Chapter 248: Laborer Calling
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 248: Laborer Calling
After handing Cirayus a handful of loaves of stale breadwhich Vir felt was already straining Sanis meansVir set out on the road to Samar Patag with her two children and their communal Ashva. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Darsh was the boy whod fetched all the bread, and his hardworking nature reminded Vir of himself in his younger days. Darshs sister, however, was far shier. She hadnt said a word to Vir the entire time theyd eaten together, constantly stealing glances at him.
Dont mind Hetal, Darsh said as he set their Ashvas saddle on the outskirts of the village. Shes just bad around strangers. Not like we get a lot of you lot, yknow
Vir smiled at the slim-framed black-haired girl, who promptly hid behind her brother. Like him, she too was a red demon, dressed in very similar rags. Thankfully, theyd both donned sandals for the journey. Vir wouldve raised a few objections if theyd gone it barefoot.
With Virs prana-enhanced constitution, footwear was mostly optional, but for a malnourished demon child, itd be a terrible ordeal.
If this is what the situation is like, even outside of Samar Patag, just how much worse do the Gargans have it there?
I can relate, Vir said. I also grew up in a village.
Hetals eyes widened. Y-you did? Where?
Far, far from here, though it was quite a bit bigger than yours, Vir said wistfully. He wondered what Camas and his goons were up to, and whether this village suffered the same issues as Brij. Being far smaller, he suspected they likely faced a similar, yet distinct, set of problems.
Shall we get going? Darsh asked, jumping up on his Ashva. Would you like to ride, orer
What are you saying? Hetal said, snapping at her brother. Mummy will kill us if she learns you let the stranger walk!
Oh. Sorry, Darsh replied, bashfully looking away, but Vir waved away his concern.
Ill walk.
The siblings looked at each other nervously. No need. Well manage just fine. Or why dont we all just sit together?
While most Ashva could take three riders without issue, one look at their skinny, malnourished beast told Vir that itd have its back full with the two kids.
Dont worry about it. I wont slow you down. I wouldnt be able to sleep at night if I forced a kid to walk while I rode. Trust me.
They looked at him like he was crazy, but it was obvious just how scared Darsh was of the idea of walking the whole way.
You sure? Its a two-day Ashva ride, even at his full speed.
Im sure, Vir said. His attention was on the distant landscape as he scanned for any sign of his four-legged friend. Neel always stuck close to Vir, never wandering off, and always returning when called.
Shan was a different beast entirely. Hed disappear for days, only staying close when the hordes of Ash Beasts had become too much for him to handle alone. Now that they were in far less dangerous territory, Vir had scarcely even seen the wolf.
Vir soon gave up his search. Shan was smart. Hed follow along. Besides, Vir suspected hunting for him would be a waste of time. The wolf could be anywhere, and was very good at staying hidden when he wanted to.
Which was why it galled Vir that these kids seemed so resigned to their fate as Laborer-Farmer Callings.
The kids exchanged glances. Its been mentioned. Comes up more these days, the worse things get, Darsh said softly. Some folk want to stay. Some want to move, and some say we dont have anything worth holding onto, anyway. That its better to give up our standing among the farmers and move on. But if everyone moves on, howre people gonna eat?
Ah, right. That was it, Vir thought. Changing Callings meant forfeiting the familys reputation within that Callings community. Whatever respect and position their ancestors had built and earned would be lost. Theyd be starting at the very bottom.
Darsh was right. Every Laborer Calling farmer must have had the same thought. Most were likely not as bighearted as Darshwho wouldnt wish to seek a better life for themselves in another Calling?
Yet if too many did, the Clan would run out of food.
This is such a mess
Forget Chitran oppression. These people were on the verge of starving to death, and Vir couldnt help but wonder whether the Calling System was a system that worked well, or if it was just another way the Chits subjugated his people.
I wonder if other clans are this bad off. Or if its just a Chitran thing.
As far as first impressions went, the Chitran were not making a good one. Not at all.
Mummy said people are having fewer kids these days, Hetal said. Not enough food for so many mouths.
Better than having hungry kids, Darsh replied.
Hes right but also wrong, Vir mused. Reducing the population might thwart famine, but ultimately, itd result in a diminishing of Chitrans power. Without an edge like the Altani had, the more people a country had, the stronger it tended to be on the world stage, assuming it was run well enough to capitalize on it. Kinjal was a prime example, while Hiranya and Matali were examples of what happened when one lacked either good rulership or sufficient population, respectively.
