after the wagon left the Mira House back to the Governor office.Amara Vale ran her hands through the barley and smiled.Amara Vale said to Franklin.My father was quite thoughtful before we asked, he sent us a lot of vegetables and barleys.Franklin replied He’s listening.Lady Sera said to Davan Please direct the children to carry lighter ones straight to the dry room in Mira House, Renn and some volunteers are carrying the heavy objects.Immediately Davan directed the children.The items were well arranged, the children had fun doing thisKell and Nina, the new kids, also helped in carrying the items.Each sack felt like a promise.After all the items were properly arranged,Renn took his time to label each sack.While he labeled each sack, he also took stock of what was available in the house.The children in the Mira House and the second house had a new rhythm.“The governor is a father figure, he always sends a wagon full of grains, food, medicine and blankets.We love the Go

Last Updated : 2026-08-18

CHAPTER 82: RENN FINALLY CALLED HIS NAME

By the next day the house created a new rule.Lady Sera called everyone out, she had some announcements.Lady Sera said to them Someone’s watching us at night.Renn can’t see their face, so we have some new rules and changes in the house.The changes are1. Two watchers at night — Renn and Jem,one at the gate, one on the roof, then others volunteers watching from the inside of the two buildings.2. No one goes out alone after dark.3. Amara Vale and Franklin ensures no one is missing by taking roll call every night 4. Kids stay inside after sunset. Davan teaches them by daylight.Kell tugged Renn’s sleeve.Kell asked RennIs it a bad man?Renn crouched down to his height.Then Renn replied I don’t know yet.But we’re ready if he tries anything.You just stay close to your mom and Nina, alright?Kell nodded.Old Man Hess was by the stove.Old Man Hess said to RennI was in the Guard 40 years ago.I know how watchers work, and with my experience I know they want you to chase them.P

Last Updated : 2026-08-18

CHAPTER 83: CALDER FINALLY SPEAKS

Calder hesitated at first, then he looked at Renn's face, his face was so cold and still.Calder replied Captain Merrick from the old Guard sent me.He heard about the grain and about the 652.He wants to know if Mira’s House is a threat and why you choose to stay.Renn didn’t blink.Renn asked him And what did you see?Calder replied I saw kids with bread.I saw women sewing.I saw you on the roof.I saw a Governor’s letter.He looked down.Calder continue I didn't see a threat to report.I saw something I can't explain.Old Man Hess stepped forward then he said to him.You can go back and lie.Or you can come in and eat.Calder laughed, but it was tiring.Calder replied You think I will be welcome to a place like this?Renn moved aside then he said to Calder.The Gate is open and the food here is hot.You watched us for 3 nights, now come see why.After a long pause from Calder.He finally dropped his head and walked in.Lady Sera met him at the door of the Second House.She di

Last Updated : 2026-08-19

CHAPTER 84: THE INSPECTION

That night in the Mira House, there was a plan ahead the inspection.The plan was to take all records 1. Records — Davan writes every name of the 653 people.2. Franklin should take record of all the seed grain, the flour, the coal and arrange all legal documents back them and the gifted.3. People like Tara, Old Man Hess, ,Calder and many more will speak if asked.4. Renn and Jem will do the watching and Calder will assist, if needed but on rotation, no surprises.So Calder decided to take his first watch.Calder said to Renn I know how they think now.Renn replied to himGood, use it properly.Calder looked at the Mira House.There were lights in every window and smoke from both chimneys.Calder replied I’m not leaving this place, this place is beautiful.Davan opens the book, then he starts to write.“Calder loves the Mira House.He decides to stay,we are 653 people now.He works like he’s always been here.An inspection is coming. We don't hide.We show him 653 fed people.We

Last Updated : 2026-08-21

CHAPTER 85: THE DAY CAME

That night in the Mira House, there was a plan ahead the inspection.The plan was to take all records 1. Records — Davan writes every name of the 653 people.2. Franklin should take record of all the seed grain, the flour, the coal and arrange all legal documents back them and the gifted.3. People like Tara, Old Man Hess, ,Calder and many more will speak if asked.4. Renn and Jem will do the watching and Calder will assist, if needed but on rotation, no surprises.So Calder decided to take his first watch.Calder said to Renn I know how they think now.Renn replied to himGood, use it properly.Calder looked at the Mira House.There were lights in every window and smoke from both chimneys.Calder replied I’m not leaving this place, this place is beautiful.Davan opens the book, then he starts to write.“Calder loves the Mira House.He decides to stay,we are 653 people now.He works like he’s always been here.An inspection is coming. We don't hide.We show him 653 fed people.We

