Chương 42: A Farmer's Domain

Ch. 42 - A Farmer's Domain Wyatt was immediately conscious of his new Skill as soon as he woke up. There was an awareness, a knowledge of the surrounding area he'd claimed that hadn't been there before. It wasn't all-encompassing, he had to concentrate for it to work, but when Wyatt focused on the sounds of the Elves moving about their tents outside of the farmhouse, he could suddenly tell exactly what they were doing.

Alvar and Aslak were up and tending to their fire, Thrais was sitting down outside of his tent, talking to Krista, and Ronja was still laying down on her bedroll. This information came to him immediately, just a fact that was as obvious to Wyatt as where he was himself. When Wyatt turned his attention to elsewhere on his land, even more became apparent. If he focused on the stream, he could tell where the trout were, which banks had crayfish resting beneath the overhangs.

When Wyatt pulled his focus to the edge of his awareness, off to the far side of the woods, he could sense the group of Armoured Tuskers, rooting around at the ground just at the boundary of what he had claimed. In fact, they … Wyatt sat bolt upright in his bedroll, displacing and startling Kit who sprang away from where she had been laying against his chest. The silver fox looked around wildly.

'What? What's wrong?'

"I can sense … my new Skill, it …" Wyatt focused, his attention on the large boar-like creatures at the edge of his perception. They didn't appear to be coming any closer, not crossing the borders of his land. Although going by his new Skill, perhaps he should be calling it his Demesne. Wyatt only barely recognised the word, but he had to admit it had a certain ring to it. Regardless, it seemed like his Skill was working in keeping the Armoured Tuskers from straying too close.

Kit batted Wyatt on the leg with one paw, sounding irate and a little worried.' Wyatt, what's wrong?' Wyatt shook himself, letting go of his extra senses. He could still feel it there though, just outside of his conscious thought, and it felt like he would notice if something suddenly appeared on his land that shouldn't be there.

"Sorry, Kit. Everything is fine. I just levelled last night. My new Skill, [Demesne Sense], took a bit of getting used to." Kit relaxed, then regarded Wyatt with a look that was both impressed and relieved. Her tail waved through the air in growing excitement.' Now that is a good Skill, Wyatt. So [I Claim this Land] worked. This area is now your domain.' Wyatt smiled broadly. He got to his feet, and stretched. He felt full of energy, ready to tackle whatever the day threw at him.

But there was also a newfound sense of responsibility. While the Elves were here, working on his behalf, he had to keep them safe. It would be a whole lot easier with [Demesne Sense], but there were still some precautions he could take.

"Kit, could you do me a favour?" Kit flicked her ears, tilting her head as she looked at him.

'Within reason, sure.'

"Could you go into the woods and check that everything is safe? That the Goblins haven't ventured any closer?" Kit considered that, then nodded.

'Sure. It won't take me long.'

"Thanks, Kit, I appreciate it. I'll have breakfast ready when you get back. But be safe, okay?" The silver fox chuckled at his concern, and nuzzled him briefly. Then she was gone in a silver streak, heading for the woods. Wyatt walked out the front of the ruins, taking a deep breath, and admired his land. It felt strange to call it that—it wasn't like he'd purchased it from anyone. But his Skill had conferred a sense of ownership beyond a mere title. Wyatt could feel the land beneath his feet.

Wyatt strode out towards the fields of grass that lay between the farmhouse and the stream. The plots of earth he'd tilled were still there, with one of the wheat plots growing nicely. The other that the Armoured Tuskers had got into was still there, but only in patches. The two plots where Wyatt had planted the dungeon fruit hadn't been touched, but the seedlings were still small and stunted looking. He kept walking, his gaze surveying the land around him, heading towards where the Elves had set up their tents.

Thrais got up and walked out to meet him, looking at Wyatt curiously.

"You seem more sure of yourself this morning, Wyatt."

"I do?" Thrais nodded.

"Yes, you do. It's like … you fit." The Elf peered at Wyatt, trying to analyse him. Wyatt just shrugged, smiling.

"I levelled last night. Got a new Skill that might explain it."

"Hah, I thought it would be something like that. I miss those days, when it seemed like everything you did levelled you. But I have high hopes for your project here, especially after seeing the house you want built!"

"It still blows me away that you think you can finish the whole thing in a week." Thrais folded his arms, looking at the farmhouse with satisfaction.

"After seeing it in person, it might even take us less than that, although I wouldn't put any gold on it as a wager."

