Stunted and gnarled fruit trees are lined in rows. The trees have thick bases and are clearly very old but have not produced any fruit for a long time, yet they stubbornly cling to life. Unpruned, their branches stick out at all angles making it hard for a person to traverse the orchard and frequently these branches grab the loose clothing of any visitor. Wind moan through the trunks while dead leaves slowly tumble along the ground.
Haunted Orchard, Farm
the king's mother who sits at their side.
visitor
I come to see the king when in town. I do not like the peasants of the castle. I am good friends with the king,
Milady, why have you summoned me out here? Ah, Gertrude, I'm glad you've come.  Truthfully I get a bit nervous coming out here alone, but I'm afraid what must be done cannot be avoided. but why are you out here at all? Now, I trust you implicitly, or I would not have invited you at all.  But I must have your complete silence on what is about to transpire here.  On your oath, if you please. you have my word Now, do you recall last year, the assassin that beset my son?  And how all murmured afterwards at how keen our spy network must be, so well prepared we were for the threat? How could I forget? I was worried sick Well, the truth is, my dear, that on a regular basis, I come here.  Using this memento passed down through the royal line, I am able to commune with spirits and powers that are able to sense much that we mere mortals cannot. you mean... magic? Indeed, although it is not a magics such as wizards in their high towers and tomes use.  Instead it is connected with the nature of the earth and the spirit of the aether that is all around us.  And here is where the Veil is weakest. so you... foresaw the assassin? In a way - more so that it was told to me than I actively commanded the powers.  And it is not always so clear, or so readily available.