Chapter 25: Fall Preparations
Year 0002, VII-VIII Month: The Imperium
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End of Summer, The Start of Fall
The summer heat had finally begun to recede; in a day or two, the season of fall would settle upon them, bringing with it a host of new challenges. August gazed across the old farmlands, his eyes tracing the contours of fallow fields that once provided for an entire village. Now, they lay dormant, waiting for hands that were too few to properly tend them.
To prepare for the fast-approaching remaining seasons, they needed to plan meticulously. Winter's harsh embrace would come all too soon, and survival demanded foresight.
They had countless preparations to make this fall. August surveyed the weathered furrows of soil, weighing his options carefully. Should they attempt to restore these fields to their former glory? It was a daunting prospect.
The gardens could certainly provide them with a variety of vegetables and spices, but August knew that wouldn't be enough during the bitter winter months. Vegetables had a frustratingly short storage life; they would likely be the first food source to deplete, leaving them vulnerable when they could least afford it.
This reasoning had led him to consider farming proper staple crops—something that could sustain them through the lean months ahead. They needed foods with longevity, ones that could be stored and rationed carefully: wheat, corn, and potatoes. The expanded garden fields would be perfect for multiple potato varieties, their hardy nature suited to both the soil and storage requirements.
He would need to begin that project soon...
August still possessed seeds for wheat and corn, carefully preserved through the previous year's hardships. Perhaps they should start tilling the western farmland now? It was closer to their settlement and easier to monitor against threats—both from beasts and the elements.
The most pressing problem, however, was the water wheel. Could he possibly restore it to working order and use it to pump water from the basin? After nearly a year of disuse, it stood in a dilapidated state, wood rotting and mechanisms seized. The previous invasion had damaged it further, adding complexity to an already challenging repair.
Drawing water manually from the wells to irrigate such vast plots was simply untenable—August wasn't delusional enough to even consider it. The labor would be crushing, especially with their limited numbers. The wells were best reserved for their daily consumption needs alone.
He couldn't help but reflect on what once was—when the entire village contributed to these tasks, spreading the burden across many shoulders. Now there were only five of them, each already overwhelmed with critical responsibilities. August himself carried the heaviest load, his duties seemingly multiplying by the day.
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Designating Roles
In an effort to distribute some of his burdens, August had begun training Erik in hunting. He had handed down his previous bow—still serviceable, if not as fine as his current one. Erik had observed August's hunting techniques for months now and had developed a basic understanding of the craft.
For now, August limited him to hunting the lowest-ranked Boarats, allowing him to develop his skills independently. They already had ample meat in storage, so there was little risk in this educational approach.
August also instructed Erik in butchering his kills. He'd learned from Gel that during his three-day period of unconsciousness after a particularly difficult hunt, it was Erik who had butchered the Commander Rank Boarat he'd brought down before collapsing.
Still, direct supervision remained necessary during their hunting expeditions. Erik was improving steadily, but lacked the finesse and instinct that meant the difference between success and starvation. With proper guidance, August believed the young man could eventually maintain a stable food supply for their small community.
The Boarat population posed no immediate concern; their hunting barely affected the overall numbers. These creatures dominated the forest floor ecosystem, breeding at a remarkable rate. August and his companions deliberately avoided hunting mothers with young, ensuring the population remained sustainable.
Village elders had once spoken of other forest beasts similar to Boarats—supposedly a more superior quality and extremely delicious creatures that August had never encountered. Had they migrated elsewhere? The question made his mouth water involuntarily, imagining flavors he had never tasted.
August needed a plan to eventually free himself from this constant supervisory role. Their small group required more independence if they were to survive long-term.
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Another Unexpected Surprise
Several weeks ago, August had distributed daggers to each member of their group. Fashioned from Commander Rank Boarat tusks, these weapons provided essential protection. He instructed everyone to keep them close at all times.
He had also gifted Bren a spear—the result of an accidental discovery that still made August smile when he recalled it.
During the height of summer's sweltering heat, August had contemplated the growing pile of Boarat bones stored in their warehouse. Leaving such potentially useful materials to waste seemed foolish, but he possessed no craftsman's skills. He vaguely remembered lessons from their village's blacksmith years ago, but those memories had faded with time.
Attempting to recreate such specialized work would likely waste materials and precious energy. He had nearly abandoned the idea when his system unexpectedly activated.
[ S Y S T E M ADMIN MAGNUS : DING! HOST'S INTENTIONS HAVE BEEN DETECTED; DO YOU WISH TO CRAFT ITEMS FROM THE BONES, MASTER? ]
Startled but intrigued, August had responded enthusiastically, "YES, PLEASE! Can you make four daggers like the one you crafted for me previously?"
