Terdin
Farmer
Summer 27
Woke up to the crowing of a rooster, feeling a lot better than I should have. I opened the pocket holding the cards and looked at the crafting recipes. Farm totems, tent kits like the one I'd received at the Trout Derby, oil maker, deluxe speed-gro, and keg were some I were sure I hadn't seen before. Now I could make my own rather than being limited to the one from the Junimo. I almost put the cards away before noticing that there were more recipes listed below. Bomb, slime egg press, and oil of garlic.
The last one made me frown. That sounded more like a condiment to use when cooking than... Unless it was used to keep monsters, and probably people too, away from me. Looking at its description confirmed my suspicion. It didnât mention anything about people, but theyâd probably want to keep their distance too unless I waited for the stink to wear off before approaching them.
The only problem was that I didnât know where to get hold of garlic. And I wasnât so sure it would keep shadow brutes and shadow shamans away. If they liked the smell of burnt hair, they might like the smell of garlic too, and comment on me coming pre-seasoned.
Went to check the TV.
Weather forecast, sunny and perfect for the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies. I groaned. Was there another dance event? Maybe I should participate in this one now that I had started to know the townspeople a bit better. At any rate, my luck for today was good, which was reassuring.
As I picked up the bait and went outside, I shook my head at my reaction to Welwickâs prediction. How had I become this superstitious in just two seasons? Yet I hadnât believed in magic or monsters either, and those had proven all too real.
The keg was still busy fermenting the hops. It would indeed have been foolish to stay and watch it. The lightning rods on the other hand had battery packs waiting for me. Noting that all of them had been triggered I went to the materials chest. With the bat wings Iâd gathered yesterday, more than I had noticed at the time, I crafted more lightning rods and placed them too along the cliff edge. The sixteen rods that now formed a decent fence would probably be enough for now.
A movement in the grass distracted me from tending to the rest of the machinery, and made me go to take care of my chickens and Belle. Refilled Belleâs bowl, then picked up a gold quality mayonnaise from the coop. 285 G was a welcome addition. With no large egg available, I put a small egg in. The mayonnaise went into the shipping bin and I picked up almost 1600 G from the red mushrooms and the stuff from the morning.
A large bundle stood beside my mailbox, with a card attached to it. Robin had sent me 50 pieces of wood that she had âlying aroundâ. I couldnât deny that I could always use more wood even if I had gathered a fair amount in the last couple of days. Just what I needed to add a kitchen, build a simple barn, and upgrade the coop, would take over a thousand pieces of wood. Not to mention the need for making more preserve jars and kegs.
After some more crafting, I had two more kegs that got set to producing pale ale. The hops sold for even less than parsnips, so theyâd be worse as pickles too. If pale ale sold for more than 120 G, it was better than pickling them.
Thinking about processing crops reminded me that I needed to go harvesting and watering. Tea leaves, hops, corn, hot pepper, and some radishes. Picked up a crayfish and two snails from the crab pots and rebaited. Now I finally had 10 base quality corn for the SpiritsâEve bundle.
Belatedly put gold ore in the furnaces, then put the crayfish and snails in the shipping bin.
Maybe best to go fishing today. I had some bait and it might be a good idea to see if there was anything over by the tidal pools. Fishing was what had earned me the most money so far, and I didnât know how much Iâd need for seeds when Fall began. At best Iâd be able to afford both the seeds and the bigger backpack.
In rearranging the contents of my backpack to have more space for fish, I found the beach totems. One got used to get to the beach faster.
Haley stood musing about what Alex might be doing as I appeared on the beach. She flinched with a âOh, I didnât see you standing there.â
âI just arrived by using a beach totem.â
âOh.â
I frowned as I walked away to talk to Alex. Something was wrong. Haley had been all excited by the Flower Dance, but not tomorrowâs event. Maybe it wasnât a dance for humans. Some people said that the fireflies were dancing in the air at night, so maybe it was the moonlight jellies, whatever they were, that would be doing the dancing.
Alex complimented the tan Iâd got. An empty phrase considering how much rain there had been and how much time Iâd spent in the mines. I was pale compared to him or Haley. But rather than ask if it was a sarcasm, I returned the compliment. He then excused himself with a comment about needing to open the ice cream stand.
Six corals and two urchins, as well as a couple of clams and mussels, and a rainbow shell made their way into my backpack as I scoured the beach. There were also a couple of dig spots, one giving me a few stones, the other a book that the Junimo returned to the library. The two crab pots got relieved of their mussels and rebaited.
I went to Willyâs shop to sell them, only to find that he had put up his âgone fishingâ sign, reminding me that it was Saturday, his day off. Instead, I went to dump them in my fishing chest near Jodiâs house. Music was playing inside. An attempt at country music, even if they were obviously just starting out on it. I went in to talk to them. Abigail was with them, working the drums.
âYou found someone, I see,â I said when they noticed me and paused.
âJust my first attempt at it,â Abigail said.
âThatâs a very good first attempt,â I said.
âYeah, sheâs picking it up like...â Sam didnât finish it, as if he worried that his comparison might get him in trouble. âSheâs got a lot of talent, more than I suspected at first when Sebastian suggested her.â
âTold you so,â Sebastian said. âHavenât you heard her drumming her fingers on her book or the armrest of the sofa on Fridays? Or have you just had your entire mind on the pool table?â
âIâd better not keep you from it any longer. Iâd intended to go fishing today and have yet to catch a single fish,â I said before leaving.
Despite that, I still went up to the square to exchange a few words with Jodi and Caroline, and then up to the park to see if Dr. Harvey was there. He wasnât, but Penny was at the playground with Jas and Vincent. Penny clearly wasnât wanting to talk to me, more from how she said that the mountains were looking nice than from the words. Vincent and Jas were focusing on their playing, so I left them to it.
Demetrius was studying some nearby bushes again. Lichens this time, lichens I hadnât even noticed until he pointed them out to me. He showed me his notes of different kinds and how many colonies there was of each.
A dig spot in front of the community center was next to attract my attention. Another book getting transported to the library. I had found a few more now. Maybe I had better read them in case there was something useful there. But first I had to deliver the corn to the Junimo.
The scrollâs tension increased about as much as Iâd expected it to. Seven more gifts to complete the scroll. I nodded to myself. Should be able to get it to decrease in tension during Fall unless the two biggest bundles ended up lacking just one gift each.
The book seller had put up his poster. I took the closest bridge even though it brought me closer to him than I liked. Didnât want to bring up his hopes, and didnât have the money to spare for a book. Was still glad that I did, as there was another dig spot just north of it. I went for it, hoping for an artifact for the museum. No. Another library book. I sighed.
Reaching Clintâs shop, I wished Iâd brought the geodes. The mining cart did remind me that I had intended to ask Marlon about the note in the chest. The guild house should be open for business about now.
âLooking for a new sword?â Marlon greeted me when I entered.
âNot now. I need to save my money for seeds for Fall. I did want to ask why the note I found on floor 120 has the same handwriting as that board." I nodded towards the board with monster eradication goals. "Is the mine just a big test of ability?â
Marlon rubbed his pointy beard, looking slightly embarrassed. âIt is. There are more dangerous places out there. See it as your job to find them. Just... donât mention the depth of the mine to anyone outside the guild.â He gave me a stern look. âAn adventurer has to be willing to go into the unknown.â
âI figured as much. I know Clintâs a guild member, and that Lewis and Linus have at least been members even if I donât know if theyâre active anymore. Their comments tipped me off.â
âLewis quit active service when he became mayor,â Marlon confirmed. âWas there anything else?â His eyebrows rose.
He probably expected me to ask about the key Iâd found, but I wouldnât ask about that. With his insistence on secrecy, he wasn't likely to give me a straight answer anyway. He also hadn't said anything about whether Linus was still active, so he probably was.
"I know there are still types of monsters marked with question marks on the list of monster eradication goals, so I guess those may be found in the other places you are urging me to find," I said instead. "I think I've found every type of monster there are in the mine."
A slight smile was my only response, and I left.
