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Avani walked through the thick bramble and bush of the abandoned orchard that was on the other side of the fence that bordered her father’s land. According to Sue and her other friends, the land had been abandoned long before the land Avani’s father had acquired.

Her friends said it was haunted.

Avani didn't believe them.

But she was up for an adventure into the thick brush that was the old orchard of the plot of land. And then into the house that was “haunted”.

She had worn her old clothes today, mostly because she had spied the untidy property from her side of the fence and judged that it might tear nicer clothes. While her parents didn't encourage her to approach houses from the joining land, she wanted to see the orchard and what it was like before she saw the house. Her parent’s, of course, encouraged her to visit from the front of the house, and go down driveways. But where was the fun in that?

What parts of the tree that were living still, blossom buds were starting to show. Some had even opened. Spring was coming. Avani smiled as she saw them; she loved spring and the colors it brought. While the land still looked bare and wintery, she knew it would soon turn green and become full of life.

Of course, the past of the orchard was still evident. Avani saw rotten fruit shells on the ground, the rot almost finished with them. Spring would cover it and continue the process of turning it into soil.

Despite the view the orchard provided, she continued through it. From the directions the others had given her, all she had to do was go straight through the orchard and she would find the old barn that was near the house. They had told her they had heard strange noises coming from there and that lights were on at all hours of the night. One boy said he saw some creature with huge eyes come out of it! Avani scrunched her face up at that thought. She had read books on this part of Serenia, and there were no such creatures here….. Save Bognotti… But they were only the size of dinner plates or your head, not the size of a human…Could it be a Borgnah?

Avani stopped in her tracks and shuddered. Naw, they said the monster only had two eyes…

Avani mentally shook her head clear of those thoughts, and continued on. Surely the barn wasn't too far into the property?

A few moments later, Avani tumbled through the last of the orchard (after finding several small animals near her that had made their homes in the brush), and saw a clearing that had two large buildings.

She saw a large old house that loomed over a smaller barn that sat as far from it as the barn at home. The barn itself looked as the house did: About to fall over with the slightest breeze.

But what was most amazing about this place was that it actually looked lived in.

There was an Uruu hutch close to the back of the house, and she could hear them fussing around in there. The land was cleared around the barn and house, and she heard a sheron mooing from the barn.

Along with strange noises.

She moved toward the barn, wondering what on earth could make that noise, but as she reached the barn, the windows were too high for her to see through, and even if she could reach the windows, they had grime all over it, and she wouldn't be able to see a thing.

Scrunching up her face again, Avani circled around the barn, and found a hole big enough for her to crawl through near the back. She smiled slyly and got down on her hands and knees and made her way through the hole.

It was just big enough for her to get through without ripping her clothes. She smiled to herself, proud to have been able to get through the hole, although she did come face to face with a sheron… The one she heard from outside? Well, she patted it’s nose in apology for interrupting it’s meal of hay, and scrambled around it and behind a stall wall. She slowly peeked over it, and her eyes widened at what she saw.

There was a big thing with a metal mask, two bulging, dark, soulless eyes (much like an Oblivionite!), a leather hide, and scaly hands. And there was fire coming out of it’s hand like a Dovva magic wielder! And the noise! It was hissing something fierce! How could the sheron not be running away?! (Then again, she thought, they didn't run from Khehora…. Stupid sherons….)

She could not look away from the strange being… It was mesmerizing…

Suddenly the fire left the hand, and the hissing stopped, a bout of steam engulfed the barn. The Sheron mooed again, but Avani ignored as she felt the steam engulf her, and her vision adjusted.

The being had placed something down, and it made a long grunting sound…

Avani then watched as it took off it’s face.

Then Avani was truly shocked, when a face appeared, an Orderite face.

She watched as the being then took off a leather cap, and a waterfall of bright blue hair fell from it’s head.

Avani’s jaw dropped.

It was a very pretty Orderite woman!

Avani watched as the woman took off gloves from her hands, and placed them on a table nearby. The steam was thinner now, and Avani saw that she was wearing a thick apron that wrapped around her body, and as she took it off and hung it on a peg near the table, Avani saw she was in overalls and a large man’s work shirt.

Then the woman looked right at her with brilliant golden yellow eyes. Avani ducked, and then tried to get out if the barn, but the hole was being blocked by the stupid sheron.

“Well!” said a pretty voice from the other side of the stall, “What have we here?!”

Avani tried to move the sheron (futile, she knew, but she didn’t wanna get into trouble) so she tried to crawl underneath it. Apparently the Sheron took offence to that, and almost stepped on Avani as it walked away. Avani ducked and placed her hands on her head, and prayed for the sheron to miss her. She then heard a melodic laugh from her right and opened one eye to peek out and see what was going on. The pretty lady was standing at the entrance to the stall leaning over it, her hair falling to the sides of her face. She was smiling brightly, as bright as her sun golden eyes.

“Did my sheron just give birth to a little Orderite? Well, that’s a new trick for her!” The woman laughed again. Avani opened her other eye, and turned to face her, not really knowing what to do. Was she in trouble? The woman grinned and said “It’s all right my small friend, I won’t bite, though I’ve heard that the other children say I do!” She laughed again and reached out a hand from the stall door and said, “You might like it better if you get out of the stall muck though. Come in and I will see about getting you cleaned off before I send you home.”

