Finally feeling at Home

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 17th April 2007

Characters: Kaldyn, Kardyn
Description: Clearing the field Kaldyn and Kardyn discuss the difference between Amethyst Cliff
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 7 of Turn 4

"Hey Da!" Kardyn hollered across the paddock to his father. He lifted his arm and waved to gain his attention, not sure that his father had heard him after all, since he had continued his ploughing.

"Da!" he called again and finally his father acknowledged him. Unsheathing himself form the plough straps, and anchoring them on the bolder he removed from the harness. They may move a little, but generally the oxen stayed where they were bidden unless urged, by his father, to move again.

"Wassup?" Kaldyn stamped through the newly tilled soil, across the hills and valleys of the turned earth.

Kardyn kicked at the soil again, turning over pieces of bone. He watched as all manner of grubs wriggled and curled around each other trying to find somewhere they could bury themselves again.

"What do you want to do with this lot?" he asked as his father neared. "You don't think they'd still carry the plague?"

"Kar, you're not even sure that is what they died from." Kaldyn shook his head, "Could have been anything, even wild feline attacks, and they just covered the beast over and left it to rot." He too kicked at the soil, "Two things though, we can grind these bones and till them back into the soil, good marrow inside 'em, will work wonders, see the grubs like it." he nodded.

"Second thing?" Kardyn asked, "Don't tell your mam!" Kaldyn said, "I don't want her worrying about either plague or wild felines, you know she worries enough about Reia, since we moved, I don't want her coddling the child anymore than she already does."
He stooped and picked up a handful of soil, rubbing it through his hands.

"Tis good soil, Da. Feel how rich and loamy it is." his enthusiasm was evident. "Much better than we had at home. Must be all the beast dung they've had deposited for generations."

Kaldyn nodded, "Aye, its worked wonders for the soil, we should get good, strong crops from this. We're lucky to have been situated so near the irrigation ditch. The river flows well, and there's a never ending supply of fresh water." He walked back along the soil well, "Looks to be more bones along here, you'll have your work cut out, skimming the rocks and bones. I'll see if Uncle Rett and your Granda will be down to help when they get back from the Hold. Maybe your mam'll let Reia out to help us as well.
The girl needs to get out in the sunshine, instead of being cooped up inside all day."

"Da..." Kardyn looked up at his father, "Have you heard whether we'll be allowed more land if this seasons crops do well?"

"They haven't said anything to your Granda or me about it yet, no. Why?"
Kaldyn turned and face his son.

He dropped his eyes, unsure whether to go on or not. "No _real_ reason."
Kardyn shook his head. "Just...well. I thought maybe if we could get at least two more pastures, we'd be able to get some stock, maybe, and then you know, rotate them with the crops. You know, fertilise one field, let one lay fallow and have another planted."

"You've been studying those books, haven't you?" Kal grinned, pleased that at least one of his children had taken an interest in his own chosen craft.
"It worked well for the ancestors, so I don't see why it shouldn't here.
Though you gave me a gliff, for a minute there. Thought you wanted to branch out on your own."

Kardyn laughed, relieved his dad could see where his ideas were heading, "No Da, never that, its a lot easier work when there're more of us working together." He paused for a moment, fiddling with the bone he had in his hand, "I suppose we'd both better get back to work, the field won't prepare itself."

"Aye, lad, aye." Kaldyn once again stepped lively across the hills and valleys of the tilled soil, pleased he and Kardyn got on so well together, and pleased that they _all_ seemed to be settling in here at Amber Hills Hold. It had been a long and stressful time, but finally, they were beginning to think of the place as Home.

Last updated on the April 17th 2007

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Finally feeling at Home