Brad rode by cart out of the city with a group of the older orphans. Priest Grant watched over them and was in charge of this outing. It was another piece of their opportunity program. If they liked working and wanted to get started early on making money then they could apprentice at the farms outside of the city. The farms outside the city were smaller than most around other connected cities. The grass surrounding the city just wasn’t great for cattle. It had taken lots of replanting and care to build up the farming industry to what it was so far. Though expansion was always hopeful especially when new money from the trading of goods came into the city.

Brad and the other orphans were interested to see what the farm had to offer. Some were more excited than others. Brad just wanted to see the animals. They had heard stories about the fresh air, the wide-open spaces, and the animals that lived there. As the cart bumped along the dirt road, they chattered amongst themselves, wondering what the farm would be like. As they approached the farm, they could see the vast fields of crops and the animals grazing in the pastures.

Priest Grant explained that the farm grew a variety of vegetables that were easy to grow and raised chickens, pigs, and cows. He smiled at their enthusiasm. He knew that this was a great opportunity for the orphans to learn new skills and potentially find a place where they could belong. He had seen many orphans thrive in the farming environment, and he hoped that some of these children would find their calling there as well.

As they approached the farm, the orphans fell silent, taking in the sight before them. The farmhouse was a simple, two-story structure with a yellow roof and brown walls. A large barn stood nearby, its doors wide open, revealing the hay and equipment inside. Chickens pecked at the ground, while a few cows grazed in a nearby field.

The farmer, a kind-looking man with a graying beard, came out to greet them. "Welcome to our farm," he said, shaking Priest Grant's hand. "We're so glad you could come out and visit us today."

Priest Grant introduced the orphans to the farmer, who smiled warmly at them. "We've got a lot to show you today," he said. "Why don't we start with a tour of the farm?"

The orphans eagerly followed the farmer as he led them around the property. He showed them the fields where they grew crops like wheat, corn, and vegetables. He explained how they planted the seeds, watered them, and waited for them to grow. The orphans were fascinated by the process, asking questions and marveling at the tiny green shoots that were just starting to peek out of the ground.

Next, the farmer took them to the barn, where they met the animals. The orphans were delighted by the cows, who looked at them with big, curious eyes. The farmer showed them how to milk the cows, and a few of the braver orphans even tried it themselves. They laughed as the warm milk squirted into the bucket, and the cow mooed contentedly.

The chickens clucked and fluttered around their feet, while the pigs snorted and rolled in the mud. The orphans giggled and tried to pet the animals. The farmer explained how the animals were fed and cared for, and how they provided eggs, meat, and milk for the city. He showed them how to collect the eggs, and the orphans took turns reaching into the nests and gently removing the warm, smooth eggs.

The highlight of the tour was when the farmer let them ride on the back of his old, gentle horse. The orphans took turns riding around the paddock, laughing and enjoying the experience. Gray was first to jump on the horse. The old horse was quick to pick up on his connection and they trotted in circles together. Gray felt the riding get easier as the ride went on. By the end he was in sync with the horse.

As Gray dismounted the horse, he had a wide grin on his face, feeling a sense of accomplishment and joy from the experience. The other orphans cheered and clapped for him, eager to have their turn on the gentle steed. Brad, who had been watching Gray with a mix of admiration and envy, stepped forward to take his turn.

The farmer helped Brad onto the horse, adjusting the stirrups to fit his shorter legs. Brad sat up straight, trying to imitate the confident posture he had seen Gray maintain throughout his ride. The farmer gave the horse a gentle pat on the rump, and the old mare began to walk forward.

At first, Brad felt a surge of excitement as the horse moved beneath him. He could feel the power of the animal, and he marveled at how high up he was from the ground. However, as the horse began to pick up speed, Brad's excitement quickly turned to nervousness.

The horse seemed to sense Brad's unease, and it began to toss its head and snort. Brad gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white as he tried to maintain control. The horse started to veer off course, heading towards the fence that surrounded the paddock. Brad's heart raced as he tried to remember what the farmer had told them about steering the horse. He tugged on the reins, but his movements were jerky and uncoordinated. The horse, confused by the conflicting signals, began to trot faster, jostling Brad in the saddle.

The other orphans watched with growing concern as Brad struggled to control the horse. Priest Grant, who had been observing from the sidelines, stepped forward, ready to intervene if necessary. The farmer, too, looked on with a furrowed brow, his hand resting on the gate of the paddock.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Brad, meanwhile, was beginning to panic. The horse was moving faster now, and he could feel himself slipping in the saddle. He tried to hold on, but his grip was slipping. Suddenly, the horse made a sharp turn, and Brad felt himself losing his balance. He let out a yelp as he tumbled from the saddle, landing on the soft grass of the paddock.

The other orphans gasped and ran forward to help him, but Brad was already pushing himself up, his face red with embarrassment. The farmer hurried over, checking to make sure he was alright. Brad nodded, brushing dirt and grass from his clothes.

"Are you okay?" the farmer asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine," Brad mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the other orphans.

