008 Shackles
Character: Tym
Tym sat on the top of a large rock that was sitting in the pasture of his family's farm. He often sat here while he watched the animals graze. They had some cows that they would milk and sell at a local market, but they also had some sheep for wool and a couple goats, though Tym still wasn't sure why they had those. They also had a few Hormorts, a native animal that were often either kept for their meat or their milk. Tym's family kept them for their milk until they got to old and were slaughtered.
Tym looked over as a young boy ran toward the rock. "I finished feeding the chickens." He climbed up the rock though the boy had more trouble as he was smaller. "Does that mean that I'm finished for the day?"
Tym shook his head. "You're never done, but you do get a break. You can sit with me and keep an eye on Lulu." Tym looked out toward the brown cow who was grazing not far away. She was due to have a calf in less than a week so they were keeping an eye on her to be sure they could take care of her when the time came.
"Will dad let me help with her giving birth this time?" The little boy stared at the cow, as though any moment she'd suddenly go into labor.
"Well, you're ten and I was about ten when dad first let me help him with a cow giving birth. Though I'll warn you, it's not really pretty." Tym frowned, remembering his first time. People always said birth was magical, the most beautiful thing there was. He strongly disagreed.
The boy sat beside Tym for a while until he finally gathered the courage to speak. "Tym, is dad going to leave the farm to you and not me?"
"I sure hope not." Tym shook his head and looked at his brother. The boy didn't seem to understand what he meant. "It's hard for you to understand cause you're so young, Mal. Sure, when I was your age I liked being on a farm, but as I've gotten older, it just doesn't feel like a life calling. I like the animals, and hard work is rewarding, but I just don't feel like this is the reason I was born." Tym looked out toward the animals. "It doesn't suit me. So I hope dad gives you the farm. I'll find my own way."
"What do you think you'll do with your life?" Mal asked, pulling his legs up to his chest as he looked at his brother. He looked at him like the idea of not living on the farm was crazy. Then again, he was too young to know how much of a world there was out there.
"I don't know yet. Maybe I'll find something that has to do with fire. I enjoy when I get to burn the trash. I'm sure there's a job out there somewhere that needs someone that likes starting fires." Tym shrugged. To him exactly what he would do wasn't really an issue. All he knew was that being a farmer was not what he was meant to be. Tym stood up and looked toward the sun. "Come on, we need to try to round up the cattle. Dad will want us to milk them in half an hour and it will be best if we can get them all comfortable in the barn before we start."
Mal jumped up and slid down the rock. Tym sort of envied how excited he was. He was that at one time in his life, but he didn't feel that way anymore. He sighed and moved down the rock and toward the animals to herd them inside.