Role

Chapter 1

I was lucky.

Truy'Quiqall is a feared name in Ayr'Trinil. People know what we're about.
At least the ones that matter do. The ones that don't matter suspect, and
the unknown often scares the fragile more than the known.

I was unlucky, because I was forever looking up.

Up from the base of Ayr'Trinil. Up to the levels above. Up and up and up at
those things I'd been told from an early age: I will never have, because I
am a Truy'Quiqall: and this is where the Truy'Quiqall live. This is our lot,
and it is to be accepted. It is our... place. Our duty. Our gift. Our
heritage is enough and everything.

Maybe I've got it wrong. Maybe that second thing made me lucky instead,
because it instilled in me right from the very beginning that core belief
that makes me who I am. That thing that sets me apart from my family:

To hell with that. Being born might dictate the starting line, but it sure
isn't going to dictate the finish line too. I'm going to climb my mountain,
and when I'm standing at the top I'm going to find a higher one still.
It'll never be enough.

I am blessed to fly, so will seek the greatest heights.

I am cursed to die young, so will abide eternal.

Because I am a Truy'Quiqall, and not even death stops us.