The Pearl Of Vynes - Chapter 4 Field Work

“Alice. We’re off now” Joel shouted to his daughter. Alice got off the ground and ran over towards her father as they made their way to the front of the house. A number of other farmers were already up and about walking towards their fields. Joel talked with a couple of them about the change in the weather and exchanging advice on growing each other’s crops. As the last of the farmer’s passed Joel, Miles and Alice they made their way to an empty field. Lying quite unfurrowed Joel started on tilling the soil and breaking the sods that clogged up the soft, loamy soil. Miles had taken a second hoe he had noticed Joel had lying around his house while Alice sat in the ground digging some small holes with a little shovel she had with. Joel watched as Miles worked with his hands and was setting furrowed dirt pairs along with him. If Joel hadn’t thought he had imagined he could’ve sworn that Miles was using so little effort for the amount of work they had done. Joel had already worked up a huge sweat, wiping the water from his forehead as the sun got closer to its zenith in the sky. Stopping for a moment he realised they had already tilled over half the field. Joel signalled to Miles to cease work, Alice joined them as the men took a break and headed over to a nearby water trough. Joel washed his face and drank up the cool water as the hot sun was evaporating the last of the sweat on his body.

“We’ll rest for a moment, time to come inside for a bit” Joel said and led the group back home for a short lunch and rest. By the time they had reached the house, Narissa had already prepared food for them as they breached the entrance. Joel and Miles left their tools at the front of the house as they ate. Sitting down on the table, Narissa brought the two of them water to drink, and they did so gulping down the liquid.

“I would’ve sworn you’ve done this before” Joel said.

“When you get around as much as I do, you pick up a few things” Miles said shrugging. The both of them ate while Alice told Narissa what she had been up to while the men were at work.

“Sorry Miles, I need to take a rest, the heat is definitely getting to me these days” Joel said apologetically as he went to his bed and collapsed to sleep. Narissa packed up the last of the plates while Alice watched Miles again. Standing up, Miles went back to the front of the house grabbing the hoe. Alice followed him out, leaning down Miles spoke softly to Alice.

“Hey dear, we’re going to help your daddy out with his work so can you keep this a secret from him?” Miles asked, a grin forming from behind the finger he had put on his pursed lips. Alice nodded as the two of them walked back towards the field. Narissa kept watch from the house, despite the distance she could still easily see Miles entering back into the field. Washing up the last of the plates and cutlery she could hear her husband softly snoring in their bedroom. Narissa went about cleaning and sweeping up the place as usual.

Joel woke with a start, the sun had definitely set lower in the sky, stretching out his tired and aching muscles. Getting up he walked into the kitchen and noticed that Alice and Miles were missing from the house. His wife came back inside the house, carrying in some food for dinner that night.

“Narissa, have you seen Alice and Miles?” Joel asked worried, whilst still grabbing the hoe from the front of the house so he could start work again.

“They’re back at the fields” Narissa responded nonchalantly. Joel nodded and walked over to his field, barely able to see Miles and Alice sitting on the fence watching the fields. Joel hurried as he made his way over, they had probably been waiting quite a while while he had slept so it would be best if he got there sooner Joel thought to himself. As Joel got to the fence of the fields, what was there had his jaw dropping. Miles turned at the newly arrived Joel while Alice kept watching the fields in fascination.

“Hey Joel, we got a bit done while you were gone.” Miles said with a smile.

A bit was an understatement, the entire field was already tilled and was starting to sprout some greens. Joel hopped over the fence and knelt down to look at the new growths, they had barely even started the field and yet there were spouts that shouldn’t have appeared for weeks. Joel looked over at Miles suspiciously.

“Miles, did you use magic?” Joel asked as he rose back up.

“Nope, something just as good” Miles said, waving Joel over to him. Walking back Joel noticed that Alice and Miles had something in their hands, standing in front of the two of them Joel waited for an explanation.

“Look, look. There’s are a rarity now but these little guys are amazing farmers in their own right” Miles said tickling the thing in his hand. If Joel could describe it, it would be something similar to a miniature badger, but instead with no eyes and scales covering its whole body that would was flaring occasionally as it ate some seeds out of Miles’ hand. Alice had another in her hand and giggled as a long tongue ingested the small bunch of seeds in her hand. Miles let the small creature on to the ground where it then rapidly began to dig into the dirt, suddenly as a small mound it ran through the field in a straight line. Disappearing from sight, the left over dug dirt slowly started to spout some small green shoots. Joel’s jaw dropped even further at the sight.

“Amazing creatures, these guys are pretty good diggers. Back west, people used these all the time to go through the fields. I was just shocked that some of them were here as well. Must be some good soil” Miles said as he watched the field grow slowly. Alice let her one down and it disappeared into the ground and ran off. Alice clapped her hands at the creatures and ran over to Joel.