I took the cart back to Clintâs place, considering yesterday's mention of asking the W... Rasmodius, about the treasure chests. Not today. I probably wouldn't get any fishing done if I did. The books I'd found was a different story, just a minor detour.
I found Dr. Harvey at the library, reading a book.
âWhat are you reading?â I asked him.
He flinched. âJust a fiction book about a pilot, an ace to be more precise. Itâs taking place towards the end of the previous Ferngill/Gotoro war. Itâs just to get my mind off work,â he said a bit hastily.
âI prefer fantasy novels when Iâve got time to read. Which I sadly havenât had much time for since moving here.â
âBut...â
I recalled the headache Iâd needed his help for. âMaybe Iâll show you what kind of book led to my migraine when I get hold of another one. Though the other effects might upset you as much as theyâre unpleasant to me.â
âWhat other effects?â he asked.
âIâll tell you when Iâm ready to show you. I donât know when Iâll find another one. I came here to see if thereâs something new on the shelves, so I think Iâll leave you to your book.â
âEr...â He looked at the book in his hands as if heâd forgotten about it. âYes.â
I went to the shelves at the back of the library. Highlights from the book of Yoba... I merely skimmed through a page with part of the creation myth. As I put the book back on the shelf I couldnât help but wonder if the myth was at least part true, considering all the other stuff Iâd learned was real.
Next was a marriage guide. I skipped the advice about first meetings and how to get your intended romantically interested in you. Those sections were usually too generalized to be of any help. Instead I went for the section about local marriage traditions. It briefly mentioned needing to be officially dating first and that a bouquet was necessary to make it official. Then something about a mermaid pendant. That made me recall a necklace Iâd found in my momâs jewelry box, the one with a seashell that dad had given her when he proposed.
The second act of The Fisherman play was also new. Good thing that anyone trying to set up the play would be able to do the whole thing. I flipped to the end of the narrow volume, where the old fisherman talked about a fish called the Legend. I frowned, hadnât I heard... Oh, Sebastian had mentioned something about a fish called that up at the lake. No doubt there were more than one fish that had earned the name Legend locally.
The science section had also grown by a narrow book. Technology Report mentioned a piece of machinery that could replicate gems and other minerals, apparently apart from prismatic shards, whatever they were.
The next new book made me stop and stare at it. Secrets of the Legendary Fish... My hands shook as I took the old book from the shelf. I skimmed the first page that mentioned that no-one had caught more than one of each legendary fish. Flipped to the section about legendary fish found in Stardew Valley.
Crimsonfish. Only read enough to confirm that it correlated to what Willy had taught me before turning to the next.
Glacierfish. Caught in Winter, at something called Arrowhead Island in Cindersap Forest. I considered which one it could be. Since it mentioned the southern tip of it, there had to be... Wasnât there one island that had a point facing south towards a deeper section?
Angler. Caught in Fall at the waterfall... I almost started wondering which one before noting it was the one coming down from the mountains. So, it had to be the one east of the community center rather than the one in Cindersap Forest.
Some kind of legendary fish apparently lived in the sewer too, but I merely skimmed that since I couldnât go there anyway.
Then a section about the Legend, correlating a lot with what Sebastian had said. My mind went back to the play. If I had to catch the other legendary fish first, it was good that Iâd already caught Crimsonfish.
I put the book back on the shelf. I should try to catch the Angler and see if it had less value than the Crimsonfish, since that seemed to translate to how much the roe was worth, then put the lowest into the pond. If I had to give 15 roe to the Junimo and it didnât matter which, Iâd rather give them cheaper roe.
Another frown as I noted the author of the old book. Willy Gaffer. I took it back down to see if there was a picture of the author. There was. Not the Willy I knew, though there was some resemblance. Could it be his father? I put it back again.
A further search revealed no more new books. I walked out of the library trying to gather my thoughts. I passed the ice cream stand, noting that Alex and Haley were too deep in conversation to notice much else.
Willy stood fishing beside the bridge to the beach. I paused.
âHowâs it going?â I asked.
âJust fine, lass,â he replied without turning his eyes from the float.
âI read a book in the library earlier. Did your father write a book about the legendary fish?â
He turned to look at me, surprised. A bite forced his attention back to his rod and reel in the fish.
âThe old man done that, but me thought the book gone forever. Vanished years ago. The guy before Gunther said he couldna find it anywhere. Gave up on it. Never went there again. Maybe should do that now.â
âItâs on one of the shelves in the back,â I said. âI thought Iâd get some fishing done today too.â
We parted ways.
I fished on the beach for as long as I had bait, helped by catching some chests with bait in them. Also found some stones, wood, and geodes in them. Of course, too late to have Clint break them open.
There was enough time remaining to stop by the Saloon on my way home, exchanging a few words with Pam, Gus, Emily, Shane, and Marnie. None of them had anything memorable to say. Clint congratulated me on my progress in the mine. Willy was there too, looking into his mug as if he might start to cry.
âWhatâs wrong, Willy?â I asked.
âNothing. Just felt good to read me old manâs book again.â He sighed.
So, nostalgia, possibly grief too, rather than something bad happening.
âI guess you still miss him. I still miss Grandpa,â I said.
âAye, lass.â
I nodded at him and headed home, dumping my fish into the shipping bin on my way past. The seaweed got saved for my next pond.
The first keg had finished brewing and I picked up my first pale ale, then blinked at the price provided by the price catalogue in me. 25 G worth of hops had become worth 300 G. Immediately, I got more hops and set the keg on a new cycle. Not enough time to get it to Pam though, and she had seemed pretty out of it, so Gus would probably protest if I gave her more alcohol tonight.
The furnaces and recycling machine got tended to before I went in to write in my diary.
Woke up to the crowing of a rooster, feeling a lot better than I should have. I opened the pocket holding the cards and looked at the crafting recipes. Farm totems, tent kits like the one I'd received at the Trout Derby, oil maker, deluxe speed-gro, and keg were some I were sure I hadn't seen before. Now I could make my own rather than being limited to the one from the Junimo. I almost put the cards away before noticing that there were more recipes listed below. Bomb, slime egg press, and oil of garlic.
The last one made me frown. That sounded more like a condiment to use when cooking than... Unless it was used to keep monsters, and probably people too, away from me. Looking at its description confirmed my suspicion. It didnât mention anything about people, but theyâd probably want to keep their distance too unless I waited for the stink to wear off before approaching them.
The only problem was that I didnât know where to get hold of garlic. And I wasnât so sure it would keep shadow brutes and shadow shamans away. If they liked the smell of burnt hair, they might like the smell of garlic too, and comment on me coming pre-seasoned.
Went to check the TV.
Weather forecast, sunny and perfect for the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies. I groaned. Was there another dance event? Maybe I should participate in this one now that I had started to know the townspeople a bit better. At any rate, my luck for today was good, which was reassuring.
As I picked up the bait and went outside, I shook my head at my reaction to Welwickâs prediction. How had I become this superstitious in just two seasons? Yet I hadnât believed in magic or monsters either, and those had proven all too real.
The keg was still busy fermenting the hops. It would indeed have been foolish to stay and watch it. The lightning rods on the other hand had battery packs waiting for me. Noting that all of them had been triggered I went to the materials chest. With the bat wings Iâd gathered yesterday, more than I had noticed at the time, I crafted more lightning rods and placed them too along the cliff edge. The sixteen rods that now formed a decent fence would probably be enough for now.
A movement in the grass distracted me from tending to the rest of the machinery, and made me go to take care of my chickens and Belle. Refilled Belleâs bowl, then picked up a gold quality mayonnaise from the coop. 285 G was a welcome addition. With no large egg available, I put a small egg in. The mayonnaise went into the shipping bin and I picked up almost 1600 G from the red mushrooms and the stuff from the morning.
A large bundle stood beside my mailbox, with a card attached to it. Robin had sent me 50 pieces of wood that she had âlying aroundâ. I couldnât deny that I could always use more wood even if I had gathered a fair amount in the last couple of days. Just what I needed to add a kitchen, build a simple barn, and upgrade the coop, would take over a thousand pieces of wood. Not to mention the need for making more preserve jars and kegs.
