The Federation
Established Nation
The steppe was vast with rolling hills and yellowed grass that waved in the whipping winds. Cattle stretched for a mile or two, herded by ranchers upon horse back, a familiar sight in the Arrety Autonomous Zone. Not much sound could be heard, but for the wind and the occasional grunt from the traveling herd. Many miles in the away flashes of lightning and the roar of thunder, tempered by distance, could be seen as storm came over where the steppe ended and the mountains began.
“Svaduris,” a nearby ranch hand said, attempting to get the attention of his boss.
The ranch hand, named Bortis, Galetas’ trusted man and drive boss waved his arm in front of his boss’ face and then snapped his fingers.
Galetas Svaduris was deep in thought when he finally realized Bortis was trying to get his attention. He swatted the Bortis’ snapping fingers away from his face.
“What is it!?” Galetas snapped and then felt guilty after realizing who he was angry with.
Bortis shrugged off Galetas’ anger and said, “we’re almost to the railhead, sir.”
The railhead was indeed close by with downtown Drugenai, nestled in the foothills, not much further. The city looked especially gray and dirty today, they would avoid getting tangled up with the city even if it meant having to camp in the rain for the night. Getting back out onto the steppe and eventually back to the ranch was his priority; the drive had been particularly long and drawn out, taking three weeks to reach the railhead under threat of storms and the feared Shteppenvarka, the steppe wolf of Arrety.
A half hour later they had reached the cattle pens near the railhead, Galetas stayed behind, opting not to make the deal himself, sending Bortis in his stead to sell the cattle. The profit would be higher this year than last with rising beef prices and many of the projects Galetas had for his ranch would be affordable for next year, the men and women in his employ would be happy as well, hoping the drive would earn enough for a small increase in their own wages and the continued operation of the ranch they worked for.
Another hour passed and Galetas, still on horseback, could see his drive boss, Bortis, riding up from the railhead office block with a sack slung across his chest, no doubt the payment. The Cattle had been put in the pen to be shipped away by train and Galetas’ men would be making their way back to the meeting place for the trip back. Another drive had been completed and city troubles avoided, or so Galetas thought as he turned his horse to ride the meeting place only to see two familiar faces before him.
“Svaduris,” a nearby ranch hand said, attempting to get the attention of his boss.
The ranch hand, named Bortis, Galetas’ trusted man and drive boss waved his arm in front of his boss’ face and then snapped his fingers.
Galetas Svaduris was deep in thought when he finally realized Bortis was trying to get his attention. He swatted the Bortis’ snapping fingers away from his face.
“What is it!?” Galetas snapped and then felt guilty after realizing who he was angry with.
Bortis shrugged off Galetas’ anger and said, “we’re almost to the railhead, sir.”
The railhead was indeed close by with downtown Drugenai, nestled in the foothills, not much further. The city looked especially gray and dirty today, they would avoid getting tangled up with the city even if it meant having to camp in the rain for the night. Getting back out onto the steppe and eventually back to the ranch was his priority; the drive had been particularly long and drawn out, taking three weeks to reach the railhead under threat of storms and the feared Shteppenvarka, the steppe wolf of Arrety.
A half hour later they had reached the cattle pens near the railhead, Galetas stayed behind, opting not to make the deal himself, sending Bortis in his stead to sell the cattle. The profit would be higher this year than last with rising beef prices and many of the projects Galetas had for his ranch would be affordable for next year, the men and women in his employ would be happy as well, hoping the drive would earn enough for a small increase in their own wages and the continued operation of the ranch they worked for.
Another hour passed and Galetas, still on horseback, could see his drive boss, Bortis, riding up from the railhead office block with a sack slung across his chest, no doubt the payment. The Cattle had been put in the pen to be shipped away by train and Galetas’ men would be making their way back to the meeting place for the trip back. Another drive had been completed and city troubles avoided, or so Galetas thought as he turned his horse to ride the meeting place only to see two familiar faces before him.