Sanctuary

Haruki took it easy for the next week, per Lillianna’s instructions. After the first few days he was allowed to get up and walk again in limited amounts.

He decided to create a make-shift crutch out of a pair of sticks he found lying around outside, borrowing a knife to cut a notch in the bottom of a small piece so he could fit it atop the larger branch. He had no experience whittling before in his past life and almost cut himself badly once, but managed to get it done.

This wooden crutch was a bit frail compared to a real modern one, but it allowed him to amble around without causing his recovering foot any pain.

In the meantime, he tried his best to help out around the farmhouse with odd chores and tasks, he at least owed Johannes and his family that much.

Oddly enough, his favorite duty quickly became milking the strange beasts held in the barn beside the farmhouse.

The main type of beast that had to be milked was called a Rindwyr. It had a large body like a cow, but it was covered in long hair. Its neck was long and topped with a head like a horned goat. It also had a long, mop-like tail that dragged on the ground.

The milking itself wasn’t particularly pleasant, but the reason he enjoyed this task didn’t have anything to do with the milk itself. The milk was just an excuse for what he’d do afterward.

Each morning Haruki would bring the pail full of milk back into the kitchen, where Lillianna would be up preparing breakfast for the three of them.

He liked to sit and watch her make breakfast. In a world without TVs and computer screens, there isn’t much better to do. Anticipating a good meal is about the most entertaining thing available, and he particularly enjoyed watching her do the cooking.

As she moved around the kitchen preparing ingredients, her hair fluttered about. Her hair was definitely her best feature; it was a pretty auburn-brown and reached down just past her chin.

Lillianna was on the shorter end, only around 160 centimeters tall (~5’2”), but don’t let her petite figure fool you. She was a farm girl through-and-through, and was easily as strong as Haruki. It was like she had an invisible layer of muscle hidden away under her soft exterior.

She wasn’t especially beautiful, at least not when compared to that elven witch Haruki had met back in Thistleholm; however, she still had a nice charm to her. Haruki thought she was like a cute tomboy.

“Do you need any help?” Haruki asked her, setting down the milk pail on the counter.

“No, I’ve got everything handled right here,” she responded, while effortlessly dicing some vegetables so fast that Haruki could barely see the knife moving.

Lillianna was very particular about her cooking, and for good reason. She was an excellent cook, so Haruki didn’t want to get in the way at all.

“Is your foot feeling better, Haruki?” she asked.

“Yeah, I think it’s about back to normal,” he responded. This was now his fifth morning staying on the farm, he will probably be good to walk again without pain in another day or two.

He had started to dread the thought of getting better in the next few days, as he knew that when he could walk again he’d have to leave their farm.

This place had become Haruki’s sanctuary in this harsh new world, it was the first place where he didn’t have to worry about how he would survive for the next day.

He knew that life here couldn’t last forever, but a part of him deep down wanted it to. Yet, he also didn’t want to continue being a freeloader indefinitely. He wouldn’t want to take advantage of their kindness like that.

After breakfast, he decided to spend whatever time he had not doing chores resting outdoors, watching Johannes and the other farmers do their work in the fields. It was now late summer, and they were beginning to prepare for the wheat harvest.

***

By the start of the seventh day, Haruki was able to walk once again without any pain.

He got up early once again and milked the Rindwyrs, the whole time anxiously thinking about when it will be that Johannes will finally ask him to leave.

The three of them had breakfast together as usual, but this time the meal was much more silent than during the previous days. He thought maybe this was because they were thinking about the same thing as him, but he wasn’t sure.

Haruki glanced up at the two of them, Johannes didn’t seem to notice but Lillianna gave him a smile.

“Was the food good, Haruki?” Lillianna asked.

“Oh yes, of course, it was very good. Thanks for cooking such a great meal.” Since they weren’t bringing it up, Haruki figured he should bite the bullet and bring it up himself.

“Now that my injury is all healed, I’d like to discuss my leaving,” Haruki began. “I’m very grateful for all the kindness and generosity you’ve shown me over the past week, and I regret having been such a burden to you both.”

“Think nothin’ of it, son,” Johannes interjected. “We only did what’s right.”

“Even so,” continued Haruki. “I can’t help but feel like I’m now in your debt. I understand the harvest is coming up any day now; if it’s at all possible, I’d like you to consider letting me work off my debt to you by helping out with the harvest. I won’t ask for any pay, I just ask that you let me stay and work for you.”

Johannes sat back in his chair, crossing his arms.

“Look, Haruki,” he said. “We aren’t really lookin’ to take on another mouth to feed. We’ve been able to get by all these years without takin’ on any extra farmhands. I think it’s best you go off and find your own place.”

Haruki looked down. He was a bit disheartened, but recognized the truth behind his words. “You’re right, if me staying around would be a burden on you, then it would be better for me to go elsewhere,” he said.

Lillianna reached across the table and grabbed Johannes’ hand.

“Uncle, don’t you think we should give him a chance?” she insisted. “This whole time he’s been a very humble guest and has helped out with the chores, now that he’s all better I’m sure he can be of help. I know that we’ve gotten by all these years, but ever since my parents passed away the work has become a lot harder for you.”

Johannes gave her a sorrowful look for a moment as he squeezed her hand. He brought his hand to his forehead and let out a sigh.

“Do you have any experience farmin’, son?” he asked.

Buried memories of when he went through a brief town-building mobile game phase back when he was 14 suddenly resurfaced, which featured some farming elements. However, as a proud MMORPG fan he opted not to count that.

“No, I’ve never worked on a farm before this,” he answered, truthfully. “But I’ve been watching you guys outside doing farm work for the past few days. I’m sure I can get the hang of it if I work hard.”

“Come on, uncle.” Lillianna nudged Johannes with her elbow.

“Alright, fine.” Johannes finally gave in. “I’ll let you help out with the harvest, but it won’t be easy work, you hear?”

Haruki was happy and relieved to hear Johannes give him the words of approval. Even if it’s only for a couple more weeks, he wanted nothing more than to stay together with the people who had shown him such kindness.

“Thank you both so much. I promise that I will be a help to you and pay off my debt.” His eyes started to become watery, but he held back the tears.

“Alright then, we’re gettin’ started right away!” Johannes stood up from the table. “Today I’m showin’ you the ends and outs of the farm.”

Johannes led him outside.

Before them stood a sea of gold, fields of wheat that stretched as far as the eye could see. As the morning sun pierced through the clouds and lit the sky an orange hue, a slight breeze blew ripples across its surface. For the first time Haruki was looking forward to the work that lay ahead of him.