SACRIFICE TO THE MOON (Completed) #Wattys2020

CHAPTER 20

         "Well, get on boy!" The old man cried.
        Waya gracefully vaulted into the carriage with Freya in tow.
             "Easy son, am aware  you're young but easy son."
       The old man cleared the carriage of some items he deemed disposable so he could make room for Freya.
               "Water,she needs water" Waya rasped
   The old man produced a wineskin underneath his cloak.
             "No water but there is wine"
        Waya grabbed the wineskin and pressed the opening to Freya mouth. Instinctively, Freya opened her mouth and gulped down the entire content of the wineskin.
           Waya knew that amount of tonic would intoxicate her  but it was a much preferred option than having her die of dehydration.
        Waya watched her intently as she tentatively opened her eyes.
      She looked at him with partially dilated eyes.
          "It feels like the earth's spinning"
            Waya smiled.
   "It's a shame such a good gin had to be wasted on someone who can't appreciate good wine".
          Freya smiled weakly. Waya turned to the old man and assessed him.
       The old man appeared dirty and filthy. Waya reached for his neck to take off the gold medallion that constantly hanged from his neck.
      It was made from rare gold found on the moon; it's value was almost priceless.
     Waya offered it to the old man.
          "I need your horse and carriage, this is payment. "
      The old man considered the medallion with a kind smile.
      "Gold has no value in these parts, only trade by barter"
            Waya sighed inwardly over what he was about to do. He knew he would have to rob the old man of his carriage. He wished the damned old man had just taken the gold, things would have been much easier.
        He resolved within himself. He was too close to finding his family to let sentiments get in the way.
     The old man watched him intently as these thoughts ran through his mind. He knew the young man would take the carriage by force.
        With a kind smile, he inwardly braced himself for whatever outcome.
      Waya was about to forcibly take the reigns of the carriage from the old man when Freya's voice broke out.
              "Maybe there is something we can do for you in exchange for the carriage."
     The old man grinned widely.
          "Certainly there is. Its tough work, can you handle it?"
        "We'll do our best".
Waya looked at Freya as if she were talking nonsense."
          Defiantly, she glared back at him daring him to challenge her. Upon seeing this, Waya grudgingly backed off.
       The old man led him to a farm house which incidentally was his home.
         Waya placed Freya in a cot to sleep out the effect of the gin.
       Hastily, he turned to the old man.
            "Where is this work you spoke of "
        The old man led him to a section of the farm, Waya scrunched his nose in response to the reeking of animal dung.
       Waya was led to holding housing a solitary cow.
     Waya looked at the cow, it seemed pretty healthy.
      "Do you want me to kill it?"
   The old man looked at him as if he just uttered the most abominable words.
      "No, I want you to milk it!"
     Waya smiled inwardly it seemed getting the carriage would be much more easier than he would have imagined.
            "I just have to milk the cows and I get the carriage?"
       " Yes, you just have to milk the cows"
    Waya was taken aback.
             "Forgive me, did I hear you say cows".
        The old man smiled and wordlessly opened a huge metal door to reveal hundreds if cows.
      It was then it dawned on Waya that he was standing in the middle of a dairy farm and he was to milk all the cows.
        "Yes, cows" the old man affirmed.