《GOOD MORNING》 《TODAY'S WEATHER: A COOL BREEZE, CLEAR SKIES》
《NOW FOR SOME NEWS: A traveling livestock trader was spotted near the town entrance. Some villagers say he sells chicks and young animals perfect for a growing farm.》
《LAST CHAPTER: Anya completed a simple forest quest, earned guild favor, planted flower seeds, treated her onions with Growth Tea, and prepared for the coming festival.》
《MARKET BRIEF: EGGS - 45, POTATOES - 12, TOMATOES - 16, ONIONS - 10, RADISHES - 8, TURNIPS - 8, HERBS - VARY》
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Anya woke with a sense of quiet determination. Days passed like gentle waves lapping at the shore.
The festival loomed in just under a week now. Her farm, while still modest, showed promise.
The Growth Tea on the onion patch might yield higher quality produce, and the flower seeds would soon bring color along the fence.
She wanted to make a strong impression at the festival, both to earn coin and respect, and to deepen her ties with the village.
She stepped outside. The morning air was crisp, and a soft breeze carried faint scents from distant fields.
Her crops shimmered under early sunlight. She knelt beside the radishes and smiled.
Their leaves looked fuller, a sure sign they'd be ready soon. The onions also seemed more robust, their green stems standing taller than before.
She worked carefully, watering her onions and potatoes, mindful of stamina. 《STAMINA: 100/100 → 95/100》
A quick check to remove a few weeds near the radishes: 《STAMINA: 95/100 → 90/100》 Small tasks, but each one secured a better harvest.
The flowers still showed only leaves, no buds yet. They needed more time.
As she finished, she spotted movement on the road. A wagon, painted green and gold, rolled toward Westshire.
A man led it, his hat wide and straw-woven, a friendly grin visible even from a distance.
This must be the livestock trader mentioned in the morning news. Fresh livestock could add a new dimension to her farm—eggs, milk, wool.
But first, chicks were usually the cheapest and simplest entry point.
She considered her coin: 56 in total. Would that be enough for a chick? She needed to build a small coop or pen first.
She had rope and maybe a few leftover wood pieces, but probably not enough for a proper coop. She'd have to gather or buy materials.
Still, she should meet the trader and see what he offered.
Before heading into town, she took a moment to prepare. She had her tools—watering can, spade, scythe.
Her old scythe still worked fine, sharpened and ready. She grabbed a small snack from her storage crate, just dried fruit, to keep her going.
[No stamina change, just flavor.]
Walking down the dirt road toward Westshire, she passed other farmers greeting her with nods. They seemed to have accepted her presence now.
Some even murmured encouragement about the festival. A sense of belonging warmed her chest.
At the edge of town, the livestock trader set up a simple stall. A few wooden cages held chicks, peeping softly.
Another pen contained a couple of small lambs. The trader tipped his hat.
"Morning to you, miss. Interested in adding some life to your farm?"
Anya smiled. "Possibly. I'm new to raising animals. Do you sell chicks?"
He nodded. "Chicks cost 30 coin each. They'll grow into hens and lay eggs regularly. Easy to care for if you have a coop."
"Without a coop, they'll wander off or be vulnerable at night. I also have feed for 5 coin a bag."
30 coin for a chick. She had 56. Buying one would leave her with 26, not enough to build a full coop unless she found materials cheaply.
Maybe Crispin or the store sold cheap lumber. Or she could gather materials from the forest. But that risked stamina and time.
Still, having a steady supply of eggs would boost her farm's appeal and income. Eggs sold at a decent price.
"Let me think on it," she said. "I need a coop first. I'll be back." The trader nodded, unbothered. He had no shortage of curious buyers.
Next stop: Crispin's forge. She found him adjusting a small anvil. The heat of his workshop felt intense compared to the cool breeze outside.
Crispin wiped sweat from his brow and nodded. "Morning, Anya. Need something?"
She explained the situation. "I'm thinking of raising a chick, but I need a coop. Know where I can get materials?"
Crispin considered. "I could provide some basic lumber and nails for 20 coin. Enough to build a small coop. Not fancy, but functional."
"You'll need a hammer, though. If you don't have one, I can lend one, but return it after you're done."
20 coin for materials plus 30 for a chick would leave her with 6 coin. That was tight.
But eggs would give steady income, and maybe she could harvest radishes tomorrow or the next day for more coin.
It felt like a worthwhile investment.
She nodded. "Deal. 20 coin for lumber and nails." 《COIN: 56 → 36》
Crispin gathered a small stack of planks, a bag of nails, and a simple hammer. She accepted them gratefully. "Thank you," she said.
He gave a rare half-smile. "You're working hard. The festival's important to the town. Bringing new life to your farm is a good step."
