HEARTHWANE · LORD
human, 56
Married Aveline, a quiet woman from upriver whose candle always leaned toward her.
THEIR STORY
Gideon Linden holds a small hall on the river above Ambry Ford, a house with more daughters than servants. He married late and loved his wife past sense, and when Lady Aveline died two winters ago he put on black and has not taken it off. Every morning since the spring he has found twelve pairs of slippers worn through behind a door he locked himself. He has offered a place at his table to anyone who can tell him why, and three watchers have tried.
FROM
Linden Hall, above Ambry Ford
HOW THEY LOOK
Tall and stooped, grey at the temples, in mourning black two winters old. A ring of house keys at his belt that he touches like beads.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Three nights. That is what I can bear, and what I offer.”
“Do not tell me they are well. Tell me where they go.”
BEFORE THE TALE
25 years ago · Linden Hall
Married Aveline, a quiet woman from upriver whose candle always leaned toward her. He thought it was a draught.
13 years ago · Linden Hall
Saw the twelfth daughter named, like the others, after a herb in her mother's garden. He can tell each one's step on the stair.
this year · the great hall
Struck three watchers' names from his guest-book after three nights each, and turned two of them out at the gate.