"The Flame-Haired One" (New Fantasy Fic Idea)
Moderator: LadyTevar
Name: Shayera Carter
Sex: Female
Race: Human (Tangarian)
Nationality: Tangarian
Age: 71 (Looks like standard 25 year-old Human)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hair Color: Red
Eye Color: Emerald Green
Body Build: Solid
Class (D&D basis): Fighter
Background
Shayera Carter comes from the Valley of Tangaria and is the daughter of a hardy farmer in that land, born with the family name Shayera Magry. Like all of her people she learned to fight from an early age and participated in her first battle at the age of 15, standing in rank with her parents in a militia skirmish against Southmen from the mountains.
As is common for most Tangarians, Shayera left her homeland when she was 21 to join a Tangarian mercenary band, the Band of the Crimson Sword. She was on campaign when she met Telko Carter, from the Clan Carter. She became Telko's lover and married him when they were 25.
After serving in the Crimson Sword for 28 years, Shayera followed her husband when he left for personal reasons. An incident at home had led to the theft of the Tangarian majeral, an axe-headed scepter that served as a symbol of authority for their people. It had been lost due to an act of incompetence by one of Telko's family members, dishonoring them all, and Telko sought to find the majeral and return it to Tangaria to restore Clan Carter's place.
It was after a two year search that Telko's quest abruptly ended. Traveling through the Southern Mountains, he was betrayed by a Mountain Chieftain and cut down, though the chieftain and his men were then killed by an enraged Shayera.
Very few know of the final moments of Telko's life and Shayera refuses to speak on her husband's death. All that is known is that he died in her arms and, before his last breath, she swore an oath to him, swearing on their love that she would find the lost majeral and restore his family's honor.
For ten years she traveled around the known lands, visiting far off places and searching for the fate of the majeral. She finally tracked down the thief hiding in the Wilds and discovered it's location: it had been sold to King Elesander of Rothar. Shayera went to Rothar and presented herself to the King, offering him anything to have the majeral returned to Tangaria.
Elesander recognized Shayera's abilities as a warrior and saw in her the means to eliminate all of Rothar's most vicious enemies. But his own laws forbade him from taking her into his service as a vassal or warrior, as she was a woman. Elesander had only one option; he offered to return the majeral if Shayera were to become his slave until his land's enemies were slain - only then could he legally use her as a warrior and assassin.
Elesander's deal pitted Shayera's love for her husband and her oath to him as he lay dying against the deep-seated Tangarian hatred of slavery. To a Tangarian, slavery was the ultimate evil. Death was preferable in all cases. To willingly accept enslavement, even for a set time, would be to betray her people's code.
In the end, her love for Telko surpassed her pride and loyalty to the ways of her people. Shayera bowed to the King submissively and swore an oath to service Elesander as a slave until the enemies of Rothar were dead.
For ten long years she traveled the Eastern Plains, killing the enemies of Elesander whenever she found them. The majeral was returned to Tangaria, and with it came news of her deal with Elesander. To return home now was to invite death at the hands of enraged relatives or old friends disgusted by what she has done, even if it was to fulfill an oath of such weight. Finally she eliminated the last of Elesander's enemies, only to be sent on one final task. Elesander set her against his own son, ordering her to Prince Felipp's bed for the night. She realized the true nature of her mission at seeing Felipp's cruelty firsthand and, in an act of ultimate self-defense against Felipp and his Immortals, she slew them all in a frenzy of violence, completing her oath to Elesander. To escape brutal Rotharian justice against slaves, she fled with the young Trillan woman Zaharia Herze to the west, and seeks refuge and shelter in the lands she traveled many years ago.
Description
In the eyes of some, Shayera Carter is actually beautiful. Her superior Tangarian strength is hidden by a body that appears merely solid, not muscular in any fashion. She has a pleasing female figure and her hair is so richly red that she has earned the nickname "Flamehair". Her eyes are a brilliant green color, apparently cold at most times but very capable of showing the burning passions in her soul.
Shayera knows how to fight with most polearms and forms of swords, as well as being skilled with using a crossbow. She doesn't carry a shield even though she is capable of using one, preferring to fight in a two-handed style she learned from her mother, who gave her the short-poled voulge that she uses with her left hand in melee combat (it is a polearm of only two feet with a voulge blade on it).
