A new dawn
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A young blond woman entered her master's room reverently. She wore simple robes, as most did at the monestary. Excitement shown in her green eyes as she approached his desk. She folded her arms in front of her and bowed respectfully.
Her master smiled kindly and bowed his head slightly in return. His robes were just as simple, but adorned with Lathander's symbol. He looked over his disciple and stroked his long grey beard before speaking. "I gather you already know why I called you here, considering the smile on your face."
"Yes, I did happen to hear a few of the other masters discussing it," she replied sheepishly.
"Ah yes, word can travel quickly. So much for keeping it a surprise, but no matter. Today marks your eighteenth spring here at the monestary, and thusly, you are now of age. As such, it is time for your final rite of passage. One final test of your capabilities and character. Are you ready for it?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes, I am ready."
"Very well. In the morning, you are to leave the monestary for a period of five years. In this time, you will be exploring the world and learning what you can. Upon your return, you will stand before the masters and recount the tale of your journey."
She noddd enthusiastically at her master's words, obviously excited to finally see life outside of the monestary. Her master smiled slightly, knowing her excitement would change with his next few words.
"That is only half the test. The other half will surely test your discipline. On your journey, beginning the moment you step outside of our walls, you are to completely and totally refrain from using any form of language, until your return."
As he predicted, a slight frown crossed her face, "You mean I cannot speak?"
"Correct. No speaking. No writing also."
"But how will I-"
He cut her off with a stern look, "That is why this is a test. One which you must find the answers to on your own."
The young woman bowed her head respectfully. "I understand."
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A day later, the young woman found herself in a small town a few miles away from the monestary. She walked around inquisitively, taking in all the sights and sounds she encountered. A few people recognized her belonging to the nearby monestary; the village was a common stop for monks on such a passage as hers.
As she walked through the small market square, a burly man with black hair and a long moustache approached her. "'Scuse me, miss. You look to be a priestly sort. Could I talk to you for a moment?"
The woman nodded to the man, curious at what he needed.
"See, I run a caravan that travels from Vassa, through Damara, and into Narfell. We're about halfway in our journey here, and the healer I hired has fallen too to travel. Think you'd be up for the job?"
After a moment of thought, the young woman pointed to herself and demonstrated a few palm strikes into the air.
"Eh? Oh, you're not a priest then? I guess the rumors of a nearby monestary are true then. Well, are you at least good at bandaging wounds?"
She nodded happily.
"Don't talk much do you, eh?"
She shoke her head.
"Just as well. Some of the boys were getting tired of the priest's tendency to spontaneously give sermons. So how about it? Willing to travel to Narfell with us?
Again, she nodded with a smile.
"Right then. Able to tell me your name?"
A frown crossed her face as she pondered how to answer. She couldn't think of any way to give her name without saying it, and she was equally forbidden from writing it. Her face lit up after a moment of thought. If she couldn't use her own name, she'd just have to adopt a new one.
She pointed up at the sun, and then at the eastern horizon and rose her hand from low to high.
The burly man scratched his head and pulled at his moustache. "Sun east? Sun... rise?"
She waved her hand at his second guess.
"Sunrise? Hmm... Dawn?"
His final guess was met with a proud nod from the young woman.
"Right then, Miss Dawn. Let me introduce you to the rest of my crew."
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Character: A Quiet Woman
Player: EngelHart
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Locked, exp pending MND
And trust me, a vow of silence is not an easy task . . .
