We used to make their living growing wheat, barley, and other crops. But the production of the granary and all came to a halt because of the war. And this moment, the weather drastically has changed with cold winds with a constant breeze blowing and heavy rain pouring down as we are supposed to hope for a mild sunny day. The farmers and I, as though labeling myself, are concerned pertaining to the crops are getting destroyed by the harsh weather. I am determined to save the livelihood of my nation as how I could show my perseverance, my loyalty to the program - the so-called 'Planned Austerity'. I do pray to Lady Wellicia that this phenomenon won't harm much of what we have sowed. I set out to figure a way to survive this impending doom. The people are relying on me, I can't let them down for a second time. I failed to provide for them a whole ultimatum of the quota in lieu of a half.
"I need to step up the game in order to save my hard worked labor and my dignity." I mutter to myself.
As I begin to look for ways to protect the crops - our sustenance from the elements. From walls, haruspicy, citing incantations, and all of the sort. I tried different methods as I did my best. All seems to fail. But, one thing to really protect the livelihood is to hire what I expect not to come to a fruition. Magic.
"Well, it comes to a fact that technicalities and if it fails, then science is not that infallible at all." says the man, who takes tenure to the queen for about a decade, by the service through farming.
"I agree with your sentiment, gentleman. Our last resort is always and will be the use of art. The arts of magic." approving, where I confirm his prior statement.
Heavens answer my prayers. I desperately am in need of a magician. But I eventually stumbled, together with my apprentices, upon an old farmer. I am not expecting him to be this great and talented. Because, at first, he is just an old geezer. But I digress because he has shown his notion of an ancient technique used by his ancestors during similar situations: layering straw on top of the soil in order to protect it from wind and rain. I quickly follow his advice and it is because of the urge of desperation, in order to protect the crop from further damage. However, we are still in need of art. Magic. There is another problem to this situation at hand other than the crops being to protect in the capital.
"Lord Guan! Lord Guan!" a yell coming from the newly-opened door, as the shout echoes the entire chamber nearby the shack.
"May my audience needs an attention to your biddings, milord???" as the man speaks up, while interrupting the discussion.
"Yes, speak up." I respond as per my instruction, wherein he insists to come closer towards me.
He approaches to me, as I would think is some sort of controversial subject. The man then whispers near to my ears: "West from the capital. They are encountering some bizarre form of sorcery." as my knee goes to stumble into render.
I bring the old farmer, my apprentices, and the man who reported the incident as we embark on a journey towards the situated area. It takes us four days to reach the destination. While the influx of reports coming from the capital, with the aid of Lord Ameniah's covert operation, the weather there seems to resume even though I am away from the royal villa. The small, rural farming community had been struggling because of this unprovoked and unsanctioned war. This phenomenon is no different from the occuring war's happening during this tempestuous time. This side of this nation is experiencing a weird series of climates. It had been a particularly dry and torrid terrain with no rain in sight. The crops are failing and the wheat is wilting despite the farmers' best efforts. The temperature continues to rise and the weather becomes so unbearable which the farmers are losing hope to rescue this situation from this catastrophe. To make matters worse; with no clouds are in present, the heat is starting to surge up once again. A heavy storm and a climatic wind in the capital, and here and now, a desert-like phenomenon is occurring to this side of Kehina.
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"Oh, milord. We are glad to welcome your presence despite the war still raging on. We are pleased to save us by prioritizing our needs." as I believe who is talking to me is the representative of this agrarian union, these farmers really, whereas they have to act in a quick manner if they want to save their crops from destruction, their morale gets to the highest point when meeting me and my presence.
They decided to combine their resources and come up with a plan of action before our arrival, which I approve of the idea that they came up with. They built makeshift dams around nearby creeks and lakes to help retain some of the precious water that would otherwise be lost due to evaporation. They also dug trenches around their fields in order to help direct any possible rainwater away from the crops and into the dams instead. This is as such a brilliancy by its own rights, despite all cause, they manage to come up with a plan.
Finally, they worked together during this strange heat, quickly gathering supplies such as wood for fires, ice for refrigeration (so they speak), seeds for plantation, and all sorts of 'Plan B'-style measures. And by my instruction, whatever they inspire with good ideas, I will gladly approve it.
We, including my courtesan (as my second-in-line would have stated), and the farmers prepare for the worst and do pray that this would pass by quickly. As well as, we ask for the guidances through the haruspicy. On the night, we gather in the town square to share stories and laughs together and memories of seasons of our past and tribulations. Whence we pray to the Lady Wellicia that our wheat, corn, and all plethora what comes from the field, hoping to flourish in abundance.
And as morning arrived and the peek of the sun is welcoming us with its rays, I was met with a: "Good morning, Lord Guan!" a shock to my bed as implying a rude awakening.
"Lord, lord! Look!" whereas the man who encroaches my room point his finger at the window.
As I rush towards the window, staring, their hopes get a dash of hopelessness as the wind and the heat intensifies. The farmers work diligently throughout the day but could do little to stop the fierce and excruciating wind of heat from destroying our crops. I could not do anything but just to watch their sufferings in the eyes. Meanwhile, as the high noon kicks in, I encourage everyone to eat what they can and not to trouble themselves to offer an effort to the project.
"Lord, we would sacrifice our livestock and our livelihood just for the honor and the glory of Kehina." says the crowd, I can hold the fact that the ambition - my project is too completed to achieve.
As evening comes around, we feel defeated whichin a sense of despair fills the air as everyone thinks what would happen if this is their, (our) last harvest season ever. Now that the war is coming closer. A sense of responsibility suffocated my chest as I held dear to the hardship of these workers. Albeit, to the amazing powers of what can the magicians can do. They are helpless to these kinds of situation. The magicians we hired are not their fault.