After some more crafting, I had two more kegs that got set to producing pale ale. The hops sold for even less than parsnips, so theyâd be worse as pickles too. If pale ale sold for more than 120 G, it was better than pickling them.
Thinking about processing crops reminded me that I needed to go harvesting and watering. Tea leaves, hops, corn, hot pepper, and some radishes. Picked up a crayfish and two snails from the crab pots and rebaited. Now I finally had 10 base quality corn for the SpiritsâEve bundle.
Belatedly put gold ore in the furnaces, then put the crayfish and snails in the shipping bin.
Maybe best to go fishing today. I had some bait and it might be a good idea to see if there was anything over by the tidal pools. Fishing was what had earned me the most money so far, and I didnât know how much Iâd need for seeds when Fall began. At best Iâd be able to afford both the seeds and the bigger backpack.
In rearranging the contents of my backpack to have more space for fish, I found the beach totems. One got used to get to the beach faster.
Haley stood musing about what Alex might be doing as I appeared on the beach. She flinched with a âOh, I didnât see you standing there.â
âI just arrived by using a beach totem.â
âOh.â
I frowned as I walked away to talk to Alex. Something was wrong. Haley had been all excited by the Flower Dance, but not tomorrowâs event. Maybe it wasnât a dance for humans. Some people said that the fireflies were dancing in the air at night, so maybe it was the moonlight jellies, whatever they were, that would be doing the dancing.
Alex complimented the tan Iâd got. An empty phrase considering how much rain there had been and how much time Iâd spent in the mines. I was pale compared to him or Haley. But rather than ask if it was a sarcasm, I returned the compliment. He then excused himself with a comment about needing to open the ice cream stand.
Six corals and two urchins, as well as a couple of clams and mussels, and a rainbow shell made their way into my backpack as I scoured the beach. There were also a couple of dig spots, one giving me a few stones, the other a book that the Junimo returned to the library. The two crab pots got relieved of their mussels and rebaited.
I went to Willyâs shop to sell them, only to find that he had put up his âgone fishingâ sign, reminding me that it was Saturday, his day off. Instead, I went to dump them in my fishing chest near Jodiâs house. Music was playing inside. An attempt at country music, even if they were obviously just starting out on it. I went in to talk to them. Abigail was with them, working the drums.
âYou found someone, I see,â I said when they noticed me and paused.
âJust my first attempt at it,â Abigail said.
âThatâs a very good first attempt,â I said.
âYeah, sheâs picking it up like...â Sam didnât finish it, as if he worried that his comparison might get him in trouble. âSheâs got a lot of talent, more than I suspected at first when Sebastian suggested her.â
âTold you so,â Sebastian said. âHavenât you heard her drumming her fingers on her book or the armrest of the sofa on Fridays? Or have you just had your entire mind on the pool table?â
âIâd better not keep you from it any longer. Iâd intended to go fishing today and have yet to catch a single fish,â I said before leaving.
Despite that, I still went up to the square to exchange a few words with Jodi and Caroline, and then up to the park to see if Dr. Harvey was there. He wasnât, but Penny was at the playground with Jas and Vincent. Penny clearly wasnât wanting to talk to me, more from how she said that the mountains were looking nice than from the words. Vincent and Jas were focusing on their playing, so I left them to it.
Demetrius was studying some nearby bushes again. Lichens this time, lichens I hadnât even noticed until he pointed them out to me. He showed me his notes of different kinds and how many colonies there was of each.
A dig spot in front of the community center was next to attract my attention. Another book getting transported to the library. I had found a few more now. Maybe I had better read them in case there was something useful there. But first I had to deliver the corn to the Junimo.
The scrollâs tension increased about as much as Iâd expected it to. Seven more gifts to complete the scroll. I nodded to myself. Should be able to get it to decrease in tension during Fall unless the two biggest bundles ended up lacking just one gift each.
The book seller had put up his poster. I took the closest bridge even though it brought me closer to him than I liked. Didnât want to bring up his hopes, and didnât have the money to spare for a book. Was still glad that I did, as there was another dig spot just north of it. I went for it, hoping for an artifact for the museum. No. Another library book. I sighed.
Reaching Clintâs shop, I wished Iâd brought the geodes. The mining cart did remind me that I had intended to ask Marlon about the note in the chest. The guild house should be open for business about now.
âLooking for a new sword?â Marlon greeted me when I entered.
âNot now. I need to save my money for seeds for Fall. I did want to ask why the note I found on floor 120 has the same handwriting as that board." I nodded towards the board with monster eradication goals. "Is the mine just a big test of ability?â
Marlon rubbed his pointy beard, looking slightly embarrassed. âIt is. There are more dangerous places out there. See it as your job to find them. Just... donât mention the depth of the mine to anyone outside the guild.â He gave me a stern look. âAn adventurer has to be willing to go into the unknown.â
âI figured as much. I know Clintâs a guild member, and that Lewis and Linus have at least been members even if I donât know if theyâre active anymore. Their comments tipped me off.â
âLewis quit active service when he became mayor,â Marlon confirmed. âWas there anything else?â His eyebrows rose.
He probably expected me to ask about the key Iâd found, but I wouldnât ask about that. With his insistence on secrecy, he wasn't likely to give me a straight answer anyway. He also hadn't said anything about whether Linus was still active, so he probably was.
"I know there are still types of monsters marked with question marks on the list of monster eradication goals, so I guess those may be found in the other places you are urging me to find," I said instead. "I think I've found every type of monster there are in the mine."
A slight smile was my only response, and I left.
I took the cart back to Clintâs place, considering yesterday's mention of asking the W... Rasmodius, about the treasure chests. Not today. I probably wouldn't get any fishing done if I did. The books I'd found was a different story, just a minor detour.
I found Dr. Harvey at the library, reading a book.
âWhat are you reading?â I asked him.
He flinched. âJust a fiction book about a pilot, an ace to be more precise. Itâs taking place towards the end of the previous Ferngill/Gotoro war. Itâs just to get my mind off work,â he said a bit hastily.
âI prefer fantasy novels when Iâve got time to read. Which I sadly havenât had much time for since moving here.â
âBut...â
I recalled the headache Iâd needed his help for. âMaybe Iâll show you what kind of book led to my migraine when I get hold of another one. Though the other effects might upset you as much as theyâre unpleasant to me.â
âWhat other effects?â he asked.
âIâll tell you when Iâm ready to show you. I donât know when Iâll find another one. I came here to see if thereâs something new on the shelves, so I think Iâll leave you to your book.â
âEr...â He looked at the book in his hands as if heâd forgotten about it. âYes.â
I went to the shelves at the back of the library. Highlights from the book of Yoba... I merely skimmed through a page with part of the creation myth. As I put the book back on the shelf I couldnât help but wonder if the myth was at least part true, considering all the other stuff Iâd learned was real.
Next was a marriage guide. I skipped the advice about first meetings and how to get your intended romantically interested in you. Those sections were usually too generalized to be of any help. Instead I went for the section about local marriage traditions. It briefly mentioned needing to be officially dating first and that a bouquet was necessary to make it official. Then something about a mermaid pendant. That made me recall a necklace Iâd found in my momâs jewelry box, the one with a seashell that dad had given her when he proposed.
The second act of The Fisherman play was also new. Good thing that anyone trying to set up the play would be able to do the whole thing. I flipped to the end of the narrow volume, where the old fisherman talked about a fish called the Legend. I frowned, hadnât I heard... Oh, Sebastian had mentioned something about a fish called that up at the lake. No doubt there were more than one fish that had earned the name Legend locally.
The science section had also grown by a narrow book. Technology Report mentioned a piece of machinery that could replicate gems and other minerals, apparently apart from prismatic shards, whatever they were.
The next new book made me stop and stare at it. Secrets of the Legendary Fish... My hands shook as I took the old book from the shelf. I skimmed the first page that mentioned that no-one had caught more than one of each legendary fish. Flipped to the section about legendary fish found in Stardew Valley.
