[What follows is written in the tight, Midani script. Almost certainly in Fiiris' own hand. As cold and calculated as her speech. As always, the perspective is of an outsider looking in. Even when describing herself.]
Fiiris. A name chosen by her mother and honored by her father.
Bint Kessrin. Daughter of a broken family. N'asr takes who he will, despite At'ar's objections. In moments of weakness, her father had spoken of her mother's beauty. He never begrudged N'asr his covetousness.
It would be unwise, if he had.
The Bedine have a relationship with death, N'asr, that is unfamiliar to the ulugarr. It is a practical thing, oft wrought and rarely lingered upon. Too much effort is needed for worries of survival, and cannot be wasted in fearing N'asr. If one cannot travel, one is killed. If one risks the tribe, one is killed. If one's life serves no purpose, one is killed. It is as putting down a goat who is lame, diseased, or elderly. Necessary and dispassionate, even though you have unwisely named the goat and grown attached. The Bedine also work this death between tribes. War is a constant reality, and insults are remembered. If one dies before they can repay grievances they have caused, then it may be for their son or brother to step forward and accept death. If death is not accepted, then there is war.
Even among the Bedine - few accept death for themselves. And so war is the way of things.
Fiiris was a goat- and camel-herd. She came to know death earlier than many Bedine, practicing it upon her herds as needed. She also learned that N'asr, while covetous and final, can be appeased through nurture. N'asr had a soft spot for those who he might take, but would fight back. He would let them live. So, Fiiris learned of the many medicines and wisdoms provided by the oases of the Sword and Saiyaddar in order to stay N'asr's greed.
The Sword and the Saiyaddar teach all Bedine of At'ar. She is the sun that blazes upon their necks. More ancient than the Southern Lathander. Unforgiving. Unbending. Beautiful. At'ar will be respected, or she will strike one down with stroke. She will be honored, or she will lead you to false waters. Among the gods of the Bedine, there is but one who can soothe At'ar. Kozah tries to love her, and N'asr constantly steals her affections away. Only Eldath is free of her whims. She of the Oases.
It is in her study of the medicines of the Oases that Fiiris came to know Eldath. And she grew alongside Eldath in age, beauty, and wisdom. This also came with the blessings of Eldath.
The Bedine rarely tolerate witch craft. Their lives are free of magic, and their legends riddled with Jann, sorcerer-tyrants, and all-knowing shadows. Magic earns one death. Sometimes, wisdom spoken by a respected faris, sitt, or qadi will deem minor works to be the blessings of the gods, and they will be forgiven and known. Though they are only accepted by faith in such a speaker.
Fiiris's husband was qadi - a judge among the Bedine. He spoke for her, and she for Eldath. The tribe prospered, as warrior and faris alike remained war-ready under her ministrations, alongside goat and camel. Fiiris' power in Eldath grew as her understandings of the uses of the many poisons and plants of the desert did. The tolerance of her tribe remained did not.
Fiiris' husband died in his fifth decade. A venerable age among those who walk with N'asr.
His word died with him. And so, nearly, did Fiiris.
Fiiris. A name chosen by her mother and honored by her father.
Bint Kessrin. Daughter of a broken family. N'asr takes who he will, despite At'ar's objections. In moments of weakness, her father had spoken of her mother's beauty. He never begrudged N'asr his covetousness.
It would be unwise, if he had.
The Bedine have a relationship with death, N'asr, that is unfamiliar to the ulugarr. It is a practical thing, oft wrought and rarely lingered upon. Too much effort is needed for worries of survival, and cannot be wasted in fearing N'asr. If one cannot travel, one is killed. If one risks the tribe, one is killed. If one's life serves no purpose, one is killed. It is as putting down a goat who is lame, diseased, or elderly. Necessary and dispassionate, even though you have unwisely named the goat and grown attached. The Bedine also work this death between tribes. War is a constant reality, and insults are remembered. If one dies before they can repay grievances they have caused, then it may be for their son or brother to step forward and accept death. If death is not accepted, then there is war.
Even among the Bedine - few accept death for themselves. And so war is the way of things.
Fiiris was a goat- and camel-herd. She came to know death earlier than many Bedine, practicing it upon her herds as needed. She also learned that N'asr, while covetous and final, can be appeased through nurture. N'asr had a soft spot for those who he might take, but would fight back. He would let them live. So, Fiiris learned of the many medicines and wisdoms provided by the oases of the Sword and Saiyaddar in order to stay N'asr's greed.
The Sword and the Saiyaddar teach all Bedine of At'ar. She is the sun that blazes upon their necks. More ancient than the Southern Lathander. Unforgiving. Unbending. Beautiful. At'ar will be respected, or she will strike one down with stroke. She will be honored, or she will lead you to false waters. Among the gods of the Bedine, there is but one who can soothe At'ar. Kozah tries to love her, and N'asr constantly steals her affections away. Only Eldath is free of her whims. She of the Oases.
It is in her study of the medicines of the Oases that Fiiris came to know Eldath. And she grew alongside Eldath in age, beauty, and wisdom. This also came with the blessings of Eldath.
The Bedine rarely tolerate witch craft. Their lives are free of magic, and their legends riddled with Jann, sorcerer-tyrants, and all-knowing shadows. Magic earns one death. Sometimes, wisdom spoken by a respected faris, sitt, or qadi will deem minor works to be the blessings of the gods, and they will be forgiven and known. Though they are only accepted by faith in such a speaker.
Fiiris's husband was qadi - a judge among the Bedine. He spoke for her, and she for Eldath. The tribe prospered, as warrior and faris alike remained war-ready under her ministrations, alongside goat and camel. Fiiris' power in Eldath grew as her understandings of the uses of the many poisons and plants of the desert did. The tolerance of her tribe remained did not.
Fiiris' husband died in his fifth decade. A venerable age among those who walk with N'asr.
His word died with him. And so, nearly, did Fiiris.