Her Tangarian heritage grants her long life and slow aging. She also heals from wounds very quickly and with minimal scarring. She is physically stronger than normal humans and has great experience and skill in combat. Like most Tangarians she is resilient against mind-altering magic.
She is distant and aloof to those who do not know her. Her soul has never fully healed from losing her beloved Telko, whom she shared an exceptionally passionate love with. She is not quick to trust and talks only when she desires to. Though she broke her people's code when she became a slave to Elesander, Shayera still has a deep faith in the ways of the Tangarian people and holds herself to their code of living. She is also naturally protective of others who aren't fully capable of protecting themselves. Generally benevolent and generous, she is quick to pity others in terrible plights and swift to act on their behalf if given the opportunity. This is particularly true of slaves, as Shayera shares her people's intense hatred of the idea of enslavement and she readily enjoys killing those who actively promote such things.
Sex: Female
Race: Human (Tangarian)
Nationality: Tangarian
Age: 71 (Looks like standard 25 year-old Human)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hair Color: Red
Eye Color: Emerald Green
Body Build: Solid
Class (D&D basis): Fighter
Background
Shayera Carter comes from the Valley of Tangaria and is the daughter of a hardy farmer in that land, born with the family name Shayera Magry. Like all of her people she learned to fight from an early age and participated in her first battle at the age of 15, standing in rank with her parents in a militia skirmish against Southmen from the mountains.
As is common for most Tangarians, Shayera left her homeland when she was 21 to join a Tangarian mercenary band, the Band of the Crimson Sword. She was on campaign when she met Telko Carter, from the Clan Carter. She became Telko's lover and married him when they were 25.
After serving in the Crimson Sword for 28 years, Shayera followed her husband when he left for personal reasons. An incident at home had led to the theft of the Tangarian majeral, an axe-headed scepter that served as a symbol of authority for their people. It had been lost due to an act of incompetence by one of Telko's family members, dishonoring them all, and Telko sought to find the majeral and return it to Tangaria to restore Clan Carter's place.
It was after a two year search that Telko's quest abruptly ended. Traveling through the Southern Mountains, he was betrayed by a Mountain Chieftain and cut down, though the chieftain and his men were then killed by an enraged Shayera.
Very few know of the final moments of Telko's life and Shayera refuses to speak on her husband's death. All that is known is that he died in her arms and, before his last breath, she swore an oath to him, swearing on their love that she would find the lost majeral and restore his family's honor.
For ten years she traveled around the known lands, visiting far off places and searching for the fate of the majeral. She finally tracked down the thief hiding in the Wilds and discovered it's location: it had been sold to King Elesander of Rothar. Shayera went to Rothar and presented herself to the King, offering him anything to have the majeral returned to Tangaria.
Elesander recognized Shayera's abilities as a warrior and saw in her the means to eliminate all of Rothar's most vicious enemies. But his own laws forbade him from taking her into his service as a vassal or warrior, as she was a woman. Elesander had only one option; he offered to return the majeral if Shayera were to become his slave until his land's enemies were slain - only then could he legally use her as a warrior and assassin.
Elesander's deal pitted Shayera's love for her husband and her oath to him as he lay dying against the deep-seated Tangarian hatred of slavery. To a Tangarian, slavery was the ultimate evil. Death was preferable in all cases. To willingly accept enslavement, even for a set time, would be to betray her people's code.
In the end, her love for Telko surpassed her pride and loyalty to the ways of her people. Shayera bowed to the King submissively and swore an oath to service Elesander as a slave until the enemies of Rothar were dead.
For ten long years she traveled the Eastern Plains, killing the enemies of Elesander whenever she found them. The majeral was returned to Tangaria, and with it came news of her deal with Elesander. To return home now was to invite death at the hands of enraged relatives or old friends disgusted by what she has done, even if it was to fulfill an oath of such weight. Finally she eliminated the last of Elesander's enemies, only to be sent on one final task. Elesander set her against his own son, ordering her to Prince Felipp's bed for the night. She realized the true nature of her mission at seeing Felipp's cruelty firsthand and, in an act of ultimate self-defense against Felipp and his Immortals, she slew them all in a frenzy of violence, completing her oath to Elesander. To escape brutal Rotharian justice against slaves, she fled with the young Trillan woman Zaharia Herze to the west, and seeks refuge and shelter in the lands she traveled many years ago.
