Chapter 6

Greetings, Canutt!Do you want a cup of coffee?”

Alex greeted me with two cups and presented me with one of them.The liquid inside was opaque, resembling genuine dark tea.After smelling it, I took a sip.It was not at all unpleasant.I also felt that the liquid was actually stimulating my body wherever it touched my throat and gullet.It would appear that this coffee is a very potent form of tea.

"Good morning, Calvin as well.Dana, ma'am, I must say that your attention to me yesterday was very effective!This morning, I feel pretty damn good.

She gave me a smile before halting.She came over to me, lifted my shirt, and looked at my wounds that were gone.Canutt, I can heal well.However, this is not simply my previous work.I had estimated that you would be in good health for about a week to two weeks.In fact, when Alex asked you to work in the fields, I was a little worried that you might reopen those wounds.On the other hand, the infection is gone and your wounds are almost healed.In one night, healing for two weeks?

"Dwarves, my dear wife, are tough people.Do you think they produce weaklings because they live in the mountains?

"I am familiar with that devoted husband.However, I have been treating wounds from a variety of beings for years.Nothing like this has ever occurred to me before.

Good, let's go.I simply forgot to call myself a freak.However, that phrase is currently in the air.By holding up the cup, I tried to change the subject.

Is this coffee, then?I've never tried it before, but it's a nice drink.It makes me think of real, bitter, dark tea.

"It is coffee, yes.Additionally, I like mine sweetened.However, I had no idea how you would like yours.Kindly assist yourself.

I stirred the sugar into my cup before drinking it.That's much better.That was good, mm.Are you open to more?”

Canutt: "That pot over there.Help one another!”

I added more sugar by spoonful and poured more coffee into the cup.Like a good ale, I took my time with it this time.Additionally, the aroma of cooked eggs and bacon was making me eat more.Additionally, the kids entered the kitchen.After saying hello to each other, we all sat down at the table.The meal was about to begin.Additionally, it was a fine meal:a serving of sweet breads, gravy, and the eggs and bacon were also included.

“Dad, do you think you could teach us more about the swords and bows after we finish working today?” I asked.David, David's eldest son, was requesting Calvin.He probably worried about becoming a man.

David will be with us.After this field has been cleared, we'll see if you have enough energy.You are aware that we are discussing more than twenty acres.

"Okay, how about tomorrow, once the chores are finished?"

Son, it's a deal.It's a bargain."

Stella, a young woman, addressed me.Canutt, do you know how to use weapons?

"Young lady, I know how to use a variety of weapons.Why are you asking?

I need a sparring partner, then.I am learning the mace and staff.However, David here dislikes these weapons, Steve was knocked out by me last week, and mom is busy.Steve seemed a little hurt upon hearing that. I don't want to hurt my little brother again.I gave Steve a wink. "Steve, it's fine.You will become who you are if you give it another year or two.Yes, Stella, I'll argue with you.

“Great.When can we begin, Dad?

I was pleased by these teenagers' enthusiasm.What I would do was in line with their priorities:After completing the work, train to achieve your goals.

"Dad, I won't get in the way, am I?"

Absolutely not, Steve!With the horses pulling at the trees and rocks, I need help.Son, don't worry.Everyone will be fine.And with any luck, we ought to be finished before dinner."

the difficulties faced by the youngest child.Too old to be considered a child but not yet strong enough to perform all physical labor.However, he is still so eager to assist and contribute.

"Calvin, it would appear that your farm is already quite large.What do you want to do with the extra land?

“Well, we sell extra meat from the other animals and weave cloth and spin thread from sheep for a living.However, our children are getting close to entering advanced education.I want to grow more crops to make more money for them to pay for their education.David aspires to become a warrior.Stella wants to become a healer by training.At Stalvinport, both occupations require additional income.We think we have enough money, but it never hurts to have more.Steve also visits Kosser, an elderly sage, in his spare time.Additionally, he desires instruction in magic.Kosser is an old, distant mage.However, he has agreed to train my youngest when he turns fifteen because he likes Steve.Six months remain until his fifteenth birthday.Therefore, now that the field has been cleared, I will prepare it for cultivation next spring and use it as a sheep grazing area.I'll divide it into five plots and rotate various crops each season.