Avani stared at her a moment more, and then stood, then reached out for the woman’s hand, taking it.

“My name,” she said taking Avani’s hand, “Is Shenra.”



An hour later, she was sitting in the pristine kitchen of the big, old farm house, draped in a man’s large nightshirt as her clothes dried in the afternoon sun, after being washed by Shenra. Avani was sipping a glass of fresh sheron milk, with a plate of pastries in front of her. Shenra was sitting across from her in a fresh white sundress that had little yellow flowers dotting it. As Avani had bathed in the big copper tub in the upstairs bathroom, (which was something of a novelty to Avani since her bath was always in front of the kitchen fire and rather cold), Shenra had washed their clothes in the washroom that had indoor plumbing too!. She was also surprised there was an outhouse in the same room as the bath!

“So kid,” Shenra said as she propped her head up with her hand on the kitchen table, “You live beyond the old orchard?” When Avani nodded, Shenra smiled and said, “I’ve been meaning to go out and meet the neighbors, but my new project has had a few hiccups with the gears inside it. Do you think you will introduce me to your parents?”

Avani nodded again, rather shyly. She placed the glass down and said, “You tinker?”

Shenra smiled, “Yes I do! I moved out here to get away for a while from the bustle in Ashen City.” She sighed, “Sometimes you just can’t find the peace to create there….” She then smiled again at Avani, “That’s why I bought this place: To get away from it all.”

Avani reached for a pastry. As she bit into it, she was surprised to find it as good as her mama’s.

“Did you make these?” Avani asked pointing to the remainder of the pastry. Shenra smiled and nodded. Avani took another bite of the pastry and wondered about a few things.

A few moments of silence went by and then Avani placed the pastry down on the plate that it had been served on. She placed her hands in her lap and she looked down at them.

“My cousin said girls can’t tinker… He said that they were too stupid to do anything but stay at home and cook for their husbands.” Avani felt the old hurt come into her heart and fought tears, “He said I shouldn't farm either cause I was a girl and too week to handle any of the equipment or animals…” She looked up at Shenra tears blurring her vision, “But I can't cook well! I always end up burning things! How come you can tinker and cook?”

She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes, the memories of her cousin Srenlei pushing her into the mulch heap, laughing, and telling her that she should take a bath, but it was hard for her to do so since she probably didn't know how from not taking many. Her other cousin Rainei would pick her up and brush her off, and help her through it, but he wasn't here now when she was with a real life girl tinker and the memories coming back.

Avani felt some arms come around her, and she sobbed once as she wrapped her arms back around the kind warmth she felt coming from this person she really didn't know.

“It’s hard to be a girl sometimes.” Said a soft melodic voice in her ear, “But sometimes it brings the greatest joys in the world.” Avani felt her let go of the hug, but she remained at arm’s length of Shenra. Shenra wiped Avani’s face of her tears and said, “Though you are small now, there will be plenty of time to experience it.” She then smiled, “Your cousin is wrong dearest Avani. Girls can tinker, and cook as well. We are just as capable as men to do things, though yes we can’t do some of the things they can; such as lift as much as them at times. It doesn't mean we should sit by and do nothing; we should try and do something and do our best, and if we can't do it or need help, so be it!”

Shenra smiled and chuckled, “I’m not good at explaining this, but I do know how you are feeling little one.” She pulled Avani’s hair from her face and placed it behind her ears, “But in time you will understand.” Shenra stood and said, “Your cousin is not right, and you shouldn't listen to him.” She placed her hands on her hips and said, “Do what your heart wants Avani, it is the only thing in the world that can tell you about your true self.”

Avani nodded and sniffed a little, and wiped her eyes one last time.

“I wanna be a tinker too!” she stated.

“Good!” Shenra said smiling brightly, “Because I will make a deal with you: If you can help clear that orchard, and try to make it grow, then I will give you tinker lessons.” She then held out her hand again and said, “Deal?”

Avani smiled and took Shenra’s hand, “Deal!”

Avani made a promise to herself as well: Not only would she become a farmer and a tinker, but she would try to learn how to cook as well as mama and Shenra.

Because girls could do anything!

Avani set the bucket that she used to water her plants with next to her. She smiled with happiness and pride as she looked out over the garden bed.

Little green shoots were starting to show themselves, and she was rather proud she could do it.

Her father still gave her advice from time to time and she gladly took it. She wrote what he said to do in a journal every time he gave it. She also drew sketches of the weeds and plants around here so she would know what they looked like if she found any.

Nix, her little fea dragon, as she had come to call her, was sitting by her side chewing on a branch that had some buds on it. Avani assumed she had gone running around Shenra’s orchard again. Silly fea liked to go there and the secret lake a lot.

“They won’t grow any faster with ya lookin at them Avani girl.”

Avani turned and smiled brightly at her father as he came out of the house with a tray of lemonade and a blanket. Her mother was not far behind with a tray of sweetcakes and sandwiches.

