Page 2 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7

A Visitor in the Sunlight

An elf with black hair put her hands on one of the beams of the wood fence. She looked back and forth with worried eyes. Thoughts stormed on within her mind, wondering if she shouldn’t have rung the bell. When she saw a man and goblin walking toward her, it brought some relief to her eyes.

The man had rogue-ish, handsome features. He was lean, with wide shoulders and strong arms. The goblin beside him was beautiful. She wore a flowy black dress and her hair tied back into a braid.

The elf lifted a hand and waved at them. When the pair approached the black-haired elf, she smiled with perfect white teeth.

“Greetings farmhands. Please forgive me but is this the Blackwood Estate, like in the books?” she asked.

Asher smiled as Blyss’s eyes narrowed.

“This is the Blackwood Estate from the books. How can we help you?” Asher asked like he was a simple farmhand.

She hesitated to speak, her gaze trapped on the handsome man.

Asher was patient but at the same time, he was struck by her beauty. A dark emerald green filled her oval eyes. Her black hair was long and silky. It was out and spilling down her shoulders. Her pointed ears stabbed out of her wavy hair. High cheekbones gave her a regal appearance, much like Elara. Her skin was flawless but when Asher glanced at her entire body, he noticed she had a similar body-type to his precious Elara. She was a mature elf wearing traveling clothes. Asher had to pull his gaze away from her body to look her in the eyes.

“Please forgive me,” the elf said with kind eyes. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. This farm looks different from how it’s hinted in those black books.”

“We made some changes and it is a much more relaxing place to visit,” Asher continued like he was a farmhand.

Asher and Blyss noticed the elf’s eyes dart to the side.

“Are you in distress?” Asher asked with helpful charm.

“Oh, no, I’m not used to…such adventures. I don’t know what to do. I managed to find a wild gate. I stepped through it and into a forest. I followed the simple path north. When I emerged from the forest, I saw your farm to the north east. And here I am,” she ended with a nervous laugh.

Asher wanted to ease her nerves so he moved to the gate and opened it. The simple beam fence door swung open as the elf stood back. When it was fully open, the elf remained where she was, not moving.

“Maybe this was a mistake?” she said with a downward gaze.

Asher approached her with an inviting smile. “It wasn’t a mistake to brave the wild gate and the forest. You set out to your goal and you have reached it. You are braver than most when it comes to adventure.”

The elf stared at the farmhand. She looked Asher in the eyes, her demeanor now calm and present.

“Yes, you are correct. My name is Lyndalia Moongaze,” she said with confidence.

Asher bowed to the elf, but not before he noticed her hand twitch.

“Asher Blackwood.”

The elf’s eyes widened a hair as she looked down on the bowed head.

Asher stood back up with a smile. “Welcome to the Blackwood Farm. Please, come in and stay for as long as you like.”

Lyndalia gave Asher a small nod. “Thank you, Lord Blackwood. Please forgive me, I thought you were a simple farmhand.”

“Nothing to forgive and I take no offence. Please, this way,” Asher smiled.

Asher and Blyss led the way, the dark-haired elf following them. The trio reached the porch and stepped across to the front door.

Asher wasn’t sure what to expect when he opened the door. He imagined the goblins out of control, or Nyn sitting naked, reading a book. But when the door opened, he saw the house was calm as a frozen pond.

The trio walked in as the door closed behind them.

“Blyss, please bring some wine for our new guest,” Asher asked.

Blyss nodded as she walked toward the kitchen, and was gone from sight.

Asher turned around to face the newcomer. The elf looked around, visually drinking in the comfortable common room.

“What a lovely and cozy home,” Lyndalia said with a genuine tone.

“Thank you. We work hard to keep it that way. Would you like to sit here, or talk privately in my study?”

“Your study,” Lyndalia said without hesitation.

Asher nodded.

“This way,” he said with his hand pointing to the corridor.

The pair walked into a side corridor and past the stairs. When they reached the main corridor, Blyss had peeked out from a doorway to the kitchen. Asher winked at her and subtly pointed at the study. The goblin nodded and vanished from the corridor edge.

The man and elf walked into the study. Lyndalia saw the thick desk at the other side of the room. She glanced at the bookshelves before seeing a small table with a pair of chairs sitting across from each other. The chamber was cool, a small breeze coming from the partially open window.

“Please, have a seat,” Asher mentioned.

The elf sat down, her gaze still drinking in the well-kept study.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lyndalia,” Asher said with a small smile.

“Please, Lyn is fine. The shorter the better,” the elf said with a wry smile.

Asher felt a strange energy from the elf, something he couldn’t put his finger on. She was calm and understanding but it seemed she was uncomfortable in her own skin.

Blyss walked in with a tray. On it was a bottle of wine, and two glasses. She put the tray down on an empty, nearby shelf. She placed the glasses and wine bottle down on the table.

The goblin glanced at Asher with a look that spoke more than words.

The lord nodded, knowing something felt off.

Blyss grabbed the tray and quickly left the room.

Asher picked up the wine bottle and poured red into each glass.

“We make our own wine here on the estate,” Asher mentioned.

Lyn gave a single nod, before she picked up the glass and took a sip.

The elf’s tongue exploded with mystical sensations. She sipped a little more before holding the glass and looking at it.

“This must be the finest wine I have ever tasted. My compliments.”

“Thank you,” Asher said with a relaxed tone.

A silence filled the room.

Lyn was first to speak up, “I should speak to why I’m here. After all, it’s your home I’m visiting.”

The elf put the glass down and folded her hands on her thighs.

“I know what happens here. I know the myths and legends of these kinds of farms. I know they are a boon to Valoria, allowing everyone to lead a better life, from adventuring to reclaiming our broken realm.”

