Homesteading in a fantasy world

As Rich Dirt returned to the inn through the back door, everything was the same as when he left. He saw that the kitchen behind the bar was functional, so he brought a bag of potatoes and a little bit of salt.

The bag was quite big so he was using both hands to lift it. As he made his way in and looked towards Michael and the Ursine, he quickly had to bend his body back otherwise the water bolt would have hit his face.

There was an moment of absolute silence as everyone looked at Rich fearfully. Only Michael’s dumbstruck face looked between Rich and Bert trying to figure out what had happened.

No one knew what happened, much less what was going to follow in the next moment, but no one moved a muscle. Rich Dirt just bent his body upright again and scrutinised the Ursine and noticed the shock on its face.

The reason for that shock was simple. Bert used his energy sight on the one that had saved them and saw a core and acted on instinct as only monsters would have an energy core. But now that he scanned Rich again there wasn’t any. Bert truly didn't understand what was going on.

During the zombie killing Rich had left his energy disguise off to fight as effectively as possible. He had forgotten to reactivate his camouflage, but his own energy sight clued him in that the Ursine use the sight as well so he quickly remade his camouflage. But the problem still remained thet he had been attacked once again making everyone worried.

While Rich didn’t know the reason why he had been attacked again he wasn’t really mad about it. Rich was all too familiar with PTSD and how it can manifest in stressful situations. “Dude, you really need to stop doing that.” He said with as calm and even a tone as possible. Rich followed that up with a healthy chuckle and asked for help with peeling the potatoes as he walked past the still-stunned Michael and Bert.

Two of the older women got up and went to help. They still had no idea what was going on so they thought that the best course of action would be just to follow his instructions.

Michael was once again thankful for how generously their saviour was acting. While he had previously put aside the chance that he might be a knight, that idea was certanly back on the table.

He looked at Bert and hit him with an open hand on the shoulder and in a low voice asked. “What the fire was that?” He patiently waited for a few moments before he could hear the baritone voice of his friend. “I swear I saw a core, but I must have been mistaken. I think keeping the hibernation spell up for so long and on so many people, has made me a bit loopy.”

Michael seemed to understand that, but he still didn’t like what had happened. “Well try to get it under control and please don't attack him again. I don’t know how long his patience will last if this keeps happening”

He got a nod in return and finally, his shoulders relaxed a little bit. But his entire body stiffened when he heard Rich talk from behind the bar just behind him. “So, you mentioned you were a part of a company can you expand on this.”

How long had he been behind them Michael thought while shivers were going down his spine from the scare. “Yes, my company. It's called the Thorn Rose company. We deal in everything that could make coin.”

Michael was looking for recognition on his face but there was nothing. They were a relatively big company so he should have heard of them. Admittedly, they were having hard times recently, but so was everyone else. Rich Dirt just kept his eyes on him saying nothing.

Eventually, even his composure broke, and he started to talk more about the company itself and what it did. “Well, yes, we have two big branches; one deals with our adventurers that are not part of the Guild. They are mainly our combat force to protect us or sometimes engaged by others as mercenaries or they do dungeon-clearing missions. Those services are only for private dungeons and not guild owned, of course.”

“Then, of course, our other main branch that deals with all kinds of trading. This is our main source of income, but we do have some fixed shop locations and even a building crew that is available to be hired or if we want something built ourselves.”

Finally, the tension was broken when Rich cracked a smile. Then he said in a loud voice. “I think introductions are in order. My name is Rich Dirt and I live nearby. I came here to clear out the undead and that's about it. It was a stroke of luck that I was able to notice you guys and break you out, although I guess...” He looked towards the Ursine with a questioning look who promptly responded with his name.

“Bert, yes, thank you. As I was saying, I guess after I killed the undead Bert would have noticed it and got you out anyways but then you would have been left here without any contact with the outside world especially because I must give this sad news. There really isn’t anyone around here that’s alive. Even the closest town is basically empty and if I understand correctly the people left are not the most welcoming ones.”

