Wilom went to visit the construction site with Vanda every day for a while – with the Pathways, it was a matter of minutes to get to and from the site every morning. Rickart had thoroughly taken over the site planning, and was so obviously competent at it that Wilom honestly felt a little useless. Instead, he joined Inushi’s heavy lifting crew. Wilom realised with a start that he’d never seen a soldier in any sort of action – he’d only ever seen them either sitting on the boat, or waiting idly. Inushi was wearing only her singlet and trousers, bracing a plank of wood upright as a few men and women up on the scaffolding got themselves in place to pull it up. Wilom admired her. She was efficient and capable, and had a knack for being part of a team while she led it. Continue reading “To Whom it May Concern”
The Approach of Finality
Wilom regretted letting Vanda talk him into see the ferryman, but he didn’t turn her away when she came to collect him. He’d meant what he said. Vanda shouldn’t need to bully him into facing his problems like an adult, and he needed very badly to be done with this particular problem. Continue reading “The Approach of Finality”
Enjoying the Moment
Vanda and Wilom stood overlooking the construction site. Vicdra, true to his word, had managed to get people in to help him. He’d said they were mostly those they’d already found homes for but were unhappy for one reason and another. A few of them were under investigation or the threat of investigation. Some of them had been running from place to place to avoid being caught. Just enough ID to keep them on the move. Continue reading “Enjoying the Moment”
Returning a Gift
Mr Treene’s next invitation came somewhat unexpectedly. Ever since he had given Mr Treene that gift – and especially since his visit to the ferryman – he had been rethinking that choice. At the time, it seemed clever. Now he was certain it was petty, and not at all sure it hadn’t been arrogant, too. Continue reading “Returning a Gift”
A Call On Duty
Vanda was out somewhere — probably working for the lighthouse keeper — and Wilom had no desire to see anyone. The Heads still hadn’t sent the date for their next meeting. He didn’t fancy spending another day wandering around coffee shops and trying not to listen in to people’s personal lives. And he definitely did not want to see Mr Treene. Continue reading “A Call On Duty”
Contingency Plans
Even though he and Vanda had agreed to do nothing about the mysterious letter, Wilom couldn’t help feeling useless. Being patient was easy. Being unable to do anything was different. However, a contingency plan? That, at least, felt productive. Continue reading “Contingency Plans”
Bad News
At Marc’s house, Cathlin was sorting through a pile of mail. Jilli was playing with her bear and a doll at the other end of the table, and Marc was chopping carrots.
“There’s one here for you,” Cathlin said, and pushed it across the table to Wilom. Continue reading “Bad News”
A Village to Raise
They were up at the new village for the next few days after that, with Rickart, Inushi, Keri, and all the volunteers Vanda had mentioned, all starting to bring building materials together, and mark out the area. Soon the land was cordoned off into sections. Wilom didn’t see the logic in what would go where, but he supposed it only mattered that the builders knew. Continue reading “A Village to Raise”
An Eye on the Times
Rytel had requested that Wilom meet her at the office, so for the first time in Wilom’s entire time on the company books, he went to his supposed workplace. Continue reading “An Eye on the Times”
A Gift
Wilom knocked on Mr Treene’s door five minutes before the appointed time, in a shirt that wasn’t brand new, but was freshly washed and pressed. He had brought the Ahgetian peppers and the spices, nicely wrapped in a gift bag, then stored in his briefcase for good measure. Continue reading “A Gift”
Whimsy and Metaphor 