Role

Chapter 9

I dunno where I'm from. My family's just sorta always existed and that's
been plenty good for me. We've sorta always existed with a whole bunch
of other folks, mostly Felar, but some weren't. A lot of folk would call
us gypsies, and so would I. We were good, some of us, and a lot of the
rest of us liked to misbehave. We'd play music and write songs and when
we weren't doing that, we'd act like brigands and rob the daylights out of
any poor sap who got close enough...but I'm getting ahead of myself. I
should start at the beginning.

I was born by firelight under the full moon. There wasn't any litter,
there was just me, and that's really weird. Pa used to tell me that an
ember from the fire bounced off and smacked me in the eye while I was
being born and that's why my eye is red. I think that sounds like a load
of horseshit--lots of Felar have different colored eyes. I think it's
just leftover magic from way back when we were slaves. Anyway, I was born
under the full moon, so everybody in the caravan expected me to be some
kind of indescribably amazing poetess. I guess I'm okay at it.

Those were good days. I was with my folks and my friends, and I didn't
have a care or concern outside of Phreemour. Phreemour was plotting with
my parents to arrange a marriage. Him and me. Except I didn't like him,
and he loved me more than anyone in the whole wide world. He gave me
a ring. And then... and then...

Let me start again. Our brigandry and thievery and overall shenanigans
finally caught up with us. A lot of the caravan folks had prices on
their heads. These prices were apparently so nice and plentiful among
us that a band of bounty hunters, folks who usually work alone, came
to where we were camped to roll some heads around.

Phreemour was busy professing his undying love and giving me a ring
when they came. I was just about to tell him no when he flicked out
his claws and hissed at somebody behind me. I didn't have time to think
and barely had time to move. Phreemour leapt over me and I felt hot
blood hit my back. I sprang up and ran when I heard him hit the ground.