Chapter 8: The Great Harvest of Potatoes
The villagers were truly busy, everyone had something to do. Whilst they were all starved, the general vitality of Mineral Qi was flowing through their meridians into their cells and filling them with a basic life-force which could keep them going even against natures demands.
There was such an infinite amount to do seemingly, the villagers before were living in shacks and sheds, these were under the process of intense repair at this point, fixing holes in roofs and making the shacks look a little more presentable, clearing rubbish and litter, fixing gates and mending the roads that interconnected each terrace. For the villagers, this was perhaps the greatest of all things that could happen, to not only be free of their previous ailments, but to even have the energy to do much needed work.
The only people who were left in the Village of the Giaths was the Grands, Zar and Tar, Pam and Lam, and the Greaters. The total number of villagers totalled to roughly 20+, a relatively even split between men and women, most around the age of 30, the Oldman was the final elder to pass but no one knew his age, not even his offspring.
The Grands and Greaters of the village so hard at work had not even paid close attention to the progressing day, Zar ensured to supply everyone with enough Mineral Qi to last until the next day. As the evening grew darker, many begun to converge at the village centre, something that rarely happened. With water boiled, the red-headed Giaths, but now with a slight orange tint, spoke into the night of struggles, of joys, and having a laugh being drunk and merry on the vitality present within their being. Zar, feeling the general air of the village being higher than it has ever been felt his heart thump with empathy, thinking deeply of his Father’s. “Had father been preparing for this?” He wondered.
It was dark, but the village was of greater order than it had ever been. Although it was still run-down, wooden shacks for homes, potholes in the pathways that could not be repaired in time, fences that still needed replacing and little to no greenery and vegetation in the fields except for the growing potatoes, there was an obvious potential.
Late into the night, all retreated to bed looking forward to a great excitement in the morrow, food! Nutritious food!
Time passed...
“Tweet, tweet.” Awoke by the sound of the morning birds, Zar went to his rock and begun cultivation. Tar having heard the shuffling of Brother Zar awakening thought it wise to observe exactly what his Brother was doing in detail without disturbing him.
Zar thought to himself, “now, I mustn’t overdo it, although I used a considerable amount of Mineral Qi yesterday in total, the amount of reserves I have is still within the 3-day cultivation margin, the cup has only gone down by 10 or 20%, enough to merit reabsorption but not enough that it is any concern, I felt a little weak yesterday, this may have simply been because I had been exerting myself. I will only cultivate but a little.”
Zar entered into his focused state and withstood his increasing temperature, far easier this time. Tar watching quietly in the background at the earliest hours of the morning. Zar finished after an hour and as his eyes refocused away from the sun he noticed that people were all crowded around in the distance at the only large field that remained under the Giath Family ownership, the rest of their lands had been brought by greater families.
“Are you ready Brother? To see the fruit of your loins?” Said Tar softly in the background.
“Oh, Brother Tar, I had not noticed you behind me, you haven’t been there for long, have you?”
“Oh, well, maybe. I thought I ought watch whatever it is you do that makes your hair change colour, i am guessing this is what you were talking about yesterday with the Greater fair lady. The Mineral thing?”
“Yes. That is so, I am cultivating Mineral Qi.”
“What is this Mineral Qi you speak of? Indeed, I have heard of Qi in folktales and camp-fire songs, but never have I thought it a real thing.”
“Indeed, dearest Brother it is somewhat confusing, Mineral Qi is an extremely primitive form of Universal Energy that can be built with certain practices. For the average such as myself, this energy has allowed me and our village to begin rebuilding itself, and it is presenting its magic before us – you sitting there, you would have observed the villagers excited for the potato harvest today, if it was not for my intense cultivation of Mineral Qi, i doubt we would be able to potentially eat today a good meal.” Replied Zar.
“Yes Brother Zar, hence my curiosity has peaked, I wonder if I might learn what you are currently developing? It could only prove useful. My strength returned significantly yesterday; it has begun to wane today somewhat. But you, well, you look even stronger than before, as though you are filling out - reattaining a healthy body weight, although it seems to be predominantly be muscular weight.”
“Yes, this is one of the benefits, this occurs when Mineral Qi flows into the cells and begins to rejuvenate them, allowing them to repair and heal. I will teach you but first let us handle the business before us, I doubt the Greaters will harvest the potatoes, they are more than likely waiting for us Grands for approval.”
“Right, let’s be about the business.”
Zar and Tar left for the patch, it was difficult to see anything for most villagers were gathered around excluding Pam and Lam.
“Excuse me brothers and sisters, may I have a look.” Requested Zar politely with Tar walking closely. The two brothers begun inspecting the crop.
“Goodness Zar, the sheer size of these flowers, never have I seen a nightshade so full of life and so large.”
“Indeed, Brother Tar, everyone, grab a shovel or use your hands, make use of the last portion of your strength and dig out the potatoes. Recall Oldman's burial and be sure not to disturb his sleep, do not dig too deeply!”
Many villagers without a moment's notice begun digging and digging, potatoes began piling up quite quickly and not only so, but the potatoes themself were incredibly large. It looked as though one potato might fill a villager halfway. “Luckily there are not many mouths to feed so we can partition this harvest with leniency and abundance.” Thought Zar. “Perhaps each villager can have 2 potatoes each. This will keep us satiated, we will save the last potatoes for replanting. Much to think about.” Zar pondered privately.
Pam and Lam hearing the commotion found themselves waking from their deep slumber, they walked out and saw potatoes being stacked high and immediately went into action. They began collecting cooking appliances such that the potatoes could be correctly washed and baked in a fire. Distant calls arose, “Grand Sister Pam, Grand Sister Lam, we Greater Sisters will aid you!”
The productive uproar of the village set the mood, it was but the morning, but excitement was in the air, for food was such a precious resource.
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