His quiet approval warmed her. Crispin wasn't chatty, but each word carried weight.
She left with the materials, feeling closer to building something meaningful.
Outside, Emeric lounged near the inn, strumming his lute. He spotted her carrying lumber and nails.
"Starting a construction project?" he teased, eyes bright.
"Planning to raise a chick," she said. "Need a coop first."
Emeric's lute notes twinkled. "A chick, huh? Eggs every morning, fresh and tasty. I could barter songs for omelets one day," he joked.
"Good luck. If you need extra hands, I can hold a plank or two." His grin was playful, warming the morning air further.
Anya chuckled. "Thanks. I might manage, but I'll remember your offer."
She headed back out of town, passing Beatrice who gave a knowing nod. "Livestock now, is it? Good. Animals bring a farm to life."
The old villager's words felt like quiet blessings.
Back at the farm, Anya placed the lumber and nails near the barn. She had a rough blueprint in her mind.
A small coop, just enough for a chick or two. Nothing grand.
Building it would take stamina.
《STAMINA: 90/100 → 70/100 after careful hammering, aligning planks, and sweating under the midday sun》
It took longer than she expected. Splinters pricked her fingers. A plank needed trimming.
She paused halfway and considered using her Turnip Stew for an energy boost. But she decided to hold off, pushing through with her natural reserves.
She wanted to keep the stew for emergency late-day chores. By early afternoon, the coop stood on wobbly legs, but stable enough.
She used rope to reinforce joints and made sure the small door would latch. Good enough for now.
Wiping her brow, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. The coop might not win awards, but it would shelter a chick.
She sighed, satisfied.
《STAMINA: 70/100 → 60/100 after final adjustments》
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
With the coop ready, she returned to town for the chick. On the way, she considered how to feed it.
The trader sold feed for 5 coin a bag. She had 36 coin left after buying materials, right?
Wait, she needed to recount her coin.
She started the morning with 56. Spent 20 on materials, leaving 36. She hadn't bought the chick yet.
The chick was 30 coin. That would leave her with 6 coin. If she bought feed for 5 coin, she'd have 1 coin left.
That was cutting it close. Maybe she could feed the chick scraps for a day or two until she got more coin.
But better safe than sorry, especially for a young chick's health.
At the livestock stall, the trader greeted her again. "Ready to buy?"
Anya hesitated, then nodded. "One chick, please. And one bag of feed."
《COIN: 36 → 36 - 30 (chick) - 5 (feed) = 1 coin left》
She handled the tiny bundle of yellow fluff, feeling its warmth through her fingers. The chick peeped softly.
The feed bag, small but sufficient, hung over her shoulder. She had 1 coin left.
Practically broke, but now she had a path to steady income. Eggs would come once the chick matured.
Back at the farm, she introduced the chick to its new home. It pecked curiously at the coop's straw floor.
She placed a small dish of feed inside. The chick hopped happily, then settled to nibble.
She sat on a stump, watching the chick explore. This was another milestone.
Crop farming was crucial, but animals added warmth, a daily rhythm that felt comforting.
The thought of collecting fresh eggs made her mouth water, and selling them would ensure a slow but steady trickle of coin.
A flutter of wings made her turn. A sparrow perched on the coop's roof, watching.
She shooed it gently away. Didn't want it stealing feed.
The day was wearing on, and she realized she needed more coin soon. With only 1 coin, she couldn't buy anything, not even a bundle of seeds.
She decided to forage near the forest edge for wild herbs. Odile might pay a little for fresh herbs.
She had the scythe, and she could bring the stew if she got tired.
《STAMINA: 60/100 at the start of foraging》
Walking to the forest edge, she remembered her earlier mushroom quest. Now she'd look for mild herbs, maybe something unique.
She scanned the ground near bushes. After a few minutes of careful searching, she spotted small clusters of green leaves with a mild scent—Greenleaf Herbs, the same kind Odile sold.
If she could gather a few, she might earn a few coins selling them back or use them in cooking.
She harvested some herbs, careful not to strip the area bare. 《STAMINA: 60/100 → 50/100》
She got a handful of Greenleaf Herbs. She also found a small cluster of wildflowers. Maybe she could decorate her farmhouse inside.
Purely cosmetic, but nice. As she moved further along the edge, she stumbled upon a tiny clearing with dappled sunlight.
There, a single plant caught her eye—its leaves shimmered faintly. She approached, intrigued.
It resembled a Greenleaf Herb but had a slight bluish tint to its edges, and it released a gentle aroma.
Could this be a variant Godric and Alice mentioned? She carefully picked a few leaves.
《INVENTORY UPDATED: Greenleaf Herbs x5, Blue-Edged Herb x1》
A sudden chirp. She glanced up, half-expecting a sprite or pixie. Nothing visible.