“I can’t help it!” Avani said going over to her father and taking the blanket from him, “It’s the first thing I’ve grown on my own, and it’s so wonderful!”

Avani’s father chuckled as they continued to walk over to the shade of the tree that was near her small plot of land. Avani spread out the blanket and sat down as her father laid out the tray of glasses and pitcher on a large, round stump he had placed under the tree for a table. As he sat down, Avani’s mother came up with the tray of sweatcakes and sandwiches and placed them next to the lemonade. Avani sat near both of them in the deepest part of the shade.

It was a rare day off for them all, and so they decided to have lunch together before they went to all find something to do together for the afternoon.

No one saw the abandoned stick with blossoms on it.

Avani reached for the first sandwich, thanked her mother for making it, thanked the gods for the food, and then took a huge bite out of it.

“I wish they could grow faster.” Avani said, “I can’t wait to see if I can make something out of the vegetables”

“It takes time to make things Love.” Her mama said she smiled at Avani, “Some of the greatest things in the world take time to create.”

Avani took a drink of the cool lemonade and thought about it for a moment, then she said, “But plants aren't that great.”

“No,” Papa said taking a glass of lemonade himself, “But you do care if they grow right and they grow strong to give you a large yield.” He took a drink of lemonade and then said, “Everything in the world works that way Avani girl. You can’t rush things.”

Avani just chewed on a bite of sandwich and gave her father a skeptical look. Her father laughed and said, “You my dear are a good example of what your mother and I hope will grow big and strong, and then have a family of your own.”

“‘A family of my own?’” Avani said. She thought about that for a moment and said, “Well, I don’t think that’s gonna happen anytime soon...”

“I don’t mean tomorrow Avani… Families take time… You have to find the right mate first.”

Avani huffed and rolled her eyes. Her father could get so gooy at times. But she did love him, so she bore it out and said scrunching her face, “Boys are mean.”

Avani’s father laughed loudly, and she heard her mother chuckle.

“I felt the same way Avani,” her mother said brushing out some hair from Avani’s face, “But trust me, when you find the right person, it will be the best thing in the world, and worth the wait.”

Avani snorted and stuck her nose up at the idea. No, she would never like a boy like that… Would she? She scrunched her face up at the idea. Boys were just mean. Weren't they?

“OH!” she heard her mother shriek. Avani looked down at the blanketed area as she heard plates rattle, and she saw a flash of a blue-ish color. “That little brat!” her mother said picking up the plate that had the sweet cakes on them, “Avani! Get Nix away from here!”

Avani giggled and got up and started chasing the little sweet cake bandit around the yard, all thoughts of boys fleeing from her mind.

Talmei roared with laughter at his wife and looked at his daughter. She was one of a kind and much like her mother at that age. As he stopped laughing, he looked to his wife and smiled. How much he loved them both and thanked the gods that they were given to him. Especially Avani after the many tries to have a second child. If the gods wanted him to have only his daughter, so be it. She was loved as much as several children of him and Maiika. Maiika smiled at back at him and he saw the same smile that graced Avani when she was happy. It was something that he loved about those two, and would always carry that gift with him.

Avani was out with Nix, a rare day she had no work with Papa or with Shenra. She walked happily to the lake where she and Nix had first met. Both loved the place, and so spent most of their free time there.

Today though, Avani just felt like lying in the sun and probably take a nap. Nix would probably do the same thing.

As they got to the lake, she found the spot near the bordering forest that had a lovely patch of grass. She would keep it watered in the summer, she thought as she took off her shoes and socks, and walked in the soft grass. She came to the sunny spot, and laid down stretching her limbs, and feeling relaxed. Nix ran around for a few moments in the grass, and then cuddled next to Avani and soon was asleep.

Avani giggled at her friend and petted her as she slept. She watched the sky and thought about her life here so far.

It had be hard starting the farm from scratch, but Papa had done it. He would say that they all had done it, but Avani knew it was her father’s love of the land that got them through the troubled times. They were small things really, but still, it could have been worse.

She sighed and closed her eyes, still thinking on the past few months. She had made some very good friends, and had learned a lot from not only her father, but Shenra as well. She wondered what the next few years would hold. Would they be able to increase their livestock? Would the crops yield a bounty? Would all of her work pay off? What troubles lay ahead? She then felt silly thinking how she would like to meet some cute boys, but pondered what she would do if she had met any such boys.

She turned and Nix, deep in sleep, cuddled closer to her belly. Avani smiled at the little fea dragon and wondered what would happen to Nix as well. Would Nix meet someone to love like mama and papa? Did Nix even care? Avani chuckled and then turned over onto her stomach (carefully nudging Nix away from her) and looked at the blades of grass, and small clovers.

She wondered still if she herself would ever have a family. She giggled. She had plenty of time to figure all that out.

She began to feel sleepy and her thoughts drifted to what she would do on the farm when she grew up. She wondered if Papa would allow her to assist in birthings of the sheron and leklon, or actually being able to use the Hastars.

She closed her eyes and adjusted her head on her arms as a pillow. Perhaps she could use the scythes to help with the harvest? Or she could help with the thrashing.