I finished my meal and my coffee after he finished his canutty.I sling my axe around my body as I gather myself.What are we waiting for then?Are we not required to clear a field?

"Yes, we are!"After giving Dana a quick kiss as they struggled to get up, the kids left the room.After embracing and lovingly kissing his wife, Alex left as well.When Dana asked me to wait a moment, I was about to leave the door.

"Canutt, please keep an eye on everyone in the field.I have a feeling that something is going to happen today, but I have no idea why.

"You mean that the horde I mentioned might appear?"

"No, that isn't it.It's not clear to me.Please, just keep an eye out.

"Ah, ma'am.Don't be concerned.

I went over to Lisa as I was going outside.The blanket remained over her as she slept outside.Her enormous beaked head was petted by me.She enjoyed it and cooed.Lisa, will you keep an eye on the location?I will return later today."She got up and lightly tapped my chest.That must have been her response to my request.After that, I turned to catch up with Alex and his children.

We had a short distance to travel.All sizes and shapes of rocks were scattered about.Also, tiny saplings.However, I understood Alex's desire for this land.The land was extremely productive.With the cart, Steve was maneuvering the horse around.The others began loading the cart with the rocks.

"Calvin, where would you like to put all of the found rocks?" I asked.

They will be returned to the farm by Steve.The rock can then be used to construct a new fence or barn.

To me, this made perfect sense.I began adding the rocks to the cart as well.I primarily pursued the larger fish.I didn't want Alex or the kids to strain.I reasoned that I could use my bizarre body for something other than fighting.

We were getting there on time.Over half of the field had been cleared of rocks by noon.I took another horse with the cart and began removing the saplings while they were taking a break.I had a unique idea.The location in the middle of the farm seemed to be enjoyable to Lisa.Bring her supplies so that she can construct a sturdy nest and a lean-to.The area of the field that was cleared of rock was also cleared of saplings in about an hour.I set the saplings in front of Lisa and led the horse back to Lisa.She squawked a little as she turned to go, and she started snapping off the saplings, choosing the best ones.Yes, she is a hippoLisa, who understood what I meant.It made me laugh out loud.

There was a thicket of saplings when we got back to the field.When I noticed something in the middle of this thicket, I began to remove these.In the middle of the thicket was a rock that looked more like a boulder and was the size of a small room.

"Hey Calvin, you might find this interesting."

Alex came over and understood why I had called him over right away.His expression showed that he was a little disappointed.

“Damn.This one will need to be removed for days.

"Why take it out?Using these saplings, wouldn't it be better to construct a crude structure in which various farm implements could be stored?

"Nice idea.I'm also not as young as I used to be, heh.I would have been foolish enough to attempt to remove this boulder when I was younger.

I too cracked a grin.Not only because of the harmless remark he made about himself, but also because it felt good to do honest work.I also brought the saplings around this boulder back to Lisa after I finished removing them.

Lisa was completing her tasks faster than we were.She already built the base of her nest, and now she lines it with small branches and shoves dirt into it to make a small nest wall.I started making a spear end for each of the saplings with my hatchet.I attached the tops of the saplings to another sapling and stuck them in one half of the nest.I used rope to secure this end after I pulled it down.I believe Lisa was signaling her approval by squawking at me.After giving her feathered head a little rub, I returned to the field.

It was only midday, and there were only a few acres left to go.We planned to finish before dinner.Realizing this was excellent.Dave suddenly got excited.Steve, Stella, and Dad, come here!I quickly ran over to him.I can see why he was happy.A box with a lock was hidden beneath this massive flat rock.Dad, what do you think?

"I don't know, son.I'm unsure.It appeared as though the box, which was more like a crude chest, had been there for some time.Alex pulled the lock open with a tool and snapped the rusted metal.When we opened the box, the various hues and glints inside nearly blinded us.There were a variety of gold and silver coins in the chest.

“Wow!Dad, how much do you think is contained here?

It's hard to say.I have no idea how these coins were produced.To me, it looks very old.”

"Hey, maybe more of these boxes are beneath other stones!"Stella yelled.

“Yeah!Let's take a look. David, the oldest, began to pull rocks with greater force.Even Stella was more enthusiastic about this than about her upcoming sparring match.I stopped to examine the coins.