Stardew Valley Fanfiction:
'The Farmer Witch'
Chapter 44:
Sebastian had been… slightly enthusiastic upon learning he had magic in his blood as well. He and Damon spent the night discussing it, the older warlock agreeing to train his biological son without hesitation.
And so winter began. Alice locked the animals up in their shelters for their safety and turned on the heaters in the barn and coup. She had two whole silos full of hay to last through the off season. Should be enough. Cheshire rarely went outside either, preferring to stay indoors and warm herself by the fire that was almost constantly lit.
The farmer watched the boys drag their bikes into the spare shed where they had all agreed to move Damon's belongings.
"Aren't you going to need those to get back to the city?" Alice questioned.
"Already taken care of~" Damon chimed.
As they walked into the once empty shed, Alice's jaw dropped. All of her master's belongings had somehow found their way into the building already!
"When did you do this?!" She asked credulously as she punched Damon's arm.
He winced, rubbing it. "Sebastian assisted me last night after you turned in", he explained. "Keeping a portal spell up that long has almost drained me of my powers. Normally I wouldn't be so wasteful, but since I'll be staying here in the Valley, my magic will return much faster than if I were in the city."
Alice shook her head. "You could have told me. I would have helped."
Damon smiled at his apprentice. "That's very kind of you, but you work hard enough on the farm as it is. You need your rest."
Sebastian smirked as he parked his bike in the corner over some tarps. "No kidding. She basically passes out if you keep her up past 2:00am."
Alice huffed, not enjoying the two ganging up on her. "Just hurry up so we can go already." The group had plans for the day.
Alice had packed the largest pumpkin from her harvest away, saving it for the first day of winter. Today was a special day for a special friend of hers and she needed a proper gift to share with him.
The trio took the long way into town so they could avoid most contact with people. They slipped by Marnie's ranch and into Pelican Town. It was still early and thusly quiet in the small town. The group headed over to the sewers, lifting the large metal grate and climbing down into the dark. Alice lit a small spell of light to guide them as they walked in the dark and damp corridors of the sewer.
"Krobus?" Alice called softly.
Immediately she heard a shuffling sound and a black, wispy head peered around the far corner wall.
"Oh Miss Alice!" Krobus waddled over to them. "And Miss Alice's mate. And another human I do not know? Welcome!" He warbled happily.
Damon tilted his head in confusion, looking to Sebastian questioningly. But the boy was too busy staring at his shoes uncomfortably.
Alice chuckled. "Krobus, this is my warlock master, Damon." She introduced the man.
Krobus was ecstatic to meet more of Alice's friends, especially magical ones. The group sat down and spoke for a good long time, Alice handing over the pumpkin as a gift to a very excited Krobus. The witch explained what had happened Spirit's Eve to her friend, and Krobus listened intently as he took bites out of the squash. It was a fun birthday visit.
At the end of the hour, the group got up to go, telling Krobus that they were going to be at the quarry collecting stone for Damon's tower for the rest of the day. Krobus said if he found any interesting or magical objects worthy of a warlock's tower, that he'd bring it by for Alice. The group thanked him and went on their way. They managed to sneak out of the sewers the way they came in without anyone spotting them, then headed up towards Pierre's shop so Damon could let his childhood friend know that he'd be staying local. Caroline was thrilled by the news, giving Damon an extra tight hug as her husband scowled from behind the counter.
After picking up a few items from the store, the group backtracked towards the farm. Alice and the two men squeezed into the small mining cart and traveled over to the quarry. Alice hadn't even known about the quarry until Damon had brought it up as a good place to collect stone for the tower. She'd never taken this route with the carts, not wanting to end up at a dead end or drop off…
When they arrived, they climbed out, surveying the vast field of rock and ore before them.
"Shame that the bridge is broken." Damon commented as they went about collected stone. "It wasn't always like that. Maybe once my magic stores are back up we can do something about that."
"If extra magic is what we need, I have some friends who might be able to help", the witch remarked with a small smile. The Junimo had some winter items on their lists, and Alice was confident that she'd be able to clear those items quickly now that the seasons had changed again. The little sprites would surely be able to lend Damon a hand in repairing the broken bridge.
They collected stone well into the evening, wanting a large supply before the snow hit. It might have just been Alice's imagination, but even her enchanted bag felt somehow heavier with the huge amount of rock within – even though that should be impossible.
They returned to the farm via the mining carts and stacked all their supplies down in the southwestern tip of the farm. It was a nice spot, close to the forest and far from the main roads. A place where the warlock could enjoy his alone time but still be able to take a short walk up to see his apprentice and son.
They spent their first winter evening together inside the main farmhouse, eating dinner and bouncing ideas around for the tower. It was nice, Alice thought to herself. It felt like a real family.
Of course, Damon was family to her, but now she had to share him with Sebastian. She had wanted the warlock to like and approve of him, but she had had no idea just how close they would become, both friendwise and… biologically. But things had a way of working themselves out.
As the witch watched her two friends chatting and making plans for Damon's new home, she found herself immensely grateful for the farm and everything her grandfather had left for her out here.
The winter season has rolled in now. Not much farming to be done, but our crew will find some things to keep them busy~ Have I mentioned lately how much I love getting reviews and feedback? It justifies me spending all this extra time in writing this fic, so please keep the comments coming 3 - Mystical Jelly
