Chapter 25: Do the crime, pay the time.
Singh returned quickly to the others.
Currently, they were constructing the palisade for the south wall. Five young men were busy digging holes and standing up the closely placed logs.
"Chong, guide the horses and wagon up to the stable. Master Clod will meet you there. We're done for the day."
Chong helped finish set the log in the ground before heading out. Doug looked up, his clothes drenched in sweat. His tired eyes testified to his fatigue.
"Master Clod really said that?"
He asked in a hoarse voice.
Singh just nodded, he took over Chong's position as the group found added strength in the announcement.
When Chong returned they completed the work in a rush. The teens and young men collapsed on the slight grassy incline.
"Oh man, that was tough."
"You telling me? My hands are like claws, they can't even open out fully."
"Ha ha ha, that's what you get from trying to hog the sawing."
"Damn right! The bastard was only looking to do the easy work. My shoulders are killing me after having to lug those post every day."
They chattered voicing numerous complaints as the sweat dried out slowly.
After recovering some strength they got up and carried their tired bodies to the western entrance.
Adjacent to the gate, just inside the fence was a shack slightly bigger than those found in the slums.
Some small sticks nailed horizontally on an upright post were built on the side. On this crude clothes, line hung garments drying in the autumn sun. Theses extra suit of clothes were provided by Mr Thomas.
They removed their wet clothes and sat on a log outside the shack.
Ever since that fateful day when they conducted a failed ambush, Doug and his group were drafted as free workers. They were given a place to stay as well as some additional clothes.
In return, they helped in the harvest, gathered firewood and constructed the lumber wall. All those chores that required heavy labor was given to them. Every morning they gathered outside the shack and waited on Clod for the day's task.
Other than that they did not have any contact, nor any reason to interact with the rest of the barn's residents. Sometimes when they finished their assigned task early, Ming would come and spar with them for practice.
Wooden barrels filled with water and basic kitchen supplies left them in a much better position than living in the slums. Even this large shack that was hastily built was ten times better than what they lived in before.
The wood used to construct the walls were fitted tightly together sealing them off from the wind. Quilts were hanging on the walls that helped keep the interior warm and cozy at night.
They were also fully convinced that this place was even safer than the village.
During their first week, the farmer carried them out to the forest to cut lumber. They were so frightened they nearly pissed themselves. The younger teens even begged the old man to spare their lives.
Such a small defenseless party venturing in the forest would no doubt be easy pickings for the resident beasts. When a Wildcat appeared, they were so scared they were rooted to the spot. All that fear quickly dissipated when Mr. Thomas killed the creature with one shot.
Doug and the others soon realized that this farming family was a tad bit uncommon from the others. Mr. Thomas made it no secret that he was a former Mercenary and Adventurer.
After a month of witnessing the man and his 'children' venturing in the forest. Only to return towing wildcats, foxes and even a large Jaga, they were convinced of their strength.
'This damn family was too abnormal. No wonder they had no problems farming near the forest.'
The father was ruthless, he even lugged his daughter into the forest. They forced the little girl to help carry some of their kills. She was young and looked much nicer than the girls her age they encountered in the village.
Something about her frightened Singh and Chong to death, but they either suppressed a terrible memory or refused to say the reason why.
The six of them had long taken over the work of processing the carcasses. Their direct overseer was very strict when it came to this job function.
Clod was their manager, but the one who watched over them was a girl nearly quarter their age and size. It was this girl who commanded their most respect, and the most fear.
'Thinking of the devil...'
Dyna walked in from the west gate with her little hands behind her back. She soon spotted the group relaxing on the log. With a smile, she skipped over to them.
Two months ago, if this happened in the Slums. Doug and his posse would have slapped such a girl silly and then stolen everything from her. If she was any older then they might have surrounded her and done some unspeakable actions.
But that was in the past.
All of the young men jumped up and welcomed the little girl with smiles.
"Greeting to the young miss."
"The young miss is looking wonderful as always."
"Please, please have a seat, you have worked hard today as well young miss."
Dyna did not hesitate and sat down in the middle of the log. The others did not dare to sit and remained standing in front. Of course, they made sure that they were always at a distance from her.
Such actions might seem out of the ordinary to others until they noticed the wolf lying lazily at the side with its eye on the men. Ever since they found themselves captured by this family, these men never truly found themselves left alone.
At least one huge wolf was always with them. Not a man was brave enough to attempt an escape. Somewhere out in the grasslands were two more of these creatures under the beck and call of a little girl.
'Which villager had not heard stories of how cunning and vicious these beast were.'
What made matters worse was that these oversize wolves were nearly as twice as large as the wild ones seen in the forest near the village.
Fear kept Doug and the others from even thinking about scheming.
At first, they were in despair about falling in this family's clutches. But Mr. Thomas gave them hope.
"I will not kill you for attacking my children. But the price of that assault will be working until the next year's crop is planted. Then you will be free to leave."
By the end of next Spring, they had the assurance to leave. Despite the hard work, the benefits of this deal far outweighed the losses. They had a secure shelter, food and ample firewood to burn for heat during winter. There were also perks to be gained, just like at this present moment.
"Doug, send two people to meet Lykos outside. I have a weasel and four hares to bring back. Take one for yourself and prepare the weasel-like I showed you. I will come back with Clod before dark to collect my share."
Dyna's large wolves were now near unstoppable on the grasslands. They moved like modern day excavators, digging out rabbits, minks and other creatures from burrows normally left untouched by other predators.
Before Doug could reply, Singh and another teen rushed out to fulfill the demands.
Dyna gave a smile and skipped away happily.
For the past few weeks, this was what kept Doug and the others contented.
Ever so often the girl would provide them with a wide variety of meats for small services. Life was so good that they had even forgotten when was the last time they did not eat meat.
Doug and the others left for the butchering shed. The sooner this work ended, the sooner they would be feasting on deliciously roasted hare tonight.
He dribbled unconsciously when he remembered how the boy named Chu showed them how to rub a mixture of salt and other spices before slow roasting the meat.
"Ch...Chong make sure those idiots don't destroy the pelts, especially that weasel. If we do it right, the young miss will certainly throw in another hare. She is not as greedy like that Ming fella."
Chong could only answer with a nod. His mind drifted to that roasted hare with its fat dripping over the fire.
***
Chu and Mr. Thomas did not have much of any concerns about having some promising bandits residing at arm's length away.
First, they had always maintained a watch and they never lax in security. The only issue now being the weekend trips limiting to two people. With Dyna and the wolves, they did not expect trouble.
As for Doug and the others trying to poison them, it was even more unthinkable. They had too many special noses to sniff out strange smells from raw meat.
Worse yet, they were always under the watchful eyes of the wolves. The beasts would quicker attack them than to eat any scraps from them. Doug and the others would rather piss themselves than scheme against this hardcore father and family.
Some of the meat found its way to neighboring farms and the village. Mrs. Thomas was a welcome visitor among the hard-working farm women. With Mr. Thomas reputation as a mercenary, no one questioned his ability to hunt and capture prey.
Lucy and the others kept themselves cloaked so as not to attract unwanted attention. Most of the times it was unwarranted since the men were out working hard. The last thing on their minds was revenge.
With this extra help, Chu was looking to expand the harvest next year to all the fields. After it was done, then Doug and the others could be sent on their way. He was not that naive to change the mentalities of such people.
This week Ming was going to spend a month living in the slums. His job was the hardest and needed time to mingle with the residents.
If what Mr. Thomas said was true, he felt they were still too dependent on Lucy. For the protection of his farm, he needed additional help. He needed to release some more fighters.
It was time to fill in some job vacancies.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ForestRage
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