Good to see you in one piece. Lathar takes a lok at the pile of rust.
i have heard of some followers of The Great Green using these tactics but i fail to see why they would damage your traps. Culling nature to keep it in balance is part of life's cycle. I would say that maybe bandits did this.
lathar thinks back on the force missile that hit him from one of the bandits they met earlier. Remember that they had some sort of spellcaster the last time we had a run-in with them. I would say this is magical in doing but that is just a guess.
Lathar looks around at the ground I'll search with ya and see if we can find something
Lathar is the first to spot a familiar set of very large wolf prints not far from Modoc's tree.
Hmmm this is not good.
Modoc come look here. Remember the large wolf i saw, these tracks look a lot like the size that would fit it. Did you not hear anything last night? He must be very clever to have snuck in and done something. Lathar looks around and listens for anything
This may be no ordinary wolf.
There are folks of nature that I have heard of that can change there forms into animals and back again. they are truly one with nature, I believe they are called druids. they may be unhappy with your steel traps simply because steel is not a natural substance. I see your traps as a way to control and use nature. They may see them as something that just doesn't belong in nature.
@ Lathar - you dont hear anything besides the natural sounds of the woods. Your memory serves correct as there are indeed druids who are able to change into the form of animals but a wolf of this caliber would only be within the means of a powerful druid.
Well it seems that whatever was here is not now. Maybe we should head out in the other direction from the house tomorrow and set traps again. If they are tampered with again then we know we have someone on our trail. No one ever gave us a solid reason why the last folks here on this plot didnt make it.
...Grunting...Modoc shakes his head from side to side. Crouching, he scoops up a handful of leaves and moss, still damp from the morning condensation and cleans of his hands of the iron dust. Then he places one hand on Lathars shoulder and smiles...
"I'm sorry my friend. I have been wasting my time running around in circles trying to secure the area around us to no avail and leaving you with the monumental task of refurbishing the house and property. Travel with me the rest of the day to scout the remaining border of the farm and tomorrow, I promise we can get back to work together getting your seed in the ground."
I understand your concern for our security n this unknown place. It is good to get an
idea of the lay of the land. The time was not wasted and i learn much by watching your skill in action. Let us search out the borders and get an early start at the house tomorow.
Lathar looks down at the huge tracks .
judging from the size of these tracks we already may have unwanted guests in the area.
I would say that a solid barn and doors might be something else we work on soon too.
You make your way around what you think is your property line...You find a nice sized pond fed by a small creek in the north east. Its not too far from the homestead but is still too cold for swimming but you both heard the splash and saw the ripples of what had to be a large fish jumping. The day is sunny with just a passing cloud or two and you can see trees and shrubs beginning to bloom with fresh growth. Birds chirp, squirrels chitter and many a rabbit bolts in front of your path. You make it back in sight of the cabin about an hour before dusk.
As the house comes into view lathar thinks out loud. Isn't that a great sight? Knowing that
when that house comes into sight, your home. That is truly a good feeling.
Lathar claps Modoc on th shoulder and heads off to herd up the animals. He makes sure to drain the udders of the cow and the goat before heading in.
Modoc helps Lathar corral the livestock and secure them in the barn and then made his way towards the house, contemplating Lathars words.
....The reality of having a place to call home has still not quite sunk in. I am just waiting for the coin of fortune to flip. So long fighting for a place to stand, much less sleep....
All's quiet on the homefront and the night passes. The day dawns promising abundant sunshine with enough of a breeze to keep the bugs off of you.
Modoc raises up in the morning feeling much renewed thanks to his first nights rest in a comfortable matress. Modoc will help make breakfast and ask Lathar...
"I think if we work together we may be able to get stuff done more efficiently and make faster progress. Where should we begin?"
It looks like to me that if we work the seeding hard to get it complete we can then put all of our efforts toward making the barn and house a little more solid.
looking around the area.
if we do have large wolves prowling the area. We have to protect our livestock. You and I can defend ourselves against these beasts but our animals have no defense except what we provide them.
lathar makes his way toward the barn as they talk and begins to let the animals out of there stalls. He begins to wrestle the plow out to the yard and fit it to the Ox harness.
Is this how this thing works?
You seem well versed in trapping. Could you devise a series of traps that dont damage but would show whether or not something is stalking the area? Something we could easily go check at morning light to know if the large beasts had been around recently. Then if the beasts show a common pattern we would know if we should step up the fortifications on the barn.
"I know about as much about trappin' as you do... In fact, I just learned if you leave them out overnight... they turn to rust... so lesson learned there, I guess."
