Chapter 2.4: The Farmers

Chapter 2.4: The Farmers

Pale moonlight filtered through the upstairs window of the Newt and Demon. A flame danced above a [Fire Artifice], licking over the edge of Tresks copper pan. The Marshling dutifully flipped the morning steaks, sending globs of grease over the edge. The pair woke that morning before dawn, as they typically did. Theo sat at the table near the window, staring out as crisp night air flowed inside. He swatted away the intrusive thoughts that would steer him away from his goals, the shiny things that he wanted to fix.

I dont even want to consider it, Tresk said with a weak shrug.

Theo had explained Mianas words in more detail, a fact the Marshling didnt care for. She was always good at keeping the past where it belonged, looking forward to a brighter dawn. The alchemist was typically there with her, but the mystery nagged at the corners of his mind. Last night was the first in several weeks where he didnt have haunting dreams. Not nightmares, just uneasy images of things he didnt understand. After hitting the threshold of level 10, and meeting with Sulvan, those dreams left him like carrion on the wind.

No, we shouldnt dwell on the past. I agree, Theo said. Its the strangeness of it all that gets me. Someone wanted me to be here.

Well, the answer to that is simple, Tresk said, perking up. Youll refuse to be put on a leash. Whoever comes to collect will find a dagger in their back, just you wait.

Especially if youre a Shadowdancer, Theo said, grinning.

We gotta get the cores, Tresk said. Ill pay for them. I need them!

Dont worry, well get them, Theo said.

Tresk served the steak, a dish that seemed lacking without the salt and butter. Theo had a greedy thought to push the farmers into raising Karatans, but shrugged it away. Salt would go a long way, though.

Plans? Tresk asked through a mouthful of meat.

Im taking it easy, still, Theo said, waving her away. Im going to make my rounds with the rest of the town. Aaroks adventurers guild is my first stop, then Banurubs farm.

Finally getting to the farm? Tresk asked, chuckling. I bet they feel abused.

Not as much as Ziz and the miners, Theo said. I told them Id look into the magic rocks they found, but I havent.

You cant do everything, Tresk said. At least they paid off the debt they owed.

Theo reflected on that. The few weeks he spent trying to break his barrier saw the quarry being paid off in full. Ziz and his stoneworkers worked tirelessly to pay off their debt, handily producing the 3 gold they owed him, and a little more. Now he had the pleasure of sitting back and taking 10 percent of their profits without lifting a finger. He felt guilty, but only for a moment. Without him, theyd still be laboring for poverty wages.

That was a selfish thought that led back to Mianas portent. The entire town would still be on the verge of starving, living in the mud. He didnt want to be anyones savior, let alone set up by some nonsense concept like destiny. Theo often felt like an invader in Broken Tusk. Thrust into the mayors seat with little fanfare. He wanted the position, but that didnt make it any better.

I deserve the mayors position, right? Theo asked. Even after what Miana told me.

Of course, Tresk said, blowing raspberries. Look, you didnt have to stay here. It made the most sense for you, but you could have left. Some big-time alchemist in Qavell would have killed to have you in their shop. Anytime you feel doubtful, talk to me. Ill set you straight.

Thats brilliant advice, Theo said, grinning.

He wasnt just inflating her ego, either. Tresk made a great sounding board for his doubts.

Of course it is, you dirty Demon, Tresk said. Eat your food.

Theo obeyed, cutting off a sizeable chunk of steak and shoving it in his mouth. Instead of dwelling on something he couldnt change, he shifted his thoughts to the task at hand. The problem with the farmers wasnt a single problem. There were several problems. He didnt have the growth potion, but had reserved that until he talked to them. Unlike with Pergs tannery issue, he couldnt be sure if making things grow faster would be a good thing. Perhaps the demand for Zee, the corn-like crop the farmers grew, wasnt as high as he expected.

I wonder what the farmers need, Theo said, taking another bite.

Tresk shrugged, swallowing the rest of her meal with little chewing. Good question. Karatans, maybe. I dont know how they do in the southlands. Maybe a breeding program for another kind of creature. Access to different seeds. Some growing potionsthat was your original plan.

Well, no sense sitting here, Theo said, looking out the window. The farmers rise well before we do, so Ill go have a chat with Banurub after Ive met with Aarok.

Guess what Im doing? Tresk asked.This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.

Dungeon?

Nope. Patrol duty, Tresk said, grinning. Someone said they saw a Goblin riding a Wolf.

