The Red Lands

The missing ingredient

The wide, flatbed wagon groaned at the base of the hill. Twice, the broad wheels struggled to exit their self-created trenches, only to slide back down. Chu pasted the splashing mud from his eyes while ignoring the unsalvageable splattered clothes. The neighing of the horses softened as Clod halted the activity with a shout.

"It's no use, we have to wait until Jim returns with the stones and wood planks. I can't believe we got stuck again in the mush between the hills."

"I'll have Worths map out a few paths for us. Supply roads will become very important within the next few months. It's best we attend to bad spots like these beforehand."

Halter said while glancing up towards the gathering clouds. He ran his long but coarse fingers through his straight hair.

Chu agreed with both ideas as he crouched next to one of the large hollow wheels. The modified transport wagon worked perfectly during its test run. Supporting the gargantuan treadwheel crane, it rolled across the grasslands towards the stone ruins.

Arriving at the destination southwest of the farm, the unloaded crane awed its inventors. Hoisting an oversized stone slab easily, it rotated and placed it squarely onto the waiting transport wagon.

The trouble descended on the satisfied executives during their homeward journey. The spring rains proved their effectiveness in thwarting the loaded wagon.

Peering between the barrel-like wheel, he soon spotted the problem.

"Mud has penetrated into the spaces between the wide, barrel-like wheels. Seeping inside because of the heavy load, it's no wonder the wagon has been getting stuck."

He slammed a fist onto the wheel. Standing up, a cold downpour greeted him first. Waving Halter over, he pointed to the wheel while speaking loudly over the drenching rain.

"When we return, coat the wheels in the slime from the Barrelworms. It's my fault for not using the wood to create tire molds with deep grips. I'll show you what I mean later."

Clutching his waterproof cloak, Chu sloshed out of the mud to higher ground. Lucy and Miki made use of the downpour to wring and wash away as much mud from their scarves. Barely recognizable, they appeared as if exiting from a full mud bath.

Even with the combined efforts of three Sersens, they failed in freeing the stuck transport. But then again, only Lucy truly possessed a strength-based ability.

"When we return home, I am going to have Mr. Pick use this first block of stone to carve us our crest and names. No matter where we travel, this will be our mark in this world."

"I understand you're sentimental, but can you not mention it right now? I have slimy mud, clutching and crawling around in places you really don't want to know. Right, Lucy?"

Miki grumbled. Seeing the puddles of water gathering around the transport, she pouted her lips. Chu surveyed the two soaked girls. Their matted hair and sticky shirts under their dirty armor and half-revealing cloak initiated a wolfish smirk.

"Who agreed to leave Ishara at home with Dyna to dabble with herbs? With her added strength, we probably could lift the wagon free. Besides, personally, I feel jealous of that slimy mud on both of you."

Miki flushed beet red on hearing his reply. Turning to Lucy, she saw the blonde wearing a face riper than a tomato. Obviously, she wouldn't receive any help from her companion. Chu always had a way of turning Lucy helpless.

Their brief but well-informed time spent mingling with girls in the Academy had educated their once innocent minds. With a huff, Miki pointed her trembling hand at the sweet-talker.

"Don't think your words will work on me. I told you last night that we still required the main ingredient to create the potion. You were the one who left Ishara at home because you said she still kept nagging. And keep your sweet words to yourself! Do you think those young nobles would court girls like this? Hmph!"

Hugging Lucy, the raven-haired girl snorted while pulling her blushing friend away.

A heavy hand clapped away the raindrops from his cloaked shoulder.

"You'd better get your act together, Chu. Remember, out in the world, those girls would already be raising children. When you travel, you are going to have to look out for trouble."

Clod advised.

Halter nodded nearby in agreement.

"You should also stake your claim early. Look at Clod here, he didn't shy away and stated his business like a man."

Chu looked at the mud-caked faces sharing love tips and relationship advice.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Shouldn't you two be thinking about how to get this transport home before dark?"

***

Finn watched as Rose and Knut returned from the Slave Trader.

Behind them, six figures plodded while glancing around. Rose entered the open tent and sat near the fire.

"That Trader was the worst! He kept droning on and on about how rich and lonely he was. Thankfully, he even went so far as to lower the selling price. Meet Farmer Sprouts. This is his wife, his son-in-law, and elder daughter, and his younger son and daughter. Where's Ming?"

"He went out with the stableboy to one of the churches. Oh, there he is, what the heck?"

Finn answered while staring out over the field. Approaching them, their leader chatted casually with two boys straining under a large pot. The neatly dressed man recognized a few of the faces from the following crowd. No doubt, they belonged to the hustlers who greeted them when they first arrived.

Ming paused before the tent.

"Farmer Sprouts, happy you could join us. How was it, Rose? Did the guy give you a discount?"

"You knew? I am so going to tell Clod how good his brother is. Forget it for now. What is this?"

"We have to celebrate Farmer Sprouts and his family joining us. I borrowed a large pot from the Priest at the temple. Let's cook a watered-down gruel and have a feast with these children. Do you recall your days of living like them, Shauna? Think about how much gossip you heard from the villagers who ignored you."

