The parsnips were ready. Maple woke up early to find the apple creatures, who woke up as early as her. They were beginning to pluck the parsnips. Maple decided to help. Between her and the little apples (Didn't Abigail call them Junimos or something?) the task was completed easily. Then she took the parsnips out of the little house and dropped them into the shipping bin. She then went back inside, and rummaged through her backpack to grab a bag of raisins. She poured a handful in front of the Junimo's hut. Then Sterling crawled out of bed. He saw the parsnips harvested and Maple standing in the middle of them, covered in dirt.
"How did you harvest an entire field by yourself?" he asked.
"Not all by myself. The Junimos helped."
"The what?"
Abigail came over that day. She brought a heavy spell book. When Maple excitedly told her about their day, the witch explained that since Lewis died, nobody was coming to the shipping bin anymore. She offered to take their crops hey left and give them to Sebastian to take to the city to sell. His motorcycle had become the only way out of the valley. She then gave the spell book to Maple.
"I think you might have a nature magic affinity. In hindsight, I think your mother had one too. She seemed to have the favor of every forest creature in the valley. Magic is genetic, and from what I know, between your Arcane Knowledge and Spirit Sight, it seems pretty likely. So I want you to have this. Go through the first chapter, and do the exercises. I'll come back to check on you two next week. Until then, so long!" And then she left.
Sterling decided to act like an adult and log things on the farm. He got out his sketchbook and turned to an empty page. The sketchbook had been a gift from his school teacher. Grandma had been livid when he brought it home, saying that 'boys aren't supposed to be artists!' and other similar things. He only drew at school and when grandma was at her aerobics class. Now he was writing:
Spring 6
Gold: 500
Maple got a spell book from Abigail. I really miss Mom. Tomorrow, let's ask around for jobs and see if we can get some extra gold.
Peep wandered into the house. The chick nestled itself into the backpack and went to sleep. So did the kids.
