One Moo'r Plow - Book 2: Chapter 8: Hostile Growth II.

I was nearly at the field when it dawned on me that leaving the farm might have, indeed, been a stupid idea. What if the creatures suddenly returned and the master was not home to defend his property? Instead of hurrying back, plagued by worry, I pressed on and explored another potential solution.

Sean seemed unfazed as I stomped up to him, standing with a few other lads that seemed strapping enough for what I had in mind.

“How would you like to be paid to stand around and practice your intimidation?” I spoke with all the subtlety of a brick to the face.

Glances being exchanged back and forth showed there was some immediate interest.

“Enticing as that sounds, we’ll need some more details.” The human spoke cautiously. Several others voiced their agreement.

In brief summary, I explained my problem, exemplifying the need for speedy security around the farm in case of renewed interest from the various monsters. There was much less indecision then I expected. In hindsight, it should have been obvious that those with a farmhand background would be used to the constant presence of danger in these lands.

Once I had finished, I found myself with a mixed crowd of humans and beastfolk, all eager to take my coin in exchange for lounging around my farm and looking big. While that seemed splendid, there was the small matter that I did not yet wholly trust them. Ishila shared these sentiments, standing further back and away from any of the eager volunteers.

“Seems a bit foolish to just send strangers to the farm with no supervision.” I agreed with her reasoning once we had separated from the rest. “That’s why I’m sending you.”

This pleased her. What pleased her even more was me announcing to the gathered muscle that all command would be deferred to Ishila when I was not present. Might as well get them used to that early. I wiped sweat off my forehead and approached Sean once more. We had thankfully drifted towards the shade before any real work began, but even here the heat was scorching. The soil was mercifully cool, plant life and overgrowth working to combat the heat.

“My offer. I take you’ve given it consideration?” I grunted. I was tired, but even so I made the attempt at courtesy and civility.

“Indeed.” He nodded. “And I find it most appealing. When do I start?”

This was one thing that did lighten my load.

Right this instant, was his answer. With Ishila headed back to the farmstead, I would need him to supervise a second team of workers here. Even with some of the bigger fellow and beastfolk leaving to be hired muscle, this field would be cleared by days’ end and ready to be seeded, I reckoned. In the meantime, I could continue my watchful gaze to determine who made the hire and who got cut.

Zheli, the would-be cook, I found and sent along with Ishila. Instead of bringing all the necessary tools out to the fields, I had done the obvious and instead sent her to them. The sensible thing to do, in my reckoning.

I was, in fact, tired. Aware enough to know I was not paying as much attention to detail as the day before. Yet not inspired to do anything about it.

It beggared the question: Who or what had I disturbed now? Something, someone was displeased with me.

On some level, I had expected this. The newfound attention being gifted to me would not all be positive. Far from it. This might not have been something I accounted for, but apart to it I would. The Gods Above loved to feed their subjects constant adversity, I had found. This was simply another obstacle to overcome.

For now, I shifted my attention back to the workers. The potential hirelings I would soon trust to help me grow the farm to new heights. Now that he was fully hired, Sean took on the role with gusto to spare. He was in a constant flow of orders issued and tasks completed. The field was cleared before my eyes, even as my lack of sleep made the hours drag on.

Particular attention was paid to the swarthy human who I had rejected yesterday. He had chosen to return and try again, yet I was distinctly unimpressed by his performance. Several times, I caught him watching me, only for his eyes to quickly avert.

I was being followed, even here. Not by mortal men, but animals. The dull brown crow sat perched atop a tree on the field’s opposite side, staring at me. This creature was linked to whatever had happened last night. I had seen it everywhere in recent memory, constantly following me around. Watching and laughing.

Whatever it wanted, I would not give it the satisfaction of getting under my skin.

Sitting became unbearable as time flowed along. With a tired grunt, I heaved myself up and strode over to help and examine workers firsthand. Spines stiffened and emotions grew nervous as I drew near most of them. It was an uncomfortable truth that I scared these people simply by virtue of my race, and there was little I could do to immediatly remedy that.

Still, I found more respect in those that showed fear and chose to work through it than those who didn’t experience it.

My hands made the work light as I hauled away boulders and helped break up the soil. Before the sun had struck noon, this field was cleared, and I stood to assess those I would hire. I did not know every one of these people individually, and would not unless they made the effort to stand out.

Coin pouch in hand, I counted out the payment. Most people here had passed what I required of helpers. Though I did not know them or trust them, they had proven to be capable of working under supervision. Of particular interest was a lanky, almost scrawny beastman with a blend of human and canine features. He exuded an aura of calm, a manifestation that seemed to still the nerves of those around him.