The sun was warm on her back, and it acted as a blanket as she fell into a deep sleep, full of dreams of what could be.

“Avani!”

Avani popped her head up from behind the fence where she had been about to begin her chore of shoveling the hastar and sheron dung into the compost pile. She hadn't been looking forward to those chores today, but someone had to do them.

“Avani!”

She dropped the shovel she was holding at her mother’s second call. To ignore her summons would not be wise. She made her way back to the house, stepped onto a box and poked her head into the kitchen window.

“Here I am Mama!” she said smiling. She had been in the dung pile so there was no need to tramp it around the house, “Do you need something before I start my work?”

“Oh good, you haven’t started…” her mother said coming to the open window. “Get dressed to go into town to get some things for me. I’ll get one of the hands to do your work while you are gone.”

Avani smiled happily and pranced to the shed to change shoes and clothes. She loved driving into town with the hastars. She had gotten better at it and Papa had finally let her go into town to get things for Mama by herself as a result. She went up to her room first and brought down with her some coins that she had been saving for such a trip!

Nix, who had been avoiding the dung pile work, uncurled from the Khehora egg that Avani had hid in her room, sensing that a trip was about to be taken by her master, and didn't want to be left out. She scampered down the stairs at her mistress’ feet and skid to a stop in the kitchen while her mistress talked to the one whom Nix supposed was her mother.

“Here is a list for the goods store, and take the Urru eggs there to pay the account while you are there. They are double yoked so get twice the price for them.” Avani’s mother said handing her the list and a basket of eggs, “Your father has hitched the hastar to the small cart-wagon, no need for anything else.”

“OK!” Avani smiled. She looked at Nix and patted her hip as she walked to the front door, “Let’s go Nix!”

Nix scrambled after her mistress and out the door as Avani opened it. The cart was out there with the hastar that Avani used, and Nix jumped from the porch and glided to the cart and settled herself onto the seat next to where Avani would sit. Avani tucked the basket of eggs at her feet and took up the reins. She waved to the house and slapped the back of the hastar, and the wagon took off briskly down the drive from the house.

They were off!!!



As Avani drove a few minutes from the house, her ears twitched as she heard the thundering of hooves coming from behind her. She moved quickly to side and watched as a cart no bigger than her’s come thundering past.

She perked up as her ears caught the sound of crying coming from the cart, and her instincts reacted quickly.

She placed the basket of eggs on the side of the road far into the brush it wouldn't be trampled, and placed Nix next to them saying, “Stay here and guard Mama’s eggs!” and slapped the reigns to make the hastar go flying after the cart that had just passed her.

It took no time at all for the experienced Hastar to come close enough to the runaway cart that Avani could see inside it. Avani needed to get closer to jump into the driver's seat so she could grab the runaway hastar's reins. However, she knew there would be a fork in the road up ahead, and as one went to town, the other went to a dead in into the forest where some large trees would smash the cart to pieces if it hit them. Avani narrowed her brow, resolved to catch that cart! She could hear the old hastar that was pulling her cart breathing hard, and she knew there was little energy left to the old girl.

“Come on Atani!” she yelled, “You can do it girl!” Avani slapped the back of the hastar again, “I’ll be glad to let you rest, but we got to catch that cart first!”

Avani saw the road widen and knew the cross roads was close. She felt her cart catching up to the one that was unleashed. She forced her will into a channel to Atani and prayed to Seren that she could catch the cart in time.

As Avani predicted, the crossroads came and she was halfway to where she needed to be to jump to the other wagon and catch the reigns of both her’s and the other cart.

She knew the runaway hastar would choose the path to the dead end, because the road that turned off of the one they were on was the way to town. She slapped the reins again and Atani snorted and gave a burst of speed, just enough for Avani to jump!

Avani stuck her tongue out and jumped from her wagon, reigns in hand, and tumbled into the seat of the other wagon. She found the whipping reins of the unattended cart and pulled hard on both her’s and the runaway carts hard to stop both hastars.



As the dust settled, Avani opened her eyes and saw they had about 5 feet till they would have hit the trees. She sat down in the seat of the unknown cart, sighing in relief.

She then turned to the howling little bundle in the back of the cart, snuggled in a basket of blankets among some furniture and boxes.

“Well,” Avani said taking stock of the situation, “I’m glad to see someone doesn't care we were almost smashed.”

She climbed down from the cart and then turned both around. She would have to lead both hastar back up the road… perhaps beyond her house…

Oh well…. Problems were the spice in life.



Nix stood next to the egg basket knowing her mistress would want her to keep them safe from other’s who would want them. Her mistress had been gone a long time, and Nix was feeling sleepy. Soon after Nix had laid down next to the egg basket, she heard crying coming from up the road from where she and her mistress had come. A woman with purple hair came running down the road wailing. Nix cocked her head in thought, and wondered what this woman was crying about. But as soon as the woman had passed by Nix, she screamed hysterically and fell to the ground.

“My baby!” she screamed. Nix popped her head out of the underbrush and saw her mistress coming from down the road she had taken off with her cart. Nix chirped and chimed, and bounded up to Avani who was leading two carts towards the woman.