Theo grimaced. Thats weird. Does that normally happen? Monsters working together like that?

Yeah, they get more organized. Its like phases of development. More monsters, more cooperation, strongeryou know. Phases.

Right. Ill tell Aarok to reserve monster cores for the town, Theo said.

Yeah, come here, Tresk said, holding her arms up, beckoning him to stoop to her level. She pressed her forehead against his, and they gained a bit more experience. Almost 10. So close. Were gonna get something coolI can feel it.

Theo snorted a laugh. Yeah, its your turn.

Honestly, were fine, Banu said, leaning forward. Im sure there are others that need your help.

No, youre next on my list, Theo said, knitting his brow. I wanted to elevate the whole farm. I wanted the laborers to get paid more.

I already raised their rates, Banu said, waving a dismissive hand. Laborers can make 5 copper a day, now.

Why? Theo asked. How can you afford that?

Cost of Zee went up, Banu said, grinning.

Theo let out a long breath. He pressed his fingers into his temples. 5 copper a day was good, but it wasnt sustainable. People earning that wage would make a decent living, but they wouldnt thrive. And what would happen when the price of Zee went down? Theyd be left living a lifestyle they couldnt support, coming back to the same problem they had before. No, that wasnt acceptable.

Alright, Banu. We need to think of ways to improve your business, Theo said. Things that I can invest in, so you can make more money. You need to expand to support your workers.

Banus brows knit tightly, and he stared out of the window. He stayed like that for some time before responding.

Well, I guess I can think of a few things, Banu said. Exporting Zee is profitable, but we could grow other things.

Would you have any use for potions that make your crops grow faster? Theo asked.

The problem with that idea is that I dont know what itll put in the soil, Banu said. Zee has a very specific need, namely the mud from the marsh. If that gets screwed up, the Zee wont grow.

Alright, thats a start, Theo said. I can look into improving the quality of the soil. Do you have any interest in starting a ranch? Raising livestock?

Well, thats quite expensive, Banu said.

Good thing you have an investor sitting in your house, Theo said, narrowing his eyes.

The alchemist couldnt figure out if the man was leading him on, being intentionally short-sighted, or if it was honestly just the way he was.

Well put a ranch on the back-burner and focus on improving the production of Zee, Theo said. I hope you dont mind if I stop by the farm occasionally to experiment.

As long as you dont hurt the crop, I dont care, Banu said.

Theo reached out a hand for the farmer to shake, which he did. Ill be back often. Well sort this out.

Bye.

Theo left, feeling worse about the problem than when he started. Banus farm would need a firm hand, he could tell. He walked down the avenue between the fields and scooped up a handful of dirt from the base of a Zee stalk, intending to return to the lab and begin experimentation immediately. The [Drogramath Alchemy Core] whispered in tandem with the [Drogramath Herbalism Core], urging him to investigate the soil. There was something special in that mud. He just had to discover what it was.

Plants needed nutrients in the ground to grow, Theo knew that much. Earth was a mess when it was destroyed, and he never tried his hand at growing anything in the fouled soil there. Still, he understood the base concept and his cores would do the rest of the work. His mind reached for information it shouldnt have, his intuition coming up with a few ideas to start with. Then, his thoughts shifted to his own needs. The needs of his lab and the constant hunt for the never-ending reagents.

Back burner, Theo said, nodding to himself.

The storms opened up over the swamp, a sheet of rain visible from the distance. Theo pulled his robe tight and let the storm wash over him. The curtain pulled itself over Broken Tusk, visible clearly from the height of the farmers hill. Tresk had been collecting [Spriggan Hearts] from the dungeon, giving him a hefty stockpile. He reserved himself to grinding out herbs to get to level 10 in his herbalism core, letting everything fall by the wayside until the pressure vessel was done.

Light experimentation until then, Theo said, barely audible over the driving rain.

The alchemist made his way back to the Newt and Demon, watching as people ran to cover from the rain. He pushed through his front door, pouring some [Cleansing Scrub] on his head before greeting Azrug.

No customers, yet, Azrug said.

I doubt well see much in this rain, Theo said, peering out the front window.

You never know. Any plans for the day? Azrug asked.

Experimentation, Theo said. The farmers dont want my help.

Thats farmers for you, Azrug said. You need to show them they want your help.

Theo nodded, clapping a hand over the shopkeepers shoulder. I think youre right.