Vir would happily witness the downfall of the Chitran, if only the Gargans wouldnt suffer for it. Already, even without having seen the situation at Samar Patag, Vir was beginning to glimpse just how nuanced the situation truly was.
S-so, Darsh said when the silence had grown awkward. Can you tell us about the Ash?
Though the boy kept his voice measured, he couldnt hide the excitement in his eyes. Vir might well have been the only demon hed come across whod ventured into the Ash. And, well, the journey was long and there wasnt much else to do, so Vir obliged.
Vir carefully chose what stories he told, keeping the descriptions limited to individual fights against Ash Beasts of various kinds. He didnt breathe a word about Ashani or Saunak, nor did he give them any hint of who he truly was.
They didnt seem to notice. Both Darsh and Hetal listened intently to his every word as they gallopedand as he ran. Narrating a story while running was a first for him, but the exertion was so easy that Vir was hardly inconvenienced by it.
They made camp a few hours later. While Vir had to keep consulting the tablet Cirayus had given him to tell time, the siblings seemed to have an internal clock that told them when to rest. For dinner, they brought out some lentil soup Sani had cooked, complementing it with stale bread.
Vir declined, lying that he carried his food with him. He could easily go a night or two without eating. The kids were still growing. They needed all the help they could get.
Vir snuck away, opting to sleep some hundred paces away from them. Close enough that he could monitor them and respond to any threats, while still far enough away to gain a measure of privacy.
Cirayus had recharged his communications orb, and Maiya was due to call.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 248: Laborer Calling
After handing Cirayus a handful of loaves of stale breadwhich Vir felt was already straining Sanis meansVir set out on the road to Samar Patag with her two children and their communal Ashva. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Darsh was the boy whod fetched all the bread, and his hardworking nature reminded Vir of himself in his younger days. Darshs sister, however, was far shier. She hadnt said a word to Vir the entire time theyd eaten together, constantly stealing glances at him.
Dont mind Hetal, Darsh said as he set their Ashvas saddle on the outskirts of the village. Shes just bad around strangers. Not like we get a lot of you lot, yknow
Vir smiled at the slim-framed black-haired girl, who promptly hid behind her brother. Like him, she too was a red demon, dressed in very similar rags. Thankfully, theyd both donned sandals for the journey. Vir wouldve raised a few objections if theyd gone it barefoot.
With Virs prana-enhanced constitution, footwear was mostly optional, but for a malnourished demon child, itd be a terrible ordeal.
If this is what the situation is like, even outside of Samar Patag, just how much worse do the Gargans have it there?
I can relate, Vir said. I also grew up in a village.
Hetals eyes widened. Y-you did? Where?
Far, far from here, though it was quite a bit bigger than yours, Vir said wistfully. He wondered what Camas and his goons were up to, and whether this village suffered the same issues as Brij. Being far smaller, he suspected they likely faced a similar, yet distinct, set of problems.
Shall we get going? Darsh asked, jumping up on his Ashva. Would you like to ride, orer
What are you saying? Hetal said, snapping at her brother. Mummy will kill us if she learns you let the stranger walk!
Oh. Sorry, Darsh replied, bashfully looking away, but Vir waved away his concern.
Ill walk.
The siblings looked at each other nervously. No need. Well manage just fine. Or why dont we all just sit together?
While most Ashva could take three riders without issue, one look at their skinny, malnourished beast told Vir that itd have its back full with the two kids.
Dont worry about it. I wont slow you down. I wouldnt be able to sleep at night if I forced a kid to walk while I rode. Trust me.
They looked at him like he was crazy, but it was obvious just how scared Darsh was of the idea of walking the whole way.
You sure? Its a two-day Ashva ride, even at his full speed.
Im sure, Vir said. His attention was on the distant landscape as he scanned for any sign of his four-legged friend. Neel always stuck close to Vir, never wandering off, and always returning when called.
Shan was a different beast entirely. Hed disappear for days, only staying close when the hordes of Ash Beasts had become too much for him to handle alone. Now that they were in far less dangerous territory, Vir had scarcely even seen the wolf.
Vir soon gave up his search. Shan was smart. Hed follow along. Besides, Vir suspected hunting for him would be a waste of time. The wolf could be anywhere, and was very good at staying hidden when he wanted to.
Which was why it galled Vir that these kids seemed so resigned to their fate as Laborer-Farmer Callings.
