Role

Chapter 2

Ild came back every day after that. She and Grandpa would talk, play games,
but more importantly, he would listen to a confused little girl who was full
of doubt and guilt. Grandpa would listen and listen and only after Ild was
out of words, would he offer her his perspective on things. He assured her
that the strife at home was not her fault or even the fault of her parents.
It was the professions they chose.

"The magic will turn anyone's heart black, my dear. No one is immune to it's
charms. It lures you in with promises of power, respect, wealth, whatever
your heart may desire. Then, once it's in you, it will pursue it's own
desires. Your parents, whomever they once were, are gone. What you see are
mere puppets." He sighed. It was clearly difficult for him to lay such
powerful truths at the feet of a young girl. But she needed to hear them,
lest she think that she came from monsters.

They spent the rest of the evening smashing lightning bugs that flew within
their reach. "Die magic!" she would yell as another bug was smeared on the
dirty bench. Then they both watched as the phosphorescent glow faded to
darkness.

She would often bring dinner for the two of them. She was very good at
wandering through the market and emerging with a bounty worthy of the prince
himself, without spending a single copper of course. In return, he would tell
her jokes and teach her slight of hand tricks. He didn't mind her thievery
and even encouraged her to refine her skills amongst those who practiced it
as an art. No the Hamsah guild, though! Go to Galadon, he told her, there
they steal for the art of it, not for the Emperor.

As the years passed, Grandpa's health began to fail. His every bruise or cut
took longer and longer to heal. Ild would dress his wounds and make him
herbal tea to sooth the pain. He suffered just about every ailment there was
and Ild was there to mend and care for him. It gave her purpose and made her
feel needed. Soon, she was tending to street urchins, prostitutes, beggars
and the like, which she continued after his death.

Now a young adult and member of the Galadon thieves guild, she has a soft
spot for the down-trodden while she blames most ills of the world on those
who have succumbed to the lure of magic. Even for those, however, she feels
pity, but knows only one cure for their affliction. A quick and hopefully
painless release from their slavery. She hopes that some may be turned back
from magic before it corrupts them. She does not see her actions as good or
evil, but merely does what fulfills her sense of purpose. She has no problem
with order, in fact her profesion would be more difficult without it. The
rules simply don't apply to everyone, including herself. Her playful and
joking nature was a gift from her Grandpa and is a comfortable persona that
makes her feel like he is with her. She dropped her family name long ago,
choosing a new one to honor her Grampa.