Chapter 3

Yesterday went well with paying his thirty kredits to Amelia, though he is running low on money. He had also traded and bought several dried food packets for traveling, adding another loose white shirt and a long scarf-like thing to protect his head and neck. Marcus checked the number of crystals he had left after trading one to Amelia, and decided he needed to make more.

When Mayor Onot asked during dinner if he could help decorate the town the next morning for the celebration of the Ogres’ Growth, he agreed without delay. After all, Marcus is still thankful that he’s been able to stay for free at the mayor’s house, which has saved him so much money already. He learned that the ogres’ caravan had brought loads of seeds to Onot, which will be used to grow flowers to decorate the town.

Before going to bed last night, he had scraped at the misshapen crystal that he used for this purpose, getting several flakes that looked almost like sea salt. Each crystal seed he separately grinded into power with a mortar and pestle, then boiled in water and poured the result into rectangular molds. It would have to stay in the separate molds for almost two days just to make sure it is set.

This morning, Marcus is using his magic to boost the plant growth along with several others outside of the mayor’s house. He told the group earlier that he has spells more for ripening as he learned it to eat when traveling. One of the ogres started the seeds’ growth, then the seedling would go to two other people to boost it into a more mature plant, with the fourth and last people having the flower bloom. Marcus could not tell how many flowers he had helped to bloom that morning.

He knows that on this day that earth magic takes only half the energy as Otanga is associated as the God of Earth, but it still comes as a surprise when actually using the magic. Half a morning though, he still had to take one of the potions they offered to replenish his magic. That’s also a bit of a surprise that they offered Restore potions as that’s a Level 4 and generally expensive. Wonder if they made a deal with the elves to make it cheaper since even 1 potion is 1 silver.

Marcus looks around counting up the people helping to grow the flowers. I suppose it’s not too bad for a town’s expense as there’s only twelve of us. Still twelve silvers, no wait, a silver coin is called a zenn. Let’s see 100 kredits to a zenn, that’s 1,200 copper coins. I would need to sell about 120 or 150 crystals to make that amount.

He pauses to get some water in a cup to drink. One needs to stay very hydrated in a desert or suffer heat stroke. As he takes his break, Marcus watches as the flowers are taken away by other people elsewhere. The houses around Mayor Onot’s house have already been decorated with flowers. Some houses just have the flowers in a green pot or bouquets with green ribbons, while other houses have colorful clothes hanging from the roofs.

Curious how Jubee will celebrate beyond the decorations, Marcus gets back to the group once he is done with his water. The sooner this is done, the sooner I will get to find out. He tries to remember how he celebrated last year, but he can’t really think of anything beyond a few flowers on the classroom walls with the ogres having the day off. I think Danielleth said that they just stayed outside and had a bunch of good food together.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Sometime before noon, they were out of seeds and all the flowers had been taken away to decorate the town. Mayor Onot comes out to thank everyone personally. Marcus merely smiles back when he gets his thanks, saying that it was no trouble at all to help out such a kind town.

The human is not sure what to do next, so as everyone disperses, he walks around town to see everything. Marcus watches ogres stay mostly outside even now during the hottest time of day. A green ogre knocks at the door of a shop and only sticks their head in to say something. Rather unexpectedly, Marcus sees the proprietor of the shop come outside with several fabrics, trading them for a few furs.

He walks further on, seeing the scene again a few times with different ogres and different stores. I wonder if this is a part of it? Do they have to stay outside today? Marcus wanders over to a couple of ogres that were talking in front one of the giant palm trees in town. “Excuse me?”

Both ogres turn to face him, though it is the red ogre that responds, “Yes? Do we know you?”

“No, you don’t,” Marcus replies. “I’m hoping you two wouldn’t mind answering a couple questions. I’m a bit curious, but if you don’t have the time or don’t want to, I can leave now.”

A jagged fang pokes up from his lip as the green ogre grins widely. “We have some time. I’m curious to know what you are curious about.”

The red ogre merely snorts and crosses his arms before leaning on the palm tree. “If you must,” he states, staring at the green ogre.

Marcus’s hand comes up slightly before going back to his side. He wanted to run his fingers through his red hair to calm down, but that might make them think he isn’t being serious. “I noticed that store owners are coming out of their shops to sell or trade with some ogres. Is this a Jubee thing? Are all ogres supposed to stay outside all day today? Is it an Earth thing to be touching the bare ground only?”

“Yes and no,” the red ogre smirks, only the tiniest hint of fang poking up from his lip. He doesn’t continue further, instead the green ogre explains more.

“The store owners coming out of their shops is definitely a Jubee thing, though some other towns may also do the same things if they aren’t closed for the day or have stalls outside, even if it is just for today only.” The green ogre suddenly sweeps down to grab a large handful of lapis sand, standing up only to let the sand pour through his fingers.

Marcus is confused on why the sand until the green ogre continues talking, “Whether touching the ground, the sky or anything else, it doesn’t matter as much as being outside. Seeds after all can land in the sand, get released in the water and even fly in the air to get to where they are planted. However, it is all done outside just as Otanga grew us in her garden. By staying outside until nightfall in whatever weather or temperature, we acknowledge the efforts she took to grow us.”

“Do you also feast later?” The human asks, understanding a bit more now.

“The inn will be full if nothing else, “the red ogre remarks this time. He stops leaning against the tree, and he looks even taller when he straightens up to look down on Marcus.

Marcus backs up a step, trying to make it seem like he is giving the red ogre more space rather than getting a bit nervous. “Right, well thank you both for your time. May you have a blessed day.”

“Likewise,” the green ogre replies with a smile. He gives a slight nod before turning back to the red ogre to continue their conversation.

Walking away, Marcus relaxes when he passes a building. That wasn’t too bad. I learned more about today. Sure it’s information that the Government probably already knows, but it’s something that I didn’t know. A bit of politeness can almost always provide good results.

He wipes the sweat from his head. It’s probably a good time to head to Inessa’s Inn for some food. He won’t hear anything from the ogres unless he spends the rest of the day there. Today being a festival day, it’s very likely that more people will already be at the inn to celebrate. Then again who knows? People might not show up until tonight to party.