"How so?" Thrais pointed at the roof, and at the part of the second floor that was still standing.

"This really is a copy of the type of rural manor that you would find back in my homeland. I learned my trade on buildings just like this. Rebuilding this farmhouse … it's like coming home in a way."

"And that makes it easier?" Thrais laughed.

"Not really, no! If it was a simple repair … but we are gutting the top floor. Still, I can put everything back to how it used to look." Wyatt grinned.

"It's an understatement to say I'm looking forward to it. Do you need any help?" Thrais eyed Wyatt speculatively for a moment, then shook his head.

"Sorry, but no, Wyatt. You aren't trained and will slow us down. If we need assistance, we'll call for you. Today is mostly getting the sawmill up and running, perhaps starting deconstruction. Do you have any preferences? About the tree-felling I mean." Wyatt gave the Elf a crooked smile.

"Not really. I mean, don't clear-fell everything! But apart from that, I'll leave it to you."

"There's no chance of that, it's not our style. And you have seen the size of the trees, haven't you? Our main focus is going to be safely bringing them down. We will have to start from the outer edges of the woods though, just because there isn't room to cut the trees down the further we go in." Wyatt nodded easily.

"Alright. I've sent Kit to do a sweep of the woods, make sure everything is safe. But don't venture more than a few hundred feet into the interior, alright?"

"Why not? Is there a danger in the woods?"

"Not so much danger, but I can use a Skill to keep an eye on what's happening around you. But it only works on the outer edge of the woods." Thrais went still at hearing that, and gave Wyatt a long searching look. Then he chuckled to himself.

"Well, that's a surprise. I'll be sure to let my team know, Wyatt." Wyatt gave the Elf a curious look, but then shrugged with a smile.

"I mean it though, let me know if you need a hand with something. I'm just going to be around the farmhouse or in the fields leading down to the stream." Wyatt didn't sense Kit returning yet, so he figured he had time to catch some more trout for breakfast. He could use [Demesne Sense] to get an idea of just how many fish there were in the waterway—it was packed. All the same, Wyatt wanted to get up to speed with actually growing more of his own food as quickly as possible.

He didn't want to adversely affect the ecosystem. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Wyatt was on his way back with three large trout when he became aware of Kit entering the limits of his awareness. The fox streaked out of the woods and across the fields towards him, a blur of motion that slowed down as she reached the longer grass.

She moved towards Wyatt with a series of bounding leaps, popping up into view for a moment before diving back down out of sight. There was no sense of urgency in her though, and Wyatt got the feeling she was just enjoying the feeling of running.

"Everything okay in the woods, Kit?" Kit was panting slightly, but her mouth was open in a grin. She shook her head.

'Nothing that I could see. I went all the way to their camp—there are fewer Goblins then there were before, maybe two missing. But there was no trace of their scent within the woods, they haven't ventured any closer to us.' Wyatt crouched down and ran his hand over her head and ears. He smiled.

"That's great news. Are you okay with checking every day? Just to be safe."' Of course. But what are you going to do if they do venture closer?' Wyatt straightened, sighing.

"I'm not sure. But it's not just me I have to worry about, I can't take risks on someone else's account. Just keep checking. If they come closer … I'll deal with it." Kit cocked her head, eyeing him seriously. Then nodded.

'I'll keep checking, don't worry.'

"Thanks, Kit. So … breakfast?" Wyatt held up the fresh trout, and Kit yipped eagerly. The trout was delicious as always, but after they were done eating, Wyatt carried the remains of the fish outside. He usually buried them, but he had been considering something Thrais had said the day before. Wyatt walked out the back of the farmhouse, to the area between the building and the woods. He could see the Elves some distance away, doing something amongst the giant trees.

Perhaps figuring out which would be the best one to fell first.' What are you doing with the fish?' Wyatt smiled at Kit.

"Experimenting." Wyatt walked around the area, trying to judge a spot that was far enough from the farmhouse as to not be in the way of Thrais and his team, but close enough that he could keep an eye on it. In the end, Wyatt chose a patch of flat ground slightly off to the side, about a third of the way to the woods. It was covered in long grass like all the land around the farmhouse, but Wyatt was picturing what it could be. Kit sat down close by, watching him curiously.

'Are you going to plant some more crops? More wheat?'

