The rich soil stretched endlessly before them, divided into sections according to season and growing conditions.
Lavayla spent several minutes walking through each area before making her decision.
Rather than using the middle of each field immediately, she marked off only a small section near the outer edge of every seasonal plot.
"If anything goes wrong," she explained while examining the soil, "I'd rather lose a small patch than an entire field."
Shalika nodded approvingly.
"A cautious approach is wise."
Lavayla smiled. "I've never farmed before. Being careful is probably my biggest advantage."
Setting the stone bowl beside her, she picked up a broad, curved bone she had asked Mirek to shape last night into a simple digging tool.
It was crude compared to a real hoe or shovel, but it was sturdy enough for light work.
She pressed its edge into the soil and began loosening the earth one section at a time.
The rich, dark soil turned over easily beneath the bone tool.