[S Y S T E M ADMIN MAGNUS: CERTAINLY, MASTER. WE HAVE THE NECESSARY MATERIALS AVAILABLE.
INITIATING PROCESS.... BZZZZTTTTT..... PROCESSING.... UTILIZING AVAILABLE MATERIALS FROM WAREHOUSE.....
DING! COMPLETED: 4 NOVICE GRADE HUNTING DAGGERS.]
After several minutes of waiting, four identical daggers materialized around him, each bearing similar shapes, sharpness, and intricate detailing. The sight was both bewildering and magnificent.
Materials had gathered independently, flying from various locations outside the warehouse. They assembled themselves as if guided by invisible hands. A holographic representation of a smithy appeared—visible only to August—complete with the spectral image of an old craftsman hammering and grinding the weapons into existence.
This was how he discovered the process behind his equipment's creation—a revelation both fascinating and slightly unnerving. The old man he observed was actually Admin Magnus operating from a different dimensional plane that intersected with their world.
With the daggers completed, August conceived another brilliant idea. That same day, he approached Bren, the more observant of the boys. August proposed specialized training tailored specifically to Bren's natural abilities. He had noticed the boy's keen eye and remarkable awareness, even under pressure.
Bren had considered the offer carefully before accepting. Immediately following his agreement, they began training with a wooden staff that August had already started carving in anticipation.
Why a staff? August recognized the potential for Bren to excel at medium-range combat. No weapon served this purpose better than the spear—versatile, easy to use, and historically the most common battlefield weapon for good reason. Spears were simple to produce and maintain, unlike more complex weapons.
Most importantly, with mastery, a spear could be effectively wielded at various ranges: close quarters, medium distance, and even at extended ranges beyond what most weapons could reach. The wooden staff served as a training proxy until Bren was ready for the real weapon.
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A Change in Roles
After just a few days of intensive training, the observant Bren had developed remarkable proficiency with the staff. He absorbed the techniques rapidly, confirming August's belief that spear mastery came more naturally than archery or other combat styles.
When August deemed him ready for the actual weapon, he first revealed his strategic plan. Bren would serve as Erik's semi-vanguard and force multiplier during their hunts—a solution that addressed multiple needs simultaneously. It was like achieving two objectives with a single effort, though August momentarily confused the phrasing of the old saying.
With proper coordination, the two young men would eventually hunt together without August's continuous supervision, freeing him for other critical tasks. This arrangement would also establish a combat formation that covered all vital distances: short, medium, and long range.
To commemorate this important development, August presented Bren with a system-crafted spear. The idea had struck him during the dagger creation, prompting him to request several spears as well. He silently congratulated himself on this foresight, though his self-satisfaction brought a subtle grunt of amusement from somewhere within his consciousness.
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Tackling the Water Basin Problem
In the present day, August focused on the water management issues facing their settlement. A small stream descended from the mountainside, collecting rainfall and groundwater from higher elevations. Previous generations had ingeniously constructed a large basin to capture and store this water for irrigating the fields. Excess water naturally flowed back to a distant river.
Like most infrastructure in the abandoned village, the basin no longer functioned properly. August's family had traditionally maintained this critical system, but the past year's chaos had prevented any upkeep. Summer heat had dried and cracked the basin's earthen walls, allowing water to escape.
August possessed the technical knowledge required for repairs—lessons his father had instilled through years of practical education. The basin's design divided water between the eastern and western farmlands through a system of dikes, now clogged with debris and vegetation.
To conserve resources, August planned to restore only the western section initially. The water wheel itself presented another challenge—its mechanism for pumping water into the fields and grinding wheat into flour had deteriorated significantly. August could almost taste the bread they might someday bake, if he could restore these systems.
He had numerous ideas that would benefit them long-term, but their limited workforce made implementation difficult. He could only hope for additional hands eventually. For now, they would rely on hunting, trapping, and foraging, supplemented by their garden produce. The garden could be expanded immediately, providing some relief, but stored staples would make a crucial difference in the harder months ahead.
These larger projects would need to wait. His immediate focus remained on training the others and discussing his plans with the group. It reminded him of village council meetings in better days, when the chief and family representatives would present ideas for community improvements, voting to determine priorities.
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Slowly But Surely
August resolved to begin incremental work on the basin—rebuilding its walls and fortifying its structure to collect water once again. The list of necessary repairs seemed endless, but without adequate time and manpower, many would remain unrealized aspirations.
Standing at the edge of the dried basin, August watched Erik and Bren practicing in the distance, their movements becoming more coordinated each day. Despite the overwhelming challenges, a small smile crossed his face. They were adapting, learning, and growing stronger together. Perhaps, with time and persistence, these pipe dreams might yet become reality.