Having heard enough compliments from the shameless old men and women, Katerina decided to interrupt the endless stream of praise."Old man Ma, don't just stand there. Introduce everyone. You wouldn't want to be the only one addressed by name, would you? After all, these are all the future teachers of my children."
"Ahem, ahem. Quite right, little Katya," Elder Ma coughed, having once again been casually thrown under the bus.
Physically feeling the sharp gazes promising unspeakable tortures should he undermine their authority in front of the youth, the Village Elder bravely took on the task no one else wanted.
"Well then, I'm pleased to introduce this sweet old lady in black. Children, you may call her Grandma Cornelia. She's the best herbalist in the village. She knows every type of herb, their properties, and how they react when mixed. If you ever feel unwell, she's the first person you should see."
He pointed to a hunched, withered old woman in a black robe holding a scythe. Her appearance was nothing less than the embodiment of Death itself.
"This old gentleman missing an arm is your Grandpa Jack. He's a professional, uh... surgeon. Yes, a doctor who knows the human body inside and out. He can identify the nature and severity of any external injury at a glance. For any... injuries, go to him."
He gestured toward a one-armed man dressed in tight black clothes.
"This happy couple is Konstantin and Konstantsia Blade, the village's oldest residents. They are both over 10,000 years old and possess the largest wine collection—that is, they are the best historians. They personally lived through many wars, and their knowledge is no laughing matter."
He introduced the only relatively youthful-looking pair dressed in Gothic black outfits with white accents.
"This blind gentleman in round glasses is a genius con artist—uh, politician. He will be your rhetoric teacher. If you ever need to convince a snake it's a proud dragon and then sell it at the world auction, he's your man. He won't tell us his real name, so just call him Grandpa Blind."
He gestured to a thin old man with white hair and eyes.
"Next, but not least, is the crazy fanatic of scientific magic—or just a stingy miser—Aunt Albedo. She's one of the progenitors of the witch race and the most knowledgeable among us. For any complicated question, go to her. Don't be shy about asking her for gifts—she's the richest of us all, and I'm sure she'll be willing to share her treasures with her little friends."
He pointed to a tall old woman in a loose dark purple robe and a mask covering her entire face.
"And finally, your last teacher for today: this muscular drunkard with severed fingers, the best blacksmith, jeweler, and mechanic, a proud representative of the dwarf race—Grandpa Clark."
He indicated a ruddy, muscular old man who swayed slightly where he stood. He was only about a head taller than the children, reaching just to Katerina's waist.
Having finally finished the endless introductions, Elder Mark sighed with relief as the murderous intent lifted from his frail body.
"Greetings, Elders," the siblings said brightly, clearly impressed.
Seeing the innocent and lively reaction of the children, the old folks blushed with pride, standing with puffed-out chests and bright smiles. Living here in seclusion, they had almost forgotten how wonderful it felt to be valued and respected by the younger generation.
"Now that the introductions are over, let me show the children around and explain the village rules so they won't bother your esteemed selves," Katerina said with a smile, taking the initiative.
"Katya, what a dutiful daughter you are! I can't stop smiling when I look at you. Come to my hut later for some tea with the little ones. We can chat about life. I've hidden away a special four-leaf pu-erh tea just for such occasions. It's perfect for relaxation," Grandma Cornelia invited her with the gentlest smile she could muster, earning stern looks from the other elders for cutting in line with her invitation.
"Alright, Grandma, I'll definitely come by once I finish the tour," Katerina replied.
The mother and children set off to explore the village. The village consisted of 15 residential houses, half of which were currently vacant due to their residents being away on "urgent, mysterious business."
These houses were easy to spot since each had a small post with a nameplate displaying the owner's name. Each sign was unique, reflecting the owner's character.
The street sign reading "Honeymoon Suite of Konstantsia and Konstantin" was stylish, with neat golden lettering. Aunt Albedo's sign leaned at a 45-degree angle, seemingly about to fall with the slightest breeze—but it never did. When the children expressed concern, Katerina assured them the sign had stood like that for as long as she could remember.
Houses whose owners were away had a red ribbon tied to the sign—a village tradition to prevent anyone from entering while the owners were gone. Names like Morgana, Robert, Joseph, and Qin Luo were among them, people Gray and Grace would soon meet.
Arriving at a small hut with the sign "RESIDENCE OF KATERINA" and a red ribbon tied to it, Katerina casually yanked it from the ground and planted it where the "Elder's Hut" sign once stood.
As they toured the village, the worried mother repeatedly reminded the children never to go outside after dark.
The village's most notable landmarks were:
A small mill powered by a stream running alongside the village. Behind it were neatly stacked hay bales for animal feed.
A granary nearby, storing food supplies with a large cellar below for vegetables, fruits, and preserves. Some supplies were kept in wooden cabinets that radiated a cool chill.
A dried-up well directly across from the elder's house, which their mother strictly forbade them to approach without explaining why.
A large bathhouse further down the stream, with a massive cast-iron furnace piled with smooth basalt stones, activated with the push of a button. It was large enough to comfortably accommodate five adult men. No one quite knew why such a small village needed such a big bathhouse.
The bathhouse's antechamber had a large hot-water tub for relaxation, a big wooden table, and a barrel of cold water.
And, of course, the largest building—the barn. It housed all sorts of animals, from Snezhek, perched comfortably on a rafter, to the village alarm clock, Nikolai the rooster. From a black mare to a fluffy sheep. Bees, a scorpion the size of a calf, and a peacock proudly showing off his beautiful tail. The three-headed puppy, Lucky, happily chased a strange lizard that resembled a tiny dinosaur.
The children were thrilled by the variety. As the villagers discovered the source of the children's delight, they turned the barn into a small zoo, adding new exotic animals every month. Each villager was required to contribute a new creature once a year. The winner, who most impressed young Gray and Grace, could ask the losers for anything from their collections.
But that's a story for another time.