Jacob turned back toward the road. His eyes followed the dirt tracks that led out of the village and into the wide fields beyond.
He knew that if the fields were strong, his family would be strong. And if the family was strong, he could eventually leverage that strength to his advantage.
He held no illusions about his future. Enchantments were useful and occasionally impressive, but land was reliable.
No matter what happened next, food would always be a priority. A strong harvest meant trade, which led to influence. That influence could eventually open additional doors for him.
He adjusted the weight of his satchel. The seed packets inside shifted with a soft rustle. He had collected hardy grains and root vegetables. He also carried a few strange seeds the merchant had simply called "worth a try."
He had not picked them for their taste or their yield. Instead, he picked them to learn. He suspected that different seeds might behave differently in the corners of their soil that had long been left alone.
Behind him, the village had grown quiet. The festival was packed away, and the streets had returned to their usual routine.
Even Sera had slipped off with a wave, her arms full of chores waiting at her grandmother's house. Jacob was not chasing magic or gold today. Today, he was starting with the soil.
Jacob reached the edge of the property just as the sun broke through a patch of thin clouds. The light hit the tall grasses that had gone to seed, turning them pale gold as they waved in the breeze.
He did not head straight for the house. Instead, he cut along the outer edge of the land where the fence leaned tiredly and brush pressed in from the woods.
One of the posts had split near the base. It tilted like a drunk trying to stand proud. Jacob noted the damage and kept walking.
The eastern plot was overgrown since nothing had been planted there in years. The soil would eventually need turning, the rocks pulled up, and the drainage checked.
He presumed there was a specific reason for it going untouched for so long.
Near the tool shed, he slowed his pace. The door hung crooked because one hinge had rusted out completely.
Inside, shovels and rakes leaned against the wall at odd angles. Some handles were cracked, and one hoe was missing a chunk near the blade.
Its split grip was bound with old twine. He had walked past these tools a hundred times without a second thought. Now he looked at them the way a smith might look at raw iron.
The more he saw, the more the reality of their situation settled in. They did not need more land at this point, and extra coin would only go so far.
"We just need to modernize this place," he thought. "We would really benefit from increasing our efficiency."
Jacob waited until after supper to speak on his thoughts. The plates had been cleared. May was humming softly as she washed them in the basin while Lila tried her best to help.
Caleb had gone out back to check on the chickens, the screen door creaking behind him. Arthur leaned back in his chair and sipped the last of his tea. One of his hands absently rubbed at his shoulder.
"I have been thinking," Jacob said, keeping his voice even.
Arthur gave a tired grunt and offered his son a small smile. "That is usually when trouble starts."
Jacob smirked and sat down across from him. "Not that kind of trouble. It's about the land. I've been thinking about how we use it and how we work it. Our tools are simple, but they require so much effort, even with the enchantments I have already added."
Arthur's eyes narrowed, though not in a harsh way. He was listening.
"I know I have been working on enchantments." Jacob continued. "Most of it has been practice, but I think some of it is ready for real use. I don't think people around here are ready to buy them yet. But we could use them ourselves."
Arthur did not speak, so Jacob continued.
"I walked the whole property today. There is land we are not using, and tools we have patched so many times that they don't even fit right in your hand, and I can fix that. I could replace the worn tools in the field sheds and lighten the seed bags with an enchantment. I could even make that last plough glide smoother. It would be just enough to ease the burden around the farm for now."
Arthur set his cup down. "You are talking about replacing or enchanting more of the old farm tools?"
"I am talking about making what we already have work better and replacing what is not working at all," Jacob said. "If it saves even one hour a day, that time adds up. My ideas go further than that, though. I think I could make something truly better."
Arthur looked past him toward the barn. He remained quiet for a long while.
"When I was your age, we worked more land than we do now," he said finally. "We used to plant right up to the creek bed. But things break and oxen age. Without extra hands, you start cutting corners." He reached up to rub his jaw. "We have always done the best we could with what we had. But I will admit, lately, it feels like we are running just to stand still."
Jacob did not interrupt. He knew his father needed to reach his own conclusion.
Arthur's gaze returned to him. "You think you can make it easier?"
"I can try."
Arthur nodded once. "Then try. But don't go burning yourself out over it. We still need you in one piece."
That caused Jacob to smile. He knew that was permission, even if it was framed as a warning.
"What happened to the eastern plot?" Jacob asked. "The one past the shed. It looks ready for tillage, but nothing has been done with it."
Arthur did not answer right away. He looked into his cup as if checking for more tea before setting it down. "We gave up on that patch years ago. We used to plant there every season. We tried turnips and onions. We even tried barley once."
"What happened?"
Arthur shrugged. "It wouldn't grow. Everything came up stunted or sick, no matter what we tried. May worked the soil, and I cleared the rocks. Elis even brought in compost from Thornhold once. Nothing made a difference. It's just bad dirt, as far as I can tell."
Jacob nodded slowly. "Mind if I use it?"
Arthur gave him a curious look. "For what?"
"Experiments," Jacob said. "I have an idea for seed trials and a few enchantments if I can spare the time. I don't expect anything from it. It just seems like a good place to fail without wasting anything important. I can test out some ideas for tools there."
Arthur's eyes lingered on him a moment longer before he gave a quiet grunt. "If you can get something to grow there, I will eat my boots."
"Well, I hope they are soft," Jacob replied.
Arthur snorted and waved him off. "It is yours to play with. Just don't go making a mess too close to the fence line. Remember that this time is yours. There is no need to rush toward a profession so soon. Have fun and try something new."
Jacob smiled at his father. "I know, Dad. But I have been thinking about this. I cannot seem to get anyone to look at the enchantments further. My contact with Gerald seems to be the extent of my trade for now. But the farm and our family? I think that is something worth investing in."
This caused Arthur to smile widely. "Well then, son, you can get on with your experiments as you like. Let me know if you can actually grow anything there. I can give you a few pointers if you need them."
Jacob walked forward to hug his father before running off. As he moved toward the fields, he felt a sense of purpose.
If anyone is going to give pointers around here, it will be me, he thought. For too long, I have been messing with magic when I should have been doing what I am truly good at. Farming.