Role

Chapter 2

As far as most everyone is concerned, Mizfara daughter-of-Ashkar died some
forty years ago, when her father's slave caravan was ambushed by an
unknown number of assailants. Or else she was taken captive, which meant
she might as well be dead. Not many knew Mizfara's name, in those days,
but many more knew, and despised, the name of Ashkar ben-Hazaz, her
father. Because of this Mizfara has, until recently, not publicized her
ancestry. She was ashamed of her father and so buried that part of her
life, revealing it only to a select few.

She is ashamed no longer. Mizfara certainly condemns her father's
activities, and would be the first to agree that he was a wicked man,
fully deserving of the judgment he received. However, she no longer
internalizes his guilt as her own. Her father's sins are not hers, so she
has no need to feel guilty or ashamed of them. They are what they are.
By taking the name that is hers by custom: ben-Ashkari, "Daughter of
Ashkar", she announces to the world that she is alive, and furthermore
not afraid to be associated with her unfortunate past.

As a matter of fact, Mizfara considers her past to be a powerful testimony
to the ability of all Therans to overcome the dark circumstances of their
own pasts and instead live righteous lives.