Lyn let out a small sigh. “Please, do not think of me too forward, but it is nice to speak to someone not from my life circles. All I ask is, whatever is said, stays here and travels nowhere else.”

Asher nodded with serious eyes. “I understand. We keep all secrets here and nowhere else.”

Lyn nodded, her gaze on the lord before her.

Asher noticed her whole body wilted a little, like she was letting go a great amount of stress. Her eyes took on a shine like a memory played across her soul. Her shoulders lowered a little. A calm serenity filled her expression.

“I have lived a long life,” Lyn began with a calm tone. “I am a mother of six beautiful grown children. I have led a full life within the empire but I feel a shift within.

“I have known the glow of the Mother when I birthed my children and raised them. Now that they are gone, living their own adventures, I seek the glow of the Mother once again.”

Lyn woke up from a dreamy gaze and looked into Asher’s eyes with a firm resolve.

“I know the elixir effects. For thirty days I will know the touch of the Mother and will produce milk. The milk will be used to create all manner of potions and it is the price to pay for staying here.

“Lord Blackwood, I willingly pay that price to know those moments once again.”

Asher bowed his head to the elf. “We can aid you on your journey. I can have the elixir brought to you, but Lyn, how do you wish to enjoy your journey? We have two farmhouses with many rooms in both. There is a sitting pond and covered patio. There is a winery, gardens, and crops. We have a library here filled with all manner of books.

“The estate is simply not a place to drink the elixir and produce milk. There is a greater experience here, if you wish it?”

Lyn eyed Asher, an endearment filling her gaze. “Lord Blackwood, you are not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” Asher asked with a sly smile.

“A barbarian seeking only my flesh as I fell into the throes of the experience,” the elf said honestly.

Asher laughed.

“Not here, Lady Moongaze. Consent, privacy, and honesty are some of the higher values we hold here. Everyone who resides here follows those ideals as sacred oaths.”

Lyn smiled and nodded. “It is a relief to hear it. I look forward to getting to know everyone who resides or visits here. But I must be clear on my experience.”

“Of course,” Asher said.

Lyn nodded again, and continued, “I saw the other farmhouse. I would like a room there.

“I also wish for solitude, with only coming here to pick a book from the library. I am only staying for thirty days and do not wish to visit the town. I understand I may encounter any who reside here but when it comes to morning milkings, I want to enjoy the experience alone.”

“I understand. Meals will be brought to you and you have access to the estate. Leave full jars on the porch of Farmhouse West and they will be picked up.

“If there is anything else we can do for you, please ask and we will do what we can to accommodate you.”

Lyn nodded. “Some more of this wine would be wonderful.”

“We have plenty. We will leave a few bottles in your room to enjoy.”

“Thank you, Lord Blackwood. You are most gracious.”

“Thank you, Lady Moongaze. Please enjoy your stay.”

Asher mentally laughed at himself, treating his home like a tavern for wealthy patrons. The few times he had the pleasure of staying in one, he grew annoyed by how much the staff tended to him. Despite his personal feelings, he took something from the experiences and used it here.

The lord wasn’t sure what to think about the beautiful elf staying on the farm. He could feel a nervous edge from her, hiding behind her kind poise. Questions swirled, the former ranger curious if his guest’s circles ever met with Elara’s circles.

Asher stood up first. Lyn finished her drink and stood up next.

“Let me give you the royal tour before we discuss when the elixir will be taken.”

Lyn smiled and nodded.

The pair left the study and entered the main corridor.

It didn’t take long for the pair to tour the large farmhouse. Paasha had appeared with Blyss, the two goblins mostly remaining out of sight but watching Asher and the new elf woman as they walked around.

When Asher and Lyn reached the common room, the elf seemed much more relaxed. She turned to Asher with a warm gleam in her eyes.

“Thank you for the tour, Lord Blackwood. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also enjoyed catching glimpses of your goblin protectors,” Lyn said with a knowing smile.

Asher chuckled. “They are like that with all new guests. Once everyone gets to know you, the cautious mood will settle.”

Lyn saw the dreamy gleam in the lord’s eyes when he spoke of the goblins.

“You know a little about me but may I ask a question about your life here, Lord Blackwood?”

“My life is an open book. Ask me anything and I will answer as best I can.”

Lyn gave the lord a relaxed look. “How many are in your harem?”

Asher smiled. “Difficult to say. It’s between seven and ten, depending on when we can spend time together. Not including guests who have enjoyed their stay here and wished to come back.”

“I sensed that about you. Once I began to know you, I could see how you would gain such a harem. They must truly love you.”

“We love each other,” Asher said from his heart. “We have not only loved, but fought for our family and this farm. Our blood was spilt to protect it and it only brought us closer.”

Lyn’s eyes took on a curious gleam. “There must be stories to tell. I may make an exception with my solitude to hear those stories of fierce protection and love.”

The air in the chamber turned into a warm gloom. Asher could not push it away as it enveloped him. A muck filled the boots of his spirit, trying to drag him down, not with suffocating danger but deeper emotions.

Time stood still. Asher was unable to fight the gravity of Lyn’s cleavage. He looked down, fighting his inner demons.

At that very moment, the front door opened.

Asher and Lyn turned to see Elara and Nyn walk in. Elara’s lips were parted, ready to announce her arrival, when she instantly stopped in her tracks.

The door closed behind the pair and a look of surprise was painted across their expressions.

Blyss and Paasha stepped out from the corridor and into the common room. They closed off any escape, Asher and Lyn trapped between the goblins and the elves.

“Elara Moonwhisper and Nynna Inkpond, please meet Lyn Moongaze. She is going to be a guest on the farm,” Asher smiled, knowing there was going to be many questions.