Description
In the eyes of some, Shayera Carter is actually beautiful. Her superior Tangarian strength is hidden by a body that appears merely solid, not muscular in any fashion. She has a pleasing female figure and her hair is so richly red that she has earned the nickname "Flamehair". Her eyes are a brilliant green color, apparently cold at most times but very capable of showing the burning passions in her soul.
Shayera knows how to fight with most polearms and forms of swords, as well as being skilled with using a crossbow. She doesn't carry a shield even though she is capable of using one, preferring to fight in a two-handed style she learned from her mother, who gave her the short-poled voulge that she uses with her left hand in melee combat (it is a polearm of only two feet with a voulge blade on it).
Her Tangarian heritage grants her long life and slow aging. She also heals from wounds very quickly and with minimal scarring. She is physically stronger than normal humans and has great experience and skill in combat. Like most Tangarians she is resilient against mind-altering magic.
She is distant and aloof to those who do not know her. Her soul has never fully healed from losing her beloved Telko, whom she shared an exceptionally passionate love with. She is not quick to trust and talks only when she desires to. Though she broke her people's code when she became a slave to Elesander, Shayera still has a deep faith in the ways of the Tangarian people and holds herself to their code of living. She is also naturally protective of others who aren't fully capable of protecting themselves. Generally benevolent and generous, she is quick to pity others in terrible plights and swift to act on their behalf if given the opportunity. This is particularly true of slaves, as Shayera shares her people's intense hatred of the idea of enslavement and she readily enjoys killing those who actively promote such things.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
Shayera Carter
10th-Level Tangarian Fighter
Medium Humanoid
HP: 10d10+50 (100 HP)
Initiative: +9
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 18 (+3 Dex, +5 breastplate), touch 13, flat-footed 15
Attacks: +1 Voulge +16 melee, +1 Shortsword +15 melee
Damage: +1 Voulge 1d8+6, +1 Shortsword 1d6+6
Special Qualities: Fast healing 4, Low-light vision
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +5
Ability Scores: STR 22, DEX 18, CON 20, INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 10
Skills: Climb +5, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +10, Jump +6, Knowledge (History) +2, Knowledge (Local) +2, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +2, Listen +10, Ride +4, Spot +10, Swim +5
Feats: Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Two-Weapon Fighting, Alertness, Exotic Weapons Proficiency (Voulge), Weapon Focus (Voulge), Athletic, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple
10th-Level Tangarian Fighter
Medium Humanoid
HP: 10d10+50 (100 HP)
Initiative: +9
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 18 (+3 Dex, +5 breastplate), touch 13, flat-footed 15
Attacks: +1 Voulge +16 melee, +1 Shortsword +15 melee
Damage: +1 Voulge 1d8+6, +1 Shortsword 1d6+6
Special Qualities: Fast healing 4, Low-light vision
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +5
Ability Scores: STR 22, DEX 18, CON 20, INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 10
Skills: Climb +5, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +10, Jump +6, Knowledge (History) +2, Knowledge (Local) +2, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +2, Listen +10, Ride +4, Spot +10, Swim +5
Feats: Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Two-Weapon Fighting, Alertness, Exotic Weapons Proficiency (Voulge), Weapon Focus (Voulge), Athletic, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple
Last edited by Kuja on 2005-08-12 01:11am, edited 1 time in total.
JADAFETWA
-
Ford Prefect
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 8254
- Joined: 2005-05-16 04:08am
- Location: The real number domain
The geek is strong in this one.... 
Well, might as well give him more material fodder.
Name: Zaikra Luminara
Sex: Female
Race: Human
Nationality: Unknown
Age: 27
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 129 lbs.
