Hi All!

A daring tail of farming, adventure and chickens!

-Kami

Chapter 1: Starting Things Wrong

"Shouldda stayed at an Inn." Daisy chastised no one in particular. She had no money for the Inn and now it was dark and the woods were closing in. The path was becoming more and more overgrown and the straps of the pack were digging into her shoulders.

The road had steadily been rising for the last mile, as the farmer had said it would. He had given her a ride in his cart as far as he could but turned off to a different village a few miles due north. Daisy took a moment to rest as the valley came into view. To her right in the distance a waterfall cascaded magnificently into the valley, or what she could see with the last remaining light.

If she hurried, she could make it to the village before the woods got too dark. Though her farm was probably much closer, Daisy hurried along the path as fast as she dared, increasingly aware of the night sounds all around her. It was not half a mile farther when she noticed the steady clip clip clip behind her. Though she could see nothing, something was following her. She sped up, stumbling down the mountain path, but whatever was following kept a steady pace behind her.

Suddenly it charged, and Daisy whirled to meet whatever it was, but the dark shape rammed into her. She landed heavily, only partially cushioned by her pack, and rolled twice before landing in an angry thicket. The shape trotted past her and came to a stop. When Daisy dared peek out of her tangled hair, she signed with relief.

A cow gazed at her nonchalantly, not even remotely apologetic. Daisy dusted herself off, her arms and legs stinging. She took a moment to glare at the cow, as much to inform the cow of her anger, as to give herself time to compose herself.

"Why are you all the way out here in the middle of nowhere anyway." She looked up and down the road into darkness but no sounds of pursuit followed. They were alone. Daisy sighed and removed the rope from her backpack. She crafted a noose and slug it over the cow's neck. The cheeky bovine didn't even complain, but stepped neatly into position behind Daisy and followed her down the road.

It was too dark to see almost, so Daisy fished the flashlight out of her bag. Not a mile further, a dilapidated sign pronounced the entrance to Eden farm. The paint was peeling, and a rough barricade had been erected to deter trespassers. It was too far to go to Town at this time. Eden would be only another three miles or so. She bumped the log barricade off and helped her new companion make it over the second wood log. The bessy complained briefly, but didn't have much else to offer.

Daisy could slowly hear the sound of rushing water as the path led them towards the river. While still a few miles from the waterfall, the river was fast and torrid. A series of three bridges anchored fast on the opposite ends as well as two reinforced islands.

The bridges seemed safe enough, and Daisy led the way across. Once across she endured the final hike toward the homestead. The original had burned down some time ago, but her father mentioned a newer, much smaller abode had taken its place.

Of course, that was ten years ago. The sight of the dilapidated old hut did nothing to inspire confidence in her once well thought out plan. Now all she wanted to do was head straight back up that mountain path, and find a train to civilization. She sighed. Well that wasn't an option anymore.

The barn had fallen down somewhat since the last tenants had left, and the main house was pretty scummy. Nevertheless Daisy ushered the cow into the house because at least it still had a roof. She cordoned off a section of the house with old broken furniture and led her companion to the makeshift stall. The last few days of winter were still cool so she lit a fire in the hearth, hopeful that the chimney was still intact.

In the flickering light of the fire, Daisy examined her injuries. Blood mingled with dust tracked down her knees and palms, and cuts cris crossed her arms. She was tempted to get a bucket and wash herself off, but had zero desire to stumble around in the dark. Her cheekbone also felt grazed and tender. Tired and resigned she unrolled her bedroll and curled up beside the fire.

It was the bessy who woke her the next morning and she opened her groggy eyes to the graying light of day through the windows. A light snow had settled over everything during the night, surprising this late in the season. It would be burned off by mid day she had no doubt but the chill remained. Her legs were black and blue from her fall but that didn't stop her from opting for shorts. The bathroom, while somewhat scummy still had a functional toilet, which she would have to clean sooner rather than later.

She took a bucket down to the river and scrubbed herself somewhat clean. Later she would rigg a functional shower. For now, she washed her hair and tied it neatly in a bun. Returning to the restless cow, who thankfully hadn't soiled her makeshift stall, Daisy took her outside. Grass had grown rampantly in what had once been the yard, and Daisy noticed an overrgrown veggitable patch nearby. Surprisingly several carrots, radishes, green bush beans and zucchini had overrun the patch and after daisy rooted out a bunch of carrots, was pleasantly surprised at the size of them. This would surely keep her for a few days if necessary.

She tied the cow to an abandoned fence post that had long ago lost its function, and let her graze. Returning to the homestead she took in her farm for the first time. The homestead area alone was a mess, overrun and run down. The barn was a hazard, the chicken coop a shambles, and junk seemed scattered around the yard. She entered her home and retrieved a pen and writing pad.

"Ho, the Farm." Daisy's head shot up at the sound. Who could that be? A man was waving from the broken gate between two short square columns on the path that lead up to her house. Upon seeing her, he let himself in and made his way to the house.

