Part 228: Kellam A

Hello, Donnel. I heard through the grapevine that the bilberries ripened. Have you been serving them to everyone in camp?

With brown sugar and cream! Everyone loves 'em! I thought I had loads and loads, but everyone gobbled 'em up so fast... Land sakes! They was gone 'fore I knew it!

Well, that's great!

They made me promise to serve more once I had a new crop. You think them bushes there are ready? The berries are kinda red.

Well, hold on. Let me try one. ...Ptooie! Sorry, Donny. These boys need another few weeks at least.

All right then. S'pose I should cool my heels for a spell. I'm mighty glad I spoke to Kellam the Genius before collectin' 'em!

I told you, I'm not that clever. I just happen to-

I wish I had half yer brains! Remember them plants what was all droopy and dyin'? Well, I changed the soil like you said and got me a bumper crop! I wager coppers to pebbles your pa and ma miss havin' you around the farm.

Most days, they didn't know I was there. They never asked my opinion or anything.

Well, that's about the dumbest darn thing I ever done heard!

Gee, Donny. You're the first person who's ever appreciated my advice.

Who wouldn't 'preciate it? You got brains oozin' out yer ears! Say, you'll stick around to teach me more stuff, right?

Well, sure. I'll try to help however I can. But... isn't it strange I'm teaching you about farming and not fighting?

Heck no! I'm already plannin' for the peace to come!

When these troubles are over, honest folk are gonna return to their farms. We need to be ready so we can bring life back to this here land!

Perhaps when the time comes, I could help with that.

You'd do that for me? Gosh, thanks, Kellam!

Then it's a deal. First, we finish this war...

Then we plant enough bilberries to make pies fer everyone!