ch. 20 The shocking story of the golden sheep

May 2. On the road back to Ottery. 3;00 pm

"Are you sure Dora is fine with you spending 10K on the ram kid? It's a beauty but I think you over bid a bit." Ben asked. He was driving while I sat on the front passenger seat.

"Not at all. Nana gave me £40000 so I actually saved quite a bit." I said with a smile. I swear Ben let out a deep breath hearing that because his bull ended being bought at £15000.

My friends sat in the back. They are dozing off a little. Luke is the only one awake blushing like a tomato. Mei was leaning on his sholder. 'I really should had brought my camera.' I chuckle.

After the whole fiasco at the auction I paid the teĺler at thier office. When I opened my bag, they were shocked on how much money I had with me.

We still had to wait a bit for Ben's bull so I treated my friends to lunch in a fancy restaurant near by. When the bull was sold we got ready to go back home. They were not weirded out about my crazy spending,..well maybe Ben. I sometimes splurge when we go out. I do the same thing with my football team, specifically after a win.

I told them I have inheritance from my 'dead parents'. And that I have a rich uncle that owns a company in London that sends me money. Despite this, I keep my spending under control.

Living my second life, I have my own beliefs when it comes to money. First, money can't buy happiness, but lack of money will not help you either. Second, money is meant to be spent but don't spend it to things that are pointless. Nana and I can actually live in a mansion but we dont. My only exception is regarding food, I'm very serious with my practice of cook....ehem... potions.

I also do a bit of charity. But I only give to the ones that I'm sure needs it or at least approved by Nana. She said that when people experience difficulties in life it will lead to some changes sometimes good and sometimes not. It's a hard pill to swallow but I get it. Like the saying goes "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Intervening too much just to make myself feel better is a selfish act, not charity. Many might say otherwise but remember, Nana can see the future.

It is passed 5pm when we got back. I bid my farewells when we got near my place. Ben helped me unload the ram from the trailer. It is currently on a leash given by the auction people.

As we walk I jokingly ask, "Boi, do you know what's a golden sheep?"

"Baaaaa?" It says he don't know.

"I'm pretty sure Nana knows but I can't help feeling I heard it before." I'm racking my brain. It's like the answer is at the tip of my tongue.

"Baaaa..baaaaa.baaaaaaa!" It yelled.

I said, "No, you won't be eaten. But I still needs to hear what your ancestors are like before deciding to keep you."

When we reach our front lawn, I still check if my mysterious neighbors would show themselves. But I only see thier window open and light was coming from inside. I gave up and walked inside our house.

"Nana, I'm home!" I gave my greetings and gave a kiss on the her cheeks. The sheep followed in observing his surroundings. I begand to inquire, "So Nana, what's a golden sheep? I got this nagging feeling that I heard of it."

"We'll talk while we eat, Dear. It might take a bit of time." She leads us to the kitchen where we have an early dinner. The ram has a bowl of salad and was listening in our discussion.

"The golden sheep is a creature that was around the era of the old gods." She began to explain, "...when the era of the gods ended and the rule of man began, some of those creatures scattered across the world. It was a time of great change in the world so everyone scrambled for resources even the surviving gods. The magical creatures were hunted by everyone as more resources means greater strength."

"The small creatures were able to hide easily. Some went underground. The ones who can fly escaped far away. The aquatic creatures escape in the deep waters. And the ones with strength fought for thier survival.

"The golder sheep was a winged sheep that was docile by nature. Only the males have enough strength to fight but they can't overcome the greed of others. It might have wings but they only used it for short burst of flight or gliding down from the mountain cliffs. They are basically chickens with four legs."

"They can be on the same level as unicorns. The unicorns utilize speed when fighting while the golden sheep leans more on defence and tenacity."

"Also the unicorns was blessed with a defense spell that curse whoever harms it. While there's just no consequence put in place if you kill a golden sheep."

"Every part of the sheep has its use. The flesh and blood grant strength to those who consumes it. The bones are harder than steel, perfect for crafting weapons. And the coat can heal when worn."