Avani smiled at Nix as she tried not to step on the little fea. She then saw the source of the screaming, a purple haired woman who was knelling on the ground crying. Avani stopped where the woman was and looked for her basket of eggs just behind her in the underbrush.

“This is your cart Ma’am?” Avani said looking back to the woman smiling, “The little one is fast asleep after all the rocking it had from our walk.”

The woman was so amazed at this young Orderite and her nonchalance at how serious situation was. Well as serious and the woman thought it was. She watched as the young one tied both hastars to a branch of a tree and they began to graze.

Avani smiled and went to the older woman and said, “Come on now Ma’am I know a stream nearby where we can all rest.”

Avani helped the mother up into her cart, and then untied the hastar. She scooped up Nix and placed her next to the woman, then retrieved her basket of eggs from the ground and placed it her cart. She then led the hastars into the forest, and for about 5 minutes listened for monsters. But all she heard was the woman’s dwindling sobs and Nix's consoling chirps and chiming. No doubt the little fea was trying to help the woman calm down.

Soon they were at the stream and Avani tied up the hastars pretty good near the edge so they could drink and eat after a long run and cool down.

She set a blanket she found in the back of the woman’s cart down on the grass, and set not only nix, but the baby in its basket down there. She helped the woman down and then found a pot in the back of the cart, and used it to get water for the woman.

As Avani sat down with the water, the woman thanked her for the drink and took a long sip from the pot. Avani smiled and saw Nix curling up next to the young baby who was still asleep.

“Now,” Avani said as she took the pot from the woman, “Why don’t you tell me what happened while we rest. It shouldn't be too long till the hastar’s are rested.”

The young woman nodded and it wasn't till now Avani saw the worn travel garments on the lady. She definitely was traveling alone, that was for sure.

“I was on the road to this next village, and some warriors were behind me, coming up on me.” She glanced nervously to the basket with the infant in it, then back down, “They ignored me, thank the Goddess, but they were arguing and one of them hit my hastar.” She started to sniff, but caught herself and she then said, “They didn't seem to care that my hastar began to run away with my cart let alone my baby. They just kept arguing amongst themselves.”

The woman looked up to Avani, “There was no one around, and I just took off after it.” The woman caught herself from crying again, but instead looked to the sleeping fea and baby. “I just couldn't keep up.” She looked to Avani, “Thank you so much for my baby’s life.”

Avani smiled despite wanting to hit those warriors upside the head. “Nothing to it Ma’am, just happened to be at the right place at the right time.” Avani wouldn't tell the mother how close to harm carts, hastars, and all were from at least certain injury, “Glad I could help.”

“My name is Fivi.” The woman said smiling, “And if there is anything I can do for you, I will try.”

“I’m Avani, I live near here.” Avani smiled and put up a hand, “No Ma’am, just glad I could help.” She then said, “Where were you going to anyway?”

The woman smiled and said, “The village close to here. I am looking for work.” Fivi blushed, “My husband died from a Borgnah attack on our small farm, and most of our livestock were killed too.” Avani saw sadness wash over her face, but then she looked up with a sad smile, “Luckily the Borgnah was killed, but I since I lost my husband; I lost the will to work the farm alone.”

Avani could never imagine losing a husband, but in that way? Avani took Fivi’s hand and patted it, “Some people aren't up to running a farm let alone a small one. It’s alright now. Your baby’s fine and so is whatever is in that wagon.” Avani looked to the rested hastars, now snoozing upright. “Seems the hastar’s are ready to go now, I’ll escort you to town since I’m going there too.”

Avani stood and helped Fivi stand too. Avani picked Nix up from the basket, as she stretched and yawned, and allowed Avani to carry her to the cart where she was placed in the back.

Avani watched as Fivi picking up her baby’s basket and the blanket on the ground. Fivi went back to the cart and then rummaged around in a box for a moment after placing the baby back in its place amongst her belongings. Avani got into her wagon and then watched as Fivi placed something next to her on her seat before she too took up the hastar’s reigns.

With that, both then set off down the road to the village



As she and Fivi entered were just outside the village, Avani told her the direction to the seamstresses shop. It seemed Fivi could sew as well as her mother, and Avani knew the dressmaker was looking for a new assistant since the village was becoming a large stop for the warriors on their way to Eowyn.

“Have this Ms. Avani,” she held out a green book. Avani saw a green jewel shine on the top, “It was my husband’s, but I don’t need it, and was going to sell it.” She smiled at Avani and said, “It’s worthless to me, but all I can give you for my baby’s life.”

“Ma’am, I can’t take that-“

“Please, it would mean a lot to me if you could use it somehow. My husband would want you to have it as well.” Fivi smiled, “Please Ms. Avani.”

Avani sighed and took the book. “I thank you Ma’am.” Avani smiled as she tucked the book near her feet out of harm’s way, “I’ll treasure it always.” She then narrowed her eyes and said, “But you must take some of our produce this fall when we come to town to sell it.”

Fivi smiled and laughed, “I will!”

And with that Fivi and her baby departed through the gate of the village, leaving Avani smiling with the book.

“What do ya think Nix?” Avani said letting the fea sniff it.

