The Unassuming Story of Triel Dilshanae

[magus_taliesin]

Early life of Triel

Triel was born to a poor couple that were workers on a large farm near Waterdeep. Her father was a field-hand, and her mother worked with the other women washing clothes and cooking meals for the workers. Her mother was a loving woman, but unaware of the demonic blood that flowed in her veins from a liaison generations past. Her father was indifferent to his child and generally kind to his wife, except when he was drinking. When in his cups he was abusive to Triel's mother and could be set off by the simplest thing.

Shortly after Triel's tenth year her father's abusive interests began to include his daughter. He did not keep his abuse to merely hitting her or verbal abuse. It wasn't long before he was sharing her with his friends for a few coins. Her mother tried to stop him, but he just beat her and told her to stay out of it.

Near her thirteenth year Triel started to go through a change, but not the one her parents expected. As her body became more womanly the beginnings of her unknown heritage began to emerge. The emergence of horns scared her parents. Her father took it worse, threatening to kill the 'abomination'. Her mother could not help feel the instinct to protect her child. They escaped during a night when her father was at the tavern, and moved south.

[magus_taliesin]

((First letter of those recovered from the burned wreckage of the home Triel shared with her mother.))

My baby,

I hope you are not too angry that I kept these from you for so long. I don't know why I did, but hopefully you can forgive me. I know you have many questions about yourself, but I don't have all the answers. I'm sorry. I had hoped that learning to read and teaching you would help you find those answers.

We both know you are different, but that doesn't mean you should be ashamed. Hold your head up and never hide who you are. You are beautiful. You are good. Don't let anyone tell you different.

When you decide to set out in the world you must follow your calling. Be good to people. Remember your manners and treat others like you want them to treat you. Be kind, and help those in need. That's what good people do.

With Love,
Your mother

[magus_taliesin]

Triel's Middle Years

Life was tough for Triel and her mother in Daggerford. They lived in a small house outside town that was so rundown that no one else wanted it. The roof leaked, the walls were drafty, and the dirt floor was prone to becoming a muddy mess. Her mother took work mending clothes and Triel helped, out of sight of the customers.

Triel's mother went to the Temple to learn to read so that she could teach Triel. She did not want her daughter to live like that for the rest of her life. She hoped Triel could get out of Daggerford, maybe become an apprentice or scribe. They both learned slowly at first, but eventually they could both write their thoughts, and read though slowly. Triel's mother was very careful to keep her daughter hidden away from the townspeople, lest they react as many others had on their trip south from Waterdeep.

Triel spent these middle years living in the hovel, learning to read, sew and cook. She also got lessons in kindness and manners. Her mother told her that the world would be a hard, dark place for Triel, but a good heart and kindness would make it easier for her.

[magus_taliesin]

Triel grew into a young woman without having much contact with the outside world. She worked in the small back room of their house, helping her mother mend clothes for the workers and citizens of Daggerford. Her mother told her that she must never show herself to the customers because they would not understand. Triel herself, did not understand, but she did as her mother told her.

One evening, after her mother's business was closed for the night, the two were sitting in the main room, eating their meager dinner. They made light conversation about the day, and the coming lessons in reading and writing. In the middle of dinner the door burst open and one of the wealthier, unmarried, merchants entered the house holding a torn coat. He was a regular of Triel's mother, and expected to be able to have the coat mended for an important meeting in the morning. He started to explain the situation to them, but his words slowly died off as he became aware of Triel.

Her mother tried to get the man's attention, to get him to look anywhere but at her daughter. The man stammered and slowly backed toward the door as if caught in some sort of trap. Finally he shook his head, tossed the coat in the air, and ran like his pants were on fire.

Triel's mother flew into a rush of activity, telling Triel to eat the rest of her dinner while she packed their few belongings into a small battered bag. He put in a the few coins they had saved, a bundle of papers, some from their writing lessons, and the little bit of food they had in the house. After that was done, and Triel had eaten they went back to the small chamber they both slept in and waited.

"It isn't safe to travel at night dear, otherwise we would leave now. As it is we will have to get out of town before the sun comes up," her mother told her, trying very hard to hide the look of panic in her face.

Triel nodded, and slowly drifted off to sleep, held in her mother's arms. She didn't know how long she had slept, but she awoke to the smell of smoke, and her mother's screams as she pounded on the door of the house. She could see that all but one of the walls of the house was aflame, and the house was full of of smoke. As she watched in stunned panic a roof beam collapsed, and her mother was buried under the burning debris. She screamed for her mother, but only succeeded in inhaling smoke. Coughing and choking she looked for any way out. One of the side walls was nearly burned away and she could see the outside through a hole in the wall.

Triel did the only thing her panicked mind could think of. She grabbed the bag off the floor, and jumped through the burning hole in the wall. Her clothes and the bag were singed, but she was surprised to find that she was unharmed. Patting out the small flames on the bag, she quickly ran into the darkness, away from the town of Daggerford. She cried as she ran, feeling awful that she could not help her mother, but knowing that if she had tried, or if she went back, she would die as well. She knew her mother would be very disappointed if she did that.

She traveled south, along the coast, and eventually came across a circus caravan heading in the same direction. Of course the gypsies and performers of the circus were much more accepting of the strange young woman they met on the road, and agreed to give her safe passage to the next large city as long as she helped out around the caravan.

[magus_taliesin]

Hot stinking breath in my face...beer, stale wine. The crack of hard leather against flesh. Meaty hands pinching off the air to my lungs. Thrashing, hitting, hands too small to make a difference. Terror, pain, panic.

Triel jerks awake in her small sleeping cell. She sighs, knowing that the couple of hours of sleep she managed to get was going to be it for awhile. She takes several deep breaths and washes her face with water from a basin, mixing the damp tears with the clear water. She scrubs harder, face washing quickly becoming an almost compulsive need to scrub all of her skin. She slowly gets control of herself and clenches her fists, stopping the mindless activity. She sits on the cot, holding herself for a few minutes, rocking gently and staring at a small spot in the bare stone floor.

Finally she gets dressed, shoulders her gear, and heads out of the Temple, determined to work her mind and body to a point where her thoughts have no place in her head for awhile.