Book 1: Chapter 29: A new dawn.


    The was little to say as we made our way home, but much left unsaid. Things hadnt changed, in truth. My perspective had. Beforehand, true danger was a far-off concept, with the Baron being situated far away and with other matters to upy himself. Conflict and confrontation was there, but as a vaguely hazy <em>thing</em> further down the line.


    There were monsters up the mountain, yes, but I had, for some reason, been incorrectly confident that I was the top dog or somesuch in these areas. That illusion was shattered now. Gareks memories held vast amounts of blood-soaked experience, yet the berserker had never fought an Apex himself.


    Much as I wished I would not have to, I refused to be an optimistic fool. I would pray for the best, but steel myself for the worst.


    Quiet and somber was the mood as Lerish led us back out of this wooded maze. The huntress deftly found trails my eyes would have passed over, and kept up moving in a consistent direction. Lost and with my trust in her, I followed.


    Overcast as it was, I guessed it to be early in the evening before we emerged back onto the road. It was not where we had entered by her lodge, but close enough.


    Well. She broke the silence. Till we meet again. I will be working at the camp these next few weeks. Hunting for those who cannot do it themselves. Yourpany would not be unwee. If you find yourself in the area.


    I solemnly nodded and thanked her for all she had done today. The huntress gave me a rare, wry smile and went off on her own way. And I was left alone with my thoughts once more. There was a tiredness in my limbs as I trudged down the slope, following the road that would lead me home. Just I, the sound of birds in the distance and the dull evening light.


    Exhaustion crept through my body, yes. But I was not too tired to smile when Gol lumbered up to me as I approached the farm. Ish passed me on the road as I drew near, the big burly beast by her side.


    Had a good day? I asked and leaned forward to scratch Gol behind the ears. The way he pressed his head into my hand brought a small smile to my face, I had to admit. Thest few days had caused me to appreciate the big lummox.


    Was alright. Bit boring, but thats how I like my days round here. Yourself?


    Unexpected things happened, I grunted. Finished what we set out to achieve, and had a change of perspective.


    Want to share?


    Maybe in the morning. Too tired to do anything tonight. Gonna wash in the stream and go to bed.


    Sounds like a n. She grinned in her lopsided way. I still got chores at home or Id do the same and be asleep.


    Well, have fun with that.


    She chuckled and shook her head.


    I make no promises in that regard. But Ill try.


    And with that, she was gone. I watched her race down the road, dust kicked up in her wake. Gol followed me home, close at my side. And of course, I spoiled him with an abundance of head-scratches and much pets. Just to express my gratitude. He had risked life and limb for my farm, and now it was his home as much as mine. Supper was a vague blur of Artyom cheerfully chattering along and describing the day. Truth be told, I could remember little of what was said.


    Fatigues iron grip tightened its hold on me, and soon I found myself in bed, eyes closed.


    <strong>Farmer Level Eight reached. Sleep to-</strong>


    I was out before the message even finished.


    Deep and troubled was my sleep, and haunted were my dreams. A sea of blood and carnage was all that I remembered once I woke, my body covered in cold sweat. With a grunt and a sniff, I realized I had forgotten to bathe yesterday.


    The clear pre-dawn air and cold water did wonders for me, I found. Rxed in the pool created by the dam, I allowed myself to simply soak and enjoy the early morning. It was quiet, almost serenly peaceful with a decent view of the farm from here. I could see the cows out in the pasture, the lone horse amidst the herd.


    Better than a reservoir to the crops, I had my own sizable bathtub. But all too soon, it was time to go and attend to my duties. Thest few level-ups had not yielded me any Skills, I had noticed. Were they spaced further apart, or was there another criteria for them that I was unaware of?


    The cows were milked and jugs loaded onto the freshly patched cart by the time Ish arrived. Artyom sat on the carts front seat with a wide-eyed, innocent look. Inviting himself along, or so he thought. The felinid visibly twitched as he gazed at all the gathered milk, and I sighed.


    Look, I rumbled between securing jars. If Ish is <em>impressed</em> by your efforts today when I return, Ill see about slipping you some when she isnt looking, alright?


    Slip him what? Came the voice from behind, and with a grunt, I finished the binding and turned to find the orcss.


    Some extra coin. I lied in a way I wanted to think was smooth, but came out a little too dyed. She eyed me skeptically, but shrugged.


    Sure, well go with that. Anything you want done today?


    I directed her to begin harvesting biter pods, with the caveat she take things slow and careful. Said pods were absolutely engorged by the feasting they had done these past several days. So stuffed were they, in fact, that the vines had begun to sprout more pods in random areas. There were additional affects all-throughout the range of nts, but I intended to leave investigation of those until I returned.


