Beastmen Love-Chapter 145: Four Circles of Life

"I believe that someone lives happily if we have four things balanced in our lives. Let’s call it The Four Circles of Life. Circle number one is Passion. It is what you do that you enjoy doing, that you have pleasure doing. It can be gardening, reading, sewing, cooking, writing, or painting. Whatever that makes you enjoy the time doing it. The second circle is Vocation. There are things that you’re naturally good at. Can you guess what I’m naturally good at?" She explains and then asks.

"If I list, we will stay here all day, love." Koa answers, making everyone chuckle agreeing.

"Smooth. But it is Arts. Painting, and drawing. It’s something that was always easy for me." She answers.

"But you’re a good doctor. You’re a good farmer too." Beau says.

"That I learned to be good at. But Art is something that I have naturally learned. Medicine and farming, in my case, are in the next circle. That is Mission. It is what you do to help others without expecting anything in return. A mission is necessarily doing something to help others. It is not necessarily doing something for many people at the same time. For example, your mission might be farming, and that naturally will help others. Or could be protecting someone that has high importance and that will be good for many people. As long as you do something without desiring anything in return, that is your mission. And the last circle is Profession. That’s the work you gain something from it. Like preparing salt, building houses, and selling clothes. This is what you do to receive something in return. If all these circles are in balance, you will wake up every day with motivation and with a sense of happiness." She explains.

"That makes total sense. I can see that in my life and I can say I’m living the happiest life." Claud says.

"How can I know my Vocation and Mission?" A guard asks, and his question was of many of them over there.

"Like I said to Yank: by trying. Might be hard for some and easy for others. Why do I advise you to find your circles? You learn about yourself more. You become more disciplined with the good results you find. You become more curious and always find something new to learn, and every time you keep improving yourself more and more. As you grow, your mind gets stronger. With a strong mind, nothing can stop you. Limits on your capabilities are measured and put only by yourself." She answers.

All of them were hearing with so much attention that now it was obvious to Yank why his father wanted him to be Astri’s apprentice. Xzan was between the guards, training and hearing her always, and he couldn’t deny he would give anything to be closer to her.

After lunch, Astri calls Yank, Xzan, and Shung to join the class on reading and writing with her.

Her class is growing, she teaches her children, including Hopin, her spouses Beau, Koa, and Kangki, and now others like Shung, Yank, and Xzan have joined.

After class, while Yank and Shung are walking back home, Yank can’t deny he’s excited.

"I can’t believe we had someone so amazing like her in our tribe! That’s why she’s so secluded in the castle. She’s amazing. I wish I could be stronger and smarter to become her spouse one day." Yank speaks.

"It’s your choice. However, you need to know that such power can’t be in just anyone’s reach. The wrong people will want to get close to her just to have the power she has. Astri is the main reason our tribes grew, that’s why she needs so much protection. And that’s why many decided to only be her guard, and not spouse, because her role is too important and they know that she’s not the kind of female that will have many spouses. It would be a war all the time for males wanting to have her and power." Shung says.

"I understand.. Dieg was lucky to be her spouse even for so little time."

Shung smiles, remembering now that Yank still has to know who Astri is.

"He is. Anyone who can be close to her is lucky. Including you and me. Someday you will learn more about her and will understand even more reasons why we’re so lucky."

They walk back to Shung’s cave and find Fraz with her other spouses.

"I’m glad you’re back. A new merchant arrived here selling a drink that he says that is the best medicine for males and females. He’s at the Central Area waiting for us to decide if we want to buy it or not. I called the doctors to check if that’s good medicine indeed." Graham, the oldest spouse of Fraz, and acts like Shung’s Beta, says.

"A medicine?"

"Yes. He says that makes females and males be more fertile. And also warm our bodies and we wouldn’t need to worry in the snowing season."

"With a drink? Let’s see it. Love, Astri sent you this." Shung says and then hands a pot with food for Fraz.

"Oh, that sweetheart. It smells amazing. Thank you." Fraz happily says.

"Come Graham. You too Yank." Shung motions them and walks away.

They walk to the Central Area and see the leader of doctors talking to the merchant. The merchant is a monkey, wearing nice clothes, and he looks like an expert in sales. However, for some reason, Shung didn’t like his energy and neither of the ones along with the merchant.

"Leader Shung. This is Falazar. He was showing me this medicine. It is made of black grapes. He claims it won’t ever spoil, and the oldest, the best effects." The doctor says and then shows the cup to Shung.

Shung smells it. No medicine has a good smell, but he decides to follow his instincts because something is warning him to not drink it.

"How do you call this, merchant?" Shung asks.

"Juine, sir. Other tribes already tried and they said the number of pregnant females raised." The merchant says, sounding very proud.

"I see. Yank, please call Leader Lee. Ask him to bring Claud and Astri." Shung says to Yank, who nods and runs away.

The leader of the doctors, Shankin, knows that Astri knows more than she looks like after spending more time with her. And he also knows that Claud is the same way. For Shung to call them, he knows Shung wants to be sure of this medicine before spreading it to the tribe.

Even though people normally believe his words and buy the medicine right away, Falazar waits patiently. He imagined it would be harder to convince bigger tribes like The United Tribes. It is common sense to survive you have to be aware of everything.

At least, that is what he thinks is the reason. The others with him can feel that Shung is not trusting them.

After waiting a little longer, Yank and Lee arrive with Astri and Claud, followed by Kangki and Beau. Lee presents himself and then only Claud, not wanting to expose Astri.

"Let’s take a sample and check it somewhere more private." Lee says.

Falazar nods with a smile, motioning for them to show the way. Kangki growls at the others with Falazar who got too close to Astri. Sensing that Beau and Kangki are strong, they stepped away from Astri.

"Is this female desiring to have a litter? if you try this medicine you will have a little very soon, dear." Falazar says to Astri.

Astri doesn’t answer, only smiles in return. They arrive at the meeting hall, a private cave near Shung’s cave.

"Please, explain to us how this medicine is made." Claud asks, taking the cup and smelling it.

"The black grapes are crushed and pressed several times until they become liquid. Then it is put in closed pots with some honey. The older it gets, the better effects it will have. It won’t ever spoil. To be truthful, we never know if it will spoil because it always finishes quickly. However, we have pots with more than 90 days and they’re very good medicines yet." Falazar does his part as the salesman, and he laughs at the end to try to take laughter from others and make them more comfortable trusting him.

"I see. What are the side effects?" Claud asks.

Astri told him to ask that before they arrived. Falazar looks at Claud with confusion in his eyes.

"Side effects?"

"Every medicine has side effects. That’s why it is not supposed to be used constantly unless someone has a condition all his life." Claud says.

"Well, we haven’t heard of side effects besides people getting very happy with it and saying they become better at procreation. That females are getting pregnant faster." Falazar answers, showing a tense smile and trying to divert the situation.

"What would mean getting very happy? Does that mean they’re happy with the results or do they feel happy when drinking this?" Astri asks.

Falazar looks a bit stunned by her question. She could see that she got him right where it hurt, but she smiled trying to comfort him so he could keep on talking and not feel disrespected.