Priest Grant stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Brad's shoulder. "It's alright, Brad," he said gently. "Riding a horse takes practice. You did your best."

Brad nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that washed over him.

“Its ok. You can try again later,” said the farmer. “Now who wants to go next?”

As the day drew to a close, Priest Grant gathered the orphans together. "Did you enjoy your visit to the farm?" he asked.

Some nodded enthusiastically. "It was so much fun!" one of them exclaimed. "I loved seeing the animals and learning about how everything grows."

"I think I might want to work on a farm someday," another orphan said shyly. "It seems like a really nice way to live."

Priest Grant smiled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he said. "Working on a farm can be a wonderful opportunity. It's hard work, but it's also very rewarding. You get to be outside in the fresh air, working with your hands and caring for the animals and the land. And you get to see the fruits of your labor every day, whether it's a basket of fresh eggs or a field of ripe wheat."

He looked around at the orphans, his eyes shining with pride. "If any of you decide that you want to pursue this path, I will do everything I can to support you. There are many farms in the area that would be happy to take on an apprentice, and I know that you would all do very well."

“It is too dirt for my liking,” said one boy who had mud caked along the sides of his pants.

“That is valid as well,” Priest Grant replied. “But a lot of jobs will get you dirty one way or another. Even I have to get these robes dirty on occasion.”

Priest Grant continued, "In fact, there are many important jobs in our city that require getting dirty. Take blacksmithing, for example. It's a vital trade that keeps our city running, but it's not for the faint of heart."

The orphans looked at him curiously, and Priest Grant smiled. "Blacksmiths work with fire and metal all day long. They forge tools, weapons, and all sorts of useful items. But it's hot, sweaty work, and you'll come home covered in soot and grime every day."

Some of the orphans wrinkled their noses at the thought, but others looked intrigued. "What else do blacksmiths make?" one of the younger ones asked.

"Oh, all sorts of things," Priest Grant replied. "Horseshoes, for one. Every horse in the city needs shoes to protect their hooves, and it's the blacksmith's job to make them. They also make nails, hinges, and other hardware for buildings. And of course, they make weapons for our city's defenses."

He looked around at the orphans, his expression growing serious. "It's not an easy job, but it's an important one. Without blacksmiths, our city would grind to a halt. We wouldn't have the tools we need to farm, to build, or to defend ourselves. Every job has an important role to play in our society. We all have reasons for choosing what jobs we end up with. There isn’t always a better job. Even the great merchants while they get to travel the world have to deal with the threat of bandits and their loss of life and goods."

The orphans nodded, considering his words. Some of them still looked uncertain about the idea of getting dirty for a living, but others seemed to be warming up to the idea.

"I think I might like to try blacksmithing," said Alfred. "I'm not afraid of hard work, and I like the idea of making things with my hands. I’ve only worked with wood and some other simple materials before, but not from scratch."

Priest Grant beamed at him. "That's wonderful," he said. "I know the blacksmith in town, and I'm sure he'd be happy to take on an apprentice. It's a challenging job, but it's also very rewarding. You'll be learning a valuable skill that will serve you well for the rest of your life."

Alfred nodded, looking pleased with himself. The other orphans began to chatter excitedly, discussing the different jobs they might like to try. As they made their way back to the cart, Priest Grant felt a sense of satisfaction. He knew that not all of the orphans would choose to work on a farm or as a blacksmith, but he was glad that they had been exposed to some of the different opportunities available to them.

"Remember," he said as they climbed into the cart, "there is no shame in getting dirty for a good cause. Whether you choose to work with your hands or with your mind, what matters is that you do your best and contribute to the well-being of our city."

The orphans nodded, taking his words to heart. As the cart rumbled back towards the city, they talked excitedly about their future plans, their eyes shining with hope and possibility. Brad sat quietly, lost in thought. He had enjoyed the visit to the farm, but he wasn't sure if it was the right path for him. He had found some fun in swinging around a sword with Greg though the idea of military service disinterested him. He had heard the stories and they sounded like another version of their dynamic with Priest Damon. He didn’t want a superior over him like that.

Brad's thoughts were interrupted by the chatter of the other orphans, discussing the different jobs they might like to try. Alfred was excited about the possibility of becoming a blacksmith, and Gray was considering working on a farm. Brad listened to their conversations, feeling a pang of uncertainty. What did he want to do with his life?

As they approached the orphanage, Brad's thoughts turned to Priest Damon, the demon who had tormented him for so long. He knew that if he wanted to get rid of Damon, he would have to find a way to stand up to him. But how? Damon was a powerful and ruthless foe, and Brad was just a young orphan.

Brad's eyes narrowed as he thought about his situation. He knew that he couldn't do it alone, but he also knew that he couldn't rely on Priest Grant or the other orphans to protect him. He needed to find a way to defend himself, to make himself strong enough to stand up to Damon. Brad's eyes narrowed as he thought about his situation. He knew that he couldn't do it alone. He was reminded that Taylor and some of the others had been planning on something to deal with Priest Damon.

“I wonder what they have in mind or what I can do to help,” he thought to himself.