The earliest signs of advanced farming that we have discovered originated on the continent of Arandor, marking a significant milestone in human history. Remarkably, another advanced farming civilization emerged almost halfway across the globe, nearly at the same time, on the continent of Eldoria. Many speculate that a noble, banished from Arandor, sought haven far from his homeland and propagated his agricultural knowledge, sparking this parallel development.

-History of Farming

* * *

The first light of dawn peeked through the cracks in my hut, waking me from a restless sleep. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and feeling the weight of the day ahead. These next few days would be important, as it can lead to something great and prosperous.

I quickly packed a few things for the journey, not taking any effort to sort anything that I wouldn’t be taking with me. A small rucksack held some essentials. A few herbs, a waterskin, and some dried jerky for the journey. I realized that packing a chair and table wouldn’t since the wood is way heavier than I expected and I wouldn't be able to make the journey with it.

As I stepped outside my hut, I noticed the tension in the air. This wasn’t right, why did people have to be chased out of their own homes. Hopefully I will be rectifying that issue.

I approached the chief's hut and saw the elders congregating, “I’m ready as can be, I’ll start my journey unless someone has any last minute words.” Seeing no one speak, the Chief simply says, “I wish you a steady journey. May the spirits guide your path.”

With the final glance around the village, I steel myself for the journey ahead. Everything would work out.

Lóng Zhàn and I set out from the village, as the rising sun cast long shadows on the ground. The path through the forest was fairly familiar, having walked through here just a few days ago. Despite the gravity of the situation, I tried to lighten the mood with some mundane conversation.

As we walked, I discussed mundane things. The weather, the latest village gossip. The upcoming birth from the Baozhai-Ling couple, they should be expecting a kid within a month. The journey away would be difficult, so that was one more reason to get this agreement to work.

Arriving at the field, we settled into the open space, sitting around as we waited for the delegates of the city to arrive. Funnily enough I realized I did not know about the name of the city, and hopefully it would not be necessary.

I tried to center myself, I had to be the Sage for this conversation. I had to leverage my existent knowledge with my nonexistent influence of a Sage to have them agree that the best bet was to cooperate. I already had the knowledge in my head, and had already organized it in order of importance and how much to reveal, all I needed was to play the act of a Sage.

I pulled on all the knowledge I knew about the customs and beliefs of these people. Everything that I have learned while being here and every story, myth, and historic document from earth. I was going to pretend to be a Sage. No, I needed to be a Sage, I was a Sage.

My mind raced with simulations of how the conversations would go. How they would turn hostile, how they would readily agree, how they simply wouldn’t care and would go back. All of them ended with simply the delegates heading back or us succeeding.

As my mind started to overload with anxiety I noticed movement on the other side of the field. A small group were breaking out of the cover, 1 man was in the middle with two of them sandwiching him. The delegate and his guards were here. I would not be surprised if there were more in the forest behind them, but as long as they seemed to respect the arrangement was all that mattered.

I take a deep breath, say my new mantra, I am a Sage, and get up to greet them. The man in the middle seemed out of place because he was the first person who wasn’t wearing furs, but seemed to be wearing some kind of cloth. He wore a robe that went down to his knees, It was not dyed in any way, with a dull white color. He had plain black hair, maybe one and a half meters, his hair was made in a neat bun, and he carried no weapons.

The two soldier looking guys wore the fur clothes and armor I was accustomed to. They were slightly taller than the delegate but not by much, still being easily dwarfed by my height. I frowned inwardly, I didn’t want my height difference to be intimidating, I didn’t realize how much taller I was than them. There was nothing I could do about it now and would have to keep in mind to not come off as intimidating.

As they approached my mind started to race once again, but unlike the first time, I actually had things to do, like put on a performance of a Sage. I clamp on my thoughts.

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I am a Sage.

Lóng Zhàn pulled up to stand slightly behind me as I got started.

“Greetings, I am Sage Jié Míns. I am glad that you took time out of your day to humor me.” A look of surprise flashes across all the faces of the representatives. The face of the delegate, and probably the one who is going to do most of the talking, turned to skepticism. While the face of the guards turned nervous.

“Greetings, Sage Jié Míns, I am Cai Lin, I have come as a representative of Greenhaven. I hope your trip here was pleasant?” His eyes traveled from me to Zhàn, probably sizing us up and trying to glean any information about us.