Crimsonfish. Only read enough to confirm that it correlated to what Willy had taught me before turning to the next.
Glacierfish. Caught in Winter, at something called Arrowhead Island in Cindersap Forest. I considered which one it could be. Since it mentioned the southern tip of it, there had to be... Wasnât there one island that had a point facing south towards a deeper section?
Angler. Caught in Fall at the waterfall... I almost started wondering which one before noting it was the one coming down from the mountains. So, it had to be the one east of the community center rather than the one in Cindersap Forest.
Some kind of legendary fish apparently lived in the sewer too, but I merely skimmed that since I couldnât go there anyway.
Then a section about the Legend, correlating a lot with what Sebastian had said. My mind went back to the play. If I had to catch the other legendary fish first, it was good that Iâd already caught Crimsonfish.
I put the book back on the shelf. I should try to catch the Angler and see if it had less value than the Crimsonfish, since that seemed to translate to how much the roe was worth, then put the lowest into the pond. If I had to give 15 roe to the Junimo and it didnât matter which, Iâd rather give them cheaper roe.
Another frown as I noted the author of the old book. Willy Gaffer. I took it back down to see if there was a picture of the author. There was. Not the Willy I knew, though there was some resemblance. Could it be his father? I put it back again.
A further search revealed no more new books. I walked out of the library trying to gather my thoughts. I passed the ice cream stand, noting that Alex and Haley were too deep in conversation to notice much else.
Willy stood fishing beside the bridge to the beach. I paused.
âHowâs it going?â I asked.
âJust fine, lass,â he replied without turning his eyes from the float.
âI read a book in the library earlier. Did your father write a book about the legendary fish?â
He turned to look at me, surprised. A bite forced his attention back to his rod and reel in the fish.
âThe old man done that, but me thought the book gone forever. Vanished years ago. The guy before Gunther said he couldna find it anywhere. Gave up on it. Never went there again. Maybe should do that now.â
âItâs on one of the shelves in the back,â I said. âI thought Iâd get some fishing done today too.â
We parted ways.
I fished on the beach for as long as I had bait, helped by catching some chests with bait in them. Also found some stones, wood, and geodes in them. Of course, too late to have Clint break them open.
There was enough time remaining to stop by the Saloon on my way home, exchanging a few words with Pam, Gus, Emily, Shane, and Marnie. None of them had anything memorable to say. Clint congratulated me on my progress in the mine. Willy was there too, looking into his mug as if he might start to cry.
âWhatâs wrong, Willy?â I asked.
âNothing. Just felt good to read me old manâs book again.â He sighed.
So, nostalgia, possibly grief too, rather than something bad happening.
âI guess you still miss him. I still miss Grandpa,â I said.
âAye, lass.â
I nodded at him and headed home, dumping my fish into the shipping bin on my way past. The seaweed got saved for my next pond.
The first keg had finished brewing and I picked up my first pale ale, then blinked at the price provided by the price catalogue in me. 25 G worth of hops had become worth 300 G. Immediately, I got more hops and set the keg on a new cycle. Not enough time to get it to Pam though, and she had seemed pretty out of it, so Gus would probably protest if I gave her more alcohol tonight.
The furnaces and recycling machine got tended to before I went in to write in my diary.
Terdin
Farmer
Summer 28 Dance of the Moonlight Jellies
This day too I woke up to the crowing of a rooster. I had to remind me that it was the last day of Summer as I got dressed and went to the TV.
Weather forecast, sunny. Luck was in my hands. Tomorrow I could... No. I probably wouldnât have time to go fish for the Angler. Not with the need to buy and plant seeds. Iâd have to make sure I had enough money for that today. Queen of Sauce taught me how to make bread, well, more reminding me, as I recalled my mom baking bread in a similar way.
Gathering the bait I went out to work on that, starting with taking care of the chickens and Belle.
Another big egg to put in the mayonnaise maker this morning. Picked up the one from the small egg. 190 G was almost four times as much as a base quality egg, and more than twice the value of the gold quality small egg Iâd used.
Went to pick the tea leaves, then downstairs for hops, summer squash, tomatoes, coffee beans, and the last of the single harvest crops. They went into the Summer chest. Took out the forage I had gathered almost without thinking about it and made some wild seeds. 550 G for ten of them was decent, but turned into 1250 G worth of tea saplings, which was not a bad exchange. Repeated it a few times before going to place them in the shipping bin, picking up just over 4500 G from yesterdayâs shipping, almost doubling what I had on hand. I calculated it in my head. Would just over 14,000 G be enough? Maybe I had better sell some batteries too.
Looking into that chest I spotted the pumpkin and rare seeds and reminded myself how I had got them. I had already spent 20,000 G on Fall seeds, not counting the pumpkin seeds since theyâd been a reward. That small pile of seeds was why Iâd felt like I never had any money. I added ten batteries to the shipping bin. 19,000 G should get me a decent amount of seeds, and Iâd bring the blueberries along as back-up cash just in case, even if Iâd open my stack of reward envelopes before selling any of the blueberries.
Belatedly read my mail, realizing I didnât know where to go for the dance, thinking I was late already. As Iâd expected, it was an invitation to the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies. The time surprised me. 10 pm was later than any of the other festivals so far, and down at the beach, like the Luau. Another surprise awaited me at the bottom. It was sent by Demetrius, not Lewis.
Good to know I didnât need to hurry. It left me with time to deliver the pale ale, and go up to see if the mushroom logs were ready. I paused again. I should make a few more logs. I had the hardwood and the moss. Three more logs went into my backpack before I finally left for town. Harvested oak resin on my way through the bus stop.
Caught Pam as she was leaving her trailer. She was looking a bit worse for wear, probably still hung over from last night even if it was starting to wear off.
âI finally managed to get my hands on a keg. Here.â I got the pale ale from my backpack and offered it to her.
Her eyes brightened, and she sniffed the yellow liquid before taking a sip.
âAh! Thatâs what Iâm talking about, Kid. Nice and hoppy, with a hint of citrus. Just what Iâve been craving! You did good with this one.â She took a bigger sip before putting it down on the small table she had. Then she dug through several pockets before handing me an envelope. âHere! Had to hide it from myself to keep me from spending the money.â
âThanks!â
I left before Penny could chance upon us and accuse me of enabling her momâs drinking. I knew it was wrong, but the reward envelope was enough to not feel too bad about it. Iâd need the money tomorrow.
A tree with moss on it made me pause to harvest it, then I looked around and spotted another. Got that moss too. While I wouldnât cut down the trees in town, removing the moss felt like doing some kind of community service, much like what Granny Evelyn did in tending the flowers planted around the square.
Up near Robinâs house I took a detour to look for more moss, before heading up to the railway. Common and red mushrooms this time, and pine tar. Placed the new logs in between other trees before harvesting the moss from the trees.
I felt restless as I left. Mining was not an option as I didnât want to risk missing the festival. Maybe I could get started on laying out the crop area better, and put down some more paths so I wouldnât have to wade through grass too often.
My work of tidying up the farm took the rest of the day. More quality sprinklers got made and placed. One of the rarecrows got placed at the end of the extended crop area to be sure crows wouldnât pick off my crops. Made space for another fish pond where I'd grown coffee beans.
The mahogany grove got tended to, seeds moved to better places and one tree taken down to give the sapling next to it room to grow. The tree also dropped two mahogany seeds, allowing me to extend the grove further. Grass got mowed to make hay and to make room for paths and for tree seeds to be able to sprout.
The cobblestone paths took more stone than I expected, and I cleared the quarry to get more. One pathway went to the grove near Grandpaâs tomb, and I cleared it somewhat. The other two kegs finished making their pale ale, and got reset, the ale going into the shipping bin. Made a fourth keg, and a preserves jar, to increase how much I could process, and set them to work too.
I kept looking up at the sky every so often, noting as the sky grew red, then darkened. Past that, I had to check my watch. Despite frequent checking, I missed when it became 10 pm, by just a few minutes. Seeing the time, I hurried off towards the beach.