Gold in hand, I beckoned him forward and watched his awkward movements.

“Would you possess any noteworthy skills that might be of use to me?” I asked, blunt and up-front.

“Tash.” He introduced himself. I took his hand after a moment and gave it a firm shake. “I’m an Handler.”

“Of animals and the like?” I presumed.

“Mostly, yes.”

My mind immediately turned to an entire pasture of grumpy, gassy taur-cows that I would be happy to not deal with again.

“I have a specific job in mind for you, should you be willing. One that would propel you along in your class and pay you decent gold. More than a field hand’s wage, should you accept. If you’d like to stick around and follow me back to the farm in a bit, I can show you your duties.”

He nodded, shook my hand again and stepped away, well-earned coin in hand. My mind only half-paid attention to the next few field hands I offered manual labour to and instead explored the possibility of expanding into a proper ranching setup. With someone who could take care of animals full-time, I might instead be able to step away and focus on other things.

“You got a position for me, boss?”

I refocused on the brawny human once more. The man I had dismissed yesterday.

“You had another chance to prove me wrong today,” I spoke as his eyes traced between me and the coin I counted out in my hand. “Much as I would have liked that, I saw no improvement. And I have no need for slackers.”

His eyes tensed as I spoke, and things suddenly exploded. The human surged forward and yanked the coin-purse from my loose hands. Between my tiredness and his sudden speed, I caught only empty air as a bellow tore itself from my throat.

“Thief!” I roared as he streaked towards the road, propelled by Skills. He moved faster than any human I had ever seen. The demi-human that appeared and viciously kicked his legs out from under the runner proved it was not fast enough. Coins spilled into the dirt as the human sprawled and the tall, bovine beastman slammed his weight down atop the man.

More swarmed around, keeping him down as I stomped up, fully awake and alert.

My blood boiled as the sight of the man who had just tried to steal from me. A thief, and even worse, a fool. His arms flailed as they were seized on either side and he was hauled up.

“We have a good sturdy rope and our right pick of trees.” The demi-human who had caught him suggested. “String him up and be done with it.”

I ignored the mans’ pleas and looked around, seeing that was indeed true. There was very little pity for this fellow among the crowd, even from his fellow city-folk. Nobody liked a thief, and fewer liked a fool. I could have this man hanged right here and now and be well within my rights, both morally and lawfully. This was my property, and he had tried to make off with my goods.

“There’ll be no mob justice today.” I rumbled after a while. “Tie him well and take him to Hullbretch.”

“You.” I pointed to a young, nervous lad. A farmboy, by the cut of clothes and rough hands. “Run to the farm, explain what happened to the orc girl and fetch the wagon and horses. Can you do that?”

“I can ride.” He nodded.

“Off you go, then.” He bolted across the field.

“They’ll take my hand!” The man sobbed, kneeling and held in place by two large beastmen.

“Then you should have entertained that thought before you did a fool thing like this.” I snapped back. “Or would you rather end your days swinging from a tree?’

I snarled the words, no pity for the fool found in my heart.

“You.” I pointed a finger at the man who had tripped him up. He could pass for a human, I thought, if it weren’t for the ivory horns and dense, black hair that covered his exposed forearms. “You have my thanks.”

“Can your thanks be made to equal a job?” The man saw an opportunity and seized it. “Given your name and your intentions to grow, this will not be the first time such a thing happens. I will be of service in the future, I wager.”

Bold. But he was not wrong.

“Pursuer.” He answered with a flourishing bow that looked strange on a man of his bulk. “A variant of Manhunter that speciliazes in capturing lawbreakers.”

“One would think, with such a class, you would have plentiful work in the cities.” I mentioned, arms folded.

“They..disliked my methods.”

“I do not. You are hired.” I received a firm handshake and a name from the man. Magrin.

It was then that I realized something. While I siphoned through these people based on their work, I knew none of their classes. And with such a varied selection, I was a fool not to have considered that. I turned away from the restrained thief and towards the gathered throng of people who had come to offer me their services.

“If anyone gathered here has a Class or Skills they feel would lend itself well to my farm, I invite you to step forward and make your case. One and all are welcome.” i rumbled.

And just like that, the dam was broken. I soon found myself seated once more, interviewing person after person as I pored over the details of their classes and skills. Ishila came, collected the thief, showed Magrin and the lad the cart, then headed back to the farm once the duo departed, bound thief in tow.

It was nearly evening once I rose, and exhaustive list of potential in my mind. I felt like an idiot for not having looked into this sooner, yet the experience made me all the wiser. Promises to return tomorrow secured and a select few individuals in tow, I set off for the farm. I had gone from dreading this to almost gleeful anticipation within the span of a few hours.

Good.