"You might need some effort in hunting them but if you use bows and arrows with a few skilled strong men, they can be easily killed. At that time they were literally sheeps waiting to be slaughtered."

As I listen to her story, I blurted out,"The golden fleece!... from Jason and the Argonauts!...now I remember. So the legend was true?!"

"Not quite dear. The magical creature,golden sheep, existed but its story is not as colorful as told in the legend. The legend came about because some immoral gods have a habit of transforming into animals and doing you-know-what..." i can feel her irritation remembering somethings.

She composedherselfand continued,"...The fleece or wool is the natural fibre produced year-round. You don't have to kill the animal. It just needs to be harvested."

'Ohhhh... I'm gonna be rich!' I thought fast and asked Nana, "How do you harvest the fleece? Do you use special sheers like the normal sheeps? Is it like a golden sheer or something?"

"Haha, I'm sorry child you are thinking too much. We just comb or brush the sheep's coat. At the end, we end up with a clump of wool. We don't sheer the whole animal as thier coat provide a natural defence. Back in the old era, we have millions of them so collecting it might be time consuming but for immortals, time is something we have plenty of."

"Aawwwwwww...I got my hopes up on that one. Hah." I pout with disappointment.

"So dear, I'll clear the table. You think about what you will do with the little guy over there." She began clearing the table.

At the couch I face the ram. We look at each other. I already made my decision to contract him. I just need to be smart when I make my offer. I started, "So, you heard what Nana said about your ancestors. Do you want to become one? I will provide you with a place to live and give you strength and powers. And you can also drink this everyday.." I presented a drop of my Spring water on the tip of my finger.

He took a nibble of my finger and let out a resounding "Bbbaaaaaaaa!" as his acceptance.

Then I ask, "But buddy, can let me brush you and collect some of your wool?"

"Baaa...bha!!" He agreed.

"Ok Thanks buddy." Then I opened a smoky slit in space that leads to my mindscape. " Go in to your new home."

"BAAAAA!!!!!" the exclaimed in excitement as he enters. I quickly entered my mindscape and check.

As I appeared in the small plot in my Beast Space, Grace is by the spring, already watching over the sheep that is slowly sinking down the Spring.

I lean in and patted her neck and said, "Our family is getting a new member, girl. This time it's a boy.!"

After a few seconds being completely submerge in the Spring. The ram bursts out and screamed, "BAAAA!!!!"

I'm already expecting the new appearance to be golden and with wings. But i was still surprised by a color I didn't expect to see, dark purple. The circular horns are made of dark purple gold. There is a violet diamond shaped gem on its head in between its eyes.

As the ram take a look at its new appearance reflected in the spring water, my mindscape quake and another statue appeared at the north side of the spring. It is a golden statue of the golden winged ram facing outward. The wings were stretched out as if it was about to take a glide.

In front of the statue a vast fields of treeless flat steppes and gently rolling hills. There is a rocky montain range that borders it. The there are few patches of flower fields. It reminds me of the Mongolian steppes.

The ram approach us. I introduced Grace to him, "Hey boy, this is Grace Park my crystal unicorn!"

"Neighhh..Neighhh...!!" She greeted him with a proper poise.

"Baaaa..baaa!!" The ram nodded and gave a bow. But then s spark of lightning escaped from the gem on its head that travel around his body.*zzzzaaapp* "Baaa?!!!"

"Woah there! Stay calm, it's just an added bonus by the Beast Space. Need to be careful there buddy." I tried to hide my excitement. 'I got a lightning type!'

*cough * "Ok for your name...hmm" I try to think of the time we met and then look at the new are. And I made my decision.

"Gavel!.. your name will be GAVEL FIELDS!!"

"Baa?.....baàaa!!!!!!!!.....*zappp*.... BAAaaa!!!!*zzzzzaaap!!!! He was so happy hearing his new name bolts of lightning escaped from him. Good thing no one was hit..

I thought, 'How the heck am I supposed comb this guy? Haaaa!'

~end chapter ~