Chapter 9
The rain began to pour and Niall and Rod had to run the last half of the trip back to Silvermoss. They went straight to the lodge to wait out the rain.
Their clothes were dripping wet and a pool began to form on the wooden floor. Niall started to shiver and to his surprise Rod started stripping. He looked like a pale seal in his underwear. Niall blushed.
Rod’s lips formed a small grin, unhindered by Niall’s modesty. “Are you going to sit there in soaking clothes?”
“I ah, don’t have anything else,” Niall answered, fumbling on his words.
“Set your clothes by the stove,” Rod said as he began stringing out his own clothes. He was a small man but his muscles were taunt, the water had slicked his dark hair back.
Niall shivered again then relented. He stripped down to his underwear and hung his clothes next to Rod’s. He went back to his room, switched into his last clean pair of underwear and wrapped his blanket around himself.
When he came back out, he found Rod starting a pot of tea. He was still shirtless but he had put on a pair of soft loose trousers. He sat down on one of the couches nearest to the stove and made himself comfy. Niall sat down on the couch across from him.
“Shouldn’t rain long,” Rod commented, “we get a lot of spring storms, just have to wait it out.”
Niall tightened the blankets, his feet poked out pointed towards the warm stove. “Can you take me to get some clothes when it stops?” He asked through chattering teeth.
“Sure,” Rod said before letting out a long yawn. “How do you like your tea?”
“Black is fine.”
Rod got up and walked over to a cupboard. He came back with a set of mugs and a metal canister. The tea kettle began to hiss. Rod opened the canister setting the musky sweet smell of black tea free.
He set the kettle on the table between them to steep. Rod slumped back and shut his eyes. Niall could still hear the soft thuds of rain on the roof. I wish I had a book… oh wait I do, he thought remembering the Almanac.
Niall pulled the book out of his bag, thankful for the bag’s waterproofing. He ran his fingers over the golden letters embossed on the green leather cover. Niall opened the book and read the table of contents.
Hearthlands Farmers’ Almanac
Chapter One: Plants of the Hearthlands
Chapter Two: Native Fauna of the Hearthlands
Chapter Three: Spring
Chapter Four: Summer
Chapter Five: Fall
Chapter Six: Winter
Chapter Seven: Geology of the Hearthlands
Appendices: Weather Charts and Planting Guides
Across the table, Rod poured tea into their cups. “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up if the rain stops.”
Niall nodded, not taking his eyes off the book. He eased back into couch cushions and flipped to the first chapter.
Niall expected the chapter to go over the best plants to grow but instead it mostly covered the native plantlife of the Heartlands, he guessed that was the name of the mini continent he was on. He learned about the special red oak only found on the continent, renowned for its hardness, low density, and deep red color. Another unique plant was the iron coral that protected the continent from the rough Eastern Sea. The book said that if it was not for this giant reef just a few miles off the coast the entire coast would consist of unsurpassable cliffs rather than tall dunes and tidal islands. The dunes were held together by a plant called The Mammoth Hearthlands Webbed Grass. There have been recordings of the grass’s roots reaching as deep as two hundred feet. The grass grows in colonies resulting in a continuous root system.
After learning about the various native flowers and subzones and the conditions they grew in he found an interesting article about an invasive plant.
Creeping Bush Carrot (Carota serpyllum)
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It is unknown where the creeping bush carrot originates from but across the known world it is regarded as a pest. Similar in appearance to its distant cousin, the common garden carrot, the creeping bush carrot reproduces via stolons. If allowed to grow uncontrolled, the carrot colony becomes a net pinned to the earth. Once an individual root has released stolons, it hardens, becoming inedible to humans and extremely hard to cut down. Due to its highly evolved tap root, the Creeping Bush Carrot can survive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees fahrenheit and will regrow even after wildfires. Pigs are recommended for their removal.
The paragraph was followed by a diagram of a creeping bush carrot.
Niall heard a soft snore and put down his book. On the other couch, Rod had managed to fall asleep on his side. Niall didn’t want to disturb him but the rain had already stopped like Rod had predicted.
Niall set his book down and checked on his clothes. They were still damp to the touch so he moved them closer to the stove. He went back to the couch and picked up the book again. He flipped ahead to chapter two.
