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Uvlo Gahjewesfv sat on a grassy hill, unpacking the meager rations he had purchased at the last stop along his journey. As he chewed the tough bread and jerky, he chanced upon an intriguing sight down below. A pair of Roegadyn farmers were guiding a pair of large oxen that were yoked together and pulling a heavy steel plow. Heralding from the Skatay Range in Northern Othard, local fauna was scarce and usually no larger than goats. Using animals for agriculture was still new to the Viera, and he watched the scene play out with childlike wonder.
The beasts of burden huffed and lowed at each other, their ropey tails swatting at flies and hooves sinking into the earth as they trundled obediently along under their masters' coaxing. The plow kicked up the earth in deep furrows, the soil dark and rich. Sometimes the blade would get stuck or tilt off course and the farmer at the front would help correct it by placing a hand on the heavy wooden frame and join in pulling. As they reached one side of the field, the oxen would slowly turn around, dutifully face back the way they came, and continue walking.
He wondered if they ever grew bored or frustrated, never staying in one place long enough to rest and treading the same path over and over, season after season. As the cultural emissary of Kuguma village, he felt like an ox, walking forward, turning, walking back. Again. And again. And again. His emerald eyes scanned the field; there were so many more trips they had to make before they reached the end. Did the oxen have any concept of the remaining time left they had to work? Would they pick up the pace with excited bellows on the final turn? Would there be a great a celebration back at the barn where they chewed on the finest hay and receive praise for their dutiful service by the farmers?
Matriarch Kuguma had told him that his mission was vital to the prosperity of their village, that the knowledge he brought back would enrich the lives of their people. In that way he supposed he was the ox and plow both, bringing new life to the cracked and dry surface of the earth with his labor and steely resolve. It was an important task, undoubtedly, but it wasn't an easy one either. The responsibility felt heavy around his neck like a yoke and the guiding calls of his master were an entire continent away. Unlike the oxen and even his fellow wesfv back home, Uvlo was alone and he found himself wishing for a partner to join in the journey with him. But who would ever want such a thing? Could he ever have such companionship in his travels?
The Viera sighed and hugged his knees to his chest, trying to calm the sudden beating of a heart pricked with loneliness. He shook his head with a scowl. What foolish thoughts to have! He was probably just hungry and tired from walking all day… Watching the oxen turn for several more times, he determinedly stood and finished his meal. With a prayer to the kami he resumed his journey, placing farmers, oxen, and doubts behind him.