Chapter 23
empty eggless nests
ewes bleat in fallow meadows
surprise! harvest waits
After a solid night of sleep and more than a day’s travel through the wilds, I emerged from the forest onto the small lane that led to Herold Homestead. I could have taken Route 8 almost the entire way from Prime, a much more direct route, but I always preferred to stick to the wilds, avoiding traffic and bandits. Besides, I’d heard the road had been partially washed out weeks ago and doubted it had been repaired yet.
The woods along the dirt road to Mrs. Herold’s quickly gave way to pastoral scenes. Wide, rolling meadows bordered by thorny hedgerows even the most ornery goat wouldn’t touch. Fields of grain. Three barns, two silos, a lackadaisical windmill and a large array for collecting galactic radi