"Yes to the first, no to the second. This is our spot Kit, this is where we are going to stay. We are going to be here at least a week until Thrais is done, so there's time to look after something that I actually want to grow." Wyatt casually tossed the remains of the fish onto the ground before him. It was instantly swallowed up by the long grass, but he knew it was there. Kit cocked her head.' And what are you planning on doing with that?' Wyatt grinned.

"Being creative." Wyatt reached into his bag of holding, and took out one of his purchases he had made back in the city. He'd been surprised to find it; it had been at the back of a dusty shop selling the goods of a local blacksmith. Most of what they'd had had been weaponry, but there had been a selection of tools and farm implements. But as soon as he'd seen the trenching shovel he knew he had to have it. Kit eyed the long-handled shovel dubiously.

"I still don't feel like that is as useful as your old shovel." Wyatt grinned, hefting the implement. The trenching shovel was a different design from the more traditional one he'd used before. The handle was long, coming up to below his shoulder, and it had a narrow cutting edge and blade instead of the more usual wide head of a shovel. Its main use was to cut through roots and dig through hard soil.

The shaft was heavy, constructed of a hardwood that Wyatt didn't recognise, and the socket of the shovel blade extended almost a foot along the shaft. The whole construction was incredibly sturdy, and in his hand it felt remarkably similar to the original heavy spear he'd been given by Raek.

"I'd agree with you, Kit, if I hadn't seen what Skills can do. I think the blacksmith who made this was more used to weaponry—the balance of it feels very similar to holding a spear."' But more unwieldy.' Wyatt hesitated, then nodded.

"Yeah, I wouldn't trade it in for a weapon, Kit. But I could definitely use this in a pinch, and in the meantime I can activate my Skills with it! I think." Kit sounded more than a little amused as she watched Wyatt swing the shovel around experimentally.' Well don't let me stop you. What are you going to do first?'

"Well, first I want to … uh …"' You don't know?' Wyatt laughed ruefully.

"No, I do. I just wanted to do a few things at once. How do I activate more than one Skill at the same time?" Kit settled down, resting her head on her front paws.' Just try. If you can, you'll be able to. You don't have to say them out loud, if it helps.' Wyatt blinked, getting distracted. He looked at Kit with surprise.

"You don't have to say Skills out loud?" Kit shook her head.' Not always. It's tricky to do, and not everyone manages to learn. It's something you should practice, although it's not critical outside of combat. But if you wish to try multiple Skills at the same time, just say them before activating them.'

"Activate?" Kit sounded patient.' Whatever action you take that makes it work. Like using your shovel when you use [Till the Earth].'

"Ah, right. Got it." Wyatt focused, setting his shoulders. He moved into position, in front of the patch of ground where he had tossed the remains of their breakfast. Wyatt raised his shovel.

"[Till the Earth] [Add Fertiliser]!" Wyatt pushed the blade of the trenching shovel into the ground, and the earth in front of him instantly turned over, the soil tilled and arranging in furrows like a plough had just run through it. The grass and plant matter—and the fish—vanished, turned and folded deep into the soil. Even though he had expected it, Wyatt laughed in delight in seeing something that seemed just like magic to him.

He extended his new senses, focusing on the plot of ground he had used his Skill on, and [Demesne Sense] informed him that the earth was now rich in nutrients, curtesy of [Add Fertiliser]. Kit got to her feet and trotted closer, sniffing at the tilled earth curiously.' The fish?' Wyatt leant on his shovel, smiling as he regarded what he'd done.

"Turned into the soil. I can even tell that it's been broken up and spread out, just like the grass and plant matter. Good way to get rid of our scraps, hey?" Kit looked vaguely impressed, but also amused.' Yes, very handy. Although I'm not sure exactly how innovative it is. It was only a few fish bones.' Wyatt held up a finger to forestall her.

"Ah, but that would have worked on something even bigger! I think." Kit laughed silently.

'I suppose we can try it out if we ever hunt something bigger. Like maybe if you have another tussle with Sir Tusker.' Wyatt shook his head, looking shocked.

"I could never! But I wouldn't kill something just to check my Skill anyway. I do have a feeling that it would work though, like anything that would naturally decay or decompose would get put into the ground." Kit flicked her ears, going back to her spot so she could watch Wyatt.' If your Skill is telling you that, then it would work that way.' Wyatt placed down a second plot of tilled earth next to the first. Then he opened up his bag of holding, and took out some of his precious seeds.'

