For Wilhemina and Khardeen

[smithofwainola]

Ilmarinen has stuck up a large, visible sign. It is lettered in the precise, almost-drawn script of a man who is more used to drafting than to writing, and it is horribly misspelled. The one word that isn't part of a name is in another language--and also misspelled.

VILHIMINA BENNIDIKT IA KARDIIN, the sign reads. There is an arrow pointing to

Comments

[sisterbenedict]

Wilhelmina manages, and she blinks at the sign, startled. "...what's my name doing there?" She asks no one in particular, with an air of consternation.

[smithofwainola]

"Are you Wilhemina, lady?" asks Ilmarinen, standing from his seat.

[sisterbenedict]

She turns and curtseys, quickly. "I am."

[smithofwainola]

He smiles, making a bow to her. "Do you know a woman known as Lydia? She said she knew you."

[sisterbenedict]

"Lydia - oh, oh yes! She's my friend." A smile for that. Wilhelmina isn't used to friends.

[smithofwainola]

Well, that's a good sign. "Is there nothing evil in her? Nothing of the dark and cold wind?"

[sisterbenedict]

Wilhelmina frowns. "No," she says, vehemently. "She's sweet."

[smithofwainola]

"She said you could see her truly, if she lied or if she spoke truth. Is this so? Have you that talent?" He is asking it politely, as though he really hopes that the answer is yes.

[sisterbenedict]

A nod, slowly.

"Not as well as Jaenelle, but..."

[smithofwainola]

His shoulders relax, his hands slide into his work apron's pockets. "Then I have been cruel, unduly; she had frightened me one evening--but I must amend it with her."

[sisterbenedict]

Wilhelmina frowns a bit. "You were unkind to her?"

[smithofwainola]

"I told her that she must leave me, for she had kept back her nature--but if she had friends to claim that she was not a nighttime terror, then I would beg for her pardon."

[sisterbenedict]

She frowns, looking a bit unhappy with him.

[smithofwainola]

"If you see her first, good lady--tell her, Seppo Ilmarinen humbly requests forgiveness for his harshness and unkindness."

[sisterbenedict]

She nods. "I will. I hope you haven't hurt her too badly."

[smithofwainola]

"So do I. But I was frightened," he says honestly. Yes, great big Ilmarinen frightened of tiny little Pandora. You had to be there.