Chapter 216: Planning a Garden

Ibis exchanged a few letters with the king then left out the door to lead the party. On the other side of the door they found the same attendant that led them up waiting to show them down. There was nothing to block them as they left through the castle gates, many soldiers seemed to be escorting various nobles in and out, it would seem the king would be very busy due to the news he received about the demon causing trouble in the demi-human kingdom.

"I would like to spend more time with you youngsters but I have a feeling you have a lot to do. Off you go back to Amethyst mansion to get yourselves ready. I will send you all a little something to welcome you home." With that Ibis moved off walking much faster than they expected him capable of. Walker was still. Thinking on how things would progress this month when he further remembered his desire to stop at the cathedral and see Alice. He was also remembering the VIP auction ticket, he wondered if he could find something very unique to purchase. There was also the monster materials from the greater ice imp along with the snow from the snow golem that when melted would make a pure water perfect for potions, he was willing to bet that some would sell at a very high price. Walker knew he should not dwell on money so much but with the extra gold he could afford to boost the party's safety by purchasing more materials for gear along with light and darkness crystals for Onyx and Midnight.

While they walked, Walker decided to start things out, "Gil when we get back can you ask your mother to come and chat for a bit? We have the new seeds for her and also the other seeds we received from Immortal king and the others we've picked up as we went." 

"Sure thing, we should be planting seeds within the week if we want to have a good harvest this year." Remey seemed to perk up hearing this, she knew that they would be growing plenty of medicinal herbs as well. 

"We will need some planted near the alchemy workshop, there are herbs that need to be picked fresh to be best used." She aimed these words at Gil to make sure her point was getting through, she wanted everything to be perfect. Unfortunately Gil was distracted thinking of the fruits that were soon to grow that he could feast on. Cating him like this Remey decided to torment him with punches the entire walk back. Su seemed to find it fairly comforting to be back in the city walking the streets without worry.

Luckily as they got to the gates of the mansion Gil did not have to even run off to look for his mother, she happened to be in the gardens preparing plots and an area to walk through already. Most of the snow in the garden had either been spread out to melt faster or completely removed. This was a habit from when they were in the fields that his mother had kept because of how much earlier the plants could start to take root once the soil had warmed up. She saw them entering and gave them a wave. Su, Midnight and Onyx went inside to find a fire, Su seemed to want to go and chat with her parents a bit since they had really not spoken at all when they had returned.

"So now that you are all back what are your big plans? Not going to sleep for a week I hope!" She was joking around enjoying the sun that was shining down in the garden while she had been working. Gil was much happier seeing the mood she was in working for herself instead of toiling away on crops that would be required to be sold to the kingdom for their survival. 

"Mom I haven't told you about all the things we have brought back for you!" Gil seemed to act much more child like when he was excited to share these things with his mother, Remey was holding back a laugh since she did not want to tease him too much in front of his family. 

"Me? What could you have possibly found that you want to give me? Actually...it must be food you want me to try to grow? Ever since you and your father found those wild blueberries you have been bringing me the most random things you think I want to grow." With this Remey was unable to hold herself, the image of a small Gil running to his mother holding armfuls of wild fruits or plants was just too adorable. 

"Pfft no of course not its just something we found in the demi-human kingdom." Gil became way too bashful at the question. Walker noticed that Gil's mother had been using a rake to tear at the soil on the ground, however he had no idea how she managed to do it. The ground was still very frozen!

"Ah you're curious huh? It's like that skill some earth mages have where they can shape the ground but a bit better. I can use specific farming tools to grind up even the toughest spoil to prepare to plant seedlings, now is the best time to get it ready you know! As soon as the first rains start this soil will soak it up and be ready to provide for any little seedlings I wish to nurture." Gil's mother looked very pleased that Walker was taking an interest in the garden, she had always wished her son Gil had more of a green thumb but had taken more after his father. That did not mean she did not love him, just that she always felt lacking in the terms of passing down knowledge on skills. She was nearly blind to the fact that she had constantly taught her son how to properly define whether a plant was suitable to eat or not by explaining qualities and characteristics. This was the key to all his knowledge on foraging within a forest or really any environment. 

Walker pulled out the various seed and fruits they had. Gil's mother had an excited glint in her eyes seeing these, she beckoned them over to an old stone bench she had dug from the overgrown thorns and bushed previously. "Place down your treasures here let me take a good look." She wanted to waste no time, seeing the fruits she only could give Gil a knowing look.

"Mom, if you could grow some of these fruits I think it would be really nice. Walker's mother can even use them too so it will help both of you level up and experiment with something new…"His voice trailed off in the end trying not to prove his mother's point. 

She slapped him on the shoulder, "Yes yes I know Hilda would love some new fruits, have you seen those pies she baked with apples. I can only imagine what she could do with these." She took the fruits in her hand, she slit the kiwi open and pulled the tiny black seeds from them. They were smaller than grains of sand but seemed to stay in her hand without any chance of falling or being lost. The seeds on the strawberries seemed to fall off in to her hands as well. Watching her expertly gather the seeds was something every farmer in the fields could do with their system, it was very common. However Walker had never witnessed this and to him it was very amazing. Remey had seen alchemists do something similar when preparing herbs for potions. They would try and save seeds so that another generation could be grown for the next batch of potions. "Now watch how well my speed dry skill makes these little seeds ready for planting." Gil's mother held them openly in her palms, the seeds seemed to give off a bit of steam in the chilly air. Their color faded a bit and soon they looked to be perfectly dried seeds that had been stored and prepared for the spring. It was a skill only Gil had ever witnessed out of the three of them.

"These other seeds are more potion ingredients, this dragon fruit can be used by Midnight or special classes to get stronger so I hope you can help it grow in to a bountiful tree. This is the rare angels wing it can greatly enhance potions and I have heard it normally grows in high altitudes, I hope it's a good enough challenge for you." Walker smiled seeing that this really seemed to get her fired up. Walker grabbed the small pouch and pulled the drawstrings open, "These seeds are a gift we received, they are mostly extinct plant species. I have no clues to what they can be used for but I am sure we can make a big splash in the world by growing them"