The best way I am thinking to make them secure would be to fortify the plan like you said. As far as tellin' if they have been nosin' around the property well, we will just have to track em'! It rains so much around here the ground stays nice and soft... n' if it ain't rainin', jus' wait a few bells and it will!"
Modoc gives Lathar a hand in whatever capacity he needs leaving the agriculture to the nature expert.
It takes you half the morning to figure out how to hook up the plow. The sun is shining and the same steady breeze as the day before promises to keep the emerging bugs off of you. Working together you are able to get about a half an acre furrowed out before night starts to fall.
as the evening draws close Lathar leaves the plow sunk in to the earth and unhitches the ox.we can leave it here an start again in the morning. we made good progress today.
It should be a good time to plant seed in the next few days. Then we can get to the barn and fence.
he leads the ox to the barn, feeds it and washes it down. Modoc what do you think we should do about our neighbor. should we fill him in on the fact that a huge wolf is prowling the area?
lathar will continue rounding the other animals up with Modoc, secure the doors and coop, and then head inside.
Despite the breeze, Modoc's skin was wet with perspiration. It had been some time since he had stripped his jacket and shirt off his back and spent the day with the ever absent sun warming his back and face.
There was certainly a great pride and sense of purpose to a day of hard work. Knowing that all the effort would go to further their chances of surviving the harsh winter season this place will most likely bring.
Pulling a piece of cloth from his waist, Modoc began wiping down his face and hands. After hearing Lathars words he cringed, visibly and said...
"After the insident with the bear traps my friend I would rather sleep with this plow in the living room...even if I have to drag a furrow myself to the front door."
As far as our neighbor is concerned...I believe you are right. We should pay him a visit. He may be able to shed some light on the subject. I would rather we finish this project first before making any departures from the property. If the weather permits."
Your evening begins with cricket chirps and bird song as the sun sets toward the horizon. With the sky a dull red glow; a familiar saying is brought to the Lathar's mind ...'Red sky at night, Sailor's delight...
Modoc walks over to the plow sunk into the earth and tries to tug it free. Then grunts as Lathar unhookd the harness...
"Ah-hem!! I say old chap, are you sure you want to leave this plow here in the ground?! This thing is literally the difference between life or death to us and we have some creature or disgruntled tree hugging type going aroun disintegrating out traps! What do we do of we wake up tomorrow and this plow is iron dust?"
Oh the humanity of it! What was i thinking, you're right.how could i have been so foolish...?!
Lathar starts to hook the harness back to the ox.
I hadnt thought about that. It would be the end of this farm if that happened, and us along with it. Lathar raises the blade from the dirt as best he can till the beast reaches the barn. He looks at it for a second.
you think we could rig a sledge up or maybe some wheels if we have to move this thing around without the ox. Just in case i mean, maybe a future project once things are seeded and we need to move the plow to a further part of the farm.
lathar looks at the growing red sky Nothing beats a hard days work. And it looks as if tomorrow should be clear as well. How about I make supper tonight after i relieve the goat and cow of the milk.
Modoc helped Lathar secure the plow and the animals.
"I'm sure we can rig something to drag it around. You get started to the house, I'll see if I can find something quick to add to the pot."
Modoc walked over to front of he house where his bow and quiver were leaning against the door jamb. Stringing the bow he heads over to the tree line to see if he can bag a squirrel or some other kind of creature to bolster their evening repast.
Lathar - Both the cow and goat are happy to see you coming with the milking pails.
Modoc - you spot a small game trail running west and north.
Lathar pauses as the sun drops low. He breathes deeply before caarying in the pails of milk. Another good day of hard work. It is good to be here.
Survival
Moving with purpose Modoc makes his way along the trail in hopes of good game...
Modoc - you follow the tracks into the woods. You almost lose them over some dryer ground but are able to pick up the trail again. Ahead of you in the midst of some viny looking undergrowth you can make out the turkey. It's about 100' away.
Modoc sits quietly and tries to gather if the creature is approaching or moving further away. Slowly making his way to intersect with the bird.
Modoc - Your hunters instincts are on point. The turkey is grazing, is neither moving away or coming closer and is unaware of you. It did stop eating for a second but it was looking the opposite way of you when it did. You were able to move closer and the bird is now just 70' away.
Estimating the distance, Modoc realized he would be hazarding a wasted shot if he did not get a little closer. Judging by the way the sun hung low on the horizon beyond the trees he figured he only had this one chance to bag some meat for Lathars pot.
The turkey whips his head around at the loud 'snap' of the branch you inadvertently stepped on. It belts out a gobble, gobble, gobble before speeding off into the woods.
Modoc - Your skills persist and a half mile later you are able to catch up the wily turkey. He's about 80' away in a small clearing. With the rapidly fading light you know this will be your last chance to bag this bird.
