Mussel sprouts—clustered like Brussels sprouts but each one was a green mussel.She was on the fence about mussels in general, but maybe she hadn’t had them cooked right.At any rate, someone would buy them.
Rubber tree—produced finished rubber goods: boots, gloves, waterproof items.An exciting development!She was tired of getting soaked tending to her farm.
By late afternoon, her organized garden was filling in beautifully.Kitchen plants were thriving and the trade goods were expanding.The decorative area around the pond looked lovely with the new additions.
Also, she'd learned something important: she was terrible at combat plants, mediocre at specialty items, butexcellentat food and practical goods.
That was fine,morethan fine, she thought, looking around her farm.She had lots to work with, and the future was looking bright indeed.
Viktor
––––––––
VIKTOR STOOD AT THEwindow of his study, looking out over his lands.From here, he could see three of his properties—the northern wheat fields, the orchard to the east, the grazing pastures south.All thriving.All profitable.
And there, just visible in the distance, the cursed farm.No longer empty, and very intriguing.
His Territory Sense had been pinging for days now.There was new growth there.Vigorous, healthy growth where nothing should grow.It felt like an itch he couldn't scratch—that property had been a blank spot in his awareness for years, and now it wasalivebut not his to sense properly.
"You're brooding again," said Marcus, his estate manager, entering with the daily reports.They’d been friends for years, and he was comfortable expressing his opinion.
"I'm thinking."
"About the cursed farm?"
"About the woman who's made it productive."Viktor turned from the window."What have you heard?"
Marcus consulted his notes."Wren.No family name given, arrived approximately a week ago.Living alone except for a squirrel servant.Has some kind of plant magic—grows unusual crops that actually thrive on that land."
"What kind of crops?"
"Bread.Silk clothing.Soap.Various trade goods.She's already established regular trade with Mei and Madame Lin."Marcus looked up."The seamstress is apparently beside herself.Says the silk quality is unlike anything she's seen."
Viktor's mind worked through the implications.Plant magic that bypassed the curse.Regular, high-quality production, on land that bordered his holdings."And she's young, unprepared for the dangers."
"The Marshall's taken an interest.Escorted her around town, made introductions."Marcus's tone was carefully neutral.
