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92.68% The Red Lands / Chapter 38: Building a Base

Chapter 38: Building a Base

The cave entrances had been blocked and camouflaged. With all the work scheduled at the farm, Chu did not have the time to sit back and concentrate on this veritable gold mine. He did not spread the discovery to his core members, simply instructing them to keep the location a secret.

In the next week, Clod had everyone out in the fields. Another temporary quarters was built near the south entrance for the village members. It was not unusual for villagers to seek work in the outlying farms, so the mass movement of the household did not raise any concerns by the neighbors.

"Doug and his group will handle the preparation of the new fields at the north. The girls will get the vegetable garden started, expanding its size by four times. The rest for us will begin planting in the eastern fields."

Sue, Mrs Thomas, and Ms May became exempted from the farm work on mornings. They were relegated to cooking for the entire group. Rose and Miki manned the lookout in turns, while Lucy was on guard duty in the fields.

In the evenings the cooks tended to vegetable and herb gardens around the farm. They also provided clean clothes and hot water in the barrels beside the new workshop. There, everyone ate the food served while Clod allocated the next days work after dinner.

They did not have the time to construct the walls around the workshop. Because of this Chu had them construct a solid wooden fence like the kind they first made in the barn. This would serve as an adequate defense against wild animals.

Unless he had no other choice, Lucy's ability was still kept a secret. The fighting skills and the weekends heading into the forest to hunt was chalked up as training received from the known ex-Adventurer Mr Thomas.

Under the constant interactions, he felt that the three small children would be the first to be absorbed into his group. They were a timid lot all under the age of ten. As with the typical mentality of the village, the girls were abandoned just before winter in the slums.

Fortunately for Chu, Ms May kept an eye on them and dragged them into the village home. Though they were shy, they were dedicated and hard workers.

Besides Ms May and Jim, there were two other older couples on the farm. Before taking them in, Chu might have sworn they were clocking ninety.

Now after the most comfortable winter, they had probably spent in their entire lives they were finally looking like middle-aged people.

Spring passed them by concentrating on the farm and the new invention. Griz remained true to his word. When summer rolled in, so to did his family owned merchant caravans filled with the tools, equipment, and materials necessary in creating a forge.

Though the technology was seriously middle ages, a smithy in the Empire represented cutting edge technology. Only the Tower Mages could compete in terms of new products.

If the Tower Mages represented a group of inventors and pioneers, the Smithy was the core of engineers and technicians that brought it to life and concurrently to the common man.

Because of the focus on Magic, the technological advancement slowed in the Empire. For Chu whose brain was useless in creating modern technology, this was a gift from Heaven. Sooner or later the simply machinery of gears would be discovered and developed. Ushering in another leap in technology.

He had to strike now to make his fortune. Once the product hit the market, others would copy it. When that happened he must be ready to blast out another invention when the sales dropped. Because he was running on limited time, he was going to follow the plan of outsourcing.

The smithy in the farm was going to be the place he could tinker to provide working inventions. As such, the wagons did not return empty but filled with lumber. A chest containing a sample and a letter was placed under the care of the guards.

The blacksmiths under Griz would be taking over the as the main producer. Under Chu's guidance, the assembly and trial of the iron gear assembly for a drawbridge and portcullis would finish.

Karst will receive the final product by the first month of autumn. By using his newfound contacts in the Tower and the backing of the Merchant Guild, Griz was hoping to sell his rights on the product to the Empire. Instead of negotiating a price, Chu's idea was to him revolutionary.

Under the protection of both the Empire and the Merchant Guild, he was to demand a 'commission'. Anyone who wanted to manufacture their products would simply have to pay them a small fee.

This 'percentage' according to the boy would quickly add up while serving two very important functions.

Firstly the Merchant Guild and the Empire were undoubtedly the two most powerful heavyweights when it came to the economy. By including them into the fold, he was certain that his product would receive a boost in manufacturing and spread across the country in quick time. With so many customers for the Well handle modification and others, a simple fifteen percent fee was going to rake in big money.

The second reason behind this plan was to make use of the Empire and the Merchant Guild to act as enforcers. When Griz sold the rights to any merchant they would undoubtedly monitor each other. Obviously, none of them wanted to get blacklisted for failing to abide by the rules.

