Liam
OGRE MAGE wrote:The crowd starts to calm down a little, though a few of them disperse, cursing about rich folk and their eternal greed. Some folks just don't have much patience once they are starving. A few people seem to get angry that there is food right here in front of them, but they are being told that they must wait to eat. Possibly for a good while. A few more unappreciative townies walk away from the crowd shaking their heads in disgust.
"This false healer actually brought MORE bees to the island? Oh brother!"
"Oh, so we can have some meat........in about 3 months or so? We should all be pretty much dead by then! Thanks mister!"
Liam sighs. He felt for them. All of them. He really did; however, he knew that in the long run, this was the only way. He feared they would have to be extra cautious against desperate people trying to take the animals at night. He refused to call them thieves. How could he? These people were hungry and scared, and who could blame them for being short-sighted.
OGRE MAGE wrote:Most people do pitch in to help though, keeping the mood of the group up as best they can with their empty bellies. The farmers with experience in such things get right to work on the pens and chicken houses, hoping their hard work now will win them some eggs and milk for their loved ones.
This buoyed his spirits again. He let Fiona go a little ahead and explore on her own. She didn't wander far and seemed particularly interested in Reythan and Nehru. Liam makes it a point of not just leading Jack and the cart, but carrying the pigeon cage as well as his own heavy pack. He knows he has to show he is not just a dandy who spent money. He has to show them he is willing to work and will.
He is looking around and taking in the sights along the beach, knowing he will need to become familiar with the town, but most importantly, he needs to become familiar with the residents. He makes it a point of speaking with everyone that comes near and learn about them as much as he can, establishing a rapport with whoever he can.
OGRE MAGE wrote:Mr. Nehru catches the hint from the newcomer and begins a schpeel of is own, for good measure.
"Now now, good people! This is not the time for negativity! This man is a blessing for our little community! I believe he is right! We cant expect to eat now if we want to eat again later! If he has said that he will share his gifts with yo.....us, we must take him at his word! I for one don't want to jeopardize what may be, just so I can fill my stomach now. Patience is a virtue, remember. I am certain that, if everyone pitches in now, we can have his little farm up and running in no time!"
Liam nods in agreement.
Yes, and we will all begin steadily reaping the benefits soon enough.
OGRE MAGE wrote:Raythan leads the progression to his little house in the woods and begins separating the items that will be stored inside. He seems to be having a bit of trouble understanding the scale of what is about to happen. He points out the places he thinks will work best for the outbuildings that need to be constructed.
OGRE MAGE wrote:Two young farmer types tap Liam on the shoulder as they walk.
"Hey mister. If you would like, the two of us can watch over your animals tonight while you rest. If that sounds good to you, we will go and get in a nap before nightfall."
Liam smiles and thanks the young men for their offer.
I'll take you up on that, for certain. I'd hate to see something happen to these animals before they could benefit everyone. Especially those darling children. Anyone taking these animals right now would practically be taking food directly from the little buggers. A little pacience now will help feed everyone soon. I hope to eventually have a breeding program doing well enough to begin giving animals to everyone of their own. Loosing even one at this stage would delay that by months.
Liam goes on to help wherever he can, setting up the lumber and materials for the stable buildings. To anyone that is listening.
Just think, animals that eat the discards like the pigs... and the sheep and Goats that can naturally clear out the underbrush here between the trees better than any man with a scythe, and their leavings will make ample manurer for your fields for help grow your own crops.
Once the stabling is being taken care of, he wastes no time moving to the side and carries a large box and sets is down. Opening it, they see him begin assembling the apiary for his bees, making sure the entrance is facing south. It only takes about 15 minutes to assemble and secure. It sits some 18 inches over the ground to keep large rodents out and the boxes and top are secured to the base with a wax treated leather strap. Stepping back he smiles. He walks over to get the box of bees and picks is up very gently. He walks with extra care over to the hive and very very gently lays it down. Taking out a smaller box from his backpack, he sets it in front of the hive entrance and opens it, allowing the queen to come out and enter the hive. He waits a moment or two before calling out.
Bee box is being opened now. There is plenty of room between here and where we are working, and they will follow the queen into the apiary anyway. They will swarm it a little but don't be alarmed, they will have no interest in you. With that he slowly opens the box and stands, walking away to let the bees find their queen on their own.
Liam speaks apologetically to Reythan.
The birds are all caged at the moment... so we can put off a chicken coop and the pigeon house if you don't mind sharing a little corner of your home with them and a smelly Meadstaff tonight. I am more worried about sheltering the larger animals today, and I can easily finish up the rest of the work tomorrow morning. He leans in once he is sure they are out of earshot.
When you think you can slip away, why don't you get some early sleep. There is a pair of young men willing to watch over the animals tonight, but I want to stay up with them. I want to trust them, but desperate people do silly things. If you take the early half of the night I will take the later so that one of us is always with them and can alert the other to any trouble. I know I am asking a lot of you all of a sudden, but I really think this will be the best way to help here. You know my heart.
When that is done he will quickly return to swinging hammers and stretching wire. He pulls out a large sledgehammer from his supplies to help drive stakes into the ground and brings out a Carpenters kit to further aid in building, allowing them to use it freely for the build.