The sound of wood being chop early in the morning caught the attention of the animals surrounding the farm. One by one the logs are split apart by each strike it receives from the axe. Sweat made tracks across his body as he gently wipes it from his face before swinging the axe again. The last impact made the axe stick to the stump as the split log drifted from different direction. Heavy breathing made him sat down right at the stump while his body continues to perspire.

Fog comes out of his mouth as sweat drops from his face, only wiping the ones getting closer to his eyes. Right next to the stump, he grabs a wet stone and sharpens the axe. He notices the cuts around his arms and remembers an unpleasant experience that happened not too long ago. Other scars on his body becomes more apparent when the sun finally rises.

Wearing only his pants on the field along with his mud stained boots he didn’t let his sweat dry off and continued chopping wood. After a few more strike he gathered the chopped wood and stock it up along with a mountain of wood right next to the shed.

The barn received an expansion, with more coop for the chickens and another stall was added. Inside the barn is a scarecrow shoveling dung into bucket and carrying it to a small compartment behind the barn. It greeted the farmer with a short wave over its head. Lacking the physical composition of a normal person it was hard to distinguished what their emotions are. But for the farmer it was as easy as reading a book.

“Doing that early in the morning and you won’t have anything else to do for the rest of the day.”

The scarecrow looked at him, the face remained expressionless. The farmer then just smiled at it and continued stacking on the wood pile.

He then went inside the house to rest where another scarecrow very similar to the one before. It was cooking breakfast. In order to not get burn down it is using wooden handle and is very distant from the stove. Then it places a bowl of stew right where he sat then added salt before pushing it closer to him.

After savoring the taste, he couldn’t help himself and finish the entire bowl in a flash then handed it back to the scarecrow who refills it. The meals that he has been served has been very satisfying to him for almost a month, stuffing himself every time, despite being the same course every day.

He then went to rest by the porch where he saw from a distance two boulder like creatures with a humanoid form each carrying crate filled with various lustering crystals. Taking the crate inside the granary that used to be a shed 2 months ago.

Outside the shed, taking notes and counting the crystals before they are taken inside is another scarecrow but is distinctly different from the rest. Not wearing the same worn out clothing but raw hide taken from a deer. Sewed at his head that serves as its eyes are coins with five holes each and a symbol of the lily flower.

Bob walks towards the scarecrow before addressing it.

“How is it?”

The scarecrow turns around and saw the farmer with his axe over his shoulders.

“Marvelous my liege! We have enough to create another golem that could fight alongside you.”

“Is that so?”

The farmer took a look inside the granary that is filled with various crystals along with the crops that have been harvested yesterday. Inside the granary are luminous stone that serves as its light, making it easier for him to see everything.

“Those rocks are really useful.” The farmer commented.

He took another look inside the barn before he went to observe the field where the dung shoveling scarecrow from earlier is now weeding it. It was having a hard time because of not having fingers at all but it did made use of its shovel which it seems that it doesn’t let go off.

“Have you seen where Agta and Atga went?”

“I saw them heading to the caves at first light. Should I call for them?”

“No, its fine.”

The farmer then went to the place where his mill was supposed to be built. But it was now turned into a small workshop. There were arrows that he fashioned out of a river cane that he found by the stream downhill near the caves. Various arrowheads are placed on a table right next to where the tools are, from stones to flints and wood to crystals similar to the ones in the granary. Outside the workshop is a fleshing beam made out of lumber formed in an “A” shape. A total of three self-bows can be seen inside the workshop including the one that he has been using for a longtime. A short bow that is backed with sinews and a longbow that is backed with rawhide.

He took the sinew string that was hanging on one of the posts which is weighed down by a rock. The string was stretched and dried for an entire day. Then he attached it to the long bow. Stretching his back, he notches the arrow. With a deep breath he fires it outside the workshop and hits one of the logs by his house.

He did the same thing with the short bow. Applying the same strength, he pulls on it and releases the arrow in the same direction. This time the arrow is much faster but it couldn’t pierce the log as deeply as when it was shot from the long bow. Then he walks towards his house and collected the arrows.

‘River cane are the best for arrows, they’re almost indestructible.’ He thought while pulling the last arrow from the log.

Using dried fibers as a thread, he attached the arrowheads to the remaining river canes that serves as the shaft, the feathers from the chickens as fletching. The nock is already carved up from the day before.

“My lord, I would want to remind you what is to happen in the coming days.”

“Go ahead.” Bob replied without looking back. Still busy in assembling the arrows.

“First, I’ll have the grunts at the other hill inform us of any incoming adventurers so we’ll have time to prepare. Next, the golems by the cave will cover it, preventing them from stealing any materials or use it as a base. Lastly leaving you to your own but subtly following you. Making sure that the adventurers are not aware of us.” The scarecrow narrated while standing uprightly.

“Wonderful…” Bob finishes the final arrow. Then added “Now you’re making me talk like you.”

“Nonsense milord. You can never sound like me. For your voice is filled with power and authority that one does not simply replicate.” The scarecrow forms a pose with his chest out and right hand above his head.

“Alright then.” He stood up from the stool where he was making the arrows.

“Then I’ll have the transporters carry these to the look outs” The scarecrow indicating to the arrows.

“Yeah, just leave me three. I’ll also take the short bow again today. Thanks Jack.” Bob hurriedly left the workshop. Jack replied with a simple bow as a gesture in accepting the request.

With the axe in hand he went back inside the house and change to a different clothing. A leather, roughly sewn to appear like a jacket. Which makes him look more like wearing clothes made out of meat.

He went to the porch where his bow is sitting there along with the three arrows he requested. Taking it with him along with a crystalized knife which has sharpened from the same materials from the cave. He put the bow over his shoulders, his right hand carrying the axe, the knife inside his pockets and the arrows tied together with the bow.

“I’m ready.” He said under his breath looking towards horizon and the narrow stretch of land that serves as entrance to the peninsula.