Throw in some new products and it would only serve to increase the number of Merchants sucking up and fawning over Griz. That would be the best for Chu, since he and his farm would be seen as the usual side investment. By releasing the invention in the Capital they would never have to worry about some big Merchant family gobbling them up.

If anyone decided to venture out into the boondocks to find the manufacturing base, Chu would long be waiting and ready. In this place only he had access to the complete plans.

All they had to do was sit back and rake in the money. Chu wrote to Griz stating that they could give a five percent of the fee earned back to the Merchant Guild for services. That service was to prevent merchants from robbing them blind.

By selling their own product while raking in the benefits from a commission, it was a win-win plan. Chu planned to remain in business for the long haul. By the time he clocked a ripe old age and finally finished his adventuring days, he intended to retire in style.

Chu had Dareck move to the farm. As an apprentice blacksmith, the young man had experience in setting up the layout for the new smithy. With it in progress, the assembly work on the gears could begin.

***

Dough and his group were training hard in the evening. The Elder was sitting on a log teaching Rose to sharpen a sword.

"I know we promised to set you guys free as soon as the fields got sown. A man's word is his bond, but I have three choices for you young men.

The first one is that you can leave now, and as promised I will get a word into the merchants trading in the village. We will not have anything to do with each other again.

The second choice is to work until the end of summer. By then I can guarantee work as guards on a convoy heading into the city of Haven. That convoy will sometimes bring you, men, back to the farm now and again.

The third choice is to work here until autumn. We have a special delivery going out to Karst. From there it is heading out to the Capital. If you want to experience life at the center of the Empire, this is a great opportunity. You can also choose to stay there or return working as guards."

The Elder spoke to them while checking on Rose's work.

Doug and his group were no fools. During the past few months, they had been working alongside the older men recruited from the village. Through normal small talk, Singh and Chong had gained valuable information on their current employer.

This farmer had a deep connection with the Master of the Trading Post. If that was not scary enough, the new blacksmith at the farm boasted about how his Patron and the Farmer was apparently close. A farmer with such ties could never steer them in the wrong direction.

Additionally, he had a son who ran this farm in the background. Countless times they heard the 'little boss' boasting about her brother's amazing skills.

The benefits since their 'abduction' far outweighed the cons. They had eaten better than most villagers and now given the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to the Capital.

"Elder, we have no problems in working until autumn. We want to go to the Capital."

Doug replied.

The only thing the group did not do was bow down and break out in tears.

All the hard work finally paid off. Unlike most if not all of the inhabitants living in these parts they had the opportunity to visit the Capital city of the Empire.

'How many people live their entire lives wishing and dreaming they could hear these few words?'

"Very well, you brats are growing up. When its time to leave I will get some spending money for you. Make sure you reserve yourself and come back in one piece. The world outside is cruel and unforgiving."

Mr Thomas seemed pleased in their choice. They were not ungrateful as to bail on him now.

"Alright, settle yourself. Rose, grab the wooden sword. Its time for you to spar with these scoundrels."

Mr Thomas continued in a pleasing manner.

On the opposite side of the farm, Clod and Chu were taking a walk inside the fields. Rows of green corn lined both sides of the road. Halfway down the road between the farm and the north-south road they stopped.

"Here. In this spot here I want to build it."

Chu looked around as if making sure he choose a prime location.

"So far from the barn?"

Clod asked. He stared at the ground. There on the dirt road, Chu had made a crude drawing.

"Yep, we want to make sure it does not disturb us at the barn. Also, we can use it both as additional income and as another watchtower. Too close to the barn will cause trouble, we will have endless worries if it falls into enemy hands. Out here it can serve its purpose perfectly."

Chu replied.

"Very well then. With the fields under control, I can allocate additional lumber for this project. As soon as Dareck gets his forge going, we can have nails and rivets to set it up. I think we will only be able to frame it up before winter though."

Clod spoke as he looked at the doodle on the ground again.

"Don't worry, when we meet Dareck for dinner later in the workshop I will have him help me construct a small model. Both of you can use it to help in the construction. All you need to know is that it needs a large base for adequate support."

Chu gave Clod some reassurance as he headed back.


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ForestRage ForestRage

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Chapter 39: Busy Summer

The residents of the farm did not have the luxury to rest during the summer. They constructed buildings, toiled in the fields and took part in mandatory archery training in the evenings. At night the women and girls did some knitting and sewing near the fireplace while the men and boys gossiped about some rumor.