Ming winked while his eyes rested at Shauna. He laid out his instructions.

"Shauna, grab a few cloaks for Farmer Sprouts and his family and warm some water for a bath. Old man, you shouldn't fidget and worry about that slave mark; in a few years, it will be removed. The slave trader testified to it, and you will soon meet living examples."

It didn't take long for the ice to melt as laughter soon rang out from the vacant field.

***

The woman approached the corner table with a smile on her lips. Pleased with her ability to entrap another man, she bent lower while delivering the filled mugs. The intended act exposed an extra view of her prime assets behind the front of her loose and low-neckline dress. The barmaid clonked another tankard onto the rough table before retreating with a shaking rear.

Knut swallowed half a mouthful of saliva while allowing the next half to run down his beard.

Ming shook his head while watching a hairy arm ensnare the wide hips. With a squeal, the woman found herself seated on the lap of a vociferous winner. The boasting at the table loudened as the young woman joined in the fun. The hanky-panky sold more ale at the table as all participants emerged as winners for their services.

"Stop staring. The one rule in a tavern is to mind your own business. If someone interferes, then it's free for all. Morals don't exist here."

"I know, but what a beauty. How can she stand that drunkard slobbering all over her?"

"Now I know why Chu wanted you to see the world. Who do you think brings in more money to the tavern? A pretty thing or an old crow? Besides, you, of all people, shouldn't judge another person. Who knows what her circumstances are?"

Ming said while gulping down the watered-down ale.

Knut sighed before guzzling down his own. His party leader was right; he wasn't in a position to judge. Another surprising scream, followed by giggles, also floated from a table nearby as a customer captured the next serving girl.

"I think I know why you decided to bring me along and not Rose or Shauna."

"Pfft! Stop joking while I'm drinking, man. How many adventurers or mercenaries do you see walking in with their wives? Are you expecting a bloodbath? Trust me, drunk men are the hardest to reason with."

"But I heard Miki sharing her adventures about winning bets in a tavern in the city."

Ming paused while rolling up his eyes.

"That's different. At that time, they had an entourage of suitors from noble houses and the Academy. Even the village idiot would steer clear in front of that formidable lineup. Messing with those girls would have only ended badly anyway. Ah, there is the man from the Military, the stableboy mentioned. Let's hope he really knows what he is boasting about."

Nearing midnight, Knut half-carried a tottering Ming to the campsite. Gathering information in a tavern didn't come cheaply or without consequences. With the cage wagon commissioned by the women, Rose unceremoniously had Knut dump him under the tents by the fire for the night.

Early the next morning, Ming sat near the crackling fire while sipping a mug of hot water.

"We'll leave after receiving supplies from the horses. Farmer Sprouts, you and the lads will take turns riding alongside Finn. He will teach you the basics. The women will remain inside the caravan. Shauna, use a health potion and dilute it so they can regain their vitality."

"Where are we going?"

"Towards the north. Farmer Sprouts will act as the guide. Our goal is the ruined village..."

"What could you possibly want there? Not even the garrison dares to ride out, much less thieves. Even the Military retreated as soon as they finished their scouting. You won't find gold there."

The middle-aged man gasped. Ming smiled while stretching his arms.

"Old man, soon you will realize there is more to wealth than gold. Stick around with our family, I guarantee you won't regret it."

***

Five days later, the wagon halted at the broken remains of the village. While the farmer and his family stumbled among the ruins with glazed eyes, Ming had Knut accompany him towards an abandoned farm, located a few miles to the north.

"This looks like the spot the guy mentioned. Either that or this might be one of those buried treasures left by bandits."

"I thought Elder Pick said only raiders of the sea buried their loot? More importantly, why am I the only one digging?"

"Sea raiders, bandits, their all the same, so stop nitpicking. As for digging, do you want the two of us to face any surprise attacks while tired? I also can't believe how I forgot to walk with another shovel. Don't worry, I have full faith in you, Knut."

Ming said while cleaning his fingernails.

Kunt snorted as dirt kept flying out from the deepening hole. Not long after, the iron shovel clattered on the buried wooden chest. Heaving the large object out from the depths, Knut clambered out and shook away the flowing sweat.

Ming crouched and hammered open the bolt. Creaking the lid open, a tiny box greeted their eyes. Continuing his search, the teen finally lifted a small pouch. Carefully untying the leather string, he shook out a few of the contents. Ming raised one of the left-sided halfstones to the sky for inspection.

"It's just like the Boss expected. The Bitzers couldn't raid and destroy an entire village without leaving fatalities of their own. What a treasure trove. I suspect this would aid in our progress greatly. Maybe I can beg Chu for a larger quota of potions."

"Wow, your mind really drifts further down the road."

"Hehe... Don't worry about it. Bring me one of our specially crafted chests to store this. We have another round of digging higher up on the road."

"You mean you have a round of digging..."

What Ming didn't know was that Chu had found another use for this current harvest.