Couri
Fearfly
Couri Fearfly was born in the forests north
of Leth Deriel. Her parents were Sand elves. She only questioned why
they were living so far from their clan once, her answer a blow that
threw her to the floor. Her mother died in childbirth bearing her second
sister. The child disappeared soon after and she had learned by this
time not to ask questions of her father. She and her remaining sister
were put to work at a very early age collecting sticks and branches
that her father would take to Leth to sell and then spend in the local
tavern.
Finally, after years of abuse she packed
her meager possessions and stole off in the middle of the night. She
vowed she would return for her sister when she was able, but her sister
never forgave her for abandoning her. They have made peace but will
never be close.
Couri headed north that night, sliding onto the back of a caravan
under the cover of the cloudfilled darkness. She arrived in Crossing
at dawn and with the city still and barely awake she lept off the
caravan and felt confident she was going to make her way in this beautiful
place. She soon found that she was a lost elf in this big city. She
stumbled upon Mags in her travels and did the one thing she knew how
to do, collecting branches. She made enough coin to find a bit of
food and water. She learned her way around by accident or sitting
quietly in the corners and listening to conversations around her.
One day Couri was sitting quietly at the Northeast Gate of Crossing
and there was a clamor as a large ornate caravan stopped and the driver
made way to enter the city. An elf came around the corner of the caravan
and she was enthralled. He carried himself with such power and confidence.
His clothing was of the best quality, even she could see that. He
had jewels that dazzled in the sunlight. He nodded to all in the area
and followed the caravan through.
A War mage sitting on the bench nearby
commented to a friend, "Shapeshifter, didn't know he was back
in town." "Aye, heard he was making his way back...probably
richer than ever after that last round of routes." "Richer?
How do you become richer when you are already the richest citizen
in Zoluren? Trading is certainly the way to make the coin around here,
ferget the goblin skins." "True enough, though he did start
out selling branches and skins like us, I hear."
Hearing that comment, Couri wondered why she could not do that as
well. She had always been a hard worker and knew how to save the meager
coins she could. She could be rich, wear beautiful things and nod
to the folks around her as she went about her business. She found
her way to the Trader Guild and entered the massive doors. People
were bustling all around, barely noticing her in the frenzy of papers
flying, grain spilling and shouting out orders to caravan drivers.
She made her way quietly through a few doors and as she paused to
catch her breath she heard, "What are you standing about for?"
She meekly answered the S'kra Mur, "I
want to join the Trader Guild." He ran his eyes up and down her
with almost disdain and said, "Not sure this is the place
for you, but if you are sure, tell me again." She said she wanted
to join once again and the S'kra Mur told her he was Imaar, the Crossing
Guild leader and proceeded to lecture her on trading and what she
needed to know for what seemed like hours.
Couri flourished in the guild. She liked the solitude she found on
the routes but also the slow acceptance she had when she returned
to the guild hall. Everyone would sit around and talk when in between
deliveries and teach younger guildmembers the ropes. Eventually her
bank account grew and her confidence as well. She was hunting with
people from other guilds soon enough. The hunting helped her deal
with the anger she still held toward her father and whatever frustrations
she felt from the day's routes. She made friends in the guild. They
would watch out for her. People like Shapeshifter, Tirsten, Lokta,
Luiggi and Therae, folks that she could barely whisper to in the beginning
became more like equals.
Then one day she was approached by another
trader who asked her a question that would change her life. Tera,
one of the older members of the guild asked her to become part of
her family. She would watch out for her and Couri would finally have
someone she could consider a mother.
Couri was thrilled and after her new
father, Burlock, a Dwarven ranger, heartily
welcomed her, she became part of a large happy family with all the
trials that also involved.
Couri had everything she felt she could want in life. Good friends,
family, wealth and acceptance in the city she now called her own.
Then she heard some of the younger female traders giggling and commenting
about the new trader that had come to make Crossing his home. She
dismissed this as the normal younger prattle until he walked into
the guild one day as she was resting between deliveries. The whispering
between the other girls let her know that this must be the great human
trader, Karthik. Thier eyes met and they nodded politely. Couri wasn't
to know for many months that Karthik had felt the same thrill and
knowledge that his life had found it's purpose as she had.
Finally after many weeks of Couri watching
others throw themselves at him but sitting
quietly in the corner, Karthik brought Couri a wild rose that he had
found on his route to Tiger Clan. That was the beginning of a love
affair that was eventually ended in a marriage ceremony by the white
bridge in Illithi after the new way to Shard had been opened. Thier
life was never easy, Couri had grown a lot, no longer the meek lost
child that had entered Crossing so many years ago and Karthik was
set in his ways and honor almost like a paladin, but thier life was
full of adoration and always had passion. They had one child, which
was almost unbelievable due to thier races, but by this time Karthik
had left Couri, his guilt over family matters from the past finally
overtaking his mind and making him a different person. He saw thier
son once before he disappeared forever. Couri traced him to the Crossing
sewers and all traces of him were gone from there.
Couri tried to stay brave in the face
of the guild, but her heart was broken, the only thing keeping her
alive was the needs of her son. She finally left the guild one day
quietly and traveled to Therenborough where she lived quietly in a
small cottage and watched her son grow.
Couri had been living quietly for many
years in Theren, selling pouches if she was asked, but hunting and
learning the things of a ranger as she helped her son learn to become
a man. The man her husband had been. Her son finally came to her and
told her he wanted to be a Paladin but needed to go to Crossing, Theren
was too small for him, though he loved his home and his mother dearly.
Couri knew that it would be what his father wanted and gave her blessing
through tears flowing. After he left, she continued her life as it
had been.
One day she heard the news of the Outcasts
coming through the lands, ravaging all that stood in thier way. The
people of Therengia were needing foodstuffs and even wood for thier
gates as the invading forces tore them down. She realized it was time
for her to begin living again and doing the things she had been trained
for. She entered the Fur Building in Lang knowing the next chapter
in her life was starting, and that the Fading was not for her.
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