Nix felt the power coming from the book and then licked her mistresses hand to let her know it was ok. It seemed to match her mistress’ presence in someway…. The power seemed to radiate life and vitality that her mistress seemed to herself.

Avani giggled unaware of her fea’s thoughts and placed the book safely in her mother’s egg basket. It seemed to be something worth keeping if Nix liked it.

She slapped the reins and Atani trotted into the gates of the village. Avani mused over the good feeling she had of saving that baby. That, in and of itself, was the best reward she could ever have.

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Date Posted:
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Avani stood at the foot of the stairs that led to the back door of her house. She smiled as she looked out upon the perfect place for her pumpkin patch.

She had asked her father if she could have the large patch of land back there for her pumpkins, and was glad her father agreed to let her have it… Well, as long as she didn’t fuss with her mother’s kitchen garden.

Nix stood next to her, staring at her mistress’ face. She was thinking about something…. Nix hoped it was something that allowed her to get dirty.

“We need to build a fence too, so it’s going to be a smallish patch.” Avani said looking down at the little fea, “Papa said he’d let me have the materials for that, as well as help me out."

But she would first have to till the ground, get some manure, and plant the seeds… This whole business of pumpkin planting was getting to be more of a chore than she thought! Her father would know of some tricks, Avani hoped. After all it was his mother who planted a rather large pumpkin patch of her own!

So the next morning after her chores, Avani set to work on building the borders of her pumpkin patch. Nix helped by holding the string while Avani tied it to stakes in the ground so she would know where her borders were.

Next, Avani took the family shovel and hoe to work and started breaking ground. Nix helped by rolling away stones to the outside boundary of the string. This process took Avani a little less than a week to get done. With her chores, farm duties, and lessons from Shenra, free time was hard to come by, and she was tuckered out each night when she came in for dinner. She worked from whenever she could to the time the sun went down, and while the days were getting longer, Avani was still not happy with the short time she had to her own to devote to the patch.

Once the planing and tilling was done, Avani took the compost from next to the barn and mixed it with the dirt. Then she spread a healthy layer on top of the mixture. She smiled proudly at her work, though she would smell for a while. And even though that meant a bath every night till she stopped smelling, she didn't complain.

Then she started the fence. Her father let her help cut the wood and then hammer them together to make frames. He wrapped Uruu wire around the frames, so that it still let in the sun and bees, but kept the larger pests out. He showed Avani how to hammer the small penny nails around the holes in the wire so that it was snug and tight around each frame. Then they hammered each frame together so that it was a nice fence. He even made a gate for Avani so she could go in and out when she please without having to saddle the fence to get in. Avani was rather surprised and happy, for she would feel embarrassed having to lift up her dress each time to do that!

Now Avani went to work making the rows of mounds she would need to plant the seeds in. This required more compost and manure, much to her displeasure. Though Nix seemed to like the chance to get dirty. All Avani could do was smile at the little fea and promise a bath in the lake. Not only did that get her clean without bothering Mama, but she and Nix could cool down after a hard day of work.

Then came the day Avani planted her first seeds. She took her stick she used to make the holes, and slung her seed sack around her shoulders. She placed 4 seeds to each mound where the pumpkin would sit and grow. She smiled while doing this. It excited her that she would finally get to love and nurture them to full growth.

This took a whole day. Avani was excused from her regular chores so she could use it to the fullest. Afterwards Avani stat on the back steps of her house with a large glass of water, admiring her hard work. Nix was lying down next to her, relaxing after a hard day of patting down the earth for her mistress. Avani poured some water on the tired fea, and Nix responded with a happy chirp while standing and shaking off the excess.

“We’ll go for a swim eh?” Avani said placing the glass on the porch rail. “We earned it didn’t we?”

Avani heard the affirmative chirp and chime from her little fea. She sighed a good sigh and took one last look at her hard work. Most of the hard parts were over with, and all she had to do now was feed the greedy plants each day. She gave a little chuckle and mentally cheered herself on with the thought that that would only be a chore that she would do once a day, and that wasn’t too hard.

“Let’s go Nix!” Avani said grabbing the bag of soap and wash cloths, “The lake awaits us!”

And together they went running off.

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Avani stood, hands on hips, scowling down at her pumpkin patch.

There were shoots starting to grow, and Avani was pleased with that, the problem was the book said the patch needed about an inch of water a week to have adequate effect on it.

Nix cooed and rubbed her head against her mistress’ leg.

“It’s so hard!” Avani said throwing up her arms and falling to the ground, “I can’t water that much land by pulling it all out of the well!” She laid back and looked up to the sky, “I mean, I can carry buckets, but an inch of water?” she closed her eyes, “I wish it was easier.”

Nix chirped and laid her head on Avani’s stomach. Her mistress was upset about something….

Avani sighed and opened her eyes again, “Maybe, if there was some sort of system...”

Her mind whirled with all the possible ways she could get water to her plants… but they were all a way Papa would not approve of.

“Oh well,” Avani said scratching Nix’s head, “I guess it’s something to think about…”

“What about a waterwheel?” Shenra said.