The forest felt quiet, just the whisper of leaves. She decided not to press her luck and returned to the farm.
Before heading to Odile, she considered using the stew. She had worked a lot today.
If she ate the stew now, she'd restore stamina and maybe tackle another task. The festival approached, and any extra advantage might help.
She drank the Turnip Stew.
《STAMINA: 50/100 → 70/100》
Not full, but better.
With her improved energy, she marched into town once more. Odile greeted her outside the hut. "Need something?"
"I found some herbs," Anya said, showing the Greenleaf Herbs. "Would you buy them?"
Odile inspected them. "Fresh. I can give you 2 coin per bundle of Greenleaf Herbs. How many do you have?"
"I have five," Anya said.
"That's 10 coin total," Odile replied.
《COIN: 1 → 11》
Not a lot, but better than nothing. Anya then revealed the Blue-Edged Herb. Odile's eyebrows rose.
"Interesting. A slight variant. It might have mild restorative properties. I'll pay 10 coin for that alone, or I could trade you a special recipe."
A recipe or coin? A recipe might lead to better dishes, possibly worth more long-term than a quick 10 coin.
She already learned that cooking opened many doors. "I'll take the recipe," she decided.
Odile nodded, taking the Blue-Edged Herb and handing Anya a small parchment. "This is for a Herb-Infused Salad. It requires a variant herb and a common vegetable."
"It restores stamina and slightly boosts farming skill gain for the day."
Farming skill gain boost? That could help her level faster, producing better crops and higher profits later. "Thank you," Anya said, excited by the prospect.
Now she had 11 coin, a new recipe, and a chick at home. Things were looking up. The day wasn't over yet—maybe she could do more.
She checked the guild board near the Mayor's office. A small note read:
"The festival produce contest will award rare seeds to the winner. Also, a visiting merchant might give discounts to contestants who place top three."
Rare seeds? That confirmed her guess that the festival's prize would be valuable. She needed top-quality produce.
With the Growth Tea on onions, maybe they'd turn out great. She could also try to improve her cooking skill to create stamina-boosting meals on festival day, letting her handle more chores.
If she could gather a few more Blue-Edged Herbs for that new salad recipe, she might accelerate her Farming Level again before harvest.
She looked around town. Emeric was gone, probably wandering. Crispin worked at his forge.
Flora arranged seed packets. Godric and Alice chatted by the library.
Mildred at the inn waved to her, and Mildred's menu board mentioned a new dish: a simple veggie broth.
She considered buying a meal, but she only had 11 coin. Better to save it.
Back at the farm, afternoon sunlight cast long shadows. She checked on the chick. It peeped happily and pecked at the feed.
Tomorrow, she'd have to buy more feed eventually, but with some harvest income, it should be fine.
The radishes seemed plump under their leaves. She gently pulled one leaf aside to peek at the root.
Not quite ready, maybe tomorrow. Onions looked green and strong. Potatoes would take longer, but she could wait.
She had a new recipe to consider: Herb-Infused Salad. She needed a variant herb and a common vegetable.
The Blue-Edged Herb would have been perfect. Now she had none.
She could try searching the forest again tomorrow, or maybe experiment with mixing Greenleaf Herbs and another crop.
But the recipe specifically mentioned a variant herb. She'd need to find more.
As dusk neared, she took inventory:
1 coin at the start of the afternoon, now 11 coin from selling herbs.
Chick purchased, coop built, feed acquired.
Gained a new recipe that boosts farming skill gain.
Still have standard Greenleaf Herbs left? She sold all five. So none left for cooking right now. She should keep some next time.
She realized she sold all her Greenleaf Herbs. Maybe next time, she'd save a few for salads or stews.
But for now, the recipe needed a variant herb, which she didn't have. She'd have to return to the forest soon, or find out if Godric would trade something interesting for standard herbs.
With energy still at a decent level after the stew.
《STAMINA: 70/100》
She decided to tidy up around the farmhouse.
She rearranged tools, organized rope and wood scraps, and made a note to ask
Crispin about better tools if she earned enough coin after the radish harvest.
《STAMINA: 70/100 → 65/100 for light chores》
Evening settled. She stepped outside to admire the sky painted in purples and oranges. The chick snoozed quietly in its coop.
A gentle breeze rustled leaves of nearby trees. She thought about the people she'd met: Crispin's steady support, Emeric's playful banter, Ademar's guild tasks, Godric and Alice's curiosity, Odile's herbal trade.
Each encounter added threads to the tapestry of her life here.
She wondered if Rowan was around—the original notes mentioned Rowan as the blacksmith, but Crispin had taken that role in her life.
Perhaps Rowan existed too, maybe as Crispin's partner at the forge or a fellow craftsman. Maybe Rowan traveled.
