The Red Lands

The Jalethorne blossoms end winter

Clod announced before breakfast that spring arrived early. He and Jim had spotted the purple bloom of the Jalethorne shrub in the herb garden. The welcome announcement generated cheers and a collective sigh in the workshop.

The Jalethorne shrub long represented the official sign marking the end of winter. Even on the farm, where humans didn't resort to hunkering down, the end of winter shed its constraining burden.

"I need to check the seeds in the storeroom. We might have to purchase some more."

"We definitely require more vegetable seeds. Especially for pickles since we have a market."

"The Trading Post already sent our request to Limerock for grains. Since the Bitzer incident, the city has opened its storage to distribute to the affected villages. We should be able to capitalize on it and fill our warehouse before the bulk of the slaves arrive."

After eating a cheery meal, Chu held the customary briefing before everyone dispersed. Jim departed with Dyna and Miki to the forest to relieve Rind and the others who had overnighted at the goblin camp. Watching them leave the table, his eyes fell on the approaching scarlet figure. No doubt, today began the same.

The Hakkim strolled over with the grace and bearing of one who integrated herself into this foreign environment.

Ishara cast her golden eyes on the human sitting at the table. Since arriving at this human habitation, she gained insight into the lifestyle and hierarchy of the farm. Maintaining her air of dignity, the Hakkim gauged the progress of humans from this unexpected contact.

Her blonde-haired guide generously copied and translated notes and left them in the workshop and the barn. The gesture facilitated simple communication between the likewise curious inhabitants.

Secretly, her heart palpitated at the progress the humans accomplished over the centuries.

The savory food underwent preparations different from the standard roasting and boiling.

The farming equipment boggled her mind as the brawny, limping farmer carried her on a tour.

The forging methods with their bellows matched the level of the Hakkim.

The basic weaponry remained the same, but the multishot demonstration left her spellbound.

"Human need to honor the oath of the Alliance."

"This human weak. Clan not big. Not able to fight Kurat."

At this point in their daily conversation, Ishara would always picture administering a slap that sent the boy tumbling across the workshop. The immature brat wielded undisputed authority among his clan of trained occupants, yet refused to budge like a sleeping turtle.

"Human bonded by oath. Words of the Shaman ring true. If humans do not ally and save the remaining Sky Tribe, then the chaos will descend."

Ishara continued pressing with familiar words. She gazed upon the short, ruffled, raven-haired boy. This sentence of hers usually had the boy reaching for the translated notes to forge excuses. More than a few times, he had the gall to suggest she hop across to the nearby human settlement to request aid. He had even nominated her as a weapons trainer in the farm without even asking.

Today, however, it seems as if her perseverance finally paid off.

A visibly exhausted face yielded before her eyes. Ishara watched as the boy rubbed his forehead, showing signs of cracking under her demand.

The boy rose wearily from his chair and sighed. Waving her to follow, he searched the notes before speaking.

"Very well then, follow me. I will hear you out today and think about how I can help."

Smiling in triumph, the Hakkim traced the footsteps behind the boy, unaware of the smirking face leading her on. Men had died under this scheming face without even knowing how they died.

Getsum Prickus and the Mong bandits would willingly testify to this...

***

The middle-aged man tramped towards his home near the village center. Glancing at the drops of water dangling from the melting tips of the icicles adorning his roof, he exhaled with content. The early meeting this morning with the various leaders of the village uplifted his heart.

First, the lead trapper residing in the village announced that winter was officially over. As per the ritual handed down for generations, the Village Chief, the head warrior, and elder advisers witnessed the blooming Jalethorne shrub at the south gate.

Recalling the refreshing purple flower with its bright red internals, the man sighed while offering a brief prayer for his ancestors.

Generations ago, before the formation of the empire and kingdoms, stories were told of wandering human tribes who discovered the Jalethorne flowers. Even to this day, humans follow the ancient tradition of planting the wild but crucial shrub to the south of their dwellings.

"When the snow melts, the roads will require time to dry out. While waiting for the caravans to arrive, the woodsmen can begin their preparations. It would be best, however, for guards to accompany the men. I dare say, the fear of winter overshadows our hearts."

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Using a staff for show, more than support, the mumbling man stamped his boot on the stone step of his home. The broom leaning at the side of the recently swept stones confirmed his daughter had begun her work.

The second and most wonderful news he received this morning concerned his hardworking offspring. The Captain this morning indicated his intent on having the young lady become his mistress.

Yesterday, his daughter caught the eye of this forty-something man when she fetched water. The Captain belonged to the reinforcements from Karst, which arrived after the Bitzer defeat. Most importantly, he belonged to a noble house in the town.

In a private gossip with Commander Joss, he learned the man who matched him in age had also only joined the garrison to achieve a little fame. By summer, he would serve out his commission and return to his position as a noble. Becoming the mistress or maid to such a man undoubtedly spelled benefits to his daughter.

The girl, however, would hear none of this. When the nobleman departed yesterday, after being a tad bit demanding in his request, his daughter objected to the offer. For the first time in his life, his gentle and obedient child tossed the small pouch of 'donated' coppers in his face while refusing to obey.

No matter how much he and his wife tried to persuade the ignorant child of the long-awaited opportunity, she remained defiant.