As Modoc releases his arrow he turns his back on the bird, un-strings his bow, and stomps back towards the farm...head hanging low and cursing under his breath...
"We are going to f$&king die out here!"
Its fully dark by the time you make it back to your new home empty handed.
Lathar stokes the fire to a solid burn to warm the room. As the little pot begins to rumble with boiling water he begins to wonder when Modoc is returning.
Let's hope that he comes back with some catches.
with a quick thought Lathar relizes he hasn't checked the chicken coup for a few days.
I bet we got a good batch of eggs out there.
that thought stays in his mind as he runs to check.
Modoc heads back to the house empty handed. Stopping to check on the animals one last time.
Lather - With no coop in the yard the chickens have been 'cooped' up in the barn. You do find four brown eggs amongst the moldy straw and one of the six hens dead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Modoc - Even with no fresh game for supper the sight of the farm even in the dark reminds you that you will never really be empty handed again. You clear the fence and find the animals seem to being doing well and grunt at your appearance.
"I can see we are going to have to spend more time together.
handle animal
Blast how could i have been so ignorant!!
lathar cleans a space in the straw and freshens it. He grabs the dead chicken and looks it over to see if it is edible.
I will make a safe place for you to roost tomorrow, a thousand apologies my feathered friends.
He gathers the eggs and the dead chicken and heads inside.
listening to the evening sounds as he heads inside.
Modoc - the goat butts you more playfully this time and doesn't try to sneak up on you to do it. You see Lathar heading back to the house from the shed.
Lathar - the chicken probably earlier this day so is still edible...if cooked properly. On the way back to the house you see your partner playing with the goat in the yard.
Modoc i've already milked the goat today. I have one of our chickens here that i have neglected. Fortunately it died recent enough to not be a complete waste so we can have some chicken for dinner....with egg drop soup!
Looking at Modocs empty hands Lathar decides to avoid the unsuccessful hunting attempt.
I was so wrapped up in seeding the fields i completely forgot about the rooster and chickens. They have no where to roost so it s costing us valuable eggs and now a whole chicken. Tomorrow I am going to build some racks in the barn for them to roost.
listening and looking around the yard before heading inside
lathar looks at the sky and smells the evening breeze
Lathar - you have the rare opportunity to see a shooting star over the mountains in the distance. Otherwise the night sounds are normal and the you can smell no rain on the wind.
Modoc made his way back into the farm house.
"You can work on the coop and I will continue to plow the field."
Mornings grow more humid and turn into long days as the days become hotter and turn into the insect song filled nights. Days turn into weeks and the weather is as fickle a b@!&@ as she ever was. Progress being the priority, the two of you have reason to be proud of the work you've gotten accomplished in the last month despite lack of skill in such areas.
Lathar finished up the chicken coop with some wood found behind the barn. The chickens, happier than ever; are producing an egg or two a day each. There just enough wood left over to finish up the fence repairs. Between the goat and cow it doesn't take long before the fenced in area begins to look like a manicured lawn...might have to let them out to a larger area before too awful long...and are giving steady, healthy tasting milk.
Modoc works hard getting two whole acres plowed and ready for seed. Stalking the area at dusk and early morning he has had some measure of luck hunting felling plenty of rabbits and a couple of possums. He's seen no wolf tacks nor heard any howls late at night when they are most abundant...could they really be gone?..
Between the two of you, you're little garden got planted and is showing a few sprouts! The dog days of summer are upon you and the wise will keep in mind that winter is ever getting closer.
As you sit relaxing on the stoop during the muggy evening you begin to stare in wondering whether or not your eyes are tricking you. For streaking across the dark sky is what can only be a shooting star and it looks like its headed right for you!
Lathar stares at the sky for a moment before saying too Modoc. Modoc do you see that star that seems to be about to drop in our laps?
He stands and begins a side step fashion toward the open field.
Modoc I am not sure that a well timed jump is really going to make a difference.
looking up again
But im sure going to try
Busy whittling on his own pipe, Modoc paused to look up as Lathar's concerned voice caught his attention. Squinting hard he looked at the object in question...slowly his eyes began to grow wider and wider...
...Maybe your right...it does appear to be getting larger....it's hard to tell the size of such objects...but...
Modic rose from his seat slowly then started to run in place a little before he began to place his hand on Lathars back and push him into the front yard...
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to just...RUN!!!!
You two take off in what you can only assume was the nick of time and race into the front yard, over the fence and about a stones throw before the excitement wears off and reason tells you that you are indeed safe. The shooting star races well above you're beloved house and streaks towards the forested hills to the North West.