She'd keep her ears open.
As she considered this, she heard footsteps. A figure approached the farm gate, carrying a small lantern.
It was Rowan, a younger blacksmith apprentice working under Crispin's guidance. Rowan had a softer demeanor than Crispin.
They wore a leather apron and had soot smudges on their cheeks, but their eyes held a warm spark.
"Good evening," Rowan said, voice gentle. "I've seen you buying materials from Crispin and working hard. I just returned from gathering ore in the hills. Thought I'd say hello."
Anya smiled. "Hello, Rowan. Nice to meet you properly. Crispin's mentioned you in passing."
Rowan nodded. "I'm still learning the trade. He handles most tool-making while I specialize in lighter work—small hinges, decorative pieces, and sometimes farming tools once I get better."
"If you ever need something lighter or custom, let me know."
This was good. A second blacksmith meant more options, maybe cheaper upgrades. She considered asking about a small hand rake or better watering can attachments.
"I might need custom tools someday," she said. "For now, I'm focusing on my first major harvest before the festival."
Rowan leaned on the gate, smiling. "The festival is special. Everyone brings their best. If you impress them, you'll become known in town. That matters, especially if you plan on staying long-term."
"I do plan on staying," Anya said, her tone firm. "I want Honeydew Farms to thrive again."
"Then I wish you luck. If you find any interesting metals or stones while foraging, bring them by. I can try something special."
Rowan waved and headed off, lantern bobbing in the twilight.
As night fully arrived, Anya headed inside. She glanced at her cookbook. Maybe it had new hints. Flipping it open, ink formed on the page:
"You have taken on new responsibilities—an animal, new seeds, and a quest for better recipes. As you grow in skill, consider combining crops for unique dishes."
"Some dishes may even enhance your ability to care for livestock or speed up growth of certain plants. Keep experimenting."
This inspired her. Once she harvested radishes, maybe she could try mixing radish and turnip in a stew, or radish and herbs in a salad.
She lacked variant herbs now, but maybe a basic herb salad would still restore stamina.
She could experiment and see if the cookbook responded to attempts.
So far, it only provided known recipes when she brought something new, but maybe trial and error could unlock secrets.
She had a quiet dinner of simple bread and dried fruit.
《STAMINA: 65/100 → 70/100 from a bit of rest, flavor only》
Then she settled into bed.
Tomorrow, she planned to:
Check if radishes were ready to harvest.
Forage again for variant herbs to try that new salad.
Tend the chick, ensure it's safe and fed.
Possibly take another small guild quest if available, to boost coin reserves before the festival.
Maybe ask Flora or Colette for advice on quick-growing crops that might mature before the festival.
The thought of the festival brought a mixture of excitement and nerves. She wanted to stand out, not just for coin but to earn respect.
Showing quality produce would prove her competence. Maybe Crispin and Rowan would notice her efforts, maybe Emeric would compose a short tune about her farm's success.
Or perhaps Beatrice and Odile would share more secrets, trusting her as a true community member.
The chick's quiet peeping drifted through the window, reassuring and warm. The farm had gone from empty fields to budding crops, a magic cookbook, guild quests, and now a living, breathing animal under her care.
One step at a time, she was building the life she wanted.
She closed her eyes, envisioning her farm a few weeks down the line—flowers in bloom, onions ready for harvest, potatoes sprouting strong, the chick grown into a hen laying fresh eggs each morning, and a small storage shed filled with produce waiting for the right market price.
The image soothed her into sleep.
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《STAMINA: Will reset closer to 100 by morning》
《COIN: 00011》
《HARVEST: Radishes close to harvest, Onions growing strong (Growth Tea applied), Potatoes steady, Flowers sprouting leaves》
《LIVESTOCK: 1 Chick acquired, Feed purchased (enough for a few days)》
《NEW RECIPE: Herb-Infused Salad (requires variant herb + veggie)》
《TOOLS: Watering Can (10/10), Iron Spade (5/10), Old Scythe (Sharpened, 8/10), Hammer borrowed from Crispin (to be returned)》
《INVENTORY: Rope, Wood scraps (few left), No variant herbs currently, Simple Greenleaf Herbs sold》
《COIN RECOUNT CHECK:
Started day with 56 coin.
Spent 20 on materials (coops): 56 → 36.
Bought Chick (30) + Feed (5): 36 → 1 coin left.
Sold 5 Greenleaf Herbs to Odile for 10 coin: 1 → 11 coin.
Traded the Blue-Edged Herb for a recipe (no coin change).
End of day: 11 coin total. (No further expenses.) Correct final COIN: 00011.》
《SKILLS: Farming Level 2, Cooking Level 1, slight guild favor earned》