In the heat of the moment, the man slapped his daughter, who ran crying into her room. Last night, the uncontrolled sobbing and whimpering caused his heart to ache considerably. Why didn't she understand that he did this for her own good?

As the only child of his and his sickly wife, he had striven to attain the very best for her. He had raised her away from the eyesight of the advantageous in the hopes of granting her a better life.

"Old Winny, I'm back. You won't believe what Elder Nobble said. As one of the few surviving old men, he really thinks he's all that. Wife? Where are you?"

Walking across the small hall, he opened the door to the kitchen. Normally, his wife would have sounded a greeting even if she hovered over the kitchen pot.

Stepping in, he halted while raising an eyebrow.

His wife and daughter sat beside the wooden table. Both of their eyes remained glued on the object lying beside the flickering candle. As his eyes widened along with his dropping mouth, the heaving breaths of his wife and sparkling eyes of his daughter fled from his mind.

"By the heavens..."

On the unworthy wood, basked a small scroll, the size of his palm. The rolled parchment paper glowed white in the faint light as it appeared to be made from the finest and rarest material found on earth. The two pairs of decorated tiny handles appeared polished and carved from the milky tusks of a fearsome beast.

The strength in his legs departed, however, from the pair of bracelets which secured the closed scroll in the middle. The exquisite and otherworldly design of the gold and silver threads could only have been knitted and created by heaven itself.

Embedded in the jewelry fit for only an Empress to wield lay glittering gems which twinkled under the sparse rays of the candle.

"It... It arrived this morning."

The stuttering words of the woman never reached his ears as the man staggered towards the table. On closer scrutiny, this treasure seemed more fit in the palace of the Kings rather than in his humble kitchen. His finger approached out of sheer reflex to caress and protect this gift from the heavens.

"What are you doing? Go wash your filthy hands, you old fool! How dare you think of desecrating this gift!"

The sudden scream nearly bowled the man over. Breaking free of the infatuation, he recovered his senses. Nodding to his wild-haired, hysterical wife, the normally shrewd man ran towards the water barrel. Rubbing and scraping his hands, he spent some time under the watchful gaze of his wife.

His senses, which had fled earlier, slowly returned. Glancing around at the closed doors and shuttered windows, he whispered.

"Who brought this? Where did you get it?"

"A messenger from the Thomas farm."

The old woman smacked her dried lips while continuing.

"He said it's an invitation to our daughter. The boy asked me if you could read. When I answered yes, he said further information is inside. He only bowed to me and my daughter before leaving."

Swallowing in anticipation, she raised her hand to the scroll.

"Who are we to receive an invitation such as this? Old Beth said that place is no ordinary farm. We all witnessed how they wiped out those Demon Beasts in one night. Her boy, who works in Trading Post, says even the new Master treats them with respect."

The man ignored the beads of liquid trickling down his forehead. Recalling his interactions with the said farm, he pinpointed no discussion that warranted an invitation fit for a King. Inhaling deeply, his washed fingers embraced the hallowed item.

***

Little Kindle guided the trotting horse towards the stable. Sliding down before the large doors, he then led the animal inside. High above, the open windows allowed sunlight to pour into the structure, but the series of puffing chimneys warded off the cold.

"Hey, Kindle. Where were you off to this morning?"

A crop of red hair popped out from behind a stall. The handle of a rake stood over her shorter head.

"Ms. May had me ride out to the village. Something about making Root look good. I nearly got the shock of my life when I saw what they had me deliver. I now know why poor Elder Pick stumbled around these past few days with bags under his eyes. How come you're also here?"

The boy replied while tending to his horse. Dyna was one year older than him, but she belonged to an elite group.

"Lucy told me to take care of our horses today. She and Chu won't have time. Did you ride out alone?"

"Yes, I did. Fanny even dressed me up in full leather armor. She said I had to follow etiquette by the letter. But Worths accompanied me halfway since he had to visit the new site. I'm sure they're waiting for my return at the workshop. I want to get this over so I can join Clod. Did you know they're moving the crane today?"

Kindle asked while continuing to brush the slick coat of his horse. Unlike Dyna, his sister Fanny felt he should learn to farm from Clod, instead of running around hunting in the forest. Since Stavia rescued them from the slums in Karst, his older sister had always been overprotective. Luckily, the older boys sneaked him out during their trapping escapades.

"Yup, I heard Halter and Bon bickering about it over breakfast. When you're finished with your report, I'm sure you can catch up to them."

The redhead answered while raking away the smelly straw.

"I hope so. But I still want to know why I had to carry such an expensive gift. Elder Pick really did fine work, you should have seen how it glittered."

Kindle mused. The rake on the other side of the fence paused.

"Well, Sherry said it's to show that our status has changed. I was sleepy, so I didn't pay much attention at the time. But when you travel and mingle in the city, you will realize we don't need to walk with our heads down. There are not many people who know what we know."

"I believe you, but I do want to see the city with my own eyes."

Kindle made quick work of tending to his horse before ambling to the workshop. Normally, only the kitchen crew would be present as they prepared for lunch. Today, however, most of the women on the farm had gathered. Fidgeting under the eyes of his elders, he walked up to the gathering and bowed.

Apparently, his errand appeared to be much more important than he anticipated.

"Aunty May, Aunt Stavia, I've returned."