What are you going to plant?' Wyatt started to move down the pre-furrowed lines in the earth, placing down seeds well spaced apart, smiling to himself as he did. He was finally planting them, the seeds he had carried safely across two worlds. He would be able to answer the unspoken promise to his Grandparents. And, thanks to [Swift Germination], he would be able to watch them grow by the end of the day, instead of waiting perhaps a week or more.

"These are tomatoes, Kit. Heirloom varieties, like I mentioned before. That just means that they grow true to seed, every generation that you sow them." Wyatt finished sowing the seeds on the two plots of earth, then carefully put the remaining seeds away. Then he took out another four packets.' What are those? Different types of tomato?' Wyatt shook his head.

"Nope. This next part is just an experiment. I'm not sure how effective [Add Fertiliser] is, so I'm going to plant beans next to half of the tomatoes in these two plots."

'Beans?'

"Yep. Just simple Harvester Beans. They'll help fix nitrogen back into the soil. I'll compare how well the tomatoes grow in the rows with beans to the rows without. Plus, we get beans!" Kit cocked her head.' What is nitrogen?' Wyatt hesitated. He paused, thinking.

"Uh, I guess you could just think of it as a nutrient that plants need to grow. I guess you don't know about chemicals in this world." Kit sounded unsure.' Do you mean like acid?' Wyatt laughed softly.

"I guess that answers that question. I'll tell you more about it later, Kit, if you want." The silver fox nodded firmly.

'See that you do. Are those other three packets of seeds different types of beans?'

"Nope! These three are herbs! We are finally going to have some proper flavour, not just salt. I'm going to intersperse Basil, Chives, and Oregano amongst the tomatoes and beans. The basil and chives will help keep any pests away, plus they'll help attract more pollinators when they flower. I haven't seen any bees in the dungeon yet, but I suppose there aren't all that many flowers about at the moment with all the fields of grass. The oregano won't do much by itself, but it's a plant that sticks low to the ground.

It'll act like living mulch for the other plants." Kit watched Wyatt affectionately. Her regard was such that he noticed, looking at her quizzically.

"What?" Kit shook her head, amused.

'It's just that you're so excited. More than I think I've ever seen you before.' Wyatt grinned back unabashedly.

"I feel a bit like a little kid. Like I'm finally getting to do what I've always wanted." Wyatt finished planting all the seeds, then he took a few steps back. He picked up his trenching shovel, and raised it at the ready.

"Right! [Watered Earth]!" Wyatt watched the plot of earth expectantly … but nothing happened. Kit coughed pointedly.

'Ah, Wyatt?'

"Yeah?"

'You might want to try that particular Skill with something that contains water. Not a shovel.' Wyatt blinked, looking at the end of his shovel. He grinned.

"Yeah, that would probably work better." Wyatt took out his water-skin, uncorking the end. He tipped it carefully, letting a stream of water fall down and splatter on the bare soil.

"[Watered Earth]." In an effect that was similar to [Till the Earth], the instant Wyatt activated his Skill, the entire plot took on a darker hue, as though properly watered. Wyatt stepped back in satisfaction, his hands on his hips.

"That's so much easier! And it didn't even use all the liquid in the water-skin! And—" Wyatt focused on the skill.

"—it has the same number of uses as [Till the Earth]!" Kit nodded, unexcited.' Yes, doesn't that just make sense? They are your Skills after all.' Wyatt grinned at her.

"Yeah I guess. I suppose it's not like hotdogs and buns." Kit gave him a long stare.

'… I have no idea what that means.' Wyatt coughed apologetically.

"Ah, never mind. Just something my Gramps used to say." Wyatt used his Skills to create a further two plots of tilled earth, and then it was on cooldown for the day. He planted more tomatoes, but this time he added carrots underneath them, in amongst the basil and chives.

'No beans this time? Or Oregano?'

"I'll see how the first two plots perform before deciding on the beans. And the carrots are good, because they don't compete with the tomato's for space—they also do well in the partial shade of the taller plants. Plus—" Wyatt grinned.

"—we could probably do with more vegetables in our diet." Wyatt finished watering the crops he'd planted, then he stood next to Kit, just smiling. He sighed happily.

"I love this, you know." Kit looked up at him affectionately, then nuzzled at his leg.' I can tell.' In the distance they could hear the sound of an axe hitting the trunk of a tree. The sound echoed, reverberating across the open fields around the farmhouse.

"Want to go watch the Elves for a bit?" Kit gave him an amused look.' Sure.'