Rhiann answered, “No…no, I’d like to talk to you. My name is…NET. I’ve watched you tending the trees. I admire your great dedication. It looks like hard work. Are you a Tree Shepherd?”
The orchardist replied, “I’m not a shepherd. We don’t have any sheep. Some of the neighbors still have cows. I had to give mine up. Too much work to do in the orchard! NET? You’ve an odd name. Can’t say I’ve heard such. I just work the land and enjoy the orchard. Hard work doesn’t hurt a man! I’d rather work here for two full days than take a trip to Boone.”
Rhiann said, “So…you don’t like to travel.”
Garnet replied, “Can’t say I do. Have you traveled far?”
The sorcerer continued, “Yes…I’m not from these parts. What are local people commonly named?”
Garnet lifted back his worn cap a bit and again wiped his brow and followed, “That’s a might peculiar question. Have heard folks named Archer, Fisher, Hunter, and Bowman. But not ‘Net’.”
Rhiann felt a bit uncomfortable and continued, “NET is my, what do you say, cognomen? My mother named me Rhiann. You have a fine beast. What’s his name?”
Garnet quizzically asked, “Cognomen? Beast? You talk funny, young fellow.”
Rhiann searched for words. His Comprehend Languages Spell was a bit weak on vernacular. After a few awkward moments he managed, “Nickname! NET is my nickname! It’s what my friends call me. The beast… the four-legged creature beside you. I can’t understand his tongue.”
Garnet chuckled, “That’s funny. His name is Drum. He’s a pretty good dog. If a man wanted to go hunting, Drum’s always done a good job, but he doesn’t talk much.”
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