"Chu didn't I eat Snowbear meat once?"

"Yes, yes for the umpteenth time you ate Snowbear meat."

"See Rugol, I told you so! Remember our bet, you need to fetch water from the well for the next two weeks!"

Slap, Slap, Slap.

"Stop trying to scam others to do your chores!"

Rugol and his wife Stavia became permanent residents of the farm since they moved over from the village home. Both once worked in the village tavern but lost their jobs when it burned to the ground.

Stavia had gotten burned on one of her hands trying to help out the fire. Rugol ended up with a broken arm trying to stave of a drunkard from stealing a barrel of mead. By the time both recovered they lost their jobs.

Rugol had long blond hair he kept tied and possessed a muscular tall body. In spite of his recently broken hand, he helped Clod with the toughest task.

His wife Stavia, by contrast, was a short rounded woman with blue eyes and long blond hair. Despite her size, she zipped across the tables and kitchen making short work in serving food and clearing dishes.

In the hot summer nights, everyone practically lived in the open workshop. Only when it was time to sleep did the women and girls return to the barn.

Until he could provide suitable lodging, Chu allowed the married couples and girls to live in the barn. Bachelors like him had no problems 'roughing it out' in the workshop. Plans were in place to harvest enough lumber from the forest before the autumn harvest.

That way he could finally realize the completion of the log houses inside the walls for the older couples and 'guest' like Doug and company. The family assimilated the younger girls like a Borg mother-ship. In a household where the sky seemed to be the only limit, this became like heaven to them.

Sally and Brella were nine years old, while Yin was seven. It was easy to fit in among the rest of girls of similar age.

If you wanted to read and count, you could join Sakura and big Sis Amanda during the evenings. Learn archery using a crossbow with Miki during training, or spar and become skilled with a sword like Rose. If you ever wanted to walk freely in the grasslands and forest without a care, then you just accompanied the 'little boss'.

"Big Sis, can you help me with this word?"

"Hey Yin, your Big Brother is right here whenever you need anything okay! Go full a barrel of water for me."

"Miki, I need help with resetting the crossbow."

"Let Big Brother help you Sally, in the meantime go get a bowl of soup from Sue for me. Remember to add an extra helping of meat, if you say it's for you she will do it. "

"I'm ready boss, I have the canvas bags you wanted."

"Hey, hey little Brella. You should listen to Big Brother and stay away from such bad company. Why don't you come here instead and help me wash these clothes."

Slap, slap, slap.

"Stop forcing others to do your chores, they certainly do not want your help. You should focus that one brain cell on your training, otherwise Rose is going to beat your sorry behind. And no more meat for you for a week!"

"Nooooo! Chu I'm so sorry, I won't just put the clothes to dry in the sun, I will really soak and wash them this time."

"I knew it you dirty bastard, Lucy!"

Jim gave Chu a rundown of the kinds of traps occasionally used by hunters. They ranged from the commonly used snares and deadfall traps to the least frequented pit traps. Trappers hardly used pit traps because of the time constraints. Additionally, animals in the forest tended to avoid or be wary around them.

Since no one wanted to be the food of a wild animal when caught digging a trap, it fell out of favor. They used cage traps but for smaller creatures. It was very hard for a hunter or trapper to construct these types of traps quickly in so little time. Fear of the forest after all literally slashed their income.

Chu understood the problems for the most part faced by the old trapper. Technology in this field after all, never really progressed. Except by some modifications with materials used in construction and baiting, trap basics remained the same. He did get some ideas from conversing with the old man.

With Lucy's help in 'seeing' animal trails, it would be very easy to make cage traps to attract and capture large prey like deer and boars. He preferred to concentrate on edible meat for now. Not to say that if they had a chance to bag a wildcat, he certainly would not refuse.

He also remembered something he long forgot. It was the standard trap shown frequently in outdoor type movies. The trap they called a bear trap, or otherwise known as a leg-hold trap. He remembered it was inhumane to use it against wild animals but he never planned to do so in the first place.

Such metal trap was beyond the scope of the present technology, but if he created it the uses were endless. Tinkering to reinvent this device might just be worth it.

In times of trouble such as a goblin raid, he could lay the traps out like a minefield in the grasslands outside the walls. Dyna's wolves were much smarter than most people so it did not affect them.

He might have to keep an eye out for Ming though...

