. By the way, I am done eating. Sit down and eat as well while I speak to uncle Noak.''
Nalan Ko saw her standing up and pushing her this time in the chair and laughed. ''Fine. Help me pack after we are done. We will sleep in the city tonight. Tomorrow we will look for a house and office. I will start officially healing.''
Na'an sighed in relief, finally, mother came to her senses. Working inside and outside the city is a big difference. He looked at Mei Ling gratefully and earned a smile and wink. She had same idea as he did.
Noak became serious as he stared and Nalan Ko. ''Your other is healer?''
She nodded. ''Very strong one actually. But we had a situation at home and now we need a new home. Uncle Noak, can you really help us with new home?''
He nodded. ''I think most of the coins will be gone after you buy house in second array. I mean you could live good in fourth and third array but there are too many strange people there and its not as safe as a second and first array. Later when you get more stones you can save and buy house in first array. But for now, the second array is the best option for your family. And as your mother is a healer, I can recommend her to many of our smaller groups. They will probably come to see her soon. Healers are rare as well, you know. No idea who is so dumb do kick put a healer?''
He could see her sigh and looked at her. Her words stunned him. ''There is a man that didn't appreciate his wife and children. He found that his ability is better than his and found himself another woman that has strong connections to sect master. So he gave up on her. Could you believe this? Are all men like that? If they are I will never love or trust any man, accept my Na'an of course.''
Na'an smiled brightly as he sat down next to her and leaned his head on her. ''Sister, in this life if I ever get married I want a woman to be like a sister. Pretty.''
She poked his head with her forefinger and chuckled. ''Is that most important thing? Pretty is not important. Having a good personality and heart is better. If you find your self pretty woman that has darkness hidden in her heart, what will you do?''
Na'an thought about it and then smiled brightly. '' I will ask mother and sister to help me kill the darkness and bring light inside her so she can become good person as well.'' His simple words made them speechless.
Mei Ling shook her head. ''Your father has darkness within as well. Do you think if he couldn't be healed that anyone else could?''
Na'an sighed. ''Then I will look for a cute person with a good personality. If I marry someone like father, I will just put the trouble into my life. No, no.''
His words caused everyone to laugh as he cutely shook his head.