Our Middle of Nowhere

"That kid giving you a hard time, Rado?"

I'm still crouched down as a voice distracts me from my conversation with the land.

At first I thought the creature in my hand had spoken to me. That inkling was soon dismissed as insect children don't normally have the tact to ask such questions. I instead turn to the pair of men slowly marching from the opposite direction of the carriage. They must have seen my little bout with our landlord.

"Not any more than usual."

"You may proper lose your head one of these days with how you jest…"

Both of them carry equipment fitting their occupation. One has a shovel and a bag of likely manure, considering the smell. The other has an axe with so many chips that you might think it wasn't even metal at all. As we do together most days, we begin a trek home that really puts a strain on the knees.

I sigh after returning the small insect to the dark hole I found him in.

"I miss the days when that boy was so small and sweet…"

"He really was a cute little pup, always chasing after his old man."

The image is clear as mud for me, and probably the same for these guys as well. Though, I am still able to see the face of a boy still green to the world around him. We were in our mid teens then, so our labours had already begun. Yet the days were still much simpler. Just as the young lord had his father to teach the trade, our responsibilities were much less than they are now 20 years later.

"Such a shame what happened to him. He was a gracious lord to us."

"Now we have quite the troublesome devil calling the shots…"

"Easy now."

I try to calm their grumbling. Our new management was not by anyone's choice, and the young lord was the one most impacted.

"I'm sure the kid will come around eventually."

His father's passing was sudden. All of us were part of the mourning that could have continued for a year without being a sufficient tribute to the man. However, the sun will continue to rise and mouths still need to be fed. The hole that appeared had to be filled, and the young boy was the only one who could.

"Give him a few years and he'll settle down."

"Assuming we survive until then…"

"That shouldn't be an issue at least this round."

"The weeds tell you that this time?"

Both guys laugh, as they usually do when my unique talent comes up. My response also comes without even having to think about it.

"Have I ever been wrong?"

"Not once, and it still bothers me!"

"Hahaha!"

It has been a running joke for so long that it became a habit to mention it at least once a day. We need something to keep us occupied as we walk until nearly sundown.

"Come on, tell us your secret!"

My old friend pokes me in the side with his elbow.

"A man can't just predict every rainy day and sniff out any bad plant! Must be some kind of magic!"

"Do I look like somebody who knows magic?"

"Nah, you're too stupid for that."

This light conversation holds us for the several kilometre walk back to the village. The sun is still relaxing into the horizon by the time we come to the small patch of houses.

As far I can remember, only a couple of buildings have been built since I was born. Even with the additions, we are still within shouting distance of every person living in the area. Families stick around from the day they arrive till the day they depart for good. With nobody moving in and out of our little farming settlement, the names floating around don't change often.

"Those guys are at it again, huh…"

My friend lets out a sigh as the village centre comes into view. Two boys in their early teens are facing each other, hands on collars.

"I told you to keep those swines in their place! Look at the mess they've caused!"

"It's not my fault you didn't have a fence! Grow your spuds somewhere else if you don't want anything happening to them!"

Neighbours with the best of relationships, the two boys are one word away from doing away with words entirely. Considering the wandering pigs and holes inside the small garden, I can easily imagine what caused the bickering this time.

"I've had it with you! Time to put you down in the mud with your animals!"

"What a coincidence! I was just thinking that I'd bury you neck deep!"

"My goodness…"

I march forwards and tug at the boys' scruffs just as they're about to bite each other's face off. I don't have enough strength to completely break them apart, but it's enough to at least save somebody's eye.

"Don't stop me, Rado!"

"We have to settle this eventually!"

"Alright, quiet you lot!"

With another tug, I become the centre of attention. Having their swollen red faces directed at me should be at least a little unnerving, but I've grown used to it as they grew up.

"You see, I had a bit of good lumber with nothing good to use it on. I'll help you set up a sturdy fence for those spuds."

"What if those beasts try to tear it down!?"

"Trust me kid, I know how to keep those pigs out. Been doing it since before you were born."

I turn to the other boy and roughly grab his shoulder.

"And you! There's a perfectly good place for them to roam just past the trees over there. I'll show you where it is later."

"G-Got it…"

Both of them very quickly become docile. Once the blood stops rushing to their heads, they give each other one more angry look before heading back to their respective homes. Of course, I don't let them leave without a hard pat on their backs. This should hold them over for at least another couple of days.

"These kids are a real handful."

"Sorry for leaving it to you as always…"

"It's fine. I'm used to it."

My friends have returned to my side now that the conflict has been resolved. They do look apologetic, but their snickers betray the entertainment they received.

"You coming for a drink, Rado?"

"I'll offer you some of the good stuff I have stocked up!"

We arrive at one of the larger huts in the village, where the guys have opened the door without so much as a knock. Granted, I'm not sure if any of us have ever knocked.

"I'm afraid that I must decline."

With extra haughty language, I walk past our usual drinking spot with a grin on my face.

"I have an appointment that I must not miss."

"Yeah, yeah, we get it."

"He has a kid and the rest of us become chopped liver…"

I want to call out their insult against chopped liver, but the idea isn't far off. There is somebody out there who requires much more of my attention than a bunch of old dudes.

"I might drop by later if I feel like it."

"Don't wait too long!"

"We'll finish the drink without you!"

Leaving the guys behind, I walk across the rather lively village.

Housewives talk amongst themselves around the well with buckets of water under their arms. Children still too young to be put to work are running around with sticks pretending to be knights. Even the cows and hens are active, the latter making a racket as a child sprays their pens with grain. I see this sight everyday.

"Haahhh…"

I might have gotten bored of seeing the same faces over and over. That much is bound to happen eventually. However, that monotony is refreshing in its own way. I don't think my heart would be able to handle any major changes, not after over 30 years of peace and quiet. Maybe I held ambitions for the wider world when I was young. Or, more likely, they were beaten out of me by the soreness of working the fields.

Fortunately, there is still one thing in this tiny world of mine that gives me a reason to work to the bone. One person who changed my life from one of dull work, to one of dull work with a cute smile included.

My destination is past the informal wall of trees that enclose the west side of our settlement. A narrow dirt trail winds up the hills, a stark contrast to the flat lands where our crops are cultivated. The further you travel, the higher you climb until you reach a point much closer to the sky.

"Hm?"

Something about the night doesn't feel quite right. The taste sits on my tongue, an aftertaste not unlike that of a sour brandy. This feeling only grows more sour with a sudden rush of birds from beyond the trees, lands outside of our farmland.

"Probably nothing…"

Anything can spook the local flyers, so I pay them little mind. My exhaustion demands that I reach the end of this forest trail as soon as possible. It is at the peak of this pathway that I see the most important person in my life.