Sunflower Crossroads: a part of the middle

They came in a single line, suddenly there as if the darkness, the shadows had parted revealing them. One carried a bundle of ripened corn, stalks and ears. Another, a basket of potatoes. Two others carried more baskets of tomatoes, and wheat grain. The last held thick stalks of sunflowers, their heads still attached.1

Leading the five was a stooped figure, completely encased in a dark robe and hood. He carried the only source of light. The torch flickered and threw grotesque shadows across the ground. When the light moved on, the shadows swallowed the road.2

The six dark shadows approached the weathered sign post. The sickly vines were (insert height when figure it out) high. Their orange tipped leaves showing red in the sparse light.3

At the base of the post the five laid their gifts, each giving a silent prayer of thanks for the harvest.4

When they were all standing side-by-side in front of the sign, the leader brought out a small slab of stone from underneath his robe, and a mason jar of a burgundy liquid.5

Laying the stone on the hard packed ground near the crops, he knelt and raised the jar to the night sky. The moon was pregnant, as full as it could be. It's light shaded by the autumn clouds brushing up against it's belly.6

Suddenly, he splashed the thick liquid onto the lined crops and then poured the remaining contents onto the middle of the smooth stone.7

"Thank you, Lares for our harvest. We offer wheat from our finest fields. Along with potatoes, corn, tomatoes and the sacred sunflowers.8

We ask that you bless next year's harvest and keep our families safe."9

As the last of the liquid soaked into the ground, the stooped figure stood and walked back the way the six had come.10

One hurried to catch him, as the others slowly shuffled after them.11

"Charlie, a word." He laid a calloused hand on the robed figure.12

"Yes, Wayne," Charlie replied, slowing his pace.13

Wayne rubbed his chin nervously as he fell in step with Charlie. "You think it'll be enough?" He stuck his long fingers in his jean's pocket.14

Charlie didn't take his eyes from the path. The ground wasn't as clear as the road, one could twist an ankle walking back.15

"The gifts weren't as plentiful as in the past." Wayne again rubbed his chin.16

The night was silent around them. Nocturnal animals had cleared at the sixes presences and the insects, if there, were quiet.17

The rich scent of moist earth mingled with the fresh pine scent. Small puffs of air billowed out from their breath. Wayne shrunk into himself rethinking the light flannel jacket, wishing for his thicker coat.18

"The gifts will be fine. But we must return just after the new year. What crops will be ready at the time?" Charlie asked, his head still deep in his hood.19

"Howard's growing onions and radishes and spinach at my house." He paused. "Tom's trying broccoli, but so far he's stuggling to keep the vermin from eating the sprouts."20

Charlie said nothing as they entered the trees. Here the animals scurried under bushes, no longer afraid of the location, only the travelers in the familiar terrain.21

"It'll do," he replied. "It'll have to."22

Charlie felt silent and after a while Wayne dropped back, thinking that the sunflowers had better be harvested soon.23

There was no more conversation.24