D&D Way to Sword Coast

Chapter 13: Ranch

A couple of hours down the road the forest split to reveal an open valley. Nestled between two hills was a large two-story house, surrounded by two tilled fields, an impressive orchard, a large garden, and a pasture. Atop his shoulder, Yulia gawked at the view. "You live here?"

Adabra shakes her head as they approached a sign that read 'Butterskull Ranch.' "I live further southwest," she explained. They proceeded up the laneway that bisected the fields. "Gathering certain herbs takes me far abroad. In exchange for medicines the owner lets me rent a room when I'm in the area." At the mention of cost, Alidorim wondered what he'd have to spend to stay in such a place. Catching his look of ambiguity Gwynn added, "I'm sure he'll extend the same courtesy to you." Alidorim responded with a grunt.

As they passed the gardens Yulia excitedly pointed out everything she saw from her vantage point. Pigs, chickens, horses, and cows. Four human farmhands paused in their various chores to wave at the Mid-wife. They hesitated at the sight of her companions. Alidorim wasn't encouraged by their distrustful expressions.

As they neared the main house a fit man, thick with age approached them. Adabra introduced them to the Ranch's owner, Alfonse Kalazorn. Alidorim inclined his head but didn't offer his hand. The Rancher didn't look keen on taking it anyway. The man eyed the Dragonborn and Yulia for some time before saying, "Ada I let you stay here because you pay with things we need. I don't do charity."

Alidorim suppressed the growl that built in his chest. He was about to speak when the old woman cut in, "The child's hurt. I was just going to tend to her." Alfonse crossed his arms. It was only after Gwynn offered to amend their deal with additional medicinal items and a free check-up on his animals that he finally relented.

"Fine, but you're confined to the house," he said. His eyes zeroed on Alidorim's claws as much as Yulia's horns. "I don't need you scaring my animals." It was clear Alfonse didn't care if his words were offensive. Neither was he clear on which of them would actually scare his animals.

"Bless you, Al," she crowed before ushering them toward the house. Adabra didn't appear affected by the Rancher's attitude in the slightest. Alidorim thanked her and offered assurance he would recoup her losses. The midwife smiled. "He's a bit of a grump, but Al's a big softy. Now," she beamed up at Yulia, "let's get you looked at dear."

The kitchen was massive, dominated by a large wood stove for heat, a kiln for baking, and a grill for meats and boiling. It was filled with all the accouterments for preparing meals for multiple hungry people. A tall wry man wearing, an apron was hard at work kneading dough.

He greeted Adabra, who in turn introduced her guests. "I'm Tevon," he said with an elegant bow that made Yulia giggle. He smiled at them cheerfully enough, nowhere near as gruff as his employer at least.

As Tevon returned to his own work, Adabra sat Yulia on a counter and went about reexamining her knee. The scrape was indeed deep, but the ointment was already helping it scab nicely. The child winced as she wiped it down with a disinfecting ointment followed by a healing salve. Finally, she applied some gauze coated in pain-relieving herbs and rewrapped the wound.

"How does that feel, dear?"

Rising slowly Yulia eased weight onto her hurt leg. She flinched in anticipation of the pain, but her expression morphed into one of surprise. Smiling she exclaimed. "It no hurt, father! No hurt at all!" Adabra smiles proudly at her work, as Yulia experimented by taking a few determined steps. Soon she was running and jumping about on her pain-free leg.

Alidorim cautioned her to take it slow, not wanting to reopen the wound.

Adabra chuckled saying, "You younglings and your energy." Yulia was about to reply when she paused. Nose twitching, she began sniffing the air. Curiously Alidorim also sniffed. His stomach rumbled. Something smelled delectable. Following their noses, the trio made their way across the kitchen where they found three plate-loads of food.