The Sorcerer and the Virginian… from the Gathering of the Thirttene Friends

Garnet brushed back another bead of sweat from his brow. Half a century of trudging up and down the hillsides of the thriving Virginia orchard had not dulled his vision. Garnet had followed and widened his father’s footsteps. The gentle Virginian still outworked younger men. Today he carried a ladder thrice his height on his shoulder and walked alone toward another tree to thin apples. Garnet knew every tree in the orchard.  Rhiann Klarje enjoyed his visits to the simple blue world. This orchard became one of his favorite places. The sorcerer remained inconspicuous during his visits. The blue world was Nature’s domain. Rhiann saw Magick in Nature and marveled at the simple farmer’s skill in tending his grove. Garnet’s skills rivaled the most veteran tree herders on Sagain, and he performed the tasks without the benefit of Magick.