“Yes, the journey was smooth, “I replied, keeping my tone level and calm. “I hope yours was as well.”

Cai Lin nodded, “It indeed was. There was a traveler that came through the city claiming that you wanted to arrange a meeting in this place. He kept it fairly vague, but it seems you want us to stop expanding in exchange for something.”

I quickly organize my thoughts and answer his unasked question. “I was told you were expanding due to the need for extra farmland to support the city?” Cai Lin slowly nods. “I have a way to mitigate the lack of food by increasing the success rate and even yield given enough time. If you agree to not invade the neighboring area and go on wanton slaughter, I can disclose these techniques over a period of time.”

He looked like he was contemplating it. C'mon man, just take it, it's a great deal. “How can we trust that those techniques you share are valid, and not with the intent to harm or ridicule us.”

What would a Sage say here? What would I say here?

“Is the word of a Sage not enough?”

There was silence at that statement. Outright saying that a Sage was lying was great disrespect, but the man obviously had some doubts.

“I mean no offense,” Uh oh, “but how would I know if you are a legitimate Sage?” I frown at the statement and he quickly tries to correct himself. “I am not calling you a fraud, but we have had an instance of a man claiming to be a Sage who was not. I would like to apologize for our cautiousness.”

That was no doubt a lie, there was no way that Sages were common, they were mostly a myth passed down as legends by the storytellers. It could be a coincidence but I doubted it. I could try calling him out but that wouldn’t be befitting of a Sage since that would simply be me accusing him with nothing to back me up.

“What do you suggest then?” I asked him while sizing him up, whatever he was going to suggest, it was obvious that I would not like.

“Why not join us back and visit our city? Perhaps taking a look would help you out immensely in helping us?”

I continued frowning, “I am sorry but I cannot visit your grand place, I have duties that I cannot currently leave.”

“Don’t be so hasty to reject, we can offer you a nice place to stay, and you would only need to stay until your knowledge bore fruit. I would also be incapable of sending the Sage home with your one guard, the world is dangerous and unforgiving.”

“Are you threatening me, Cai Lin? You do know what happens to those that contribute to the death of a Sage?” I couldn’t give him more ground, blatantly threatening me like that was a gamble, and if I backed down now, I would be admitting that I am no Sage. Sages were also known to be protected by nature, and those that kill a Sage were not long to live for, usually dying in gruesome ways, or so the myths say.

“I wouldn’t dare, Great Sage!” He bows down to me, for the first time since the meeting started, with the guards hastily following. “It is simply that although Sages bring prosperity on the land they walk, the cycle needs to repeat, and destruction needs to follow prosperity. Would the village you live in be able to handle it when such a time comes?”

He became more respectful but he did not stop with his threats, but instead of directing them at me, he directed them at the village. I felt angry and infuriated, but I reeled myself in.

I am a Sage. Act like one.

He was pushing his luck. Would a real Sage take these kinds of insults lying down? I didn’t know, but I really had no choice. He could also pit other villages against our own, so that he could claim innocence. It was a frustrating thought process.

I thought of all the kids and families in the village. Could I really endanger them for my own selfishness? I hate to be brutally honest, I barely knew them and did not want to risk my life for theirs. But thankfully this wasn’t what was likely to happen. In fact, it might seriously be safer to go with them. I doubt they would try anything in their city. Worst that could happen is they decide that it's “too dangerous” to head back to the village.

That is if I don’t let the mask slip. If they figure out I'm no “Sage” I could die very brutally. Just looking at earth's history, it was easy to see what kind of ways I could get killed for fooling them. But I needed to make a choice now, thinking too long will only prolong the suspicion.

“I… would be willing to visit your city for the duration of our agreement. But only until you can verify the truth of my statements and only until then.”

He bowed once more but I could see a hint of gloating on his face that was cleared by the time he stood up to face me. “Since we have come to the agreement, let's make haste, since there is not that much time in a day.”

Not knowing any good excuse to delay, I am forced to agree with the man, but before then I turn to Lóng Zhàn. “Lóng Zhàn, head back to the village and tell him of the success that has come from our agreement.”

“But Sa-”

“They will not be able to let anything befall me, lest they bring dishonor and a life of bad luck on themselves and their family.”

The guards pale at that but say nothing. Seeing that I would not let him talk he nods, “I will make sure that the Chief will hear of the good news.”

I look at his back before turning back to the delegate. “I am in your care.”