Chapter 91: Reaper's Scythe
Bee followed Tony's family out to the barn. They swung the doors wide and quickly got to work handing out scythes. Even the youngest had one sized for him. Tony pulled her aside and found one that had the correct length for her. Since she didn't know much in the way of farming, he briefly went over how to use it with Bee. He also showed her how to sharpen it. His hands moved so fast with the file she had to ask him to do it again.
It took her a couple tries to get the hang of it, but before long, she was able to skate the file over the edge and bring the edge back to razor-sharpness in a few strokes.
"You will want to sharpen real quick after at least every row. It only takes a couple seconds, but it will save you so much more time. Also, if you notice the grain stalks tearing instead of making a clean cut, just stop and run the file over a couple times." Tony explained. "If it ever gets to the point where the stalks are bending, it's too late, and we'll need to get out the wheel and fix the edge. Best to avoid that. While we're harvesting, time is precious." Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
Bee nodded. She thought that she understood. For now, she would just do the row next to Tony and hope that he could help her out. Still, there was one more thing Bee needed to say. "I'm sorry you don't still have your Farmer class."
Tony smiled sadly. "It is something I've come to terms with. I still have the basic skill I got at level 1, which helps. Plus, I have enough practice that my increased speed and stamina from the levels will be worth it all themselves. That's even better than if I stayed as I was, as a level 6 farmer."
Bee started to say something, but Tony cut her off. "Besides, it's not till level 20 or so that the farming skills really make a difference. That kinda progress usually takes ages, you know. But there's a reason it's impressive." He grinned proudly. "Watch, father. He has scythe proficiency. He'll show you what I mean."
Bee fell silent. It was touching that he was willing to admit his problems honestly, but it was still good to hear that he was handling it. In the aftermath of the fight, Bee couldn't really bring herself to regret having him change his class, as he would have surely died without those levels. However, she could still remember how much Tony loved farming. When they first met, that was one of the first things she learned about him. Now he was in service of their master instead.
She remained lost in her thoughts until she took her first swing at a row of wheat. Something went wrong, and the staff turned in her grip, just bending the stalks out the way slightly. Frustrated, she adjusted her grip to be more like what Tony had shown her and swung again. This time it passed through the stalks in an easy motion. Recovering her blade, she reset her feet and looked over at Tony to make sure he had seen that second swing.
However, Tony wasn't next to her anymore. She had to lean over to his line, but he was already a dozen yards down her row. As he swung each time, his motion ended with the scythe already in a position to take the next swipe. Even though he had needed a crutch to walk here, he seemed completely fine now. Bee, however, was constantly off balance. She looked back at the stalks in front of her. This time when she swung, she tried to put the minimal amount of force needed behind her blow, focusing more on speed than power.
Still, it took a little bit to set up her next swing, but at least she wasn't stumbling afterward this time. This pattern continued for a very long time. Swing, reposition swing. She couldn't let Tony keep ahead of her too far.
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Starting to do some math in her head, Bee figured that they would need at least five trips. Maybe six if everyone didn't want to carry a huge pack.
Eventually, Tony received five copper coins from Trent, and they finished tying up the last bundle right as the sun neared its zenith. "I didn't think you would be nearly as much help, Bee. If I hadn't seen you starting out, I would have said this was your tenth harvest!"
Bee could only smile at the compliment from the happy Trent. Not for a second did he seem to mind losing out on the bet. Genuinely he was just ecstatic to have finished the harvest so fast. "Normally, we would feast after harvest and rest for a couple days. But I think you have other plans for us?"
Nodding, Bee couldn't help but feel disappointed in missing out on the harvest feast. Trent was right, though. They needed to get moving. Who knew how long this place would be safe? She didn't want to leave the castle empty for much longer. "I think we should prioritize half food and half everything else you want to bring. That includes the animals. We might need to make many trips, but we don't all have to come. It's a bit much for everyone."
Surprisingly, no one argued. They just started packing up. Mary busied herself boxing things from the kitchen as each child picked out several sets of clothes. They were each allotted two toys. This caused some tearful outbursts, but each time one of the parents or Tony stepped in and handled it gracefully.
Bee was left to prepare the wheat for travel. There were a few harnesses with bags that fit over the mules. She filled them but left the cow for the other things. It was slightly more than half of the load, but she figured there was no way to avoid coming back at least once, so it wasn't a big deal.
It took several hours before they were all ready to move out. Looking up at the sun, Bee wasn't sure they would make it back in time, but they couldn't wait much longer. They all got in a caravan line and started down the trail leading to the main road. Bee led the convoy from up front, and Felix took up the rear carrying Void.
The trip was largely uneventful. However, at the time, it didn't feel that way. Every small noise they heard in the forest caused them to stiffen in fear. The farm animals noticed the tense mood and required constant assurances to keep them calm. All of this, added to the natural placid pace of the animals, resulted in them making even worse time than Bee had feared.
The group was walking by moonlight by the time they finally made it out of the forest. Even the youngest was a ball of nerves by the time they laid eyes on the castle. Bee was the only one not too tense, as she had faith that Void would watch over them. That and the improved broom in her hand had given her a lot of comfort.
Once they all packed inside the safety of the castle, they still found little respite. The animals needed to be unloaded and put away. The grain and food needed to be stored. The beds needed to be claimed. Rather than drag mattresses all over like barbarians, as Mary put it, the family claimed a row of apprentices' quarters. Each room was significantly larger than they were used to, and for the first time, no one had to share.
Felix, Tony, and Bee still didn't leave the library. Bee wasn't about to, as it was just too normal now, but she was glad that Tony and Felix stayed to keep her company. Void, of course, was nowhere to be found. She figured it was likely exploring the castle and making sure nothing was out of place.
Far too late into the night, the castle's tenants finally made their way to bed. Bee practically collapsed with relief into her mattress. They had made it. Tony's family was safe, they had supplies for the coming months, and no one had seen a single undead. Now they just had to go back and get everything else.
Already thinking about tomorrow, Bee fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.