Portolis

Portolis was a mage in the Empire of Kar V'Shem. One day, when visiting the village of Sennar, he was contacted by a local knight, Rand, was who smitten with Dianora, the wife of a local merchant. Dianora had promised herself to Rand if Rand could produce a garden full of summer fruits and flowers during the dead of winter.

Portolis acknowledged he could produce such a garden, but wondered whether Rand was prepared to pay the price. Rand quickly agreed, and Portolis demanded seven thousand seven hundred seven and seventy kraybecks of gold. Rand immediately mortgaged his land and mansion, and dismissed all of his servants, save a fellow named Fant. They lived in a single room of the mansion, since Rand could no longer afford to heat the entire structure.

Portolis set about creating the spell, leaving Sennar for days at a time to gather materials. By Midwinter's Day Portolis was ready. He again asked Rand if he wanted this spell, and Rand affirmed. With that, Portolis conjured the garden into existence. Rand was ecstatic, and sent Fant to Ansovald's home with a basket of fruit as proof.

Dianora came to the garden. While Rand was initially thrilled to see her, when she affirmed that she did not love him, and that her pledge was an attempt to dissuade him from further courting, he understood why Portolis had repeatedly questioned him about the price. Rand released her from her pledge and sent her home.

Portolis appeared almost immediately. Impressed by Rand's selflessness, he decided to return the gold to Rand, who attempted to decline, but ultimately agreed. Portolis also correctly predicted that Rand would be a prosperous man for the rest of his life.

Portolis left Sennar, never to return.