Arriving at the beach I noted the lanterns floating on the water, reminding me of a tourist brochure from some country on another continent and its lantern festival. These lanterns, however, were not floating out to sea. They seemed tethered in place.
I went around talking to people. One thing that was good with festivals was that I didnât have to run around all town to talk to everyone.
Predictably, Pierre urged me to come buy seeds tomorrow, as if Iâd be able to plant much without... A thought struck me. I did have quite a few mixed seeds, and mixed flower seeds, from the green rain and from clearing weeds. I could use those to supplement what I bought, saving me some money. Nothing in his booth seemed worth buying. I had no space for decorations, and the food, seafoam pudding, was way too expensive if I wanted to afford seeds tomorrow.
Gus apologized for not having made any food for the festival. Then again, it was a bit late for most people to consider eating more than a light snack. Talking with a few more people, they seemed too excited to have any appetite at all. Vincent talked at length about a rare green jelly, which I hadnât heard about before. Abigail was just eager to see the jellies. Haley wanted to take pictures of them, and Jas hoped thereâd be babies. Elliot bemoaned the increasing pollution of the sea.
As I went to say hello to Willy, who stood next to the Mayor, Lewis spoke up before I could. âGood evening, Erica. The moonlight jellies are close. Iâve already seen one glowing in the distance. Once we launch the candle boat theyâll come up to the docks and say hello. Should I launch the boat?â
âNot yet. I still havenât found Demetrius and thanked him for sending me a letter with time and place. Completely forgot what was said about it on the news yesterday.â
âYou might find him and Robin over there.â He gestured towards the tidal pools.
Returning to the sand I noticed someone had put away my crab pots. Probably Willy. Heâd better return them tomorrow or tell me where heâd put them. Though whether Iâd have time to check on them tomorrow with everything that needed to be done was another matter.
Evelyn and George were on the way to the bridge Iâd built, making me hope Alex had helped push Georgeâs wheelchair across the sand. Their comments revealed the festival had been going on for a long time. Harvey was on his way to check on them. He seemed quite happy that the summer was at an end, and mentioned mosquitoes.
âI... havenât noticed the mosquitoes all that much, for all that Iâve been out in the forest and what not,â I admitted. Had the forest magic made the mosquitoes take me for a tree? It was something I didnât want to bring up right then.
Harvey raised his eyebrows. âYou must be one of those that seem able to avoid getting bit. Iâm not that lucky.â
I found Robin, Maru and Demetrius on the beach and went straight to Demetrius.
âThanks for the letter. This morning I remembered it was a festival day, but if the news yesterday told me time and place, Iâd completely forgotten it.â
âYeah, this is an event that anyone whoâs interested in nature and wildlife shouldnât miss. If they werenât an endangered species, I wouldnât mind fishing one out and see if I could learn more about their luminesence. It can be done without disecting them, you know. But I donât want to go through all the bureaucracy to get a permit to keep one in an aquarium. And itâs better for the species that they get to swim free.â
âDid you see the candle boat?â Robin asked. âI crafted it a few years ago, and now I spent the morning making sure it was still seaworthy after spending a year in Willyâs storage room.â She yawned. âItâs way past my bed time, but I wouldnât want to miss this.â
Maru only commented on the dropping temperature.
I turned to look at the sea to determine how much time I might have. Thatâs when I spotted Leah out on the pier, about where Iâd stood when I caught Crimsonfish.
âIâd like to be alone and say my farewells to the summer,â Leah said when I reached her.
âIâll leave you to it then.â
As I returned to the tidal pools, I sensed a familiar presence up by the trees. There was a slight sense of âstay awayâ, just enough to make most people decide to go somewhere else without knowing why.
I wasnât most people. As if deciding to go around the tidal pools despite the glowstone ring letting me find a dry path between pools with ease, I detoured to go up there.
âI knew youâd dare to approach,â Rasmodius said. âDo I need to remind you that the community center is still a mess?â
The light of my glowstone ring somehow failed to light him up as well as my other surroundings.
âI know it is, but Iâve done as much as Iâve been able to this season. Some of it requires crops, fish, and forage not available in Summer. Now, shall we talk about what you did at the Luau?â I asked.
He raised his eyebrows at me. âYouâre trying to take me to task?â He looked me up and down as if the thought was preposterous.
âThere was an aftertaste in the soup that reminded me of the potion you made me drink. What are you doing with the townspeople?â
It was obviously not what heâd expected me to ask about. Had he thought I wanted to tell him off for scaring Abigail with that stray shift in focus?
He stroked his beard. âYouâd prefer the townspeople to grow old around you while you stay young and healthy?â He asked in return. âLike most magic-users, youâve gained the lifetime of a tree. Unless you are killed, you can live in good health for hundreds, if not thousands of years. One dose every year will keep them at their current age and keep their health from deteriorating.â
âAnd, I suppose, a low level of something to make people forget stuff so they donât realize whatâs going on. Iâve noticed becoming more forgetful since the Luau.â
He didnât comment that, but the magic coercion he aimed at me increased. âDo not tell the townspeople,â he warned me, tension increasing as he sought to bind me to secrecy.
I didnât feel like his urging had an effect on me, but I could see why it might be best if I waited until someone started to wonder why Jas and Vincent never seemed to grow up. They wouldn't believe me before then.
âWere you behind the treasure chests I found in the mine?â I asked instead, not wanting to wait until next time heâd allow a question.
The tension dissipated slightly, an almost tangible proof of his surprise.
âWhat treasure chests?â he asked.
âHolding stuff like these boots.â I gestured towards the boots covered with an iridium mesh, using the hand adorned with the glowstone ring for emphasis.
His eyes narrowed before his hat hid them from view as he bent to study them.
âNot me. And if my suspicions are correct about who it might be, it would be best for you if you became my apprentice for a few years.â
Why wouldn't he give me a name? The tension of magic coercion increased again. As if on the edge of hearing I registered something that mightâve been words as he tried to make me agree.
I glared at him. âWhy?â I had a farm to run, animals that needed me, and not least that vow Iâd made to my parents. I didnât have time to spend a few years on studying magic.
âFor your own protection, young Erica. You are blithely getting into waters that are much too deep for you.â
The magic coercion increased further, and at the same time I felt like there was a barrier around us, approximately at the outskirts of the light from my glowstone ring. I wouldnât be able to run. No-one would be able to come to my aid.
âWhere are you looking?â Rasmodius grabbed my chin, making me look into his eyes.
The unheard words grew clearer, almost possible to make out, urging me to give up my resistance.
âYou need guidance, young Erica, and I need an apprentice. I know you like taking the easy way out.â Rasmodiusâ smile said heâd enjoy it more than I did.
It would be so easy to give in. Have someone else give me information as I needed it...
Yet something in me refused.
Part of why Iâd come here was to not have others dictate how I lived my life. The Adventurerâs Guild might set up goals, but they didnât tell me where and when to do it. Iâd accepted the task of catering to the Junimo, which kind of went against that, but I was the one who decided how to complete the bundles. I was the one whoâd negotiated with the Junimo about that.
The magic coercion increased to far beyond the Fish Tank scroll at its worst. Bearing down on me and making my knees feel weak. Making it impossible to talk. The unspoken words urging me to yield to him, to show acceptance of the apprenticeship if I couldnât speak. Rasmodiusâ smile widened, as if he liked seeing me struggle.
I had to focus as much on remaining standing as on just breathing. There was no way Iâd kneel before him. Especially where others might see me. Desperately, I searched for the strength within me that had allowed me to withstand the Fish Tank scroll.
And there it was. Like the first torch providing a feeble but steady light on my farm. Giving me just enough energy for voicing one word.
âNo.â
His smile faltered. âYou donât know what youâre getting into,â he warned me.
The tension eased off to just above the Fish Tank scroll at its worst, which now was enough to allow me to function somewhat.
