Kevin, Ma, Venin, Abundance, the newly adopted child that used to be the lich king, and the former rogue serpent that tried to kidnap Kevin, and was now a part of the odd little family, all had a long talk, and decided to take over this little kingdom that once was the lich king's, and have a new, permanent home, their family from back on the old farm could come to them, right? Would Wraithvine and Pondermore stay and join them? Or would they wander on to new adventures? -- Anon Guest
[AN: I am still figuring out what the hell happened to Yautto, but I'm also figuring out what the hell timeline I have here. I didn't want a continuity but now I'm getting one I guess. Also I wrapped up Ma's adventures in a prior tale]
Miller farm had grown since Wraithvine had last visited. It was hir habit to check up on those ze had adventured with, making certain that their happy endings were not another uncertain beginning. This was a good sign.
Amatu was very happily married and starting a little farm with his bride. Vee had gone home with her uncle the Bugbear to Lower Petraine. Which left Gikka, currently riding Pondermore's shoulder, and Pondermore herself. Wraithvine would stop by later. This journey was about the last batch.
The formerly poor soil that had gone to weeds was now rich and fruitful. Even the old mill was repaired and running. The rich red colour of the soil was a minor concern.
"They calling this Bloodhill," said Pondermore. "Not a name with confidence in it."
"I'd ask if they were doing anything untowards, but... they know me. They know better than to do anything nasty."
The answer to why the soil was a disconcerting reddish-brown came from a nearby cave that now spilled steam into the sky. Yautto emerged with a basket of rich red mud. Two shrieking children charged to swarm them, each bearing smaller baskets to take to a mixer.
Kevin had improved his physique with turning that mixer, blending volcanic mud with the farm's dungheap to produce a truly rich earth. Now that the farm overflowed with it, sacks of the soil waited for market day on a cart. A side business that included abundant preserves, as evidenced by the crates also there.
Ma emerged from the building, raising her chin towards Wraithvine in greeting. Her hands were wiping themselves clean.
"Got yerself more trouble, I see," said Ma.
"I have a knack for finding it before it's lost. Pondermore, Gikka... meet Ma Oxbrydl. Hero foretold and... unriddler of the Lich King's endless distress."
Rex Oxbrydl, former Lich King of Ages, seemed like an ordinary boy doing ordinary things. It was what he was allowed to be, now. At last. He ferried mud to the mixer and "helped" add animal dung or turn the handle. Laughing as the upper part of the cycle lifted him off his feet.
The other boy, Mitch Millerson, dumped his basket of mud into the mixer's maw, and demanded his turn.
Typical family chaos.
"Where's Abundance?" worried Wraithvine. "He wasn't run off, was he?"
"Town got used to him. He's out walking with a half-Orc lass from the willow valley. Name's Petunia. Well. Something within ninety degrees of walking, anyway."
Venin was in the new shed, working with an astonishing assortment of things to create tools and devices. Either tools and devices for the farm, or tools and devices to make other tools and devices. Goblins had a natural inclination to tinker. She was happier than a pig in mud, and had evidently taken in repair work from the village down the hill.
Give a goblin a fire and some rocks and come back a year later to a fully-operational forge and tinker's shop.
Interestingly, Venin's anvil was shaped stone.
"I didn't know Abundance could shape rocks."
"Oh he's all about plants," dismissed Venin. "This was Yautto. He's an Earth-aligned druid."
"Ah. Good for them," Wraithvine could relax, now that ze knew no other surprises were in store. Well. Not the kind that necessitated another hero's journey. "Do you have a chair for a footsore Wizard?"
"You can sit and watch the pie. Turns out Rex has a touch of prognostication. Nothing to be done about it. Gives good advice from time to time." Only Ma Oxbrydl would pronounce foresight as if it were some kind of hereditary disease.
"Just keep the portents away from me and I shall be a happy Wizard," said Wraithvine. Ze sat by the hearth to watch the pie. And in less than an hour, there was also some cider to taste.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / alexeys]
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