Ch 35: Chains

There were many times when I thought all avenues I’d had in my search of knowledge were exhausted. I always found more though. There is no end to knowledge, only to the time we have to find it.

• Victor Morrow’s Journal

Once they returned from church Solomon decided to force himself to meet with Poth before he secluded himself in the hidden study. He found the man nearly waist deep in a patch of dirt, his hands coated in dirt and his beard thick with soil.

“Good morning, Poth,” Solomon said, keeping enough distance to avoid the dirt, but staying close enough that the man could hear him.

Poth pulled himself out of the hole and looked down at himself apologetically, keeping his eyes down.

“Sorry about the state of me, Lord Morrow.”

“You’re a gardener. If you weren’t dirty I’d be concerned you weren’t doing your job.”

Poth smiled, though he kept his eyes down. “I suppose that’s true, lord.”

“Melissa told me that you were waiting on some guidance from me?”

“The garden is nearly cleared, thanks to the help you brought me, but I’m unsure of what you want from here? Do you favor something in the classic style like the Morrow Estate? Or something more modern? Do you favor any flowers or trees in particular? I’ll work to whatever specifications you provide.”

Solomon scratched his chin. For some reason thoughts of large trees creating a canopy filled with gentle shade were the first thing to come to mind.

“I’ve always favored bloodflowers, and would like something blue for when Bernice visits… I would like something that provides a fair amount of shade for when one is walking about, and a garden.”

“A garden, lord?”

“Whatever food grows locally. We’ll harvest what we want for the estate and allow the locals of Moonfallow to have the remainder.”

Poth’s eyes looked up at him, his surprise unhidden.

“It’s not a new idea. Many of the estates in cities have small gardens they allow locals to retrieve food from on occasion. Do you feel it’s a poor choice? Or beyond your abilities?”

“No lord. I would enjoy planting something to eat rather than just for aesthetics.” He paused. “Though I will endeavour to do both.”

Solomon smiled at him. “Thank you, Poth. Let Melissa know what funds are needed to get started and she’ll help coordinate with Duncan on having things wagoned in. Will you still need the help of the locals?”

Poth looked thoughtful. “I could probably do without most of them until the seeds and plants arrive.”