C25 Seeds

20th June, Capital city, Alvaton Kingdom.

Eric had called for a meeting with all the farmers at the farms of the Samuel. Before heading there, he had another task to complete. 

Just as he left the room, he saw Evans pacing up and down in the corridor. Probably waiting for him, he thought. 

Evans stopped when he saw Eric emerge out of the room. He walked towards him with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Evans, have you done what I had asked," Eric greeted him with the question.

Evans readily opened his mouth, "Well, I could not buy all the seeds from the farmers, as for the traders they sold whatever seeds they had. I think it would be enough to sow two seasons. But I still couldn't understand. What are you going to do with these seeds." Evans was confused over the sudden demand from Eric to buy all the seeds available in the kingdom.

Was Eric trying to create the shortage of seeds, so he could sell it back when the prices rise, Evans wondered. He could not think of any other reason. He knew it was too unlikely for him to do profiteering. He stared at Eric, waiting for his reply.

"Well, Evans, those seeds will be distributed back to the farmers," Eric replied looking away from him. He couldn't tell him the truth.

Did Eric take him for a three-year child, why would someone buy something only to return it afterward? Evans just nodded, if Eric didn't want to explain he would not force him.

Eric quickly walked away from Evans to the third barrack where he had told Evans to keep the seeds.

Evans had portioned the room into two using the wood and further divided the partitions into smaller divisions, each for a particular variety of seeds. 

The arrangement pleased Eric, a smile formed on his lips. Eric wondered, was this really sorted by Evans, who behaved like a child with a crossbow.

Eric without any delay called the system, 'System! Please exchange these seeds.'

[ Request Accepted. Host, please leave the room.

Initializing the process…]

After a few minutes of waiting, Eric standing at the entrance saw white solid light covering the entire barrack.

He remembered it was similar to when he was abducted. He could not look through the light but could tell, with a hundred percent surety, that whatever be the source of light, it was sucking the seeds in. He clearly remembered the weightlessness he had experienced.

He was really tempted to go in and check the portal out. But the system had already warned him, and he didn't want to lose his life because of a sudden impulse. 

It took a total of five minutes, Eric counted each second, for everything to return to normal. 

The appearance of the seeds hadn't changed, it looked the same as before. Eric didn't trust the system more than he trusted artificial intelligence programs back on Earth, they did stupid things sometimes.

He sternly asked, 'System! Are you sure, it's the upgraded version and you are duping me with those flashy lightings.'

[ What are you expecting, host. Do you expect the upgraded seeds to glow or smell like heavenly nectar? Seeds of wheat will be like what but wheat…]

Now, the system had clarified, Eric sighed and went to make arrangements to transport the seeds.

… 

Samuel had received the message about the gathering two days ago along with two gold coins to make arrangements for the farmers and prince.

Two gold coins was still a generous amount to him, he spent money cautiously. He had bought new benches, chairs, tables, and crockery set from the money and kept the remaining amount in a pouch to return it.

In the morning, he went to the chicken shed. He exited with four chickens hung upside down his hand flapping their wings.

But he stopped in mid-track when he saw a few men wearing loose fitted short-sleeved clothes entering his farm.

Samuel released the chickens in his hand, he went closer to the approaching men. They smiled as they saw him.

With a single glance, he could tell they weren't farmers he had invited. They had come with two carts full of tools and what interested Samuel the most was the plows attached to the back of the carts. 

"Do you know the farmer named Samuel," The leader of the group asked with some hesitation. 

"I am the person who you are looking for. How can I help you?" Samuel gave them a warm smile and led them in. He thought that the smiths had come here to find customers for their products, as a large number of farmers of the central region would be here.

Samuel was really interested in the plow but knew that it would not be cheap, a single iron molded plow would cost between 5 to 10 silvers and this had 5 furrows. His family members helped them unload the carts and arrange the tools.

Soon a few more carts arrived at the entrance of his farms. Samuel was surprised to see the grain-laden carts. 

His curiosity for the upcoming meet peaked…