10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Aug 16 - Angelsea Farm

He strode out of the cabin, stretching as he yawned. It was a glorious day, the sun sitting uninterrupted in the glorious sky above. He looked over to the farmhouse proper. His boss, Janus, was late getting out again. He sighed but smiled, wordlessly getting to work on the fields. It was a small farm barely in its first year, but it was already proving quite effective. A harsh market meant they were only getting about three-quarters of what their goods were worth, but the two of them working together ensured they made enough to live off of, and then some. He started with the crops, watering them all. He didn't even get halfway before his boss came out.

"Morning, Janus." he waved.

"Arthur." he nodded back, starting on the watering as well. "What's your plan today?"

"I was thinking of going over to the mine, we could do with the resources. You?"

"I'll do some fishing." he gestured to the river nearby. It flowed elegantly through the farm's territory, splitting it into several parts. Janus' grandfather had built the farmhouse to the north, by the bank of the river, and Arthur's cabin was close to it. The two watered the few crops they had for about an hour. The summer heat had just begun, so their crops were nothing but shoots.

"So..." Janus asked. "What are you hoping for when you go mining?"

"I'm just gonna see how deep I can go, really, see what I can find. Maybe some of the insects down there can be used for bait tomorrow?"

"Well, you'd best go get some, then. You're the fisherman, right?"

"Yes, yes, I know..." Arthur adjusted his glasses slightly as he opened the door to his cabin. It was true, he was much more experienced in fishing - fish he caught simply seemed to be worth more. That was exactly why Janus wanted the practice. "We need to worry about getting you a rod that can take the bait, that hook can't hold anything. Go talk to Willy, he'll set you straight."

"I will, I will." he chuckled, waving dismissively. "You'd best head off, though."

"Yeah, I will. See you tonight, boss!" he waved as he set off, pushing the gate open and closing it behind him. Janus continued on the field before heading to the river. One firm cast saw his bobber land in the water. He sighed happily, sitting back and waiting. After a while, his dog came out of the house. A golden retriever called Gizmo, but one that had acquired a strange reputation for finding himself in all sorts of unusual - nay, unnatural - locations. After one night of drinking, Janus swore blind that the dog could phase through walls like a ghost. Arthur, however, had never seen it do so and didn't believe it possible, despite Janus' promises. Janus sighed as he petted Gizmo, who barked happily.

"There's my little magic hound." he chuckled. "Why do you do that sort of thing, huh? Makes me think I'm going crazy."

"Maybe you are." Gizmo replied. A silence fell over the farmstead.