Homesteading in a fantasy world

The wolf was doing well at the start, but the flow was quite fast here and when she was 2/3 the way across, she started to slow down. The wound and the fighting had taken a heavy price on her stamina.

“If you bite or kill me for this, I will haunt you until you die.” Luckily, I wasn’t wearing any armor when I was doing my workout, so I was able to jump in quickly, only having to remove some clothing.

I was able to get a hold of her scruff and help her to the shore. As we got to the shore, I was expecting her to attack me as soon as she got a few breaths in, but that didn't happen. Her eyes looked a lot like a dogs, gentle and that puzzled me a bit.

I tried the animal inspection ability, and the result surprised me.

Name: none

Species: Forest wolf

Gender: Female

Age: 5

Health: pregnant, starving, wounded

Diet: Meat

Evolutions: Emotional intelligence

Oh, hell no, an evolved animal with an extremely interesting evolution, emotional intelligence. Does she understand kindness and feelings better?

She sure looked like she understands me better. I’m guessing because I left the meat, she knows I wasn’t an enemy. I’m guessing that the entire forest is currently being overrun by goblins. So, she had no place left to hide.

“Come on then, let’s see if you want any snake. It’s a bit smoky but it shouldn’t be quite done yet” She did follow eventually when I also used my guiding thought ability.

She was a lot more suspicious about the food when she sniffed it, but I kept using my ability to ensure to her that it was safe to eat.

I had to strip off one of the parts that was done and show her that its food by eating it and then she finally believed that it was safe enough and gobbled up everything I gave quite fast.

“Now, what am I going to do with you? Do you want to stay here, perhaps?” I’d love some more company. I think I’ve been going a bit stir crazy. The only thing that’s been keeping me sane is always working, the bull, and the goblin problem.

“Now let’s go and take a walk around the farm. I need to show you some things you can’t eat.” She did want to eat the rabbits and the chickens, but thanks to my ability and some harsh words, I was able to keep her in line.

She felt more like a dog that wasn't properly taught, but that was smart enough to understand new rules and limitations.

The bull and wolf didn’t like each other that much and I’m guessing if she decides to stay, at least until she gives birth, they will be getting along a bit better.

“Now come here and let’s get the look of that back leg of yours.” It wasn’t a bad cut and quite shallow, but just in case I did clean it with water and put a cloth bandage over it that I quickly made.

She had been quite silent and was still quite silent but after I finished, she gave me a head nuzzle, making me understand that she appreciated all that I did.

“Where would you like to stay then?” I followed as she moved towards the barn and then choose one of the empty stalls where one of the horses used to be.

I quickly pulled out some hay from the hayloft and put some bedding down. That got me some more nuzzles, but it was now time for bed for the both of us and I hoped that the evolution she has will make it possible for her to stay on the farm.

The next day after I woke up and ate, I opened my door and, to my surprise the wolf was waiting there. When she saw me, she started to wag her tail.

“Well, good morning to you as well.” “Woof woof.” “And how can I help you today?” This was quite amusing, and I had a smile on my face. “Woof woof.” “Do you perhaps want food?” “Woof.” I guess so, but that’s actually a really good question.

She didn’t seem to like the smoked meat much. I straighten myself up and look towards the grasslands.

I didn’t have the free time needed to go hunting myself the goblins could attack at any moment, but she looked well enough perhaps she could hunt herself.

I start to walk towards the grasslands, I looked back, stopped and started patting my side thigh. “Come on, let's go and see if we can get you some food.”

It will be a good idea to do some nonverbal communication. I had to nudge her a bit with my ability, so she better understand what I meant. That gave me a level up in guiding thought.

As we got close to the grasslands, I could see her putting her nose up to smell and then close to the ground. I think she can already smell them.

“Well, are you up for a hunt? Don't let me hold you back.” It took a little bit longer until we got closer and then she took off. I think she found a recent smell trail. I wondered if I could teach her not to go after a rabbit before I give her the command.

I left her there. Hopefully she will figure it out and if not, I guess I will have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

I run back to get my chores done and went on my watch. Soon after I started, I start to get the feeling again that someone is watching me.

That was extremely annoying because I couldn’t see who or where I was being watched from. For a moment I thought maybe the wolf had come back, but I didn’t see her.

I was puzzling about this and couldn’t find a way to solve my current problem. I tried to use my energy sight, but that didn't help me.

The energy was everywhere and after a while everything becomes hazy. I believe it’s because the air has energy as well and that creates a similar effect as fog.

I then tried to use the plant sight but when I turned it on it looked completely different from the way before.

It took me a bit to figure it out, but I left my energy sight on and now the two had merged. So now I was only seeing the energy that the plants had.