I took several slow breaths before I felt like I could speak full sentences. âI didnât know it when I answered your invitation... seven weeks ago either.â Was it just seven weeks? Somehow it seemed longer... and shorter. âThen... I didnât even know magic was real. I went down into the mines the first time I held a sword. Didnât know what I was getting into there either, and what those void spirits were saying as they came to attack me did not make it easier to complete the challenge Marlon gave me.â
âYou... understand their language?â Rasmodius asked, rather than ask me about reaching the bottom of the mines despite everything else I had to do.
âI think that cursed disc caused it, and I donât think I understand all of it. More like scattered words. I did endure that curse for most of two days,â I reminded him.
He pursed his lips. âThat could be the reason for the curse...â
A different magic feeling came over me. Probing rather than trying to break me. Then Rasmodius nodded to himself.
âYouâd better go if you want to see the lunaloos up close. Those that the townspeople call the moonlight jellies. They possess an unusually potent magic aura for an aquatic life-form. If the green one comes up to you, bring me somewhere between a third and half of the eggs it offers you, and Iâll permanently rescind my offer of taking you as an apprentice. Leave the rest of the eggs,â he added.
There was no longer a feeling of being trapped inside a barrier, and the tension had dissipated completely. I hurried back to Lewis, finding that everyone had gathered there. The floating lanterns had all been extinguished apart from the one on the boat.
âWhere have you been?â Lewis said.
âSorry. Just had a run-in with someone who wanted to talk at length.â
Lewis looked around, trying to identify who wasnât present.
âNever mind that. Shouldnât you launch that boat?â I asked.
Lewis mumbled something akin to an agreement and gave the boat a good strong push. I noticed it being tethered by a fishing line.
Shortly afterwards, a light appeared. Then another, and many more. As they approached, a large jellyfish could be seen in the middle of each circle of light. It was easy to see why they were called moonlight jellies. Each of them shone, lighting their white semi-transparent bodies like they were miniature full moons. Spotting a trio of smaller jellies made me happy for Jasâ sake.
Then a brighter light appeared. The green jelly Vincent and Rasmodius had mentioned. The radius of its light was easily more than twice that of any of the other jellies. It made a beeline for me, then ascended until it was just under the surface.
I knelt to get a closer look at it. There was something like a bowl on its top, holding what looked like roe. I scooped up some, not quite half, before anyone could stop me, then tried to send it a wordless thank-you. Whether it was that, or the fact that Iâd picked âmyâ share of the eggs, it retreated to safer waters.
Only then did I realize that there had been no waves threatening to wash the eggs out of their safe place. They could control the waves, possibly the sea currents too, to some extent. So, their magic was not just to make themselves glow.
Someone had mentioned them being strange for being drawn to light. Was the combination of light, and the magic that Rasmodius and I possessed, the reason for them approaching? Were they mistaking that combination for one of them and wanting to invite their long-lost kin to come along on their journey?
âWere you trying to catch it?â Willy asked sternly behind me.
âNo. Just touch it. It wanted me to.â I gestured to it with my empty hand. âIf my touch had harmed or scared it, do you think it would stay right there?â
Willy made a doubtful sound, but couldnât deny that I had a point.
There was a burning sensation in my hand that held the jellyfish roe. Rather than mentioning it and worrying Dr. Harvey, I yawned, finding that it was only half-feigned.
âIâd better get off to bed soon,â I said and left.
The burning sensation increased, and my hand was turning red and swelling from the reaction, making me wish I had something to put the roe in, but I couldnât get my backpack off one-handed.
Rasmodius stood waiting on my porch. âPut them in this jar.â He held an empty glass jar and I gladly handed the roe over. âFor next year, you should bring a jar of your own to keep them in. This is a key ingredient in making the youth potion for the townspeople.â
âIâll have to do that every year?â I asked.
âIf you want to keep them alive, yes. Or, you could avoid the festival altogether and let me gather it. But then the townspeople wouldnât get to see the green jelly. Wash your hand carefully and put some of this on your palm to stop the reaction.â He handed me a small jar of some kind of ointment.
He vanished before I could ask about anything else. My head full of questions, worries, and misgivings, I treated my hand, then went inside to write down the events, hoping that I'd sleep better if I put it to paper.
Whoever had left the treasure chests for me obviously worried Rasmodius. Had I made the correct choice in refusing apprenticeship? And how long would it take me to earn a billion G so I could visit my parents without breaking my vow and letting Mom win? Going by what Rasmodius had told me, I had the time to earn it at any pace I could, but my parents didn't. I should try to extend their lives by inviting my family to the Luau every year, and not let Mom's inevitable refusal the first few years stop me from keeping it up.
I went to bed, a wry smile on my lips at how Dad had to act as a mediator between two stubborn women...
This day too I woke up to the crowing of a rooster. I had to remind me that it was the last day of Summer as I got dressed and went to the TV.
Weather forecast, sunny. Luck was in my hands. Tomorrow I could... No. I probably wouldnât have time to go fish for the Angler. Not with the need to buy and plant seeds. Iâd have to make sure I had enough money for that today. Queen of Sauce taught me how to make bread, well, more reminding me, as I recalled my mom baking bread in a similar way.
Gathering the bait I went out to work on that, starting with taking care of the chickens and Belle.
Another big egg to put in the mayonnaise maker this morning. Picked up the one from the small egg. 190 G was almost four times as much as a base quality egg, and more than twice the value of the gold quality small egg Iâd used.
Went to pick the tea leaves, then downstairs for hops, summer squash, tomatoes, coffee beans, and the last of the single harvest crops. They went into the Summer chest. Took out the forage I had gathered almost without thinking about it and made some wild seeds. 550 G for ten of them was decent, but turned into 1250 G worth of tea saplings, which was not a bad exchange. Repeated it a few times before going to place them in the shipping bin, picking up just over 4500 G from yesterdayâs shipping, almost doubling what I had on hand. I calculated it in my head. Would just over 14,000 G be enough? Maybe I had better sell some batteries too.
Looking into that chest I spotted the pumpkin and rare seeds and reminded myself how I had got them. I had already spent 20,000 G on Fall seeds, not counting the pumpkin seeds since theyâd been a reward. That small pile of seeds was why Iâd felt like I never had any money. I added ten batteries to the shipping bin. 19,000 G should get me a decent amount of seeds, and Iâd bring the blueberries along as back-up cash just in case, even if Iâd open my stack of reward envelopes before selling any of the blueberries.
Belatedly read my mail, realizing I didnât know where to go for the dance, thinking I was late already. As Iâd expected, it was an invitation to the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies. The time surprised me. 10 pm was later than any of the other festivals so far, and down at the beach, like the Luau. Another surprise awaited me at the bottom. It was sent by Demetrius, not Lewis.
Good to know I didnât need to hurry. It left me with time to deliver the pale ale, and go up to see if the mushroom logs were ready. I paused again. I should make a few more logs. I had the hardwood and the moss. Three more logs went into my backpack before I finally left for town. Harvested oak resin on my way through the bus stop.
Caught Pam as she was leaving her trailer. She was looking a bit worse for wear, probably still hung over from last night even if it was starting to wear off.
âI finally managed to get my hands on a keg. Here.â I got the pale ale from my backpack and offered it to her.
Her eyes brightened, and she sniffed the yellow liquid before taking a sip.
âAh! Thatâs what Iâm talking about, Kid. Nice and hoppy, with a hint of citrus. Just what Iâve been craving! You did good with this one.â She took a bigger sip before putting it down on the small table she had. Then she dug through several pockets before handing me an envelope. âHere! Had to hide it from myself to keep me from spending the money.â
âThanks!â
I left before Penny could chance upon us and accuse me of enabling her momâs drinking. I knew it was wrong, but the reward envelope was enough to not feel too bad about it. Iâd need the money tomorrow.
A tree with moss on it made me pause to harvest it, then I looked around and spotted another. Got that moss too. While I wouldnât cut down the trees in town, removing the moss felt like doing some kind of community service, much like what Granny Evelyn did in tending the flowers planted around the square.
Up near Robinâs house I took a detour to look for more moss, before heading up to the railway. Common and red mushrooms this time, and pine tar. Placed the new logs in between other trees before harvesting the moss from the trees.