Hair Color: Chestnut (Brown with red tinge)
Eye Color: Blue
Body Build: Solid
Class: MindDancer
Background
Beautiful and mysterious, Zaikra Luminara is one of the most skilled MindDancers in all of the known lands. Her skills are enhanced by her personality, as she is a very easygoing and flirtacious woman. Her land of origin is unknown; she was raised from birth in the holdings of the Ivimri, one of the Dancer Cloisters. The Ivimri trained Zaikra from a young age in the arts of Mind Dancing, the use of specific bodily movements and thoughts to cast magic upon the minds of those around her.
In the end, most Ivimri end up as courtesans in great cities, servicing and entertaining powerful nobles and merchants. But Zaikra is free-spirited and chose to travel. Her adventurous spirit has led her into danger a number of times, including the incident where she gained the loyalty of a strong warrior of the Southmen, Ovarpeltora, who is now her bodyguard and occasional lover.
Zaikra's overriding concern is surviving and enjoying her life, using her skills to seduce and to entertain as is necessary. She and Ovarpeltora continue to travel from place to place in the pursuit of the free life of a wanderer.
Description
Zaikra's entire life was spent in preparation for becoming a MindDancer. Her body is luscious and well-kept. Her natural beauty is aided by the exotic clothes and makeup she wears for her performances. Her chestnut hair is long, down to her posterior, and her eyes are a beautiful blue color.
Her beauty is an asset in Zaikra's use of MindDancing magic. Another asset is that she is a natural seductress, being kind and friendly in such a natural way that someone can't help but feel attracted to her. Between her personal assets and her skills, Zaikra is one of the most effective MindDancers of the day. She can seduce men and women equally, and often prefers the company of beautiful women when she tires of men.
One thing less well known about her is Zaikra's abilities in melee combat. Her body is built for dancing, gifting her with an incredible speed and agility. She uses this to great effect, often wielding a long dagger in each hand whenever she is forced to fight. Very few have lived to regret the mistake of trying to get rough with Zaikra Luminara.
Though many of her performances are erotic and suggestive, Zaikra's libido is more restrained than one would expect from a MindDancer of the Ivimri - it might be that she chose her life because she did not want to become a courtesan like other Ivimri. She makes friends easily and her personality is such that one can hardly hold grudges. Zaikra is, at heart, a kind young woman who loves life and seeks to live as passionately and fully as she can.
Well, might as well give him more material fodder.
Name: Zaikra Luminara
Sex: Female
Race: Human
Nationality: Unknown
Age: 27
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 129 lbs.
Hair Color: Chestnut (Brown with red tinge)
Eye Color: Blue
Body Build: Solid
Class: MindDancer
Background
Beautiful and mysterious, Zaikra Luminara is one of the most skilled MindDancers in all of the known lands. Her skills are enhanced by her personality, as she is a very easygoing and flirtacious woman. Her land of origin is unknown; she was raised from birth in the holdings of the Ivimri, one of the Dancer Cloisters. The Ivimri trained Zaikra from a young age in the arts of Mind Dancing, the use of specific bodily movements and thoughts to cast magic upon the minds of those around her.
In the end, most Ivimri end up as courtesans in great cities, servicing and entertaining powerful nobles and merchants. But Zaikra is free-spirited and chose to travel. Her adventurous spirit has led her into danger a number of times, including the incident where she gained the loyalty of a strong warrior of the Southmen, Ovarpeltora, who is now her bodyguard and occasional lover.
Zaikra's overriding concern is surviving and enjoying her life, using her skills to seduce and to entertain as is necessary. She and Ovarpeltora continue to travel from place to place in the pursuit of the free life of a wanderer.
Description
Zaikra's entire life was spent in preparation for becoming a MindDancer. Her body is luscious and well-kept. Her natural beauty is aided by the exotic clothes and makeup she wears for her performances. Her chestnut hair is long, down to her posterior, and her eyes are a beautiful blue color.
Her beauty is an asset in Zaikra's use of MindDancing magic. Another asset is that she is a natural seductress, being kind and friendly in such a natural way that someone can't help but feel attracted to her. Between her personal assets and her skills, Zaikra is one of the most effective MindDancers of the day. She can seduce men and women equally, and often prefers the company of beautiful women when she tires of men.
One thing less well known about her is Zaikra's abilities in melee combat. Her body is built for dancing, gifting her with an incredible speed and agility. She uses this to great effect, often wielding a long dagger in each hand whenever she is forced to fight. Very few have lived to regret the mistake of trying to get rough with Zaikra Luminara.