    With workid out, and promises that they would keep safety paramount secured, I set off. Yesterdays clouds had passed without so much as a drop of rain, and an empty expanse shone with sheer sunlight today. Nothing bothered me on my way to the riders camp, save for a few passing patrols. Raffnyks men and women rode along these roads now, armed and bored as they kept a lookout for trouble.


    It was one of the reasons I wasfortable leaving the farm, despite knowing Ironmoors men mighte knocking. The Verdant Dawn patrolled up and down the mountain, ceaseless in their vignce. But I was headed upwards, with my cart in tow and an eagerness in my step.


    I had milk to sell and knowledge that had to be shared. All in all, the day looked to be very productive indeed.


    It was with such expectations that I gazed at Raffnyk sometimeter. The human smacked his lips slightly, face scrunched up as he tasted some of the milk from a cup.


    It certainly tastes..unique. He admitted after a few more sips. Quite unlike any milk Ive tasted before. But you wanted to talk about other matters.


    With a sigh, I took the returned mug and ced it back with the others as I leaned against the carts frame. There was some curiosity as to my products, but insofar, only Raffnyk had approached me. Despite my every attempt to seem friendly and approachable, I was betrayed by my own body.


    A huge, hulking beast offering samples of strange liquid was not theforting sight I had hoped it to be after all. Shame.


    I encountered the Apex. I stated bluntly. In the heartbeat, the mans face went from rxed and curious to alert and tight.


    Every detail you can provide me will bepensated for in gold. He spoke, voice hard. But I waved him off.


    From one friend to another. I assured him. Keep your coin, and instead do me a favour in the future, should I call upon it.


    Very well. He agreed, voice low. But every. Single. Little. Detail you can provide me will be valuable beyond anything. Every scrap of knowledge might save a life <em>when</em> we have to go and fight it, might make the difference between killing it and a rout.


    That was where I wholly agreed with him. Information and knowledge was what won battles, and decided wars. I knew this very, very well. Which was why I hade to pass it along. Hoarded, that knowledge was useless to me, but shared, it could benefit all. The worst thing I could have done was simply sit on it and fail to mention it to anyone.


    Not a sound came from Raffnyk as I described the encounter in bluntly excruciating detail. Every little thing I could remember, from how it moved to its attacks to its stature and attitude. Frankly, the conversation took far, far longer than the actual ughter at the stonemonger nest.


    I thank you for this, friend Garek. He spoke once I had finished. He abruptly stood and sped hands behind his back. Way your woes be few and your days many. I must go. <em>Now.</em>


    He stalked away, and I watched a good man leave.


    While I wish I could have said the day was profitable, that would be a very severe over-reach. Few and far between were the people who actually approached me, and fewer still were those who were willing to buy an entirerge jar of milk after a few sips from the sample cup.


    My business strategy was sorelyckluster, I finally concluded. Soon, evening came, and I could wait no longer. Cart just as heavy as it had been this morning, I turned and began to trudge back home.


    Not entirely disheartened. Just more experienced. I would need to make several adjustments andpromises, but I had a n.


    If <em>just</em> milk was not enough to attract attention, I would need to add the proverbial spice to my selection.


    Once again, it waste enough that Ish passed me on the road home. Thess assured me that everything had gone well, albeit slowly. The harvested pods were safely stored and awaiting my attention, and she had drained some of the acid into proper ss containers.


    Artyom deserved whatever reward I had promised him, and that was <em>not</em> because she had seen him chased across the yard by a massive biter pod before cleanly running it through with a spear. The image roused both concern and amusement in me, but I thanked her for her effort and we parted ways once more.


    True to my words, Artyom was rewarded. I sat beneath my evening tree and watched the felinid happilyp away at a thick bowl of cream. Spoon abandoned, he slurped the liquid straight from the bowl, a content look upon his face.


    Truly, blissfully happy. I let him enjoy it, my own supper already eaten. But I was not content to head off and sleep just yet. Despite my very <em>un</em>-nocturnal instincts calling, I heaved myself up and lumbered off towards the fields.


    Amidst the freshly harvested stalks and vines, a single flower bloomed in the darkness. Surprise and delight swelled inside me as I regarded the sunflower in all its clerical glory. The petals I had plucked were already regrown. Did its healing capabilities also apply to itself?


    With eager hands, I plucked several of the pale gold petals and headed back to the farm. Sleep could wait. I had some experiments to try.