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Rubiglo takes a deep breath and hesitates in front of the board. Swallowing hard, she finds a tiny empty space in the corner, and sticks a crumpled piece of paper to it. She arranges the other various posts around it so that it is mostly covered, then she looks around and darts away before she is seen.
I though long and hard before I decided I could share this with you, my brothers and sisters. I know that now is the time to let go of my ghosts, and I can only hope you do not all change your opinion of me after learning my past. This is my story:
My name is Rubiglo Bhupendra Kedar. I was born in the desert to a poor family. My parents wandered the sparse cities in the sands in search of small jobs. Maman had limited skills in healing, and Papar taught simple prayers to young children. They led a simple enough life, respecting the gods and following local laws. When I was 13, my parents, my toddler sister and I were travelling with a caravan to a new settlement that promised work for those who weren't too choosy, when we were attacked by a strange group of brigands. Before my eyes, I watched my parents slaughtered, while the children were gathered for slaves. I was separated from my sister, and taken to the leader of the group along with another young girl, to wait upon his pleasure. I was naiive to the ways of men then, I am not anymore. For weeks I remained his slave, beaten as often as not, and filled with a hopelessness I could not surpress. It ate away at me and filled me with a rage that grew and burned with such fire. It is then that I discovered the starnge glow that surrounds me, as if my very aura was infused with that rage, and it has stayed with me ever since.
It happened one cool night that I was able to grab a knife that was forgotten after the evening meal. I remember only that knife, slick with blood, as I slammed it into my captor again, and again, and again, until little remained to identify the man he once was. Out into the night I ran, using my knowledge of the desert to hide from persuit. Eventually I found my way here, to Moorgate. I secured work in a guild hall, as a common drudge. I watched the masters carefully, and, when I came of age, I proved myself to the elders and was allowed to join that guild. I was finally a part of a family again! Perhaps because of my terrible past, I am eager to accept others as my new family. I sometimes get obsessed with the concept of honor, perhaps because I feel so dishonorable, knowing what I have done and seen. It is only occasionally that the dark memories consume me, and I go off alone to hunt down the evil inhabitants of this land.
Now I have found my home, here with my guildmates. I have found a man who respects me, and who fights at my side. I have found masters to train me, and young ones to mentor. I search always for my sister, hoping that somehow she found her way here over the years. I will know her by her Bhupendra auburn hair and emerald eyes, and her Kedar golden skin. And I will tell her about her parents, and how wonderful they were. And I will protect her, as I couldn't do so many years ago.
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