Finalize the House

As Ranav stepped into the house, the warm aroma of freshly prepared breakfast greeted him. His family was seated at the dining table, enjoying their morning meal. The enticing smell made his stomach growl, a reminder of the demanding morning training he had just completed.

"Mom," he began, walking over to the table, "we have two guests in the backyard. I've invited them to finalize the location for our new house. They mentioned they've already eaten breakfast, but I was thinking of offering them some tea and snacks. Could you prepare some for them once you're done here?"

His family's surprised expressions stopped him mid-sentence. Realizing he hadn't shared his plans earlier, he quickly added, "I earned some money while working on a mission in the city. I've decided to use it to build a new house for us. Earlier today, I found a well-known mason team working at the village chief's house, so I took the opportunity to invite them over to discuss our project."

He turned to his father. "Dad, I wanted to consult you first, but the masons wouldn't have considered our project if the old chief hadn't recommended it. I acted quickly to seize the moment."

Trinav placed his cup down and furrowed his brows. "Building a new house will cost a significant amount. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to contribute. How much did you earn from that mission?"

Ranav replied casually, "Not much… just two hundred gold."

Trinav almost dropped his spoon. "Not much? Two hundred gold?"

Recovering from his initial shock, he said with a wry smile, "Well, with that kind of money, you might not need my help after all. I don't have any expertise in construction, but if the old chief trusts these masons, you should be in good hands. Still, make sure to consult him before finalizing anything."

He paused, then added, "I've saved a little money over the years. If you find yourself short, just let me know."

"Thank you, Dad," Ranav said with a nod. Turning to his mother, he added, "I'll head to the backyard for now. Please call me when the snacks are ready."

He then looked back at his father and said, "Dad, the masons are finalizing the site for the new house. Can you come with me? I'd like your input on the location."

Trinav stood up, wiping his hands on a napkin. "Of course," he said, following Ranav outside.

In the backyard, Ganesh and Henry stood beside the small pond, engaged in a quiet conversation. Ranav introduced his father to them, and together, they discussed and finalized the location for the new house. After a few minutes of deliberation, they agreed on a spot slightly elevated and closer to the pond to ensure stable ground and easy access to water if needed.

Camilla soon appeared before them, inviting everyone inside to continue their discussion at the dining table. Over cups of steaming tea and a spread of savory treats, they delved into the finer details of the house design. Ganesh and Henry patiently reviewed Ranav's sketches, clarifying points as needed and confirming decisions with Trinav.

Once all preliminary discussions were complete, Ranav accompanied Ganesh and Henry back to the village chief's house, where the rest of Ganesh's team waited. As the masons finalized their cost calculations, Ranav sought out Tenali Raman.

"Old chief," Ranav said, approaching him, "I could use your guidance. Ganesh and his team are calculating the costs right now, but I have no idea about the current prices of building materials. I'm also unsure how to proceed next. Can you help me finalize the deal?"

Tenali nodded, his expression reassuring. "Don't worry. Ganesh is an honest man. While he might charge a little more than others, his work is worth every coin. He values his reputation highly and wouldn't risk it over a few extra gold pieces."

He paused, then added, "Have you brought the money for the upfront payment? Ganesh usually asks for half of the total payment before starting a project and the rest upon completion."

Ranav replied confidently, "Yes, I've prepared for that. I also want you to review the final prices before I hand over any money."

"Of course," Tenali said with a smile. "I'll be there to oversee everything."

A short while later, Ganesh approached them with Henry, holding a sheet of paper. "We've completed the cost calculations," Ganesh said, handing the paper to Ranav, who immediately passed it to Tenali.

"Old chief, could you review this for me? I trust your experience."

Tenali examined the list carefully while Ganesh explained the breakdown. "The total cost for building materials is 104 gold. Our team's labor fee is 20 gold, bringing the total to 124 gold. Additionally, you'll need to spend about 27 gold on items like steel frames for windows, doors, and bathroom and kitchen fittings, which we don't supply. These items will require a trip to the city."

Ganesh paused for breath, then added, "We'll need half of the total cost, 62 gold… upfront to finalize the deal. If you provide other materials on time, we can complete the house in three months. However, with winter approaching, we recommend starting construction in early spring."

Tenali interjected, "Ganesh, what about your workers' lodging and meals? They'll be here for at least three months."

Ganesh replied, "We'll set up tents as usual, and the team will handle their own meals. We might need occasional assistance with supplies, but it won't be a burden."

Satisfied, Tenali turned to Ranav. "Everything checks out. Go ahead and make the payment."

Ranav retrieved a pouch from his pocket and counted out 62 gold coins, handing them to Ganesh. "Here's the upfront payment. I'll arrange for the additional materials in time."

Ganesh nodded, pocketing the coins. "We'll start in early spring as discussed. Thank you for trusting us."

As Ranav prepared to leave, he turned to Tenali. "Old chief, I need to head to my master's house now. I'll be late if I don't leave soon."

Tenali chuckled. "Ah, yes, you wouldn't want to keep Lady Naria waiting. Go on, then, and best of luck with your training."

Ranav bowed slightly and hurried off, his mind buzzing with thoughts of his new house and the expenses yet to come.