Probation
Chapter 4

Things were going easier for Skye. A week had passed and already he was starting to get used to his new diurnal lifestyle and the pain from using muscles he normally never used was also dissipating. Even Claire had gotten off his case about pretty much damn near everything. He wasn't quite used to the early mornings or the back breaking work, but it was getting more manageable than when he started. If he worked for another week then perhaps his muscles would get used to the constant bending and pulling, standing and kneeling; repetitive motions indicative of the type of work he was forced to do. At the very least he was happy that after the hot springs incident she told him that he was allowed to collect both branches and stones from the fields. She would still collect the more expensive items but at least it would make up for any loss from the lack of weed growth.

The weeds, at least to him didn't seem to be popping up as much as they had been the first day. Checking his financial diary, he once again added up how much he earned. He had no choice but to subtract the three hundred gold that bought the diary. He didn't want to admit it, but it was a little worth it. Needless to say he was a happy ex-theif waking up that morning.

Of course, there was no doubt in his mind that his status as a former thief was temporary. Once he paid his services and got this over with, he would easily and gladly go back to the life that he once lived. He would be a little wiser the next time, checking his surroundings for traps and made a note to never enter a place that clearly had no means of escape but for a tiny hatch that opened up from someone's floor. While at some point Skye might have thought it a challenge of the best sort, he quickly changed his tune when realizing he was after ward outnumbered three to one with men who were much larger than himself.

Skye had a much more delicate body shape than most men. It was never an issue for his pride as a man, despite looking like he could easily fit into the role of a female. He was built for speed and wit and he liked it that way. Outsmarting any sucker was much more useful than forcing them into submission with brute force. Disarming a lady with a seductive glance was far more efficient and gentle than intimidating them with size and muscle.

Even he knew the witch farmer was attracted to him on some level. She would never let herself admit it. However, it was clear from her mannerisms the previous week, and even the more mild-mannered nature she adopted after the hot springs that she was currently debating something to herself regarding him.

He was glad his chores had graduated from weeds to rocks and branches being added on. It meant more work for himself, but more work meant more money, which would bring him up to his ultimate goal that much faster. She made sure he kept well watered and protected from the sun's harsh rays as he worked. At least she knew how to take care of a charge, which was lucky for him. Still, he couldn't understand how such a woman with an unladylike attitude could become so well liked in this valley.

It was no surprise to anyone that Claire had a temper. She clearly showed this fact multiple times in public, not shying away from prying eyes when thinking she needed to show him a thing or two. He couldn't say she was necessarily abusive, though he always claimed her to be. He was no ignorant fool, and knew that at times he had done more than stand by innocently, even coaxing such a reaction out of her.

As his anger over the situation dissipated with acceptance, he found his life on the farm to be a much more pleasant experience. Sure, it wasn't really fun, and was still downright unpleasant as a whole, but he wasn't pulling his hair out. As he calmed down, so had Claire, her barbs popping up whenever he made a fuss. He understood that now, if perhaps only a little bit.

No, he understood perfectly. If he wanted a much better life for himself he should seduce Claire into a state more suited to his needs. It would be hard; he still disliked the woman. But if he could gain her trust and even mend the bad blood between the two of them and even have her think they were friends, she might do him favours, give him more freedoms and privileges. It wasn't like he forgot hot to act charming, he just hadn't seen the need to be gentlemanly around a woman he deemed far less than worthy.

Claire had gone to the bar once again. Her drinks were usually few, preferring to chat with all who entered the building than come for what it was intended for. Still, Skye noticed a definite shift in her energy after a drink or two, Claire being sluggish by the end of the working day.

"Good work today." Skye said, placing his beer down on the table as he sat down beside Claire. She scooted her chair away from him slightly, giving him a wary look. He gave her his best disarming smile and raised the glass to his lips.

"You're acting mighty chipper." Claire said, tracing her finger along the edge of her glass. "It's only been a week and you're already done pouting?"

"Gentlemen bounce back quickly, my dear. Besides, I have a new outlook on this job you've tasked me with. What better way to know about your food as a chef than having worked on your own property? If I am to open my own restaurant some day I should have a proper appreciation for the work that goes into the food before it comes to my hands."