The kids exchanged glances. Its been mentioned. Comes up more these days, the worse things get, Darsh said softly. Some folk want to stay. Some want to move, and some say we dont have anything worth holding onto, anyway. That its better to give up our standing among the farmers and move on. But if everyone moves on, howre people gonna eat?
Ah, right. That was it, Vir thought. Changing Callings meant forfeiting the familys reputation within that Callings community. Whatever respect and position their ancestors had built and earned would be lost. Theyd be starting at the very bottom.
Darsh was right. Every Laborer Calling farmer must have had the same thought. Most were likely not as bighearted as Darshwho wouldnt wish to seek a better life for themselves in another Calling?
Yet if too many did, the Clan would run out of food.
This is such a mess
Forget Chitran oppression. These people were on the verge of starving to death, and Vir couldnt help but wonder whether the Calling System was a system that worked well, or if it was just another way the Chits subjugated his people.
I wonder if other clans are this bad off. Or if its just a Chitran thing.
As far as first impressions went, the Chitran were not making a good one. Not at all.
Mummy said people are having fewer kids these days, Hetal said. Not enough food for so many mouths.
Better than having hungry kids, Darsh replied.
Hes right but also wrong, Vir mused. Reducing the population might thwart famine, but ultimately, itd result in a diminishing of Chitrans power. Without an edge like the Altani had, the more people a country had, the stronger it tended to be on the world stage, assuming it was run well enough to capitalize on it. Kinjal was a prime example, while Hiranya and Matali were examples of what happened when one lacked either good rulership or sufficient population, respectively.
Vir would happily witness the downfall of the Chitran, if only the Gargans wouldnt suffer for it. Already, even without having seen the situation at Samar Patag, Vir was beginning to glimpse just how nuanced the situation truly was.
S-so, Darsh said when the silence had grown awkward. Can you tell us about the Ash?
Though the boy kept his voice measured, he couldnt hide the excitement in his eyes. Vir might well have been the only demon hed come across whod ventured into the Ash. And, well, the journey was long and there wasnt much else to do, so Vir obliged.
Vir carefully chose what stories he told, keeping the descriptions limited to individual fights against Ash Beasts of various kinds. He didnt breathe a word about Ashani or Saunak, nor did he give them any hint of who he truly was.
They didnt seem to notice. Both Darsh and Hetal listened intently to his every word as they gallopedand as he ran. Narrating a story while running was a first for him, but the exertion was so easy that Vir was hardly inconvenienced by it.
They made camp a few hours later. While Vir had to keep consulting the tablet Cirayus had given him to tell time, the siblings seemed to have an internal clock that told them when to rest. For dinner, they brought out some lentil soup Sani had cooked, complementing it with stale bread.
Vir declined, lying that he carried his food with him. He could easily go a night or two without eating. The kids were still growing. They needed all the help they could get.
Vir snuck away, opting to sleep some hundred paces away from them. Close enough that he could monitor them and respond to any threats, while still far enough away to gain a measure of privacy.
Cirayus had recharged his communications orb, and Maiya was due to call.
Chapter 248: Laborer CallingAfter handing Cirayus a handful of loaves of stale breadwhich Vir felt was already straining Sanis meansVir set out on the road to Samar Patag with her two children and their communal Ashva. The source of this content novelbinDarsh was the boy whod fetched all the bread, and his hardworking nature reminded Vir of himself in his younger days. Darshs sister, however, was far shier. She hadnt said a word to Vir the entire time theyd eaten together, constantly stealing glances at him.Dont mind Hetal, Darsh said as he set their Ashvas saddle on the outskirts of the village. Shes just bad around strangers. Not like we get a lot of you lot, yknowVir smiled at the slim-framed black-haired girl, who promptly hid behind her brother. Like him, she too was a red demon, dressed in very similar rags. Thankfully, theyd both donned sandals for the journey. Vir wouldve raised a few objections if theyd gone it barefoot.With Virs prana-enhanced constitution, footwear was mostly optional, but for a malnourished demon child, itd be a terrible ordeal.If this is what the situation is like, even outside of Samar Patag, just how much worse do the Gargans have it there?I can relate, Vir said. I also grew up in a village.Hetals eyes widened. Y-you did? Where?Far, far from here, though it was quite a bit bigger than yours, Vir said wistfully. He wondered what Camas and his goons were up to, and whether this village suffered the same issues as Brij. Being far smaller, he suspected they likely faced a similar, yet distinct, set of problems.Shall we get going? Darsh