“Most everyone has moved on to the county capital and beyond into adventurer guild control areas. So basically, the situation is quite bad.” After his last sentence silence fell in the inn.

The younger people were quite frightened by what was said. The adults started to think of solutions on how to stay alive. But Rich didn’t let the silence go on for too long as he wanted to know everyone’s names and their general relationship with each other.

There were three families altogether here and Bert who was a friend to them all. The first one was Michael’s family. It turned out his family was visiting his brother and Michael had come to bring them back to the duchy capital when everything started to go wrong, and they had been stuck here.

His brother was the village class smith living here with his family and the last one was the owner of the inn that they were currently occupying he was a friend to the rest of the people. And both the inn owner and the class smith were part of the company as well.

After that Rich just observed how the people discussed and argued about what to do next. Some wanted to stay here while others wanted to move to the duchy capital like they originally planned.

Then came up the problem of contacting their company but it turned out that Bert could accomplish that with some sort of a spell of his. But he told everyone that he didn't have the energy to accomplish this currently and would need a few days to replenish his energy stores while still working on recovering himself.

Then came the problem of food and how much of it was still left in the village. Rich didn’t hide the fact that basically, the entire storehouse was still full of food. This came as a surprise to everyone.

Now everyone was a bit more reluctant to go elsewhere knowing that they could easily survive the winter here. The only problem was protection, and they didn't want to rely on Rich for that.

While they were still discussing Rich went and sat beside Bert and before he could say anything Bert spoke. “I’m really sorry about the attacks. I guess I’m too jumpy from being down there for so long.”

Richard nodded his head. “Understandable and don’t worry about it. I wanted to ask you about the way you have for contacting the company you guys are a part of. Can you explain more if it isn’t rude to ask?”

Bert gave a toothy smile. “It is a bit rude but an understandable curiosity. I am surprised that you already don’t know this especially because you must be in solid silver.” For his questioning statement, he only got a waved hand implying that he should keep talking. So, he wants to keep his secrets. I guess I can understand that.

“From my druid path I have gained access to a tree teleport where I can use two trees that I know and connect them so we can quickly travel between them. I am not the only one to have this power in my company and we have something we call a messenger tree at our headquarters. For the full teleportation, I need a team of supporters to help me charge it. Usually, for messages, I can do it myself but I’m simply too drained currently.”

Rich was absolutely fascinated by everything he heard. Bert seemed to be in a talking mood, so he kept asking about the company Bert was a part of.

He learned many things but mainly that they might be a good connection to have. They had trade routes so he could sell the bows he makes and buy resources from them like salt or anything else he needs. Gears started to turn in his head. Having this company in this village would be quite a good idea.

“Hey Bert, what if I could help you with the message, I have some energy I could give depending on how much you would need.” Bert’s head snapped to look at Rich. He was quite surprised about this turn of events, and it seemed that Michael had also been listening to their conversation as he quickly made his way to them.

Before he could say anything Rich looked towards him and spoke. “I am guessing that every town and city that has the rule of law is probably bursting with people, and they will be low on food already. Perhaps you can give your company a message about how much food is here and they can perhaps bring some people to protect you guys and bring some more families here.”

“I mean this village really isn’t owned by anyone anymore so it might be a good idea to have someplace safe for your company people.” His statement made everyone pause and think about what he had said. It didn't take long for people to start to see how good an idea it was.

Michael quickly got out his writing utensils and a piece of parchment and started to write. Rich watched him and was quite sad that he didn’t know how to write, but he could read a bit because he had been taught somewhat and it did look like he was writing down the correct things at least the parts he could understand.

Rich helped Bert up and the two of them along with Michael started to walk outside towards the village centre tree so they could send a message. Rich watched in fascination how the spell was prepared. Bert used some ingredients, hand gestures and some purposeful energy manipulation to make a small greenish hole appear on the tree bark. It looks like energy-based magic can be really complex and useful.

He had to supply most of the energy as Bert manipulated it to keep the portal open. Michael quickly pushed through the message after which the portal immediately closed and they both had to catch Bert as he almost fainted from the exertion.