Farmer or Cultivator? Why not both?-Chapter 33: Those who are strong

"Master Ren." The voice was soft, with a hint of fear behind it. Ren was on his back, his clothes stained by the mud, surely not a dignifying appearance for him.

"Who are you?" Ren asked.

"I am the son of Gront and Danya, my name is Dinobad." The boy had an accent to him, one that sounded grittier than all he had heard across the village.

"Dinobad?"

"The village chief instructed me to watch yer plants and animals whye yer left."

Ren turned his head to his crops, and then back to his livestock, they were in great condition. The house was clean, with minimal dried leaves littering about. The little boy had worked well.

He got up on his feet, dusting dirt off his back and bum. He was much taller than the boy, and it was upon standing that he realized how small and malnourished the boy looked.

"Have you been eating, child? Where are your parents?" The boy’s reaction had Ren suspect that that hadn’t been a good

question. The child winced, and turned his face to the ground.

"They are dead. Father died in that battle."

The son of a comrade, Ren’s heart was heavy. Clearly he had lost his mother much earlier, and his father must not have been feeding him as much. Ren knelt to meet the boy’s face.

"You are welcome here, you can stay as long as you like."

The boy wore a warm smile, but shook his head. "Tsank you kind sir but I must decline your offer. I did this to keep me mind off father’s death, and now that yer back, I must return. I have me father’s house to uphold and I must continue my family’s trade."

Ren nodded to this, and stood up. He walked past the boy, heading to the door where Neg sat, watching what had transpired. The dog however got on its feet the instant it saw that it was its master that came, wagging its tail, and circling him. Ren petted it briefly before turning to the boy, "At least join me for a meal, I haven’t had a proper meal in days."

Dinobad smiled.

Ren made an afternoon meal of fried potatoes, and slices of apples.

"I have never seen grapes that grew as large, master Ren. It is a thing unseen under the skies." Dinobad commented upon finishing his meal. Over the course of the lunch, Dinobad had briefed him on the occurrences that had taken place while he was away.

"People stole apples, grapes and other crops. Dionobad knows some of them, they were very hungry, and they did not mean any harm. None of them got close to your cows and pigs. They only wanted the fruits to fix hunger. Forgive them." Ren’s eyes had been wide-eyed over this, but it soon softened and Ren smiled. He patted the boy on his head.

"I also gave bottles of milk. They were going to spoil."

"Ohh," Ren chuckled, "Do not feel embarrassed over an act of kindness, you were kind to them, and it was much better than to have them spoil, is that not so?" Dinobad nodded.

Ren got up, "I am going to see a friend. My offer still stands, you are always welcome."

"Hmmp!" The boy nodded with excitement.

’I have to find a way to keep the milk from spoiling, damn it.’ The fountain of elaxis protected his crops from spoiling, but produce from livestock were still quite prone to spoilage, and milk was already a staple food prior to his arrival, everyone had goats or sheep to fetch milk from or to sell.

"A problem for another time," he muttered and continued his walk down into the heart of Tunish.

’What was Enoa trying to say? What has happened to it?’ He reminisced. It had been obvious that the angel had crossed a line, and it had been dealt with without mercy. It was frightening to think of what they had done to one of theirs, and what they could do to him. He did not directly serve them like Enoa did, and clearly they had known the angel much longer than him. If they could easily dispose of a tool like Enoa, just how disposable was he?

He spotted a woman playing with her child outside her hut. They seemed happy, and that was nice to see.

"I am seeking Jonan, could you help me with directions?"

The woman stood up with haste, as if surprised to see a person at all. She had an old dress on her, incredibly old, and large, someone had to have passed it down to her.

"Yes, just go in more, and turn to ye left on the first branch, ask of his house from one there, they will tell yer."

"Thank you." Ren answered, and bowed slightly. He felt he had imagined it but he could swear that he saw the woman’s face blush upon raising his head, but she had swiftly turned away. It did not matter however, he had gotten what he needed.

He reached this left turn and walked through. Most villagers were either in or out in their social gatherings, and the possibility of not getting to see Jonan was quite high. He however did spot him. The large man’s upper body was unclad, and he had in his large hands a large piece of wood cut into the shape of a sword, and he swung it violently and with so much ferociousness. It was like he swung it at an unseen enemy.

The large cut on his shoulder had mostly healed but with the way he swung the sword, there was a real chance that he could reopen the wound.

Ren watched him for about five minutes, and the man did not cease. It was not until Ren called out his name did he stop, and then turned to him.

"Ren," Jonan muttered, the tip of the wooden sword grazing the ground.

"I see you are as strong as ever."