I felt restless as I left. Mining was not an option as I didnât want to risk missing the festival. Maybe I could get started on laying out the crop area better, and put down some more paths so I wouldnât have to wade through grass too often.
My work of tidying up the farm took the rest of the day. More quality sprinklers got made and placed. One of the rarecrows got placed at the end of the extended crop area to be sure crows wouldnât pick off my crops. Made space for another fish pond where I'd grown coffee beans.
The mahogany grove got tended to, seeds moved to better places and one tree taken down to give the sapling next to it room to grow. The tree also dropped two mahogany seeds, allowing me to extend the grove further. Grass got mowed to make hay and to make room for paths and for tree seeds to be able to sprout.
The cobblestone paths took more stone than I expected, and I cleared the quarry to get more. One pathway went to the grove near Grandpaâs tomb, and I cleared it somewhat. The other two kegs finished making their pale ale, and got reset, the ale going into the shipping bin. Made a fourth keg, and a preserves jar, to increase how much I could process, and set them to work too.
I kept looking up at the sky every so often, noting as the sky grew red, then darkened. Past that, I had to check my watch. Despite frequent checking, I missed when it became 10 pm, by just a few minutes. Seeing the time, I hurried off towards the beach.
Arriving at the beach I noted the lanterns floating on the water, reminding me of a tourist brochure from some country on another continent and its lantern festival. These lanterns, however, were not floating out to sea. They seemed tethered in place.
I went around talking to people. One thing that was good with festivals was that I didnât have to run around all town to talk to everyone.
Predictably, Pierre urged me to come buy seeds tomorrow, as if Iâd be able to plant much without... A thought struck me. I did have quite a few mixed seeds, and mixed flower seeds, from the green rain and from clearing weeds. I could use those to supplement what I bought, saving me some money. Nothing in his booth seemed worth buying. I had no space for decorations, and the food, seafoam pudding, was way too expensive if I wanted to afford seeds tomorrow.
Gus apologized for not having made any food for the festival. Then again, it was a bit late for most people to consider eating more than a light snack. Talking with a few more people, they seemed too excited to have any appetite at all. Vincent talked at length about a rare green jelly, which I hadnât heard about before. Abigail was just eager to see the jellies. Haley wanted to take pictures of them, and Jas hoped thereâd be babies. Elliot bemoaned the increasing pollution of the sea.
As I went to say hello to Willy, who stood next to the Mayor, Lewis spoke up before I could. âGood evening, Erica. The moonlight jellies are close. Iâve already seen one glowing in the distance. Once we launch the candle boat theyâll come up to the docks and say hello. Should I launch the boat?â
âNot yet. I still havenât found Demetrius and thanked him for sending me a letter with time and place. Completely forgot what was said about it on the news yesterday.â
âYou might find him and Robin over there.â He gestured towards the tidal pools.
Returning to the sand I noticed someone had put away my crab pots. Probably Willy. Heâd better return them tomorrow or tell me where heâd put them. Though whether Iâd have time to check on them tomorrow with everything that needed to be done was another matter.
Evelyn and George were on the way to the bridge Iâd built, making me hope Alex had helped push Georgeâs wheelchair across the sand. Their comments revealed the festival had been going on for a long time. Harvey was on his way to check on them. He seemed quite happy that the summer was at an end, and mentioned mosquitoes.
âI... havenât noticed the mosquitoes all that much, for all that Iâve been out in the forest and what not,â I admitted. Had the forest magic made the mosquitoes take me for a tree? It was something I didnât want to bring up right then.
Harvey raised his eyebrows. âYou must be one of those that seem able to avoid getting bit. Iâm not that lucky.â
I found Robin, Maru and Demetrius on the beach and went straight to Demetrius.
âThanks for the letter. This morning I remembered it was a festival day, but if the news yesterday told me time and place, Iâd completely forgotten it.â
âYeah, this is an event that anyone whoâs interested in nature and wildlife shouldnât miss. If they werenât an endangered species, I wouldnât mind fishing one out and see if I could learn more about their luminesence. It can be done without disecting them, you know. But I donât want to go through all the bureaucracy to get a permit to keep one in an aquarium. And itâs better for the species that they get to swim free.â
âDid you see the candle boat?â Robin asked. âI crafted it a few years ago, and now I spent the morning making sure it was still seaworthy after spending a year in Willyâs storage room.â She yawned. âItâs way past my bed time, but I wouldnât want to miss this.â
Maru only commented on the dropping temperature.
I turned to look at the sea to determine how much time I might have. Thatâs when I spotted Leah out on the pier, about where Iâd stood when I caught Crimsonfish.
âIâd like to be alone and say my farewells to the summer,â Leah said when I reached her.
âIâll leave you to it then.â
As I returned to the tidal pools, I sensed a familiar presence up by the trees. There was a slight sense of âstay awayâ, just enough to make most people decide to go somewhere else without knowing why.
I wasnât most people. As if deciding to go around the tidal pools despite the glowstone ring letting me find a dry path between pools with ease, I detoured to go up there.
âI knew youâd dare to approach,â Rasmodius said. âDo I need to remind you that the community center is still a mess?â
The light of my glowstone ring somehow failed to light him up as well as my other surroundings.
âI know it is, but Iâve done as much as Iâve been able to this season. Some of it requires crops, fish, and forage not available in Summer. Now, shall we talk about what you did at the Luau?â I asked.
He raised his eyebrows at me. âYouâre trying to take me to task?â He looked me up and down as if the thought was preposterous.
âThere was an aftertaste in the soup that reminded me of the potion you made me drink. What are you doing with the townspeople?â
It was obviously not what heâd expected me to ask about. Had he thought I wanted to tell him off for scaring Abigail with that stray shift in focus?
He stroked his beard. âYouâd prefer the townspeople to grow old around you while you stay young and healthy?â He asked in return. âLike most magic-users, youâve gained the lifetime of a tree. Unless you are killed, you can live in good health for hundreds, if not thousands of years. One dose every year will keep them at their current age and keep their health from deteriorating.â
âAnd, I suppose, a low level of something to make people forget stuff so they donât realize whatâs going on. Iâve noticed becoming more forgetful since the Luau.â
He didnât comment that, but the magic coercion he aimed at me increased. âDo not tell the townspeople,â he warned me, tension increasing as he sought to bind me to secrecy.
I didnât feel like his urging had an effect on me, but I could see why it might be best if I waited until someone started to wonder why Jas and Vincent never seemed to grow up. They wouldn't believe me before then.
âWere you behind the treasure chests I found in the mine?â I asked instead, not wanting to wait until next time heâd allow a question.
The tension dissipated slightly, an almost tangible proof of his surprise.
âWhat treasure chests?â he asked.
âHolding stuff like these boots.â I gestured towards the boots covered with an iridium mesh, using the hand adorned with the glowstone ring for emphasis.
His eyes narrowed before his hat hid them from view as he bent to study them.
âNot me. And if my suspicions are correct about who it might be, it would be best for you if you became my apprentice for a few years.â
Why wouldn't he give me a name? The tension of magic coercion increased again. As if on the edge of hearing I registered something that mightâve been words as he tried to make me agree.
I glared at him. âWhy?â I had a farm to run, animals that needed me, and not least that vow Iâd made to my parents. I didnât have time to spend a few years on studying magic.
âFor your own protection, young Erica. You are blithely getting into waters that are much too deep for you.â
The magic coercion increased further, and at the same time I felt like there was a barrier around us, approximately at the outskirts of the light from my glowstone ring. I wouldnât be able to run. No-one would be able to come to my aid.
âWhere are you looking?â Rasmodius grabbed my chin, making me look into his eyes.
The unheard words grew clearer, almost possible to make out, urging me to give up my resistance.
âYou need guidance, young Erica, and I need an apprentice. I know you like taking the easy way out.â Rasmodiusâ smile said heâd enjoy it more than I did.
It would be so easy to give in. Have someone else give me information as I needed it...
Yet something in me refused.
