“Gross.” Argus said while tightly squeezing his eyes shut. “I’m going to have to agree with Argus dear, I’ve got the taste of tobacco in my mouth now.” Uncle Stefanos became a bit defensive.
“It was just one smoke, I promise anymore… after lunch.” Aunt Melody and Uncle Stefanos began to argue with each other, Melody saying that he shouldn’t smoke so much, and Uncle Stefanos saying that it’s a good way to start the day.
This didn’t make sense to Argus. How could something so foul tasting as tobacco be a good way to start the day?
Argus didn’t have time to ponder that though, as he just wanted to have his stomach full before the day of hard work began. After a few minutes, Argus and Uncle Stefanos were finished with their meal, and went outside, to find the sun shining bright, while no clouds were in sight. “Looks like its going to be a bit of a hot day.” Uncle Stefanos said to Argus.
“It was chilly this morning.” Argus said.
“Well, in any case, I think we’re going to need our sunhats. Best not get any sunburns if we don’t have to,” Uncle Stefanos explained, “Argus my lad, would you please go into the house just to grab the hats?”
“Sure Uncle.” Argus took off into the house, hurrying up the stairs to find his sunhat on the ground from when he had moved things from his shelf, and found his Uncle’s on his bedside table. Uncle Stefanos was always very organised, and keeping his hat on his bedside table every night in case the next day was sunny, was no exception.
Argus went down the stairs to the outdoors again to find Stefanos setting up the cart, and the two donkeys for the long haul back and forth across the golden field.
Argus went over to Sweetie, who was looking like a well-rested donkey now. “Sweetie just did not want to wake this morning.” He explained.
“She obviously needed her rest.” Uncle Stefanos replied. Rolling up his green, patterned shirt’s sleeves. “My sunhat please Argus.”
Argus without hesitation gave his Uncle his hat, and the two began the ride toward the far left ends of the wheat field. Uncle Stefanos started to breathe in the air around him. “Ah, smell that wheat lad. I can already image the bread we’re going to make with that,” He said, “A nice piece of bread and butter with a nice stroganoff, or a lovely turkey sandwich with fresh lettuce and tomatoes from the market.”
Argus suddenly got a thought. “Why is it that we don’t use our own tomatoes Uncle?” He asked.
“Because Argus,” Uncle Stefanos straightened his overall strap, “We sell the ones we grow, and besides, Leander and his family make ‘em better.” Argus couldn’t argue with that. Leander was his best friend from his family farm, the Teresi farm. Leander and him met when he came to live with his Uncle and Aunt. After a while of riding, Argus and Stefanos had finally made it to the edge of the fields. Without any time to waste, Argus and Uncle Stefanos began to gather the wheat. They used the cart as a way to transport the stalks to the farm.
The cart itself was quite big, although that didn’t stop them from having to keep going back and forth every twenty or so minutes. While Argus didn’t enjoy the heat one bit as the day went by, it was nice to be with his Uncle. All day, the two carried scythes, cutting the stalks of wheat just above the ground, and carrying them to the cart, loading one stalk on top of another. Finally, Uncle Stefanos said that they would take a break for some lunch. Argus felt relieved.
His back was insanely sore, and his feet were even more so. “Thank goodness for that.” He said to his Uncle. Once they’d gotten on the cart, and began the ride to the house, Argus remembered what he had thought of earlier, about how unfair it was that they worked on a farm, and others had servants tending to their every need. “Uncle Stefanos?”
“Yes Argus?” Argus’ now sweating Uncle replied
“Why aren’t we rich?” Uncle Stefanos looked at Argus.
“What do you mean ‘why aren’t we rich?’?” Uncle Stefanos asked, confused on why Argus had asked such a question.
“Well, we can barely afford things that we want, and we always have to come out here and do this hard work. I just don’t want to-”
“That’s enough of that!” Uncle Stefanos interrupted. “Hard work is part of responsibility. Without it, the world would be left to no one but itself, to try and fix what others have neglected, and of course, it is not something the world can do on its own.” Argus looked at Uncle Stefanos. “I don’t mean it like that. I just don’t want to be a farmer, doing the same thing every day. It just becomes tiring.” Argus explained.
