Chapter 41. More

The next few days fell into a pattern.Cut a path all day, motor through it, rest.Do it all over again.They had made great progress, to the point they could see the edge of this great mass.Will had noticed that they were getting closer to shore during the night, while anchored to the field.I guess eventually we would have been beached he thought.But that would have taken weeks if not months and they might not have made it through.

The other thing that occupied their time was the more command that had come up on their menus. It had only appeared after Will hit a certain intelligence limit. But now they all had access, and there was a lot of information to be checked.

The basic stat like strength, vitality, stamina and intelligence had more information. For example, comparing a base human of normal strength to what Will was at now. Or his intelligence, again to a base of what was considered normal by whatever guided the menu. Will thought…

Menu

William Harris

Age 38, currently deaging to optimum for this being, optimal age is 35. Old enough to know better but still young enough to do it anyway. You are not immortal but you are very very long lived. A blessing and a curse. Your companion has this gift as well.

Intelligence 20/50. Upon hitting this level in intelligence this being is able to learn more from MENU. This beings reading, comprehension, recall and problem solving abilities are all at a high normal level now. You are not a genius, you are clever and witty.

Strength 39/50 This being is high in strength, due to the physicality of his life. He is able to lift up to 3.9 x his body weight at this time. The strength of his musculature and skeletal structure are also increased by a factor of 3.9. You are not super strong but you are close.

Vitality 32/50. This beings vitality is at mid high level now. His life energy, will power and spirit replenish 3.2 x faster than a base normal male of this world.

Stamina 33/50 This brings stamina is at a high normal level. He uses his energy more efficiently and recovers from strenuous activity 3,3 x faster than a base normal male of this world.

Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner. The previous abilities are what this being is innately good at, a predilection to do well at any of the listed abilities. New abilities may show here as learned, but not all may have an affinity.

Captain of the heartboat Rose. There can be only one….and you’re it. You were marked for life, as was your companion that came here with you.

Navigation 3 This being will rarely get lost, he will always find a way through no matter how long it takes. Map reading and map making are second nature, his drawing skills have also improved greatly, but only for maps.

Mechanic 3 This being can fix things that require repair or upgrade. He just knows how a thing works by the job it does. He does require tools.

Mason 1 This being works well with stone, brick and mortar. His creations will usually turn out well and work like intended but won’t be pretty.

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Outdoor Chef This being can cook outdoors, using open fires, fire pits, bbq’s,. His cooking might not taste great yet, but it will keep you alive.

Arborist 1 All that branch cutting has made this being better at cutting trees down, if he fells a tree it will probably fall without damaging the area too much.

Labourer 2 This world is labor oriented, usually with hand tools. Digging, shovelling, raking, carrying, toting, lifting. If it’s done by hand this being is pretty good at it.

All the above skills will gain in levels as they are practiced or used consistently.

This world is a peaceful one. It can be a dangerous place but there is no fear of constant attack, no need to procure weapons and armour and practice with them. There is no magic in this world, no spells to learn, no magic items. No messages from MENU when you learn a new skill or increase a known one.

This is a world of adventure, exploration, family and loved ones, of long voyages and homecomings. This is home.

Think LESS for the former short MENU.

Holy moly, thought Will.That’s a lot to take in.I’ll look at Minnie and Naomi’s later, better get back to work.And there was lots of work to get back to.

The saws had worked best as well as did the gaffs. Pulling large clumps of the stuff out of their path and tossing to the side. Cutting through the larger pieces, some saved as firewood. Neatly stacked in one of the holds, cut to a uniform length and in the process of drying.

At their meals one of the topics they debated was where this debris had come from. Naomi thought perhaps a larger island had catastrophically broken and this was what was left. Will had the idea that flooding inland had pushed this mass through rivers and out into the lake.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Minnie said a wizard did it.

For all they knew she was right, but Will stopped telling the story of the Lord of the Rings for a while.Frodo and Sam would have to stay put.

Their supplies were holding.The ice for the iced box was nearly done but had lasted 8 days and that was a good thing.Their milk was gone much to Minnie’s dismay, they were out of eggs, soft cheese, butter.The larder still had plenty of ham, hard cheese, bacon, ingredients for bread, pancake batter, root vegetables.They also had a specialty of Newton…salt beef and salt pork in large glass jars.Very tasty and would keep for a long time.Also a large supply of preserved fruit and vegetables in jars as well.

They wouldn’t starve in a lake full of fish either.

All this was recorded in Wills log, either in his strong long hand or in Minnie’s spidery printing, while Will dictated.As he finished this task off he heard the steam whistle shrieking out above him. Wondering what was going on now he raced for the deck.Nearly bowling Naomi over in his hurry.

“Sorry bout that, what’s happening up top.”, he said as he picked her up. Shaking her clothes straight Naomi shrugged, “I’m not sure, I just came below to start dinner and Minnie was sketching in the bow.”. As they talked they were still climbing the stairs to the main deck.

Nothing leaped out to attack as they gained the deck, and he could see Minnie waving at him in the wheelhouse.The door was open and she was calling to him “hey you guys, come take a look.”.As he climbed the short stairs up to her, she handed him his spyglass, and pointed east.

Holding it up and adjusting it to his vision he saw what had excited her.The end of the mat was in sight.They would be out of it in two days time, three at the latest.“Well that’s great news Min, thanks for letting us know.”, reaching down and gathering her into a hug.Minnie reached out and pulled Naomi in too, “I was getting kind of scared, that we would be stuck forever.”, she said.

“I’ll never let anything bad happen to you, if I can help it. Either of you. If it came to it we could take the dory and row to Laketown for supplies and come back and keep cutting.”, said Will.

