Thilda Feathermann: A Sisters Tale

Thilda Feathermann was the only child of the fletcher, Augustus Feathermann. He however was no mean artisan, but a master of his craft, a true bow-wright. He had developed a composite bow that was so easy to pull, that even archers of moderate skill amazed others with their prowess. His work became so recognised that he became the official fletcher and bow-wright for none less than the Royal Hunt.

It was probably because of this reputation, that the Ralulee raiding party singled out Thilda’s village at the beginning of the Dunes War. She was only eleven when the attack came, and it happened so quickly that it was mostly a blur in her memory. Her father was in his workshop, and her mother had just sent her from the yard to the corn crib to fill a basket to feed the geese. Suddenly the geese became agitated and Thilda looked through the slats to see what was the matter, only to see a Ralulee cut down her mother. Her father stepped into the doorway of his shop and in quick succession buried arrows into his wife’s killer, and the warrior next to him. He then took down two more before he was overrun. The Ralulee then nailed him the the wall of his workroom and set the building alight.

Thilda was still hiding in the corn-store when the Royal Horsemen arrived.  They found the frightened girl, and did the best to comfort her, while others buried her parents.

She was sent away to a girls’ academy in the capital, where she never felt she fit in, and bided her time until she was able to leave.

She wandered the city streets for most of her 17th year, and became one who others didn’t mess with, as she was tenacious in a scrap. Though only about five and a half feet in height, and of medium build, she still packed quite a wallop. Her father had taught her not only how to fletch an arrow, but how to use one as well. In fact, her archery skills were so keen, that some said they were practically elvish.

She made a few coppers from time to time in small scale competitions, but largely turned her hand to whatever opportunities came her way. But she truly “found her way,” when she was eighteen, and met Gwendolyn, “The Washer Woman,” a skilled confidence artist. Thilda was just the type of companion Gwendolyn was looking for, someone to put up a fight if a con or petty theft got out of hand, and one didn’t draw too much attention to herself.

What was even better in Gwendolyn’s estimation was that this “fighter” was pretty enough to get her way around men, without being so remarkable in her looks as to have them always hanging about. Yes, her shoulder length brown hair, and dark brown eyes could be seen as attractive, but not beautiful. But, this “average” young woman was anything but. She was force to be reckoned with. Together they would be the first of “The Sisters.”

Padre

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The Sisters Tales

Please see Seymour de Klod: A Sisters Tale and No Man Shall Pass