Two children knocked on a stranger’s door, asking him to clean his garden in exchange for food. They never imagined that this simple request would change their lives forever… -BICHNHU

He studied the two children with squinted eyes before beginning the slow descent down the stairs to the monastery’s basement.

The door remained closed.

When he finally appeared before them, his voice had the firm tone of someone accustomed to giving orders.

“This is no place for doubt,” he said bluntly.

“Go home.”

Lily immediately hid behind Etha.

Etha swallowed with difficulty.

He was forced not to take a step back.

“We are not asking for doubts,” he said again, his voice trembling but firm.

We will clean the yard.

“You don’t have to pay us.”

“Maybe just leftover food.”

“Our sister is sick.”

Then something appeared on Harrigtop’s face.

Not without kisses.

Not yet.

But something close to curiosity.

He looked again at the law behind him, the weeds growing along the hedges he had ignored because of the moths.