Though many of her performances are erotic and suggestive, Zaikra's libido is more restrained than one would expect from a MindDancer of the Ivimri - it might be that she chose her life because she did not want to become a courtesan like other Ivimri. She makes friends easily and her personality is such that one can hardly hold grudges. Zaikra is, at heart, a kind young woman who loves life and seeks to live as passionately and fully as she can.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
Back atcha, Steve-o.
Zaikra Luminara
12th-Level Human Bard
Medium Human
HP: 12d6+36 (72 HP)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30ft.
AC: 16 (+4 Dex, +2 Leather Armor) Touch 14, Flat-footed 12
Attacks: 2 +2 masterwork daggers +13 melee
Damage: +2 masterwork daggers 1d4+2
Special Qualities: Bardic Knowledge, Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +2, Inspire Competence, Suggestion, Inspire Greatness, Song of Freedom
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +8
Ability Scores: STR 10, DEX 18, CON 14, INT 18, WIS 18, CHA 20
Skills: Appraise +4, Balance +8, Bluff +3, Concentration +10, Diplomacy +3, Disguise +5, Gather Information +5, Intimidate +3, Jump, Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Geography) +2, Knowledge (History) +2, Knowledge (Local) +2, Listen +2, Perform (Dance) +18, Profession (Entertainer) +15, Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +4, Tumble +6
Feats: Eschew Materials, Two-Weapon Fighting, Skill Focus (Perform), Leadership, Negotiator, Persuasive
Spells Prepared: 3/5/4/4/3
Zaikra Luminara
12th-Level Human Bard
Medium Human
HP: 12d6+36 (72 HP)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30ft.
AC: 16 (+4 Dex, +2 Leather Armor) Touch 14, Flat-footed 12
Attacks: 2 +2 masterwork daggers +13 melee
Damage: +2 masterwork daggers 1d4+2
Special Qualities: Bardic Knowledge, Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +2, Inspire Competence, Suggestion, Inspire Greatness, Song of Freedom
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +8
Ability Scores: STR 10, DEX 18, CON 14, INT 18, WIS 18, CHA 20
Skills: Appraise +4, Balance +8, Bluff +3, Concentration +10, Diplomacy +3, Disguise +5, Gather Information +5, Intimidate +3, Jump, Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Geography) +2, Knowledge (History) +2, Knowledge (Local) +2, Listen +2, Perform (Dance) +18, Profession (Entertainer) +15, Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +4, Tumble +6
Feats: Eschew Materials, Two-Weapon Fighting, Skill Focus (Perform), Leadership, Negotiator, Persuasive
Spells Prepared: 3/5/4/4/3
JADAFETWA
And now, a quick update!
Chapter 4
The departure from the inn the next morning was done silently. Shayera, Ofris, and Zaria made their way to the waiting Raktaman. Shayera had chosen a sleeveless cotton blouse of white and a dark knee-length skirt with blue trim along the bottom, her voulge hanging from the leather belt around her waist and her sword fixed on her back to a leather belt that crossed from her lower left ribs over her right shoulder. Her hair was loose and free, blowing in the gentle breeze coming down the Zyras. Her beautiful appearance was deceptive, her lean thinly-muscled arms far stronger than most would assume from looking at her.
Ofris was dressed in a blue cotton shirt with leather vest plus woolen trousers. His knife hung from a scabbard on his belt, obscured by the cotton shirt. He looked around as they boarded the Raktaman. In front of him, taking the middle, Zaria wore the purple skirt she'd bought the previous day and a matching calf-length purple dress. She had only the dagger that Shayera had presented her with and she had placed that in the cowhide bag her clothing was kept in.
Lorvel came up to them after they'd made their way up the gangplank. Shayera paid him their fare and Lorvel called one of the younger crew to show them to their "quarters" belowdecks. Walking along the planks of the dirty old riverboat, they were led down the only flight of actual stairs the boat had - as opposed to the ropes and rope ladders the crew was using to get into the hold - to the small cabin area. The young boy quickly showed them the privy chamber for when they needed to answer the call of nature, then he moved on to bring them to their room.
