Page 116 of Enchanted Crown
“We have heard about your talents, Prince,” he said smirking. “I have to admit that I am intrigued by your offer.”
I put up a hand. “I’m sorry. If it’s too disrespectful, please just disregard the offer.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ronan laughed. “You’ll save my men a few hours, and maybe tonight we can get to town in time enough to enjoy the fire.”
They are used to help from Enchanted here,Esta explained.A handful of shifters live here and help the others. They are proud, but not so proud that they do not understand that everyone needs help from time to time.
I saw a pile of the large sacks over by the weathered red barn, so I released my Enchantment to the first row, tucking under and gently lifting the coverings, careful to move slowly as to not knock anything off the vines. And then once they were all hovering, I moved them over toward the barn.
“The corn fields are fine,” Ronan explained to me. “They can take the cold to a certain extent. The vegetable field, not as much. We have a greenhouse for vegetables and another for our fruit trees, but in order to keep fresh produce year-round, we do have to each plant a field of vegetables the old-fashioned way.
I kept going row by row, picking up the coverings, listening to the men chat and explain. By the time I had finished, I did not feel even remotely tired.
“That was most accommodating,” Ronan told us. “Thank you.”
I love Rael,Malachi told us as we took off for the next farm.
“The open spaces?” I asked.
Esta snorted a laugh.No, fresh hay.
You wouldn’t understand,Malachi laughed.
I did the same thing at the next farm and helped them move some hay. And by the time we made it to the fourth farm, word had spread. At one such farm, Dex and I helped move a broken-down plow machine on wheels which ran on fuel. It had beenstuck in mud a few days. The farmers seemed grateful for the help. If Dex or I could do it with the lift of a finger what took them more than an hour to do, we helped. It was something simple, but if it showed the people of Rael that I cared, that they had nothing to fear of Wylan’s Enchantment, I would gladly do it. We didn’t have time to visit every single farm, but for as many as we went to, I used my Enchantments to help where I could.
We had lunch at a quaint café and then went back to more farms. There was no big news from the shifters on what was going on with Arava, and we all grew a bit restless as the day went on. Avril included. While we kept visiting farms that afternoon, one of Malachi’s men took her to a lovely flower garden in town, letting her sit in silence to see if that helped.
We evidently were not being attacked today in Rael, as she wasn’t receiving any visions.
By the time we made it back to town, there was a lineup of wagons and the burn pile was growing quite boisterous. It was early afternoon, but a barrel of wine had been set up for people to drink, and everyone seemed to bring a dish of food with them and their families to town. I met so many farmers and people that I was certain I wouldn’t remember any of their names. Still, it was good to see their faces. Good that they saw me and did not run in fear.
Esta approached two farmers near her, Malachi, of course, at her side also in his human form. “I am afraid we cannot stay too late. It is about time for us to depart. How hot would you like this one?”
“A slow burn please, Your Highness,” one man answered.
The men stomped their feet when she shifted and let out a victory yell when Esta lit the pile on fire. As soon as it was lit, a song hit the smoky air. Not a sea shanty, but the Rael version of it. About life here, working in acres and rows, not shifts. It wastwangy and upbeat, I imagined they sang this on the hard days, whistled it while working their crops.
I had only brought half of the Wylan team with us. Emric stayed behind to prepare for the following day’s healings, but as soon as they began the second verse, I knew he’d love this one too.
Malachi’s team ran a quick perimeter check and then we were in the air.
We may just have time,Esta told me as I settled between her wings. I asked Malachi and Avril both if we could run to Keld quick.
Whatever for?
I owe you time to do some flying. I promised you I’d figure out a way to let you fly, and we haven’t had much time for it lately. Also, I thought you might like a quick wave ride while we are out and about.
I fought off a shiver.Esta, after this cold front, that water will be frigid.The last time we had tried to go wave riding, after I healed Zaire, we’d only talked on the shore. It had been too much too soon for Kian. Understandably.
You can warm your skin, and I haven’t felt your exhaustion even with using your Enchantment some today, so you’ll be all right. We have to try for Kian.
Can we truly do this? This was not on our agenda.
We can. Even with the shifters we are leaving in Rael, we have more than enough shifters with us should Morana show her ugly face. Malachi’s team would destroy her in seconds.
I thought of Kian. I had hardly seen him since Savanna passed.You’re right.Kian could likely use the visit.
After a day well spent, meeting the farmers and people of Rael despite no word on Morana, we headed North for Keld.