Last Updated : 2026-08-23

CHAPTER 86 : THE GOVERNOR CAME

The inspection was over, the next day the house woke up still breathing but no tension in sight.The house had breakfast a bit earlier, there was joy and peace in the house.All of a sudden, the volunteers at the gate sighted a wagon heading towards the Mira House, he came to the dining area and called Jem.Jem stood up and followed immediately to the gate, when he got there he gave the instructions for the gate to be opened.And then the blue wagon came again.But this time, it didn’t stop at the gate.It came inside the yard of the Mira House Jem rushed to the direction the wagon drove to, then he frozeImmediately he saw who was in the wagon, it was no other person but Governor Vale himself.Governor Vale stepped down himself.No guards but he was just with Amara's younger brother Tal who was driving the wagon, Tal drove his father here.And Calder saw him, he nearly dropped the axe on his foot because he has never stood so close to the governor, not to talk about being in the sam

Last Updated : 2026-08-24

CHAPTER 87: TURNING OF THE SOIL

The next day after the governor's visit, the Mira House woke up with a decision in their minds.The decision was all about the planting season.No more waiting, no more watching the sky, we prepare the soil for the planting of seeds.The Governor said yes, the inspection was done and the winter was finally letting go.So tomorrow, we dig.They already have a plan Lady Sera laid it out on the table with chalk.Lady Sera said.We turn the courtyard first.It’s sheltered and it gets sunny by mid-morning in that position.If we turn it now, the frost will break it up.We need a team to be able to achieve a good result.So the team is divided as follows.Team one the Diggers are Renn, Calder, Jem, 2 other volunteers.Team two rock and root pullers, Tara,Mara Sera[our Sera] and 4 of the older women.Team three the kids crews, Kell, Nina + 8 others will pick stones in buckets.Team four seed keeper Amara Vale and Franklin.Davan will guard the seed and plan the rows with two other volunte

Last Updated : 2026-08-24

CHAPTER 88: PLANTING HAS STARTED

Turning was done. Now we made it ready.Franklin and Jem dragged planks to break up the big clods.Amara and Davan raked the rows straight with string lines.Lady Sera walked with a bucket of ash from the stoves.Lady Sera replied Let's feed the ground before it feeds us.The kids watered with one can at a time. Nina spilled more than she poured. Kell said I didn’t care, I just want to water the ground.Calder helped in building 3 low compost bins in the corner.He went from arena fighter to farmer in 4 days.Calder said to RennI never thought I’d be proud of dirt.Renn replied CalderYou should be.By the next morning the whole yard was ready.No digging, just looking.The whole courtyard was smoothed and lined.The dark earth is steaming a little in the sun.It smelled like work and spring.The Governor carpenter came.He looked at the yard and nodded.The Carpenter said Wow this is a good bed. I’ll be back with frames for beans.653 people were standing at the edge when Fran

Last Updated : 2026-08-25

CHAPTER 89: THE CHICKEN COOP

After planting that day, everyone was tired from the activities of the day. Davan went back to where his books were kept, he took it and opened the book, there was chalk on one hand, dirt on the other, then he wrote.“Planting was done and teaching was done todayChildren learned letters in the morning and planted potatoes in the afternoon.Half of the yard is planted.Potatoes, beans, greens.The first sprouts are up.Second House is a school now.NINA wrote her name.KELL read aloud.We grow food in the yard.We grow people in the house.Both are growing.”Davan finally writes: “Planting and teaching was done. The children were busy learning and planting was also going on. Half the yard is in the ground. The school runs every afternoon.”He closes the book, before going to bed.Renn is checking the sprouts with Calder.Amara and Franklin are quizzing Kell and Nina on their letters.Jem is asleep under a bean trellis, hat over his face.Food in the ground, words in the kids.Winter i

Last Updated : 2026-08-26

CHAPTER 90: THE WALL REPAIR

By the next day the rooster needs a name.The coop is done.The hens are settling.But there’s one problem.The rooster won’t stop crowing until we name him.At least that’s what Nina says.After breakfast the naming council had all 653 people seated.All 653 people didn’t vote. Just the kids are allowed to vote with Lady Sera, Renn, Calder, Franklin, and Amara around the coop.The rooster was pacing, chest puffed and very proud of himself.Nina replied He needs a big name, becos he’s the boss.Kell replied He needs a food name like biscuit too.Calder laughed out.Calder replied I’ve named men in the arena but I have never named a chicken.Lady Sera replied Then we’ll do it properly. We had 3 names then we picked one.There was a general suggestion by Renn.Renn suggested He will be in charge of the yard. Like I was in charge of the gate generally.The rooster crowed. Kell clapped.Suggested by Jem grinningJem said.Because he’s loud, annoying, and shows up early.And we bea

Last Updated : 2026-08-27