As they stood at the edge of the creek where the channels began, Elara placed a hand on Arpious's shoulder. "You've got a knack for this," she said warmly.
Arpious shrugged, but there was a hint of pride in her expression. "It's satisfying, seeing the difference a little effort can make."
They returned to the farmhouse, their boots muddy but their spirits light. The channels, now clear and reinforced, would carry the farm through the winter, ensuring the crops and livestock had the water they needed. It was another task completed, another small but vital step toward the farm's resilience.