“I never thought of that captain,”, said Naomi, “Would you really have left the Rose here..alone?”.Will thought about that for a moment.“Your safety, you and Minnie is my priority.We would only have been gone for a couple of days and the Rose is a very capable boat.,”. Patting the ships wheel fondly, he continued.“She came back alone after Magnus’s accident, I trust her.”.

“Me too,” said Minnie, ‘She’s a great boat, best one I’ve ever been on, gave me a pretty mark on my hand too, remember dad, I was still becoming but you fell down and I jumped up and BAM! I became me, cause of Rose.”. Naomi giggle at Minnie’s barrage but nodded and agreed with her “She is the best boat, I love being here.”.

Will asked them if they had looked at MORE yet, Minnie shook her head “If it’s important dad will tell me, if not then it doesn’t bother me. I know I’m changing and I’m happy.”. Naomi had also not looked yet. “I wanted to look at it with you captain.”.

“How about we look at both of you after dinner, see if there’s anything new?”, replied Will. The first and second mates thought that was a great idea. So they all headed to the mess to get going with their evening meal.

Dinner was a happy memory now, fried ham and potatoes, boiled carrots with syrup. Sitting with their tea and juice Will thought MENU then MORE…

He found out he could scroll down.

MENU

Minnie. This being is unique in this world. Brought along by Will Harris by the power of love as his true companion.

Best dog of all While this is true, this being is not really a dog anymore.

Age 5. The age of this being was difficult for MENU to sort out. As she is unique there was nothing to go by so she is starting at five and will stop aging when reaching her optimum.

Intelligence 13/25. This beings intelligence shows in her skill at piloting. Her spatial awareness is high as are her predictive skills. As she gains levels her memory and problem solving abilities will increase.

Strength 20/25. This beings strength is nearing maximum. Her small stature is not showing her true strength. Her musculoskeletal durability is already at 2 x what a comparable being of this world is. She is able to lift twice the body weight of a comparable being.

Vitality 19/25. This beings vitality is near maximum. Her uniqueness made it difficult for MENU to rate her. She arrived in this world with ‘boundless energy’ and this had been enhanced. Her energy, willpower and spirit regenerate nearly twice as fast as a comparable being of this world.

Stamina 19/25. This beings energy is high, nearing maximum. Her ‘never ending stamina’ of her original form carried over to her form now. She will rarely tire out and will recover very quickly.

Affinities for fishing, swimming, husbandry, mariner. This being will be good at catching fish, not lucky but good at doing it. A natural swimmer, tied in with her high vitality and stamina this makes her gold medal material. Husbandry comes naturally too, able to understand what animals require to thrive, it’s in her blood. A being born to be on the water, good at sea, never seasick.

First Mate of the heartboat Rose. A natural position for her, considering she came to this world with the captain.

Piloting 3. With Minnie at the wheel this boat is under control. Never fear.

Mechanic 2. Able to repair what’s broken. Also she can predict what will work and what won’t and isn’t afraid to say so.

Crab Catcher. If they ever find any she’s the one to grab them.

Shrimper. Very able at catching and eating those slimy delicious things.

Joker. A good sense of humour and the ability to take what she dishes out. Very important.

Arborist. Is good at cutting trees, bushes, …if it grows she can cut it down to size,

Labourer 1. Good at mindless repetitive hard work. Digging, carrying, lifting. But just cause she’s good at it doesn’t mean she likes it. Good luck finding her when it’s time to cut the grass.

“Wow Minnie, you are nearly maxed in certain things, go you.”, cheered Will.“Yup, I am pretty cool.”, said Minnie.“Cool?”, asked Naomi.Will answered “A slang word from our old world, means ummm that’s she very good, naturally able to do everything.We had lots of slang terms like that, didn’t really mean much.”.

Staring at Naomi he thought MENU, MORE….

Naomi 0’Malley

Second Mate of the heartboat Rose, a position she has earned by hard work and a need to learn more.

Age 16. This being is aging naturally, that might change as time goes on. Depends on if she is lake immune.

Intelligence 18/50. This being is a perfect example of a normal inhabitant of this world. Her intelligence shows in memory, reading, comprehension, communication, this will increase in the future.

Strength 18/50. This being’s musculoskeletal system has already been enhanced, even in the short period of time. Her strength is nearly twice of a comparable peer.

Vitality 18/50. This beings vitality is growing at a fast rate. Tied in with strength and stamina, she is more capable than she appears.

Stamina 18/50. This being will not tire easily and she is increasing this stat fast.

Affinities for cooking, fishing, gardening, She has already gained a higher level of cooking than normal. What she creates is good food. Her fishing skills will increase naturally, perhaps even gaining a level. Already an experienced gardener, if they ever find dirt she can grow stuff.

Management 2. Very good at arranging things, task oriented and can get you to do what she wants.

Cooking 3. A wizard in the kitchen. Food goes in and dinner comes out.

Homemaker 2. Not what it seems. She can make you feel welcome on the boat. Happy to see you and knows what you need even if you don’t.

Arborist 1. She can cut and trim anything that grows, Don’t ask for a haircut.

Labourer 1. A hard worker. She doesn’t mind grinding away at a task. Digging, shovelling, carrying, she can do it all.

“You are coming along great Naomi.”, said Will. He could see that her skills complemented his and Minnie’s and added her own unique touch to their home. He was glad she joined up.

After all that information that had been thrown at them it was time to hit the hay.When he said that he had to explain why someone would sleep on hay.Minnie loved their huge feather bed and didn’t want anyone to hit it.

Will sighed,”Does “hey it’s bedtime” work better?”. Naomi nodded “Yes it does, was that more slang? Hitting the hay.”. Will laughed “Yeah, I’m cool like that.”, and ran to his cabin followed by Minnie.