Nevine's Story
Louise Kirkpatrick
Nevine leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. She looked a little uncomfortable, like she was unsure how to start. "My father is Jerome Stormshadow," She began after a few moments, "One of the most influential of Magnimar's merchants. My mother is related to one of the oldest noble houses in the city, but they are probably one of the least notable. My father is a humble man, he built his trade empire from nothing, I remember traveling with him when I was young. He taught me the dangers of travel and how to avoid them, but he also taught me how wonderful it can be. There is a freedom in travel, freedom to go where you will and learn what you can. It was on these trips to different trade towns that Father taught me about Desna.
"I was twelve years old when I was betrothed to Alder Foxglove, father couldn't deny the advantage of the union, but it was really my mother who wanted it. His family had owned large holdings before whatever it was that happened back at that manor. Alder had come of age to take possession of his inheritance a few years before and was fast making a name for himself. It took me almost a year to find an answer and build up the nerve to stand up to Mother. I'd always wanted to travel, I think I wished more than my father did that he didn't have to stop traveling himself in order to run his business. Desna had protected Father and me when we traveled, she had blessed our family and our business. I decided that I wanted to do something to repay that, and I wanted to be able to travel freely. Desna could offer me that. I told Mother and father that I was going into the church, that I was going to devote my life to traveling in service of the goddess."
Nevine laughed bitterly, "Mother threw a fit. She had all sorts of reasons why she said I couldn't do it. 'The eldest child of a noble family does not serve the church.' 'How would it look to the other noble families?' 'Your father has made an agreement with Alder, you cannot break that agreement.'" Nevine's tone was mocking as she remembered her mother's words, "I told her I didn't care about the agreement, I refused to be a pawn for her to gain better standing in Magnimar society.
"Father wouldn't say anything in front of Mother, but he supported my decision. I think he was glad to see me follow my desire to travel." She shook her head with a smile, "Anyways, I spent almost six years in the church of Desna in Magnimar. During that time I studied both academics and religion, and went on a couple of short pilgrimages with other clerics and priests. I hardly heard anything from my mother, though Father wrote to me, and even visited from time to time. Just over three months ago I was sent out on my first pilgrimage on my own. It didn't go so well at first. Not long after the Arvensoar was out of sight, I was hit in the head. I don't remember anything, just walking, and then everything was black. When I came to I was in a forest somewhere, tied up, wearing nothing but my shift, and several feet away was a group of five men sitting around a fire.
"Apparently they felt they had been cheated by my father and intended to demand a ransom." The mirth had faded from the young cleric's eyes as she recalled that night, "I don't think I'd ever been so frightened before then. I have since, but not before." She shook her head, "I was lucky that night. It cold only be by the influence of Desna that Kain happened to be that far off the road. He came across the group and rescued me, and not a moment too soon." Nevine's cheeks were slightly flushed at the memory.
"Kain is a recruiter for the Black Arrows. He wasn't really heading anywhere in particular, just anywhere with a prison where he could recruit for the Arrows, so he agreed to accompany me on my pilgrimage, partly for companionship and partly as protection." Nevine shrugged, "So that's how I ended up in Sandpoint. And Desna knows where Kain is now." Her laugh sounded irritated, but there was an almost fond look in her eyes as she shook her head.
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Stories by Louise Kirkpatrick
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