There were only six cabins, and their entire company was given just one. Shayera appeared irritated, having hoped to be given at least two, but she amde the best of it.
There were only two tough cots in the room, with a rough rope hammock hanging in the corner. A dinky nightstand with two drawers and an oil lamp was the limit of the furnishings. "Well, this is terrific," Ofris muttered.
"Would you rather I used all of our money and bought a small dingy and we have no shelter at all?" Shayera set her bag down by the hammock. "I'm used to worse, so I'll take the hammock. You two can take the cots."
She watched them place their bags away and walked back up to the ship's deck, taking the stairs up to the slightly-raised navigation deck. It was not quite time to cast off, so she took the time to enjoy the sight of the bustling port of Karnivus for what may be the final time.
After some time, Zaria was standing beside her. "Are we safe now?"
"No." Shayera turned and sat against the railing. "Nobody's ever safe, really. And we've got a long way to go. Okar's almost as bad as a pirate's den, and the Wilds can still be dangerous. But once we can get into the Dwarven Mountains and into the Dusha River Valley we should be home free."
"But.... where do we go from there?" Zaria stared out at the river beyond. "I can't go back to Olivo."
"There are Trillan towns in the Islands. You are young and pretty, and the men there are noble." Shayera put her left hand on Zaria's right arm, right above the elbow. "You will have a happy life, this I promise."
"And what about you?"
The question made her pause. For 10 years she had pondered what to do after the end of her servitude to Elesander. But much of that had involved remaining in this area of the known world. Now she had to flee far from Rothar, away from the home she could never return to. "What about me?"
"What are you going to do?" Zaria's expression fell. "I... I owe you so much, I, well... I want to make sure you have a happy life too."
After a few moments Shayera grinned softly. She used her thumb and index finger to gently grip Zaria's chin and pull her face up. Then she looked into the girl's sad blue eyes and said, "I have lived three years for every year you have lived, Zaria. In that time I have been happy. And I have learned that if you live long enough, happiness will not last. So I am not worried about happiness. I will simply live as I must, fulfilling all of the oaths I may make and living up to the ways of my people even though I am an outcast to them."
Zaria shook her head. "That's not fair."
"I don't care much for the absolute fairness of the world. I care only to make it as fair as possible. You are in my care now, and I promise you, Zaria Herze, that I will see you to a happier life than the one you've had."
There was another pause. Zaria didn't know what to say, and Shayera had said all that she needed to.
Movement drew Shayera's attention. She looked over to the pier and saw two figures ascending the gangplank. She frowned at recognizing Zaikra and her Southman bodyguard. Zaikra met Lorvel on the deck and handed him a bag of coins. He opened it and poured the coins into a hand, in which he counted them. At that was a nod and the calling for one of his cabin boys to show the new passengers to their cabins.
Zaria watched this as well. But it was Shayera who spoke. "I want you to stay away from her, Zaria. She is a Minddancer and they are not to be trusted."
Looking at Shayera's irritated expression, Zaria frowned slightly. "She seemed pleasant enough...."
The response was a shake of the head. "They all do. But Minddancers are not as pleasant as they seem, Zaria. They are masters of seduction and treachery. They are devious courtesans and escorts who manipulate their clients with their magic so that they can live off their wealth." Shayera looked back to Zaria. "Think of what she did to you yesterday."
"Well, um..... yeah...." Zaria nodded stiffly. "I remember."
"Like I said, just stay away from her. Otherwise you never know what little plot she might get you wrapped up in."
Chapter 4
The departure from the inn the next morning was done silently. Shayera, Ofris, and Zaria made their way to the waiting Raktaman. Shayera had chosen a sleeveless cotton blouse of white and a dark knee-length skirt with blue trim along the bottom, her voulge hanging from the leather belt around her waist and her sword fixed on her back to a leather belt that crossed from her lower left ribs over her right shoulder. Her hair was loose and free, blowing in the gentle breeze coming down the Zyras. Her beautiful appearance was deceptive, her lean thinly-muscled arms far stronger than most would assume from looking at her.
