Chapter 1: Arrival
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Bounding off the wall, she managed to reach the roof and pull herself up onto it. She turned near the edge and crouched. She overlooked the whole manor, being on top of the Baron's house and wondered to herself, 'Where would one keep the store of goods?' She didn't know the layout of the fief being new to Tortall. Swinging with expertise, she landed on the balcony with grace. She wore long cotton pants and a kimono like jacket that folded around her. A kerchief hid her face, only revealing her eyes. Everything she wore was black to disguise her in the night. She carried a small pouch of steel throwing stars and a dagger concealed around her waist. She didn't usually use them, but carried them for assurance.
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She silently opened the window and slowly crept inside, examining her surroundings. She was in the baron's chamber. Swiftly opening a chest at the foot of the bed, she peered inside and felt guilt. She had found the store of treasures. She didn't like stealing, after every night trip she made, she felt immense guilt in her chest. So she only took what she needed. Instead of stealing valuables, she stole things that could be replaced. Sometimes she took things of hardly any value and repaired them herself. Stealing wasn't honorable, but she couldn't help it. It was the only way she could survive. After pocketing 5 gold nobles, she peered at what else was inside. Golden goblets, precious gems… and… a collection of something… of ears? Closing the trunk she thought to herself, 'he doesn't seem very merciful… perhaps I should leave…' she glanced at the snoring lump in the bed and snorted herself. While descending out the window, she spotted another dimly lit room. A candle sat by the window. Inside was a little boy, curled beneath the covers. She pulled the window ajar and blew out the candle. Unattended candles were dangerous, she knew this from experiences. The boy stirred and went back to sleep. She landed softly on the ground and sprinted for her hiding place.
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Her beloved horse, Shondai, was waiting patiently for her as well as Dieno, her raven. She had selected a place on the edge of the fief that seemed very deserted. It was surrounded by many fruit trees, a good source of food. As she settled down, Dieno flew down to perch on her shoulder. She removed her kerchief and undid her bun. Her long black hair cascaded down her back. It matched the colour of her raven's gleaming feathers. Leaning on the tree behind her, she thought of her past. She came from a country called Yuen' dao. It is an island unknown to the rest of the realm and very secluded. The Yuen' dao are closely related to the Yamanis. They live on a secluded island that broke off the main Yamani island many centuries ago. Ever since then, the people on that island have changed and the culture of the Yuen' dao is fairly different from that of the Yamani, although some things haven't changed.
Her parents abandoned her because they couldn't even provide enough food for themselves. So they left her inside the door of the town temple in a straw basket. She was instructed in the peaceful life of the monks and priestesses lived until the age of 4. The monks and priestesses handed her over to the Xuen Lien temple in the next village where she was taken under the care of Master Jien and instructed in the art of Shao fung. They became very close, and Master Jien cared for her as a daughter. He named her Rae in memory of one of his other faithful students who was killed in a fight. She became his daughter and apprentice and learned acquired the great skill of Shao fung martial arts. One night an overturned lantern had caused a great fire. The temple was consumed in flames by a matter of seconds. The paper walls were ignited quickly. Many of the precious writings and scrolls were destroyed. Master Jien was trapped and almost died within the burning temple but Rae had managed to save him. When Rae had saved him, a beam had fallen on his leg and left him with a permanent injury. He was not badly hurt, but had a limp. At the age of 14, Master Jien told Rae to leave Yuen' do and to find a place where she could truly belong. He saw that Rae felt helpless in the peaceful countryside. He told her that only when she was successful, she was to come back for him and bring him along. She left Yuen' do with his blessings and wishes. She traveled to the Yamani Islands, Scanra, Galla, Tussaine, and Carthak. She had been traveling for 3 years and was now 17.
Unshed tears stung her eyes as the painful memories flooded back in her mind. Forcing herself to be strong for Master Jien she calmed herself. As she looked up into the starlit sky, she wondered if she would find what she was searching for…
A/N: Yay!! I've written the first chapter!!! The second chapter is on its way… I've already got the plot…
Please review… I want your opinions…
-Lilue