Role

Chapter 5

*Written by the shaky hand of Zuleikae on light parchment in pitch black ink*


I didnt always have the nightmares. I know, I never had the best life, but
at least it was a life without the nightmares. My father always made things
better.I was the youngest, and his favorite. There were ten of us bastard
children. Yes, I say bastard. My parents were never married. They could
not find bard to marry such a couple. My father was of a good heart but he
could not resist my mother. She was an evil temptress.She was evil, but
beautiful. Her eyes could put any man into a trance. Sometimes I think that
is why the dark ones ruined our family.They could smell her evil sent.

My father met her while selling his days catch in Hamsah Mutaz.He was a
fisherman and worked hard all his life.Looking at him you wouldnt know he
had the purest of souls. His scruffy beard, rough hands, messy brown hair
and the smell of fish about him, I miss him so.I especially miss his eyes.
They were the clearest of blue.You could see into his soul, the light that
radiated from them. He was a wonderful father.

I almost wonder if my mother was a prostitute. They run ramped in her home
city. Her long silvery hair always smelt so sweet, but there was no
sweetness in her soul. Her eyes, large and oval swirled with an array of
violet hues. She gave all my brothers and sisters the same eyes. I think
she also gave them the same soul. I was different. I had the eyes of my
father.

When I was born, he knew I was special.He looked into my large shinning
blue eyes and saw himself, not a half-breed. He named me Zuleikae Kazan,
meaning brilliant and lovely. At my birth, my mother had complications. She
lost her power to speak and was not able to move her right arm and right leg.
father says she was too old to be having a child, and I was a miracle
sent by the gods.

Mother never recovered and my siblings who were much older hated me for it.
She could not nurse me, and father had to spend what little money we had to
get me fresh milk. I am glad not have drank the milk of a drow. My oldest
sister had to leave school to care for me and my mother, but I was cared for
little.

My father would often be out to sea for a month at a time. There wasnt much
market in Arkham, so he would travel to Hamsah Mutaz and sell his fish.What
he brought home would be little more than bait.We would have to salt it and
store it for when he was gone on his long trips.

I wonder if he was ever happy with his life. I wonder if I will be happy
with mine.