Ofris was dressed in a blue cotton shirt with leather vest plus woolen trousers. His knife hung from a scabbard on his belt, obscured by the cotton shirt. He looked around as they boarded the Raktaman. In front of him, taking the middle, Zaria wore the purple skirt she'd bought the previous day and a matching calf-length purple dress. She had only the dagger that Shayera had presented her with and she had placed that in the cowhide bag her clothing was kept in.
Lorvel came up to them after they'd made their way up the gangplank. Shayera paid him their fare and Lorvel called one of the younger crew to show them to their "quarters" belowdecks. Walking along the planks of the dirty old riverboat, they were led down the only flight of actual stairs the boat had - as opposed to the ropes and rope ladders the crew was using to get into the hold - to the small cabin area. The young boy quickly showed them the privy chamber for when they needed to answer the call of nature, then he moved on to bring them to their room.
There were only six cabins, and their entire company was given just one. Shayera appeared irritated, having hoped to be given at least two, but she amde the best of it.
There were only two tough cots in the room, with a rough rope hammock hanging in the corner. A dinky nightstand with two drawers and an oil lamp was the limit of the furnishings. "Well, this is terrific," Ofris muttered.
"Would you rather I used all of our money and bought a small dingy and we have no shelter at all?" Shayera set her bag down by the hammock. "I'm used to worse, so I'll take the hammock. You two can take the cots."
She watched them place their bags away and walked back up to the ship's deck, taking the stairs up to the slightly-raised navigation deck. It was not quite time to cast off, so she took the time to enjoy the sight of the bustling port of Karnivus for what may be the final time.
After some time, Zaria was standing beside her. "Are we safe now?"
"No." Shayera turned and sat against the railing. "Nobody's ever safe, really. And we've got a long way to go. Okar's almost as bad as a pirate's den, and the Wilds can still be dangerous. But once we can get into the Dwarven Mountains and into the Dusha River Valley we should be home free."
"But.... where do we go from there?" Zaria stared out at the river beyond. "I can't go back to Olivo."
"There are Trillan towns in the Islands. You are young and pretty, and the men there are noble." Shayera put her left hand on Zaria's right arm, right above the elbow. "You will have a happy life, this I promise."
"And what about you?"
The question made her pause. For 10 years she had pondered what to do after the end of her servitude to Elesander. But much of that had involved remaining in this area of the known world. Now she had to flee far from Rothar, away from the home she could never return to. "What about me?"
"What are you going to do?" Zaria's expression fell. "I... I owe you so much, I, well... I want to make sure you have a happy life too."
After a few moments Shayera grinned softly. She used her thumb and index finger to gently grip Zaria's chin and pull her face up. Then she looked into the girl's sad blue eyes and said, "I have lived three years for every year you have lived, Zaria. In that time I have been happy. And I have learned that if you live long enough, happiness will not last. So I am not worried about happiness. I will simply live as I must, fulfilling all of the oaths I may make and living up to the ways of my people even though I am an outcast to them."
Zaria shook her head. "That's not fair."
"I don't care much for the absolute fairness of the world. I care only to make it as fair as possible. You are in my care now, and I promise you, Zaria Herze, that I will see you to a happier life than the one you've had."
There was another pause. Zaria didn't know what to say, and Shayera had said all that she needed to.
Movement drew Shayera's attention. She looked over to the pier and saw two figures ascending the gangplank. She frowned at recognizing Zaikra and her Southman bodyguard. Zaikra met Lorvel on the deck and handed him a bag of coins. He opened it and poured the coins into a hand, in which he counted them. At that was a nod and the calling for one of his cabin boys to show the new passengers to their cabins.
Zaria watched this as well. But it was Shayera who spoke. "I want you to stay away from her, Zaria. She is a Minddancer and they are not to be trusted."
Looking at Shayera's irritated expression, Zaria frowned slightly. "She seemed pleasant enough...."
The response was a shake of the head. "They all do. But Minddancers are not as pleasant as they seem, Zaria. They are masters of seduction and treachery. They are devious courtesans and escorts who manipulate their clients with their magic so that they can live off their wealth." Shayera looked back to Zaria. "Think of what she did to you yesterday."
"Well, um..... yeah...." Zaria nodded stiffly. "I remember."
"Like I said, just stay away from her. Otherwise you never know what little plot she might get you wrapped up in."
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
