MARTA

 

When Immera Bolis, a child of only 14 and unwed, found she was with her uncle's child, she fled from her parent's home in shame. Stealing through the night like a thief, she rode one of her father's horses, bread and cheese stuffed in the pockets of her cloak. She rode by day and slept by the side of the road at night. During her fourth day of riding, Immera was attacked by a band of thieves. Having nothing to give them, they stole her horse, raped her, and knocked her unconscious. Two days later and barely alive, Immera was found by a halfling priestess named Marislet and a fallen knight named Islington. They pored over Immera's wounds and helped to breathe life back into her. The unlikely pair took Immera under their wing and brought her to a Temple of Yondalla, where Marislet worships. Seven months later on a cold winter's morn, Immera gave birth to Marta. While Immera studied under Marislet to become a priestess, Marta began her life's journey.

The temple was no place to raise a child. As an infant, Marta was ignored by all of the priests and priestesses. At times she lay crying in her bed of straw for hours as daily chores were attended. Only her mother paid any attention to her and even then it was fleeting. When Marta began to mobilize, she was locked in her room so that she couldn't cause any trouble. As a toddler, her only toy was the abrasive blanket under which she slept. On most occasions, Immera would find Marta curled up in a corner staring blankly into space. Even at the age of 4, Marta did not speak because she was hardly spoken to. When she was old enough to take on chores, she was taught to sew. Every week sacs of clothing were dropped in her lap for repairing. It was very tiresome work, but filled her otherwise empty days.

One day, shortly after Marta's 8th birthday, Immera packed up Marta and her few belongings. Seated in the temple, she watched as the mother she barely knew was joined in wedlock to a man Marta had never seen before. The priest had called him Colin. That evening, Marta and Immera moved into Colin's house. At first life was good. Marta made friends with Alexa, who was just 1 year older than her. Alexa taught her to swim, play tag, and do other normal childhood activities. As Marta's personality began to emerge, her stepfather's patience subsided. He became hostile towards Marta as she babbled on aimlessly about her adventures with Alexa. Slapping Marta across the face, he yelled at her to shut up. When that didn't work, he took a club and beat her. Returning home to find her daughter beaten, Immera yelled at Marta for provoking Colin. Terrified at what had transpired, Marta threw some belongings into a backpack and ran away from home.

Marta went first to the temple looking for Marislet. Marislet tenderly healed the girl's wounds and housed her overnight. Upon awakening, Marta insisted on leaving the temple before her mother arrived. Marislet didn't want little Marta to be on her own though. Supplying herself with food, water, a little money, and some basic necessities, Marislet traveled with Marta down the very road she had found Immera on. During the ride, she pondered Marta's bleak existence of neglect and punishment. After several days of riding, they came upon Immera's hometown. Marislet surmised that Marta needed a way to channel her anger and heal at the same time. Marislet took Marta to the home of Eva and Ivan Bedinger, a young couple who were unable to conceive a child. Eva thanked the heavens for the chance to make a difference in this young girl's life.

Eva and Ivan were wonderful parents to Marta. At first Marta was skeptical of her new situation. She became very shy and barely said anything to anyone. Her new parents introduced her to other girls her age. Soon they were listening intently as she babbled on about her adventures. However, Marta was acting out her anger. Ivan and Eva began to search for a new way for Marta to channel her energy. After assigning Marta cooking duty, they asked her if she fancied anything in particular. Marta wanted to learn to read and asked if she could study with her friend Kile and his tutor. Eva contacted Kile's parents and questioned them on the matter. Agreeing to the terms that Kile's parents put forth, Marta began her studies. During the next few years, Marta delved into the world of books. She read about history and religion and tales of heroes. She became very close to Kile. Kile's destiny was decided for him, he was to become a wizard like his father Samuel. Marta, not wanting to be separated from her closest friend, decided that she too would become a wizard. Eva and Ivan were thrilled when Marta announced her plans.

Marta and Kile began their lessons in wizardry when they were 13 years old. Marta studied hard, but always took time to play with her friends. After quite some time, the big moment was upon them, it was time to cast their first spell, alarm. It was to be a game of hide and seek. Samuel would give each child 5 minutes to find a hiding spot and cast an alarm spell. If the spell succeeded, the child would be warned of their attempted capture and have time to flee. They played several times a week. Marta failed miserably the first week. During the second week, Marta managed to correctly cast the spell and squealed in delight when the alarm was tripped. However, her success was short lived and it was several weeks until she managed to correctly cast the spell again. Samuel taught Kile and Marta several other spells and always tried to make the learning fun by thinking up a game to play. Magic missile was practiced by chasing dinner around. Marta's goal was a pig and it didn't take her long at all to accomplish her goal. With one spell under her belt, the others came much easier.

Marta and Kile became extremely close to each other. When they weren't studying or practicing their magic, they were goofing off together. They were 15 now. One day after their studies were completed, they went for a swim as was oftentimes usual. But that day was far from usual. As they splashed in the water, Kile began to notice that Marta was no longer a scraggly young girl. She had become a beautiful young lady. In a clumsy attempt during mid splash, he dunked Marta. When she surfaced, he quickly planted a kiss on her lips. Taken completely by surprise, Marta gasped and darted away. Cheeks warm and red with embarrassment, she gathered her belongings and ran home. What had he gone and done that for, she thought. Marta and Kile never talked about that kiss, but went on as if nothing happened. Not long after, their studies were complete.

While Marta loved her adopted parents, she decided it was time to leave. Eva supplied Marta with enough food for a few days, some coins to pay for her way, and a backpack full of necessities. Packing up the rest of her things, Marta rode off with Ivan. Tears of sadness flowed down Eva's face as she watched her daughter disappear down the road.

Upon reaching the town where she had spent the first half of her life, Marta sought out Marislet at the temple. When she arrived though, a group of adventurers that included Marislet, were gathered in front of the temple. Quickly approaching Marislet, Marta and Ivan asked what was going on. Marislet explained that a search party was going out looking for a powerful spell book that had been stolen. Marta pleaded with Marislet to let her join them. Marislet looked to Ivan and saw consent in his eyes. Quickly finding a horse for her to ride, a dagger for protection, and some more supplies, Marislet once again took Marta under her wing. Excitedly, Marta took off on her first adventure. It took the group six months to find the person who stole the book and subdue him. During that time, Marislet taught Marta all she knew about riding horses and about herbalism. Marta was a quick learner and diligently helped Marislet prepare her healing remedies.

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