Avani looked at her curiously. A waterwheel? But the only running water was from the stream where Papa got his water from. Besides, weren't waterwheels used to grind things or for energy?

“What do you mean?” Avani said as she pulled a large piece of scrap metal towards the bench in Shenra’s barn workshop.

“I mean an aqueduct to your plants!” Shenra said as she came to help Avani, “You can build a channel from a waterwheel to your plants!"

“But don’t waterwheels push things? I mean, aren’t they for mills?” Avani said hefting her end of the sheet of metal onto the workbench.

Shenra chuckled as she lifted her end onto the bench as well, “Not all waterwheels are like that. You can make one that scoops up water.” Avani was still confused. Shenra apparently could see that as she laughed and said, “Look here.” Shenra took down some blueprints that were on the wall and turned it so the blank back was face up over the sheet metal. She took a pen and started drawing. “You are thinking of energy by water, and that’s ok, but this is just for irrigation.”

Shenra drew two circles, one larger than the other, the smaller inside the bigger and then made some slanted lines between them. They formed ‘cups’. Then she drew a ‘water line' above the cups bottom of the wheel and an arrow pointing to the left.

“See how the water flows?” she said as she pointed to the water, “It pushes up the cups and over to the aqueduct.” She made a motion of the wheel going to the right, “There are holes in the parts that act as cups, and they can deposit the water into the aqueduct, and it would flow to your garden.” She looked down at the wheel and said, “We can possibly convince your father that it will help his plants as well when he irrigates.”

Avani was skeptical. The amount of material used for this would be a lot.

“We can find some scrap metal for you to use to make it.” Shenra said looking at Avani and smiling, “That way it won’t cost much.”

Avani looked back down at the drawing. Well, you had to start somewhere…

Avani approached her father about the waterwheel the next night. He seemed as skeptical as she was, but was willing to give it a try.

“You gotta build it yourself, Avani girl.” He said looking at her with a brow raised. “If you like it enough for your plants, then we could go in later for a larger one for our fields.”

Avani smiled and said, “Don’t worry Papa!”

Shenra helped Avani draw up the plans for the wheel. She had a large pile of scrap she was willing to part with, so that took care of some of the wheel parts. It was the cup parts of it Avani was worried about.

“Don’t worry.” Shenra said smiling, “You’ll do a good job at welding them.”

Avani smiled a little, but frowned. She was getting better at welding, but with her time in the fields and her own garden, free time to do this would still be hard to come by. Was this what true farm life was about? When did one have time for a family?

Avani shook her head and ran a hand over the blue prints. She would see this project through no matter what.

It took a long hard month to get at least half the wheel together. Avani was proud that she could do it. It had the slits welded onto it that would be the cup part. Since the stream ran in a deep bed, the height of the wheel was necessary. It would bring up the water to a trough that would run from the creek to the garden. They would have to cover the trough though, and that meant onsite welding. Shenra would do that, she had said, mostly because Avani wasn't used to that kind of welding. But Avani would have to pay attention and help if she wanted to learn how to do it.

Once Avani completed the other side of the wheel, which was just the wheel part and no extra pieces for cups, she welded that part and the cup slits together. It was a rather hard job, but Shenra was there to help her by keeping an eye on the pressure of the welder. Once that was done, she welded the inner part of the waterwheel together with the piece that would be the axis. Shenra guided her along that part, while a ranch hand Avani had bought kept watch on the pressure.

Avani wiped her forehead after she had finished the big wheel. She was very proud of her work.

“Very fine.” Shenra said. She patted the metal, “Very fine indeed.” She turned to Avani and said, “Now for the trough!”

That meant going to the waterwheel site and mapping out where the trough would go. Avani planed it out with string marking the edge of where she had to dig. She had to be careful because of where the house well was. She didn't want to dig into that!

She started the digging, listening to Shenra, who had told her how deep to dig it. The metal, which would be welded into a three sided box at first, a bottom and two sides, would be placed in there once it was cooled down enough. When the digging was done, she watched as Shenra welded it, and then placed it into the earth. When she was done with a section, she would weld the top onto it as well, completing the trough.

It took another month for that.

During the time it took Avani to make this system, she still carried water to her plants each day, and each day she keep thinking about how soon she would have an irrigation system. Her plants still grew, but soon, so soon, she would be able to just lift the stopper in her aqueduct and water her plants at her leisure.

Shenra then made the parts that would make the wheel turn, and planted it firmly into the side of the creek wall with concrete. “That way it won’t break off and flow merily down the stream.” She told Avani with a big smile.

A test of the wheel showed the water would go right into the trough. Avani was giddy and excited. She couldn't wait for the project to be finished!

Then the day came when Shenra put the stopper in. It was what Shenra called a gate valve. She could just screw it up or down and the water would flow. It was placed just before her garden, and into the metal trough that was above ground and had holes in it to let it flow evenly into the pumpkin patch. Avani was giddy: This was the last part!

“To test the trough and valve Avani,” Shenra said with a grin, “We must release the waterwheel.”

Avani smiled with as bright a grin as Shenra had and said, “Let’s all do it together!”

Shenra agreed, and so they told Avani’s parents that they would start tomorrow with the waterwheel.