Hearthlands Polecat (Mustela Hearthus)
This nocturnal polecat, native to the hilly central region of the Hearthlands, is renowned for its hunting abilities. Their quick speed and flexible bodies make them the primary predator of Hearthlands’ snakes. These polecats also hunt rodents and small game and can reach speeds of up to forty miles per hour. Shepards see them as a symbol of luck and many plant summer berry bushes in order to attract the animal, however they are known to attack small domestic animals. The Hearthland Polecat has a lifespan of ten to fourteen cycles and females have a gestation cycle of one hundred and twenty days.
Niall looked at the picture of the polecat. It looked like a large ferret with long sharp claws. Chapter two was by far the longest section in the book and Niall spent half an hour learning about Dune Cobras, Blue Pandas, Sugar Cats, and Burrowing Falcons. He was only stopped by the loud snort of Rod waking up.
“Aw man, the tea went cold,” Rod whined.
“You were asleep for over an hour,” Niall said.
“Come on, it sounds like the rain stopped.
After getting dressed, Niall and Rod headed to the square. His clothes were still slightly wet and his shoes squeaked with each step as water leaked from them. They didn’t see any sign of Ryu in the square and went straight to the tailor.
A bell on the door rang when they walked in. “Shoes off,” an unseen male voice called.
Rod tapped Niall’s arm indicating for him to comply. The tailor’s shop was not what Niall was expecting. Instead of stacks and racks of ready made clothing there were fabric samples and color books displayed on all the walls.
A tall man slunk out of the back of the store. The man’s narrow cheekbones cut the air like slow blades. His black eyes poured over Niall.
“Haruki,” Rod started. “This is Niall.”
“Yes, the new one,” the Tailor said, eyes still trained on Niall. He broke his inspection and stared directly into Niall’s eyes. “Size thirty waist?”
Niall was taken aback. “Ah yeah, how did you know?”
Haruki ignored him. “I’ll do full measurements. Next time please make an appointment, I am busy with a large order for the Flower Fair. Shirt off,” He commanded before pulling measuring tape from his pocket.
Niall was too confused to move. Haruki snapped his fingers and gestured for Niall to move in front of a mirror.
“Come on, I don’t have all day.”
Rod gave him a nudge and Niall finally moved. He stripped off his shirt for the second time that day and followed Haruki’s instructions. The tailor sprang around Niall’s body skillfully taking dozens of measurements. Niall didn’t see him write any of the lengths down and he finished in less than five minutes.
“Alright, all done. Come back after Flower Fair and we can do your first order,” Haurki announced then began to turn around.
Niall worriedly looked at Rod, he didn't know how far away the flower festival was but he couldn’t go another day or two without more clothes. “Haruki,” Rod said, stopping the tailor. “Niall here was hoping to buy some ready made clothes, otherwise he’s going to be walking around naked in the next few days.”
Haruki groaned, then took out his soul book. He moved his lips, quietly reading, then said to no one in particular, “medium shirt, medium waist, long pants,” He turned to them and focused on Rod, “what does he need.”
Rod tapped a finger on his lips, “two shirts, work pants, trousers, and a cardigan. I think he’d look good in a nice cardigan, don't you think?”
Haruki looked at Niall. “He’d look good with a haircut and a shave but whatever you think. Favorite color?”
“Blue,” Niall said. “Light blue,” he added sheepishly.
Haruki shook his head in disappointment. The tailor went to the cabinets along the wall and began pulling out folded clothes. “Don’t forget some socks, the comfy wool kind,” Rod called.
A minute later Haruki set the short stack of clothing on a counter. The clothes were simple, solid in color, but Niall could tell from the stitching they were well made.
“Thirty two coppers,” Haruki announced.
Niall was surprised by the total. He poured out all of his money on the counter. When he finished counting he had just under twenty six coppers. “I’m a little short.”
“Why are you wasting my time Rodrico?” Haruki cried, “I’ve told you I don’t work on credit.” He started to pick up the clothes as if he were going to put them all back.
“Wait, wait,” Rod cried, setting a hand on the pile. He pulled out his own money pouch, “I’ll front him the difference. He can pay me back in a few days,” he gave Niall a wink.
Haruki sighed but put the clothes back down as Rod began counting out coins.
“It's been a pleasure as always,” Rod said before they left.