Destiny's Entwined

5

The village came alive earlier so you made sure to be in your home and locked down before the activity started, you would make sure to have some activities to do while sitting at home in the evenings, sewing, wood and leather crafts, even reading the farming almanac you had picked up.

As you sit around the fire you can hear the activity and noises from the village, not 100% sure what they are but your sure you saw ghost lights down there, so being cautious you made sure to be in when they are out.

Going to bed early and rising early, today you decided to explore the other side of the mountain, so taking some sacks and climbing on horse you ride to the other side of the mountain through the village, wolf was running in front, they would stop at interesting places and he was also catching some animals.

Seeing some of the animals that wolf was catching you stare wide eyed and blink then swallow "Wolf perhaps lay off the animals until we are back on our side?" receiving a howl in response, you collect a few pieces of wood, having been out for a few hours you say "let's go home Buddy".

He turns as you start to go back taking a few of the normal animals you leave the unusual ones by the shrine with a note apologising for their deaths. The sun was going down so feeding and checking the animals, then going round the back to gut and skin the animals caught today.

As you finished you hear noise start from the village, going inside and placing the meat on the rack, giving a rabbit to Wolf and cooking up a bird for the next few days, next you were going to make bread you found a recipe in the almanac.

As the night wore on the noises seemed to increase from the village you sighed and looked at Wolf "I hope they accepted the apology?" looking at horse who kind of twitched you groan and nod, heating the bath you decide you want to die clean.

Taking the bath and relaxing with some sake, then getting out you dry off and go to bed saying "if they come for me tonight, let them be" hearing a sigh from horse and wolf, you glance at them and killing the lights you drop off into a deep sleep.

The villagers had received the animals and the note the chief laughed "I suppose they noticed how unusual the animals were and thought it may be a problem to take them? So we will use a few for a village meal tonight and give the rest back" they all cheered and the drums came out.

This activity was what you had heard and took the wrong way, but you would find all this out in the morning, they had a large village party as the chief hung the rest of the animals on your gate with a bow and a thanks, going down he joined the revelry.

The morning came and you smiled realising you haven't died, so getting up you open the doors and go outside seeing something on the gate you go over and see some of the animals had been placed there, sighing "so they were not upset? That's good" taking the animals you prepare them.

Cleaning the snow off the roof was your next task for the day, looking down at the village you groan, meat prepared you climb and shovel the snow off the roof, then opening the gate you go and do the same for the houses in the village.

Paying respects to the spirits as you do, hearing a childish giggle you chuckle and continue to clean the roof of snow. Done you look at the village gate and close them up this had been a routine for three months the snow had started to melt, now you would stay out for longer.

Shoveling all the snow away from around your house and cave you opened the flap and took the fence down to allow the animals back out, giving the animals cave area a good clean out and placing the dirty bedding on the fields.

Done with the immediate tasks, you go down to the village and light a stick of incense and pray for a good spring, waving at the shadow you go back to your home and open all the doors and windows to air the place out, chimneys cleaned from the use over winter.

Plowing the fields you get the seeds ready for spring growing, Wolf ran off into the mountain not worried as he was big enough to look after himself, going exploring in the day time you found a river and caught some fish, expecting babies from the animals, you decide to go in to town and stock up on some meat and other materials that were low.

Hitching the bull to the cart and riding horse, you leave with some money to buy what's needed, leaving the village you wave to the shadows, going into town you notice that the plants are finally blooming "nearly time to go into the woods again".

Getting to town you stop at the grain store, then you pop in to buy more incense, feed and bedding for the animals, wandering through the town you get more salt and lastly you buy some meat, you don't need alot but you wanted to stock up some, seeing a stall with some cheap cloth you buy a roll, it will be perfect for farming.

Leaving you see what you can bring in to sell or trade, you really wanted to grow your own rice "I could leave a note to find out if we have any paddy fields nearby?" nearly home you see a few people stood outside the gates and you frown, getting closer you hold the handle on your sword.

Riding through the gates you drop off the things at the shrine and bow to pay your respects, writing a quick note you leave it behind then continue up the path to your home.