Temple Sword

Chapter 195 Uncultivated Land
1323, Month of St. James (July)
Near Eger, the other side of the Eger Mountain

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It was a large tract of uncultivated land that Sepke had won from local landowners, and although they arrived after dusk, the twins agreed it was the most beautiful piece of land they had seen in 15 years.

The boys knew they had a lot of work to do if they were going to convert this farmland into a bountiful vineyard.But they are no longer talking about these things from a distance, but standing on this land, which makes everything more real.

A few hours ago they thought of leaving the fields behind and embarking on an uncertain journey, but now they were ready to defend their property, even to take up arms and fight for it.

"Thank you, Zaran!" Corta turned to the man. "You were right."

"Now I also understand," Sepke agreed, "it is a foolish choice to give up this field..."

"Well, what's the matter, little gentlemen?" The brewer smiled happily, "Aren't you afraid of Tyberg now?"

"Of course we're a little bit scared, and we're not fools," said Sepke, "but we'd be fools if we shivered from every barking dog and ran away, and our old master didn't take it seriously." That's the kind of guy we're raised to be. Be brave, but not reckless."

"But I wish you could tell us what you're going to use to stop Tibberg," Corta added cautiously, "You promised us that we'd drive him away, but you still haven't told us what you're going to do... "

Zalan scratched the top of his head and gazed into the distance, as if seeking guidance from the stars.

"Well," he said, after a moment's reflection, "I think a man as stubborn as Timberg will throw you out by force.

He'll come here with some of his men, threaten you for a while, and then if you don't listen to him, he's supposed to beat you up and make you leave. "

"That would be great," Sepke sighed with some concern, "When should we strike back?"

"When Tiborg signals his men to attack," Zaran said naturally, "because then we can defeat not only his men, but Tiborg himself.

He also knows that he can't make any murders, so don't be afraid, they will bring a few sticks at most to make trouble. "

The twins began to think that Zalan was crazy, and they exchanged increasingly desperate looks.

"We still don't quite understand what your plan is," Corta said, "unless you're not only a brewer but also a master swordsman who can defeat ten hooligans with a single twig, we're still at a considerable disadvantage. middle……"

"Don't worry too much, my little friends," the man waved his hand, "It's getting late, let's go to bed early today, and we'll discuss this when the sun comes out tomorrow, but now it's time to find a place to sleep. "

Just like that, the man started walking up and down the uncultivated farmland and soon disappeared into the darkness.

The twins shook their heads, walked over to the cart, and pulled out their tent.As soon as they had unrolled the soiled canvas, the winemaker returned with a broad smile on his face.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "Haven't you taken a good look at your land? At the end of the field there is a log cabin, not exactly a nobleman's house, but it can comfortably accommodate ten people.

Of course, if you wish, you can also live in tents outside, it doesn't matter to me, my little masters..."

The weathered rags were quickly stuffed back into the cart, and the boys followed Zalan into the hut, which must have been a warehouse or some sort of farmhouse, not a mansion.

But it didn't matter to the boys, it was more comfortable for them than His Majesty's bedroom.On this day, for the first time in years, they felt like they were at home, sleeping in the safety of their own house.

They awoke to the sun beating on the planks and the joyful chirping of summer birds.The boys looked around in some bewilderment, struggled to open their squinted eyes, then got up and headed for the bushes behind the cottage, welcoming the morning with a refreshing release.

Zalan stretched himself under the bright eyes, looking at the field, it seemed to be bigger and more beautiful than yesterday, as if it had been covered with healthy and fat grapes.

"The sight is as stunning as ever," he said, gesturing enthusiastically to the surrounding landscape. "Hills, hills, hills, ranges, canyons, cliffs, distant and silent giants, guarding Eternity in the mountains."

"A bard can't come up with such good sentences," Sepke said, "but now..."

"I know what you're trying to say, my young friend," Zaran interrupted, "I promised we'd discuss everything in the morning, and now I've thought everything through."

"Let's get started!" Corta suggested, thinking the man must be a liar if he hasn't come up with anything that works by now, but the winemaker does seem to have some bright ideas.

"We have two urgent things right now, or things that have to be done," the man said, approaching the cart, rummaging through the food stored inside, and started eating his breakfast, "First thing To protect this piece of farmland, I need half a day to prepare for the defense, and I need some money, and I will go on the road when I have enough food."

"What are we going to do until you come back?" Sepke asked, and he and his brother started eating too.

"Just stay here and start pulling out weeds to prepare for the future." The winemaker replied.

"Pulling weeds? Now is not the time to care about that, Mr. Brewer!" Sepke raised his voice, "We'll give you money, but why not let us go with you? We'll just wait for you here for half a day ? Do you take us for fools?"

"My brother is right," Corta nodded, "By the time we find out tomorrow that you've been tricking us, you've already run away with the money..."

Zalan was not offended by what the boys said, he was well aware of how suspicious it sounded to him as a stranger, and he would have similar suspicions if he were the boys.

"I certainly don't want you to trust me with all your money," he tried, "I just need enough money to hire a dozen guys who are willing to fight and bring them here."

"It does make sense," Sepke softened his tone a little, "but I still don't understand why we have to stay here."

"It's the same reason as I said yesterday," Zalan explained, "If those people saw that the growers of the grape fields turned out to be two children in rags, they would still be willing to fight back Tilberg for you. ?"

"We're not children!" Corta objected.

"It's useless to explain to me, you have to convince every stranger who laughs at you," the brewer said with a smile, "You know very well that if I can't successfully gather enough people, we can't protect this area. land, and our common plans will fail.

You can go to the outside world, and I will continue to beg, this winter, I may really be frozen to death..."

The brothers looked at each other, then nodded in agreement, and they had to admit that Zaran was right.

"You may think that weeding is a waste of time, but you are wrong," the man continued, "The second thing we need to do is to tidy up the land. It is true that we will not have any harvest this year, but we must prepare for next year." preparing for the harvest.

We need to plan carefully and then work hard.And we also need to build a decent house before winter comes, and the current log cabin can't stand the cold winter!
That place can only be used as a warehouse, and we need at least a cheap clay stove so we can last until next spring. "

The winemaker finished his breakfast, moistened his throat with some sour warm wine, then turned around slowly with his hands on his hips.

"Once we get Tilberg out of the way, we don't have to fear any land bully, leave it to me," he continued, "but we'll need a simple fence, stakes, and even grapes.

But the latter can be handed over to me, after a few years, everyone in Eger will only want to drink our wine here," he blinked happily, "As for the money, I need a quarter of what I have now, That way we can buy all the tools we need to make wine.

Then divide the rest of the money into twelve parts and live on it for a year. We may not live well, but we will definitely not live a life of one meal a day or no food, oh, By the way, we also have to dig out a simple wine cellar. "

"So we're going to create a miracle from nothing here," Corta shook his head, "It doesn't sound that easy..."

"Of course," Zaran encouraged with a smile, "but trust me, my young friend! If we persevere and pray to God, our hard work will surely bear fruit.

You know what I can see when I close my eyes?I could see a cozy stone house, servants, animals, whole vineyards, and even the bishop himself drinking our wine, shaking with joy.You are young and have plenty of time, and if you respect me, I will respect you too. "

"So be it!" said Sepke, "but we must first protect what is ours!"

"Leave it to me today," the winemaker promised solemnly. "Without wasting time, let's see how many denarii it takes to bring justice to justice!"

(End of this chapter)