Claire's hand gently returned to the table. Skye smirked through his glass at the priceless look on her face. Her mouth hung ajar slightly, her eyes wide. Regaining her composure, she shook her head.

"You really thought all that on your own?" Skye placed his hand on his chest in mock hurt.

"Why Claire, I'm offended. Surely you must know that I do have a brain along with this gorgeous face. How do you think I was able to keep from getting caught all this time?"

"That chick beam of yours." Claire said flatly. He could tell she didn't trust him yet. He wouldn't either if he was in her shoes. They hated one another, yet his attitude changed so suddenly. He could tell that was exactly what she was thinking at this moment. He shrugged.

"Believe what you will, Claire." He said, exhaling the words as he stood up. "But I'm not going to let this setback stop me."

"I've been thinking," Claire said, her voice raised to catch his attention. "about giving you more work. But you might not like it."

Skye folded his arms across his chest. "Oh really. I think any work that gets me closer to paying off that debt will make me happy."

"Well, that's the thing." Claire said. She leaned back in her chair. "You'll earn more money, but it will put you in even deeper debt with the village."

Skye nearly dropped his beer. "E-explain!" He said after a moment of word fumbling.

"Well... you'll essentially have your own farm." She said, keeping her eyes down on her drink. She swirled the glass before taking a sip. "Gotz will clear some land behind my property and the village will pay him for his services. But you'll earn all that money back on the farm."

"So I'm paying for an entire property!" Skye growled, his grip on his glass tightening dangerously.

"Essentially, yes. You can't do much on my property and the more leeway I give to you, the less money I make. After a while you'd be at a standstill. So I figured if you had your own place it would give you more room to make an impact on that debt. But you'd have to pay for everything yourself. Along with the property, you'd pay for the barns, coups, mill, makers... everything. The more you invest into the farm, the more money you can make."

"So I'll become a farmer. What do I do with that property after I pay back everything?"

"Well, I thought I'd buy it all from you. I'll have a bigger ranch and you can have all the money to do what ever you wanted."

Skye staggered back, finding a chair and falling into it to prevent his shaking legs from collapsing under him. Properties were expensive. Barns and livestock, buildings and materials. The sort of things he would have to purchase seemed innumerable. It felt like much more commitment than he desired. But really, Claire was using him to build up a larger property. Being paid for a fully set up ranch was appealing, though. He didn't know the amount, but he would be golden for money. He could even... build his restaurant?

He licked his lips, taking the proposition and carefully weighing his options in his mind. It was much too tempting. Suddenly the fact that he was stuck with this probationary period seemed less like a curse and more like a beneficial opportunity. It would indeed set him back quite a bit. No doubt that his stay on Claire's property would be doubled or even tripled. Even living with her didn't seem to be that bad.

"It will be hard work, you understand." Claire said. "These animals will be yours and so will the property. So the ranch's prosperity depends on how much effort you put into it."

Skye nodded. Suddenly it was more than just paying off his debt. Still, it seemed quite generous of her. He looked into Claire's eyes, searching as though they'd give some answers. "This seems a little too good on my end. I thought this was meant to punish me."

"It is." Claire scoffed. "What, you think farm work is all fun and games? You've been sore since the day you started working and you've only been pulling weeds and picking up branches and rocks. You think you can easily handle taking care of animals at the same time?"

"Hang on, I haven't even agreed to this yet!" Skye said. "But this is tempting. Still, I have to ask... why would you let me have all this? It seems more like a gift than a punishment."

Claire shrugged. "I don't see why you can't be rewarded for hard work, even if that hard work is done to pay back for wrong doings. If you do a good job on the farm and make it a good place, why can't I buy it off of you and you can go on to do greater things with yourself?"

Skye was silent. After a few moments he stood up, walking over to Claire, who stood as well. He held his hand out to her, which she took.

"You have a deal."

Sorry about taking so long to get this out. For the longest time I couldn't write anything. Then suddenly I had half the chapter written just like that! So here's the long anticipated chapter 5. Thank you to everyone who has favourited and reviewed so far. You are all greatly appreciated, especially reminding me that I have a story that I need to write!