"Hello neighbor! you must be Daisy. The names Dunny. I'm a friend of your father." He shook her hand and smiled warmly. He was a spry older man with a wirey frame. On his head a cowboy had was perched and longish graying hair poked out from underneath. He had a matching grey mustache and short pointed beard. While there were clear signs of age, he carried himself as a younger man, and sported a long duster and well worn boots.

"Thought I saw some smoke coming from here this morning, but I figured you weren't going to be here until next week, so I came to check things out. Looks like you've got quite the haul ahead of you." Daisy looked around and nodded.

"Father didn't mention it would be such a mess."

"Heck, I don't remember it being a mess, and I've been here for over forty years." he scratched his ears thoughtfully. "Are you sure you want to do this by yourself? Seem like a pretty impossible task?"

"I don't really have much choice." Dunny's eyes clouded.

"I'm sorry to hear about your mom. She's a real fine lady. You let her know I hope she gets well soon."

"Thank you Dunny. Listen, while you're here, do you know if there's a general store around? I need to get a few things."

"Sure! right in town. Mind, they're closed on a Sunday Monday, so I'd get my shopping done today. I'm heading back if you'd like a ride? My buggy is just over the bridges."

"That'd be real nice, thank you. Mind if I bring a friend?"

"What friend is that." Dunny asked curiously, tugging at his beard.

Daisy went over to get her things and the cow, who had cleared the entire grass patch within reach of her leash.

"That looks like one of Jake's cows. Real escape artist that one." He lead them over the bridges to where two horses grazed passively.

"Why didn't you bring them over?" Daisy asked.

"well, I wasn't sure the bridges would hold. They look and feel solid enough, but if you look down near the water, the beams need replacing. Been here nearly fifty years. Might want to see to that once you get things going." Daisy nodded, and added it to the ever growing list.

The trip to town was shorter than Daisy thought, helped along by Dunny's funny tales of her father as a child, and the easy trot with which the horses moved.

The town itself however was not particularly inspiring and rather empty.

"is it usually this quiet?" She asked, untying cow from the back of the buggy and hitching her to the post in front of the general store.

"The town isn't doing too well Daisy. Today, the innkeeper and his son are leaving." he indicated the small gathering near a town square where some people were saying their goodbyes. The man and his buggy left, while Daisy was left wondering.

The general store was much smaller than Daisy expected and an elderly woman behind the counter greeted them as they came in.

"ooh oh ooooh! You must be Daisy! We've been so excited to meet you. My name is Hannah, and I run the general store with my husband. He's out of town at the moment visiting our grand kids. How is the Farm? You arrived yesterday?

"Dear lord its a mess." Dunny offered up.

"Oh no! Well what do you need, if there's anything here I don't have I can order it."

"Tools to start with. I also need some saplings if you have em, seeds, some food items. Do you deliver out that way?"

"Usually we do dear, but its just me here at the moment and I can't if I'm running the store."

Dunny spoke up. "You can use my buggy? I don't need it at all this week, and I live in town."

Daisy nodded, relieved. "I appreciate that Dunny, takes a load off my back."

Despite Daisy desperately trying to keep in budget, the costs of things she needed quickly added up. The beautiful set of tools she had her eye on were simply out of reach. Hannah found some older tools that would work well in the interim, but would need replacing before too long.

Daisy brought the giant roll of chicken wire over to the buggy and nearly dropped it.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?"

A man, with thick blond hair broad shoulders was casually untying the cow from the railing. He ignored her and continued with the knot.

"Excuse me, I'm talking to you."

He finally looked up at her and glared. "I'm retrieving my cow."

"Jake!" Dunny appeared behind them and loaded some packages onto the buggy.

"Whats happening Dunny?" The man broke into a broad smile as he shook the older man's hand.

"This is Daisy, Ed Flowers' daughter. She's going to be taking over the Flowers Ranch. Jake briefly nodded to her, but Daisy felt largely ignored. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

"Daisy ran into Belle last night on the road. Or rather Belle ran into Daisy." He barked a short laugh. Daisy had told him the story of what happened on the way to town, but it seemed less funny now.

"Jake runs the livestock store over yonder."

"Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday only. Well it was nice speaking to ya Dunny." he tipped his hat at the older gentleman and walked off with his cow.

"You're welcome..." Daisy muttered.

"Don't mind Jake. He doesn't like newcomers much but he'll come around eventually."

"Daisy dear," Daisy turned to Hannah who stood in the store holding a basket laden with goods.

"This is for you dear. Free of charge. We're all hoping you give it your best, this town needs some fighting spirit and that spirit is you. If you need anything please let us know." Daisy thanked her and was about to peek into the covered basket when Dunny interrupted. "We should swing by my place get some things for the horses if you're going to be using them for the week?"

Daisy nodded and climbed up onto the buggy.

Until next time!

-Kami