Some had more, some had less, some moved in different ways, some had more of one type of energy than another. It was all magnificent, and I felt the need to just experiment with this for the next three months.

When I did turn it off, my sight changed for a brief moment before I didn’t see energy at all. It didn’t just turn off, but faded like turning down the volume.

It took a bit of working and experiments, but I was able to vary the intensity of both visions. After that, it didn't take me long to find the correct dial up to basically take out all the fog from energy sight and thanks to that, I noticed the goblin that was watching me.

As I looked in its direction, I could see that it now slowly started to retreat further into the forest and I quickly lost sight of it.

I might have to pick a sight skill every time it comes up. They seem to be extremely useful with a little bit more experimentation and if they all overlap, it will be amazing.

I kept playing with it for a bit more until I heard a few barks coming from the farmhouse. “Over here.” I yelled towards the farm.

A moment later, I saw her strutting towards me. When she got close, I noticed that she had something in her mouth. It was a rabbit.

She dropped it and barked again. “Did you bring it for me that’s so sweet, but you can have that one for later” I think she didn’t like me declining that, but I’ve always read more into animal behaviour than might be normal.

“I will get the next one when you go hunting but today you keep that to yourself” I had to speak a few more times and tried to express myself with my body more, but eventually I think she got it and wasn’t that mad about it.

She took the rabbit and went off towards the farm. I got back on watch. There was a lot less movement today. I think tomorrow or the day after that will determine if I can enjoy this life longer.

POV the goblin scout

Damn, that human is a scary one. I was certain my skills will be able to keep me hidden and I’m certain it worked for a while, but then he just found a way to find me. I wish I could talk with him and get a hold of everything he knows. But unfortunately, these might be his last days of living.

That burning poison smoke sure was an ingenious way to kill off all our breeders quickly. When did he even discover our encampment?

I told the commander to leave him alone, but some of the starving goblins wanted to get an easy meal when they heard about the farm and get a better position in the camp, so they went and tried to get across the bridge.

An absolutely stupid decision that led to the destruction of the breeders. At least, the commander and the shaman didn’t try to make more breeders. That would have left us with absolutely no future.

But thanks to their stupid decisions for a while now, has left me an opportunity to gain some power. I now have about 50 goblins under my command.

I now have the 3rd biggest forces in the camp, but most of my troops are too fresh. If I didn’t know better, I would say that the human was purposely helping me to gain more power.

As I made it back to the encampment, my right hand quickly ran up to me.

“Sub commander, they already called the meeting to discuss their next move. I think they have found the culprit.”

This wasn't the greatest news. I was hoping to get a few more days to gather more forces onto my side so no one will be able to challenge my claim as a sub commander.

My rise was too fast, and absolutely no one likes that. I quickly move towards the main tent. Mostly everything is now fixed, but I can still see some marks off the fire.

As I quickly approached, I heard that commander speaking.

“You think it's that farm and that human responsible? Explain yourself NOW!”

I heard the first scout sub commander responded to that.

“Yes, we found a big trail that we suspect he used while carrying the container with the burning poison smoke, commander”

Took him so long, he truly is useless. It took me 30 minutes to find that obvious trail. It took a lot longer to find and follow his retreat trail to the river crossing he made using some kind of device that has spikes that go into the dirt.

A clever device that I would like to see in action, so perhaps we could copy or steal it. I walk in confidently and see the commander. His height and build are always intimidating.

“Commander, I have a report to give. I have found how our enemy escaped and where he is located.”

“Little too late, as always. I already found everything, second scout sub commander”

“Silence,” yelled the commander. “Speak of what you have found, but if there isn't any new information, I will get rid of one of your arms”

He really hates me. I think he knows that I might be close to getting an ability, meaning that I will be the second goblin here with such a boon.

“I was able to follow the enemy's retreat route and found that he was using some kind of device with spikes to cross the river.”

“Just in case I followed the river all the way to the lake to see if there were any more of these marks”

“And after the farm a bit further towards the lake, there were also spike marks and when night fell, I inspected around the bridge and found near it also the same spike marks.”

“I believe that human has a device to walk across the river without using the bridge and without using rope, commander.”

There was silence for a bit and during that time I watched in Goard Bih's direction. He was sweating. I think he knew that his position as first scout subcommander will end soon.

“Well, at least now we know it's that farm and that human for certain. Good enough to keep your arm.”

“I want everyone moving as soon as possible towards that farm. I want the Fat Across there and I want the Beaver moved there, as well”

There was silence for a moment, but the commander broke it.

“I SAID NOW.”

He hit his chair, almost breaking it. He was truly mad, and the human will certainly die, but I guess there is still a small chance. I should still get ready.