“Argus my boy, listen closely. Being a farmer does not come without its riches,” Stefanos started, “Do you remember when I had won some money in that vegetable competition?” Argus nodded. “And do you remember when I spent some of that money for your book?” Argus again nodded. “Well, every bit of hard work will in one way or another, through one person or another, will always be appreciated that’s not to say that there will always be a reward, but it is knowing that we are appreciated for what we do.
Being a farmer is a noble task to carry. Think of us as soldiers in battle, but instead of using swords to diminish our enemy’s forces, we use scythes to cut down our wheat, and feed the people of our village.” Argus was starting to understand, but now, he had a new, and final question on his mind. “But then, why aren’t we treated as mighty heroes and lords?” Argus asked.
“Because we aren’t heroes. Sure, we sell our stock to people who need food for their kitchen, but in the end, people are just people. And all people deserve respect.” His Uncle finished. At last, Argus now understood.
Being a farmer was no less important thing than being a great leader, or famous adventurer, but to always show people respect. Another few minutes went by, and the two were back at the farm house, both a little hungry from the work. And sure enough, Aunt Melody had made them plenty of ham and cheese sandwiches, Argus’ favourite. After lunch, Argus was asked to fetch some water from the well outside, so Aunt Melody could wash the plates. Argus hesitantly went to grab a bucket from the cellar, and went to the well to get the water.
While inside, Aunt Melody and Uncle Stefanos talked. “He’s getting bigger.” Uncle Stefanos told Aunt Melody. “I know. I feared he wouldn’t, but he’s grown up fine under our roof.” Uncle Stefanos agreed.
“I just worry about him sometimes… these nightmares are becoming more frequent.” He pointed out.
“I must say, he does seem to get restless sometimes, especially before going to bed. Do you think maybe he’s scared to go to sleep?” She asked. “Definitely.”
Uncle Stefanos sat on his chair, his right knee hoping up and down from the planked floor, and his greying hair being rustled by his fingers. “Ever since his parents passed away, things haven’t been the same.” He said.
“Hey, look at me,” Aunt Melody said, Stefanos now looking up at her, “Their deaths were very hard on all of us, on Argus the most, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be there for him.” She smiled warmly. Uncle Stefanos, now standing up, agreed with her, before walking outside to see Argus at the stone brick well. He walked over to the boy, and helped Argus bring the water up with the crank.
Once the water was with Aunt Melody, they continued on their way back to where they’d left off with their work. Before they knew it, the rest of the day had gone by so quickly, they didn’t even notice the orange sky starting to appear, until they saw the stalks of wheat getting darker. On their way back, the two continued their talks, and were back home before they knew it.
Aunt Melody had prepared a lovely roast duck with roast potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and even some cheese and broccoli sauce. Argus had to admit, it was nice coming back to a feast after a hard day of harvest. The rest of the evening went by quickly, and Argus and Uncle Stefanos were outside, looking up at the stars. “Do you see that large gathering of stars in the corner there Argus?” Argus looked over to where Uncle Stefanos was pointing.
There was a group of stars, separated by a large gap in the sky. “I see it.” Argus replied. “That my lad, is the Gateway Constellation, and the middle star is not actually a star at all,” he began to explain, “That is said to be the birth place of the Gods. The Legend says that the Gods came from far beyond our mortal realm, and gave the world life. The reason it is called the Gateway Constellation, is because the constellation brought the Gods to life.” Argus was amazed.
“So… the Gods came from another world?” Argus asked.
“That is what the legend says. Other legends say that eight great beings of magic, forced away the chaos of the world, and helped guide humanity to the way it is.”
Argus was intrigued. And couldn’t stop thinking about it. Eventually, the night became darker, and Argus was once again in his bed. The lights now out, and the bedroom dark, Argus laid down, hoping he wouldn’t have nightmares again, but that just made him more restless. In the middle of the night, he decided to take out a lantern, and take out his book. For a few hours he read, until nothing but happy thoughts came to his mind, eventually falling asleep in his bed, head against his soft pillow, book in hand, and dreaming about the adventures he may one day have.
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