HEARTHWANE · COUNSEL
a carved doll with a blessing in it, 19
Was carved from limewood by the farm's first wife by the winter fire, while the baby Vessa slept in the…
THEIR STORY
Linnet is a limewood doll carved by Vessa's mother the winter Vessa was born, painted with an apron of red and blue. Vessa has carried her in an apron pocket since she was eight. She is fed a crumb from Vessa's own plate every night. Nobody else on the farm has ever seen her, and Vessa means to keep it that way.
FROM
carved at the Cray farm by Vessa's mother
HOW THEY LOOK
A limewood doll no longer than a hand, in a painted apron of red and blue. Its painted eyes catch the light a moment late.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Eat first. Then I will tell you.”
“Ask about the road. Never about the hands.”
BEFORE THE TALE
19 years ago · the Cray farm
Was carved from limewood by the farm's first wife by the winter fire, while the baby Vessa slept in the cradle beside her.
4 years ago · the Cray barn
Sorted a spilled sack of seed corn from the chaff in one night, so that Vessa would not be beaten for it.
this year · the Cray farm
Would not eat her crumb on the longest night, and told Vessa that fire does not drown itself.