Part of why Iâd come here was to not have others dictate how I lived my life. The Adventurerâs Guild might set up goals, but they didnât tell me where and when to do it. Iâd accepted the task of catering to the Junimo, which kind of went against that, but I was the one who decided how to complete the bundles. I was the one whoâd negotiated with the Junimo about that.
The magic coercion increased to far beyond the Fish Tank scroll at its worst. Bearing down on me and making my knees feel weak. Making it impossible to talk. The unspoken words urging me to yield to him, to show acceptance of the apprenticeship if I couldnât speak. Rasmodiusâ smile widened, as if he liked seeing me struggle.
I had to focus as much on remaining standing as on just breathing. There was no way Iâd kneel before him. Especially where others might see me. Desperately, I searched for the strength within me that had allowed me to withstand the Fish Tank scroll.
And there it was. Like the first torch providing a feeble but steady light on my farm. Giving me just enough energy for voicing one word.
âNo.â
His smile faltered. âYou donât know what youâre getting into,â he warned me.
The tension eased off to just above the Fish Tank scroll at its worst, which now was enough to allow me to function somewhat.
I took several slow breaths before I felt like I could speak full sentences. âI didnât know it when I answered your invitation... seven weeks ago either.â Was it just seven weeks? Somehow it seemed longer... and shorter. âThen... I didnât even know magic was real. I went down into the mines the first time I held a sword. Didnât know what I was getting into there either, and what those void spirits were saying as they came to attack me did not make it easier to complete the challenge Marlon gave me.â
âYou... understand their language?â Rasmodius asked, rather than ask me about reaching the bottom of the mines despite everything else I had to do.
âI think that cursed disc caused it, and I donât think I understand all of it. More like scattered words. I did endure that curse for most of two days,â I reminded him.
He pursed his lips. âThat could be the reason for the curse...â
A different magic feeling came over me. Probing rather than trying to break me. Then Rasmodius nodded to himself.
âYouâd better go if you want to see the lunaloos up close. Those that the townspeople call the moonlight jellies. They possess an unusually potent magic aura for an aquatic life-form. If the green one comes up to you, bring me somewhere between a third and half of the eggs it offers you, and Iâll permanently rescind my offer of taking you as an apprentice. Leave the rest of the eggs,â he added.
There was no longer a feeling of being trapped inside a barrier, and the tension had dissipated completely. I hurried back to Lewis, finding that everyone had gathered there. The floating lanterns had all been extinguished apart from the one on the boat.
âWhere have you been?â Lewis said.
âSorry. Just had a run-in with someone who wanted to talk at length.â
Lewis looked around, trying to identify who wasnât present.
âNever mind that. Shouldnât you launch that boat?â I asked.
Lewis mumbled something akin to an agreement and gave the boat a good strong push. I noticed it being tethered by a fishing line.
Shortly afterwards, a light appeared. Then another, and many more. As they approached, a large jellyfish could be seen in the middle of each circle of light. It was easy to see why they were called moonlight jellies. Each of them shone, lighting their white semi-transparent bodies like they were miniature full moons. Spotting a trio of smaller jellies made me happy for Jasâ sake.
Then a brighter light appeared. The green jelly Vincent and Rasmodius had mentioned. The radius of its light was easily more than twice that of any of the other jellies. It made a beeline for me, then ascended until it was just under the surface.
I knelt to get a closer look at it. There was something like a bowl on its top, holding what looked like roe. I scooped up some, not quite half, before anyone could stop me, then tried to send it a wordless thank-you. Whether it was that, or the fact that Iâd picked âmyâ share of the eggs, it retreated to safer waters.
Only then did I realize that there had been no waves threatening to wash the eggs out of their safe place. They could control the waves, possibly the sea currents too, to some extent. So, their magic was not just to make themselves glow.
Someone had mentioned them being strange for being drawn to light. Was the combination of light, and the magic that Rasmodius and I possessed, the reason for them approaching? Were they mistaking that combination for one of them and wanting to invite their long-lost kin to come along on their journey?
âWere you trying to catch it?â Willy asked sternly behind me.
âNo. Just touch it. It wanted me to.â I gestured to it with my empty hand. âIf my touch had harmed or scared it, do you think it would stay right there?â
Willy made a doubtful sound, but couldnât deny that I had a point.
There was a burning sensation in my hand that held the jellyfish roe. Rather than mentioning it and worrying Dr. Harvey, I yawned, finding that it was only half-feigned.
âIâd better get off to bed soon,â I said and left.
The burning sensation increased, and my hand was turning red and swelling from the reaction, making me wish I had something to put the roe in, but I couldnât get my backpack off one-handed.
Rasmodius stood waiting on my porch. âPut them in this jar.â He held an empty glass jar and I gladly handed the roe over. âFor next year, you should bring a jar of your own to keep them in. This is a key ingredient in making the youth potion for the townspeople.â
âIâll have to do that every year?â I asked.
âIf you want to keep them alive, yes. Or, you could avoid the festival altogether and let me gather it. But then the townspeople wouldnât get to see the green jelly. Wash your hand carefully and put some of this on your palm to stop the reaction.â He handed me a small jar of some kind of ointment.
He vanished before I could ask about anything else. My head full of questions, worries, and misgivings, I treated my hand, then went inside to write down the events, hoping that I'd sleep better if I put it to paper.
Whoever had left the treasure chests for me obviously worried Rasmodius. Had I made the correct choice in refusing apprenticeship? And how long would it take me to earn a billion G so I could visit my parents without breaking my vow and letting Mom win? Going by what Rasmodius had told me, I had the time to earn it at any pace I could, but my parents didn't. I should try to extend their lives by inviting my family to the Luau every year, and not let Mom's inevitable refusal the first few years stop me from keeping it up.
I went to bed, a wry smile on my lips at how Dad had to act as a mediator between two stubborn women...
Gamer1234556
Farmer
Huh. Summer is done now. You still planning to work on this project?
Terdin
Farmer
Epilogue
The next day I started out in what had become a routine, albeit feeling like I hadnât eaten anything at all yesterday. The hand I'd held the roe in was back to normal.
There was a package in the mailbox. I blinked at the dark blue note attached to it.
- Greetings, young adept.
I have enclosed in this package an item or arcane significance. Use it wisely.
M. Rasmodius, Wizard.
I had to hold on to the mailbox to stay upright. What did he mean? Heâd said heâd withdraw the offer to make me his apprentice.
I read the note again. No. It didnât say apprentice. It said âadeptâ. Wasnât that kind of a step above apprentice? Like... someone he trusted to be able to handle themselves? Possibly with occasional advice. Maybe now heâd be more willing to have actual conversations.
The next day I started out in what had become a routine, albeit feeling like I hadnât eaten anything at all yesterday. The hand I'd held the roe in was back to normal.
There was a package in the mailbox. I blinked at the dark blue note attached to it.
- Greetings, young adept.
I have enclosed in this package an item or arcane significance. Use it wisely.
M. Rasmodius, Wizard.
I had to hold on to the mailbox to stay upright. What did he mean? Heâd said heâd withdraw the offer to make me his apprentice.
I read the note again. No. It didnât say apprentice. It said âadeptâ. Wasnât that kind of a step above apprentice? Like... someone he trusted to be able to handle themselves? Possibly with occasional advice. Maybe now heâd be more willing to have actual conversations.
Terdin
Farmer
Does that answer your question? I've learned to sense the story flow and where a story ends. I can tell you that it's not the ending of a season that defines it for me, even if it does to some extent coincide this time. The initiating incident was when she drank that potion at the wizard's tower, to the midpoint with needing help with the curse. The Wizard is what I've come to think of as a mentor/antagonist character. The Luau emphasize "the bad guys closing in", leading to the final confrontation and Erica defending/winning her freedom. Reaching the bottom of the mine was a big subplot. Of course, there are two major unsolved plot threads, three if you include the romance subplot.
Cuddlebug
Farmer
That's an interesting theory, makes a lot of sense. I really like it.
Ant this one was a pretty good ending so far, well written and a nice cliffhanger. Makes me looking forward for the rest. Thank you so far, it was quite entertaining.
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