Mr Thomas continued the weekend trips to the village. Mrs Thomas and some of the girls sometimes tagged along. Whenever that happened, it usually meant a trip to Farmer Hoyle's farm.

Now that farm had a new resident, a healthy granddaughter that received affection even from Rose.

"That new girl must really be something, so as to melt an ice queen like that."

Ming commented.

Ever since Rose bested him once during a training session he remained sour for days. Chu had to bear the foul mood and gloomy comments for the guy stuck to him like a leech. Because of this everyone now avoided him like the plague.

"Clod is going to the village today to get some supplies. Take this letter and go with him, Merchant Kim will return soon and we need to have his cargo ready."

"Why can't I stay here with you, Clod can drop it off for you."

"Because I can only count on you. Since you are the best and most skilled fighter in our camp. You know I only trust you for important matters!"

"Well, if you say so Chu. You're right, I AM the best."

Chu rolled his eyes as he saw him off. He had some important designs to finish and show to Mrs Thomas and the other women.

Just before the end of summer merchant, Kim arrived at the farm. Chu had him and his guards' bunk in the workshop. The old miser showed no displeasure in his lodgings, especially when he saw the bulky cargo ready for him.

Because time was of the essence, Kim did not relax at the farm. He had a chat with Chu to understand the plans and dropped off a chest for him. The wagons were loaded the same night, and in the morning Kim departed.

As planned most of his cargo, this time was destined got the Capital. By the time the other merchants there could gain some understanding of the product, Griz would arrive bearing another new invention as well as plans for a favorable contract.

Chu had Ming lug the chest over to the barn. He discreetly handed over a small ledger and a sack of coins to Amanda for safekeeping. In the evening they gathered around the chest.

"Open it Chu, what did you buy for me. It's high time you recognize this warrior's skills and worth!"

Chu opened the chest and removed one of the cloth bundles. When he loosened it there were gasps all around.

"So beautiful!"

On the cloth laid a small leather strap that had five thin daggers the length and width of two fingers sheathed. The strap could be buckled onto one's leg, arm or wrist. Chu opened another bundle revealing some six-inch daggers made of metal and pure white handles.

He ended up with five of the six-inch long daggers and ten sets of the smaller 'kunai' like hidden weapons. He really made those smaller weapons for Miki. When he once saw here throwing a knife accurately onto a training dummy he became intrigued. Later he found out that she actually hunted in the grasslands using this method.

Whenever she sneaked up onto the hares or pheasants, she used the knife throwing skills. She had learned through experience that using it accurately prevented the creature from alerting others.

These daggers were light to carry and best for medium range combat.

He also wanted Lucy to begin training with them. Considering her speed and strength, those small daggers in her hands would make a lethal weapon. Of course, not everyone could see the benefits of these weapons.

"But what the heck is this? You mean we got robbed again!"

***

Toll and his wife Shine were the last of the three couples from the village. Both of them usually made their money working on farms for the summer. Because he had fallen ill in the winter the year before, they lost their income from the farm. Hence the move to the slums.

Toll had a get-up and go attitude. Under his thin frame was a body primed to work in the fields. Most of the time his short black hair was the only thing seen among the corn. Clod and he always carried out some of the most animated conversations around.

Shine had the same mentality as her husband, but she excelled in handling all the chores around a farmhouse. She was a friendly woman who had slivers of gray hair growing among her long brown hair.

Both were experienced farm hands and fitted perfectly into Chu's plans. Added to the fact that the new men had basic skills in construction, he did not foresee major problems ahead. Shine was especially good at sewing and knitting. Chu used her skills to help him complete his task.

He considered recruiting more personnel from the other villages to expand his manufacturing base and production but he squashed the thought. It was in his best interest to mold this group first and acquire absolute trust before he ventured forward.

That way whenever he decided to expand, not only could he do so in quick time but he would have loyal and experience followers to man the top positions.

On the last day of summer Chu had a large table set out under the tree. This time he made all the favorites, plus some jam filled pastries. The food contained fried vegetables and an assortment of meats seasoned and cooked in different ways.

Mrs Thomas and the women also brought out an assortment of different stuffed animals made of cloth beads and buttons. Chu had spent an entire evening drawing up the best kinds he could remember. The looks on the faces showed his work was not in vain.

'Happy Birthday!'

"But what the heck is this? Chu, I did not even get a doll!"


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
ForestRage ForestRage

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