The morning sun shone warmly over the farm, glinting off the dew on the vegetable rows. Roland stood at the edge of his fields, hands on his hips, surveying the bounty before him. The potatoes were plump and earthy, the carrots vibrant and firm, and the other crops seemed to hum faintly with vitality. It was a perfect morning to prepare something special for the villages.
"Alright, Sol," Roland said, glancing down at the young dog who wagged his tail eagerly, "today we're not just harvesting. We're giving knowledge… and life." Sol barked once, bounding around his legs in excitement. Aeris peeked out from behind Brontus and Maphala, her ears flicking in curiosity.
Roland set to work, first preparing clay pots and filling them with carefully collected soil from the farm. This wasn't ordinary dirt—each scoop had been enriched with a mixture of natural nutrients and a touch of farmer's magic, a gentle infusion of mana and nature energy that would give young plants the best start. Into these pots, he placed saplings of potatoes and carrots he had nurtured, each one small but vibrant, brimming with life.
Claribel, standing nearby with a basket in hand, watched in fascination. "They're beautiful," she murmured, careful not to touch them too early.
Roland smiled. "These aren't just plants," he said, gently pressing the soft soil around one of the carrot saplings. "They're the future of the villages. I want every villager who grows these to have the best chance of success."
With precision, he wrote out a guide for the three villages—a detailed, step-by-step manual on how to grow potatoes and carrots, with notes on soil preparation, planting depth, spacing, watering, crop rotation, and even using light farmer's rain to absorb ambient mana without draining personal energy. Each instruction was painstakingly thorough, leaving nothing ambiguous. He included diagrams showing how to cut potatoes into pieces with 2–3 "eyes," how to let them dry slightly, how to plant them 4–6 inches deep with eyes facing up, and the importance of covering stems to prevent sunlight damage. Carrot planting and maintenance instructions followed with equal detail.
Claribel leaned in, smiling as Roland meticulously wrote every word. "You're amazing," she said softly. "No one would leave anything out with this."
Roland chuckled, his hand tracing the words after writing them down. "I want them to succeed without having to figure things out themselves. If something happens to me, these guides can help a farmer in the making—maybe even a Greenbud, like the legends."
Once the saplings were ready and the instructions complete, Roland handed them carefully to Claribel, who placed the clay pots gently into the wagon. A few jars of watered-down farmer water accompanied them, enough to give the seedlings a good start on the journey.
Claribel's eyes sparkled with warmth. "I can't wait to see them grow," she said. "I feel like you're sending a little piece of the farm with me." She reached into her satchel and gave Roland a parchment from the village.
Roland smiled, taking a small parchment from her. It was a poem she had received, simple yet profound, filled with gratitude and encouragement. He read it aloud softly:
"From soil to sun, from hand to hand,
May growth and care bless every land.
The heart of a farmer, steadfast and true,
Gives life to all, old and new."
He tucked the poem carefully into his satchel, a quiet smile on his face. "This… this is important," he murmured. "A reminder of why I do what I do every day."
Claribel tilted her head curiously. "You should frame it." The villagers created it with their feelings.
Roland laughed softly, glancing around his modest home. "I don't have a frame, but I'll ask you to get one when you can. I want to keep it visible, to read it every morning. It'll remind me that every seed, every crop, every effort… it's for more than just me."
Sol barked happily, brushing against his lI'lleg as if agreeing. Aeris nestled closer, and Brontus and Maphala stood protectively nearby, watching over the pair.
Roland placed one hand on Sol's head and another on Aeris's wool, looking out over his flourishing farm. "Let's make sure the villages have the best chance," he said softly. "And maybe… just maybe, we'll inspire a few more farmers along the way."
The morning sun climbed higher, bathing the farm in gold. Seeds, knowledge, and hope were ready to travel with Claribel, and for the first time that day, Roland allowed himself a deep breath of satisfaction. The farm was alive, the animals were content, and a new chapter for the surrounding villages was about to begin. He was inspired to return a poem of his own.