“Papa, did you see that?” Alice asked beaming at Joel. Still surprised Joel took Alice’s hand as they watched the field growing. Miles sat there satisfied with his work. Some of the farmers noticed as the field grew and watched on in awe as Joel’s field grew rapidly. Soon a crowd formed around them, villagers staring and pointing at the miracle before them. A number of them started to question Joel, the large number of them starting to crush Joel’s space. Miles stepped in and started talking to the farmers about the creatures he found and explained. Joel watched as Miles led the crowd away and demonstrated on a number of other farmer’s fields. As they watched a number of time the farmers raced off in the direction of their own fields to do the same. Miles came back, a little sweat running down his brow.

“That was tiring” Miles said laughing. Joel just shook his head at what happened.

“I need a drink” Joel said sighing at the sudden sights before him. Joel and Miles headed back home and dropped Alice off as the two men headed to the tavern. The noise inside was deafening as everyone was celebrating a day’s work done and drinking away. The barmaids were running around serving ale tankards to the large influx the inn keeper definitely hadn’t expected. Leaving their hoes at the front like the others Joel and Miles entered inside. The villagers turned and cheered at the sight of the two, giving seats to them and chatted nonstop among them.

Good work today” one of the villagers said, giving a hearty slap on the Miles’ back.

The two rested their long weary bodies, as a waitresses dropping mugs of beer in front of them. Joel took a good swig and let out a sigh.

A beer at the end of a hard day’s work can’t be beat, aye Miles? Joel said as they clinked jugs together.

Aye, cheers to that said Miles as Miles greedily gulped down the jug of beer. The other farmers started gathering Miles as they probed the newcomer for questions.

Are you a magician?”some of them asked.

Im not there’s just a lot of things out there if you simply pay attention for them Miles said with a gleam in his eye. Joel noticed as soon as the twinkle in his eye started to show, Miles was ready to become an entertainer of sorts. As the night went on, Miles started showing some of his parlour tricks that he had picked up on his travels. A coin hidden behind the ear of an unwary assistant, disappearing dice and Miles’ never ending drinking trick. Miles always explained it was never magic that he used but as the people looked on in awe at his tricks. Joel had a worry at the back of his mind it wasn’t entirely sleight of hand. Not even noticing, Joel had already finished a number of drinks as the celebrations continued and the night was already closing in. Joel was sprawled on his table feebly trying to finish his last tankard. Miles came over to see Joel in this state, he was definitely drunk for sure.

Miles” Joel said between hiccups “You’re a really nice guy. I’m glad you’re getting along so well with the others”

Youre not so bad yourself Joel” Miles said sitting down beside Joel as he watched the crowd celebrate “You have a good life here. A beautiful wife and daughter and much to keep you busy as Miles finished speaking he turned back to Joel but Joel had already fallen asleep. Going over to Joel, Miles placed Joel on his back and carried him. Saying a brief farewell to the farmers he set off back to Joel’s house. Narissa stood in the doorway with the candlelight dimly lit behind her. Seeing how Joel was on top of Miles she helped Joel off Miles’ back and dutifully carried her husband to bed inside. Quickly making a medicine she gave it to her husband and let him rest soundly, pulling the covers up over him as he fell asleep instantly. Coming back into the kitchen Narissa saw Miles sitting at the table, enjoying the heat of the flames from the fireplace.

Sometimes my husband is a bit of a handful” Narissa apologised, “Thank you for taking care of him

No worries. Your husband is a good man. I’m more than happy to help him out, though I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay for long. Miles said as he turned to Narissa.

Where are you off to in such a rush? Narissa asked taking a seat at the table as well.

I was originally travelling to the capital. However I got waylaid on the way here by a couple of ruffians. It always puts me behind schedule when something like this happens along the roads Miles said to himself with a chuckle.

I’m surprised that they hadn’t taken your necklace when they did Narissa said pointing out the shining pendant, gleaming a shimmering rainbow in the firelight.

I’m surprised you can see it young miss.” Miles said as he held the pendant up so Narissa could see it better, “Most people are unable to have an eye for these rarities. Im guessing you also have other talents as well
for visiting.

Well I used to leave in one of the towns closer to the capital before Joel married me. I used to work as a herbalist Narissa admitted.

Ah that wouldn’t be enough I’m afraid. You have a more talent than you’re letting on, not many can see the pendant and fewer can see through my little magic tricks as well Miles said

It was a little suspicious that you had freshly picked flowers considering they don’t grow at this time of year Narissa said, the flowers were still sitting on the sill and in perfect condition

Just one of my little specialties Miles said tapping a knowing finger on his nose.

“You’re definitely a fascinating man Miles. But then question is considering what I’ve heard, it would be nearly impossible to be taken by surprise for someone such as yourself” Narissa pointed out.

“Hey, I’m getting on in my years. It’s hard to keep up with the young” Miles admitted. As the sat in a moment of silence Narissa stood up from the table

“I’m afraid it’s getting late now, I hope you sleep well Miles Narissa started blowing out the candles around the house. As Narissa left the kitchen to join her husband in bed, Miles looked out the window sound of faint drums in the distance perked up his ears.

Guess its almost time for the festival Miles said to himself and walked out to the front of the house closing the door behind him softly.