HEARTHWANE · YOUNGEST
human, 13
At seven, blew at her birthday candles and watched every flame lean toward her instead.
THEIR STORY
Tansy is the youngest of the twelve Linden sisters, thirteen this winter, and the one who still asks why. She hums without knowing it, a low note that sets the dogs' ears back. She goes down the stair with her sisters every night and dances the Measure as well as any of them. Lately she has begun to stop on the bottom step and listen.
FROM
Linden Hall, in the Marches
HOW THEY LOOK
Small for thirteen, with straw-coloured hair that will not stay plaited and ink on her fingers. Her hands are always cold.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Can you hear that? No? Nobody ever can.”
“Betony says we are keeping something. I think we are keeping it badly.”
BEFORE THE TALE
6 years ago · Linden Hall
At seven, blew at her birthday candles and watched every flame lean toward her instead.
2 years ago · her mother's chamber
Was the last of the sisters to sit with their mother, who held Tansy's hand against the lantern glass and said nothing.
a year ago · the night stair
First heard a low held note in the stair walls, and thought everyone could hear it.