The Story of Amantha Melisande This is the first time I have recorded the history of my life. Hopefully, I won’t forget anything important. I was born on a cold Trevian night to Rose, a perfumer by trade who passed down all she knew to me. Her Companion, Sar Rarius, the man I thought was my Father, was the proprietor of a small tavern. I often sat upon his knee and listened to him talk of his travels on Gor. But Sar Rarius was also extremely protective, and he sheltered me from many of life’s lessons. Most days, I saw Treve and Gor while secluded in my room, looking out the window at snow-covered peaks. I never realized that Dar Ceich, the man who came on a regular basis to play with me and bring me tales, was truly my father until Mother told me with her dying breath. Unfortunately, after my mother’s death, Sar Rarius refused to let my father come back to get me. I lost touch with Dar Ceich, and l later learned that he died soon after Mother. After my mother’s death, my life became hard. I often spent weeks on end locked away in my room, because Sar Rarius had ordered that I wasn’t allowed out unless he was present, and this became less and less often. Turmoil erupted in the Tavern on a regular basis, accusations were thrown, and somehow my name was brought into it. I was falsely accused of trying to run off with the First Sword of the Tavern. Sar Rarius refused to listen to reason from both the First Sword and Myself, listening rather to the conjured plot of a kajirus and his Mistress, and I was given the choice of slavery or banishment from Treve. That night, I packed my belongings and perfume recipes and left Treve by way of a tarn flown by a former Sword of the home. That man’s name is forgotten now, but he flew me to his new home in Port Kar. Again, I lived a very secluded life. Port Kar was no place for a Woman to be. Even so, I met Monelos, a dear friend whom I now call Uncle, who has come to my rescue more times then I dare to mention. Monelos has always made sure that I stay out of trouble as much as possible. I was growing up well in Port Kar until Sar Rarius came looking for me with claims of loving me and wishing me to return home. And I did – only to find myself locked in the same room I had known so long before. During one of his absences of more then three hands, the Tavern fell due to lack of political stability. I was finally able to escape the locked room and Treve for the last time. I made my way along as best I could, trying to use my wits and perfumes to keep me safe. This wasn’t always possible, and I found myself often rescued by Monelos. Eventually, he took me to live with him in his new home in Sky Rocke. There, I handled hard winters and Kur attacks on a regular basis, learned how to sew, and created new scents. After one major Kur attack, our little compound was destroyed, and I fled Sky Rocke with Monelos, taking his ship, the Sonia, to travel upon the seas. One day, we stopped sailing to pick up supplies in Schendi. I only took a short walk off the ship, and that is where it must have happened. All I remember is a touch on the shoulder, something covering my mouth, and darkness. The next memory I have is of a splitting headache, a large bump on my head, my clothes torn to shreds, and no papers to prove who I was or that I was free. I ended up in The Black Daggar Inn, a small tavern tucked near the Schendi Forest. The owner, Branion Aristok, took a liking to me -- but not as a free woman. I found myself first in an inn collar and later in the Branion Aristok family collar. Branion’s brother, Dracon, had a girl by the name of anna, with whom I became very close. One eve, Branion was not the victor in a death challenge and was sent to the City of Dust. Upon His death, Dracon took charge of me, and I became anna’s chain sister. As chain sisters, we talked of our lives. She had not been born a slave, but had been a free woman who submitted to Dracon. As we talked, we realized that we shared even more in common: her father was Dar Ceich! I had not heard that name since my younger years; but here, on a chain, I had found not only a chain sister, but a blood sister to boot! Dracon, in trying to avenge his brother, joined him in the COD, leaving anna and I alone and not sure where we would end up. The new owner of The Black Daggar, Arantrae, gave us a choice, and we both chose freedom. The slave once known as anna returned to the name Annora Melisande, and we journeyed from the Inn together with manumission documents in hand. Upon reaching the Port of Schendi, I found Monelos once more. At that point, my sister and I parted ways when Annora decided to travel to the land of the Paravaci, where she had blood family. Meanwhile, Monelos gave me full access to his ship and a small, loyal crew. He allowed me to journey to Scagnar Island, where I started to get supplies readied for perfume-making. But I was not content. I longed for the love and company that only a family could provide. Apparently, Annora felt the same way, because she came to Scagnar and invited me to make my home with her, among the Paravaci. I packed my things and followed my sister. On the plains, I met my half-Great Uncle, Lochlan D’arcy of Kataii -- but the reunion was short-lived. Lochlan D'arcy was killed in a raid less then a hand later. Annora became distraught over our Great Uncle's death and a cancelled courtship, and she submitted to Lochlan D’arcy’s half brother. On her own, she had returned to slavery. It was difficult to have my only remaining blood relations killed or taken from me. I sought happiness in courtship, but even that was not to be: my Intended was killed in a death spar with a member of the Maze Tuchuk camp. In mourning over so many things, with every part of my world crashing down, I gathered a couple of wagons and a number of loyal guards and headed out to make my way as a Perfumer and a Merchant. I traveled for quite a long time, and I quickly sold out of my supplies at every stop. I was planning to make a sad return to the Paravaci to rest and replenish my perfumes when I happened into the Maze Tuchuk camp. It was not long before Ubar Ragnar asked if I had anything for sale. I had to admit that I did not, but still he placed the largest order I have ever had: 800 each of soap, perfume, and shampoo! I almost died just from contemplating such a large order, but I could not refuse the offer of a great sum of coinage in return. It took me close to two hands and one migration to finish the order; and upon its completion, I found myself not wanting to leave MTC. I had somehow found, when I wasn't looking, a Family.