The next morning Avani (Who had Nix perched on her shoulder), her parents, and Shenra gathered at the waterwheel. Shenra held out the string of the metal stick that held the wheel motionless to Avani.

“This was mostly your project.” She said smiling, “You do the honors.”

Avani smiled and gave it a good yank, the stick pulling out of the wheel, setting the structure into motion.

It squeaked a bit, but as it got going, the wheel dipped into the water, and water began to sploosh into the trough that caught the water. Avani clapped her hands and then ran off (Nix chasing after her) towards the valve near her garden. She unscrewed the stopper, and went to her garden.

At first, nothing happened. Avani was sure this would work… Perhaps there was a leak?

But then she heard a gurgling sound, and soon she saw water sputter out of the holes and into the rows of pumpkins into her gardens. Soon it was flowing steadily.

She jumped up and down, whooping in joy, and twirled around in excitement.

It worked!!!

“You’ll have to wait to use it each spring.” Shenra said as she and Avani’s parents caught up to Avani and had walked up to her beside the garden, “The water needs to drain each fall so it doesn't expand the trough in the winter.”

“I will!” Avani said hugging Shenra, “Thank you for all the help!”

Shenra chuckled and placed a hand on Avani’s head. She reminded Shenra of herself at times when she was that small.

“Well Avani,” her father said, “Perhaps we can get some of this for our fields. Then we don’t have to worry about the animals and plants getting thirsty…” he looked to Shenra, “Do ya mind doing it for us? We will pay you of course.”

Shenra smiled and said, “If I have Avani’s help, I can get it done fast, and she can pocket some of the payment.”

“Really?” Avani said looking up at her, “I can help?”

Shenra smiled and said, “After the last thaw next spring, we can start planing.”

“Yay!” Avani shouted and parted from her hug with Shenra. She then went then went dancing around the yard in celebration of finally realizing her dream: Bringing tinkering and farming together in her life was starting off well.

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Avani stared at her pumpkin patch and smiled. It had been two weeks since she had used magic to heal the plant, and she had used the spell once more, this time with less fatigue afterwards.

This time though, she was going to go work on her mother’s vegetable garden.

The reason for this was because her pumpkins were blooming. Avani smiled at that thought. She had used magic to open the buds of the flowers on the vines. Bees buzzed around them pollinating the flowers. Avani was very, very glad! At this rate they would be able to be harvested before papa’s rice and wheat.

Avani had brought the Prelii Shelarthan book with her, just to read the second chapter once more before actually trying the spell. If anything, Mama’s vegitables would be almost, almost ready to pick. Mama would like that!

Avani sat in the shade of the tree that was on the far side of her mother’s kitchen garden. She picked up the book and started reading. It talked about focusing more on making nutrients flow, and how to control the magic so specific plants could be targeted.

After finishing the chapter, she put the book down and went to the edge of her mother’s garden. It looked as if some of the plants were about to produce the actual vegetables. Small green spheres, as small as a pea, were taking shape on the tomato vines. If Avani could focus her magic on them, they would be full and ripe by the time she was done with them!

She sat on the edge of the plot and breathed in deeply as she closed her eyes. She thought of the tomato plants she just saw and focused on them.

Avani felt the magic again, how it began within her, and flow through her. She breathed deeply once more, and placed her hands on the ground. She felt the magic flow freer and move through the ground.

She slightly increased her power and said the words to invoke the spell, “Prelii Shelarthan”.

She felt the magic beginning to gather nutrients from the ground and take them to the tomato plant. She also felt the plant receiving what was gathered form the ground.

She than began the advanced focus the book talked about. This focus was not to call forth magic, but measure it out to the plant. If she didn’t control it, the plant could receive too much magic and die. She didn’t want that, for her mother would be rather upset.

Avani opened her eyes and watched the tomatos grow and ripen. She lowered the flow of magic till they looked just about ripe. The tomatoes were sort of yellow-green and red making patches of orange.

Avani carefuly cut the flow of magic as the book had told her to do. When she did, she fell back into the shade of the tree and breathed deeply. Avani smiled. She felt very tired and she closed her eyes when sleep came over her.

She had succeeded in making the tomatoes grow to the ripeness that she had wanted, and cound not wait to show her mother.

Maiika went out the back door to check to see if Avani was in her pumpkin patch. It was almost dinner time, so she would be there. Maiika couldn’t find her daughter, so she went to check on her garden.

When she saw her daughter laying at the edge of the plot, alarm sped thought her, yet she pushed it back and went to Avani quickly. It was evident she was still breathing, but she was asleep.

Maiika knelt down to her daughter and raised her so that she was in a sitting position with Maiika’s arms as a brace.

Avani’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she saw her mother.

“I made your tomatoes grow Mama…”

Avani snuggled into her mother’s arms and Maiika smiled. Avani would always be her baby, no matter how old she got.

She laid her daughter back onto the ground, knowing the magic she had used must have been great if she was that tired.

She went over to her tomatoes and smiled even greater. She placed her hand under a larger one and felt how smooth it was.

Yes, her daughter was well onto the way of following in her family’s footsteps.