Blodeuwedd
Duchess Blodeuwedd of Gainthe, often referred to as Duchess, is a SoulMaster and member of the Eternal Order. Originally a seeker of the Emergence Academy, Duchess began to learn more and more about the City and her focus. Shortly after expressing her desire to join the Academy, she began speaking more to Ash, a controversial man she still calls friend and confidante. Through her many discussions with him, she decided that the Eternal Order would become her home within the City. On the night that she was to be initiated into the house, Bandaret attacked. This was not a new occurrence, but that which followed was. Volnox, the Order's Guide, joined in the fight against Bandaret, eventually DreamStriking him. Not long after this Striking, an older dreamer named Zar'Tenya, evoked the same on Volnox, permanently severing his tie to the City. It was after these City altering events that Duchess was crested as a member of the Eternal Order.
I was born to the Baron and Baroness of Anhka, the fourth of six children, my father's favourite. He filled my hair with flowers, hence my name, Blodeuwedd, Flower Face. My mother taught me all the arts and abilities I would need later in life to bring honour and prestige to my family through marriage (Manners, art, singing, dancing, gardening, medicine, politics). My mother's favourite place to teach us, five girls, was the garden. She loved to teach us music that she had learned as a little girl, being groomed for her prestigious marriage. I remember this song even now, so many years past. My first betrothal was when I was 6 years old, to an elderly Earl, he was rich, but not powerful. He petitioned my father for my hand, if he was unable to fulfill his obligations it would be to his son that I was married, he wished an alliance with my father. My father declined the offer when he found out that the Earl was living on borrowed time. The second was the Duke of Nuarh, when I was 15. A handsome man with good pedigree and solid wealth. Our fathers had been allies at court for many years. He was only twice my age and kind, though not very rich. On the eve of the wedding, his wife arrived back from her travels (with the Queen no less)! Needless to say, the contract was no longer valid. While walking in the royal garden while on a visit to the King and Queen, I heard the gentleman's version of the song. I traversed the labyrinth to see who it could be I thought my mother had been the only one to teach such a tune. It was the Duke of Gainthe. His mother had taught him the song when he was young. Though it was not really allowed, we sat and talked until the sun set. We arranged the marriage ourselves by accident. We decided we would marry before the negotiations began. He approached my father that night for my hand in marriage. And the rest as some say... is history.
~*Shared at the first Meeting of the Minds*~