asked, jumping up on his Ashva. Would you like to ride, orerWhat are you saying? Hetal said, snapping at her brother. Mummy will kill us if she learns you let the stranger walk!Oh. Sorry, Darsh replied, bashfully looking away, but Vir waved away his concern.Ill walk.The siblings looked at each other nervously. No need. Well manage just fine. Or why dont we all just sit together?While most Ashva could take three riders without issue, one look at their skinny, malnourished beast told Vir that itd have its back full with the two kids.Dont worry about it. I wont slow you down. I wouldnt be able to sleep at night if I forced a kid to walk while I rode. Trust me.They looked at him like he was crazy, but it was obvious just how scared Darsh was of the idea of walking the whole way.You sure? Its a two-day Ashva ride, even at his full speed.Im sure, Vir said. His attention was on the distant landscape as he scanned for any sign of his four-legged friend. Neel always stuck close to Vir, never wandering off, and always returning when called.Shan was a different beast entirely. Hed disappear for days, only staying close when the hordes of Ash Beasts had become too much for him to handle alone. Now that they were in far less dangerous territory, Vir had scarcely even seen the wolf.Vir soon gave up his search. Shan was smart. Hed follow along. Besides, Vir suspected hunting for him would be a waste of time. The wolf could be anywhere, and was very good at staying hidden when he wanted to.Which was why it galled Vir that these kids seemed so resigned to their fate as Laborer-Farmer Callings.The kids exchanged glances. Its been mentioned. Comes up more these days, the worse things get, Darsh said softly. Some folk want to stay. Some want to move, and some say we dont have anything worth holding onto, anyway. That its better to give up our standing among the farmers and move on. But if everyone moves on, howre people gonna eat?Ah, right. That was it, Vir thought. Changing Callings meant forfeiting the familys reputation within that Callings community. Whatever respect and position their ancestors had built and earned would be lost. Theyd be starting at the very bottom.Darsh was right. Every Laborer Calling farmer must have had the same thought. Most were likely not as bighearted as Darshwho wouldnt wish to seek a better life for themselves in another Calling?Yet if too many did, the Clan would run out of food.This is such a messForget Chitran oppression. These people were on the verge of starving to death, and Vir couldnt help but wonder whether the Calling System was a system that worked well, or if it was just another way the Chits subjugated his people.I wonder if other clans are this bad off. Or if its just a Chitran thing.As far as first impressions went, the Chitran were not making a good one. Not at all.Mummy said people are having fewer kids these days, Hetal said. Not enough food for so many mouths.Better than having hungry kids, Darsh replied.Hes right but also wrong, Vir mused. Reducing the population might thwart famine, but ultimately, itd result in a diminishing of Chitrans power. Without an edge like the Altani had, the more people a country had, the stronger it tended to be on the world stage, assuming it was run well enough to capitalize on it. Kinjal was a prime example, while Hiranya and Matali were examples of what happened when one lacked either good rulership or sufficient population, respectively.Vir would happily witness the downfall of the Chitran, if only the Gargans wouldnt suffer for it. Already, even without having seen the situation at Samar Patag, Vir was beginning to glimpse just how nuanced the situation truly was.S-so, Darsh said when the silence had grown awkward. Can you tell us about the Ash?Though the boy kept his voice measured, he couldnt hide the excitement in his eyes. Vir might well have been the only demon hed come across whod ventured into the Ash. And, well, the journey was long and there wasnt much else to do, so Vir obliged.Vir carefully chose what stories he told, keeping the descriptions limited to individual fights against Ash Beasts of various kinds. He didnt breathe a word about Ashani or Saunak, nor did he give them any hint of who he truly was.They didnt seem to notice. Both Darsh and Hetal listened intently to his every word as they gallopedand as he ran. Narrating a story while running was a first for him, but the exertion was so easy that Vir was hardly inconvenienced by it.They made camp a few hours later. While Vir had to keep consulting the tablet Cirayus had given him to tell time, the siblings seemed to have an internal clock that told them when to rest. For dinner, they brought out some lentil soup Sani had cooked, complementing it with stale bread.Vir declined, lying that he carried his food with him. He could easily go a night or two without eating. The kids were still growing. They needed all the help they could get.Vir snuck away, opting to sleep some hundred paces away from them. Close enough that he could monitor them and respond to any threats, while still far enough away to gain a measure of privacy.Cirayus had recharged his communications orb, and Maiya was due to call.
