Jade Catori

Jade Catori was born in the vibrant archipelago of the Point of Veil, a place where the scent of saltwater mingled with the rich aromas of exotic spices. Her family, deeply rooted in tradition, ran the thriving Salt and Spice Emporium, a well-respected business that had been passed down for generations. Growing up as the only girl in a house of three brothers, Jade was expected to fall in line with the family’s customs—marry well, remain close to home, and contribute to the family legacy.

But Jade had other dreams.

From a young age, Jade was drawn to the ancient healing arts practiced by the Order of Drava, where her curiosity and compassion set her apart from her siblings. While her brothers embraced the spice trade and their roles within the business, Jade spent her days in the market observing the herbalists, secretly learning the power of natural remedies. Her talents didn’t go unnoticed, and Master Helix, one of the most revered healers in the Order, saw in her a rare gift for healing. Under his mentorship, Jade began to develop her craft, growing more adept with each lesson, her hands as skilled with herbs and poultices as they were with daggers.

But her ambition came at a price.

Jade's family, particularly her mother, could not understand why she resisted the life that had been carefully planned for her. Her mother, a fiercely traditional woman, insisted on arranging a marriage between Jade and a high-ranking Sentinel—a union that would elevate the family's status and secure their place in the Point’s rigid social structure. Jade, however, found the idea suffocating. The prospect of being bound to a man she barely knew, while her true passion lay in the healing arts, filled her with dread.

The tension in the Catori household grew unbearable. Her brothers, while kind, sided with their parents, believing Jade's stubborn refusal to marry would bring dishonor to the family. Her mother would often remind her of the sacrifices they had made, casting guilt over Jade's defiance. Every meal became a battlefield of harsh words and cold stares. Even Master Helix, who had once been her staunchest advocate, began to distance himself, unsure if he should intervene in what was becoming a deeply personal family matter.

It was during one of these arguments that Jade made the hardest decision of her life. In the dead of night, with only the barest of belongings, she slipped away from her family’s home, leaving a note that barely explained her reasons. She stowed away on a caravan heading for the mainland, clutching a letter of recommendation from Master Helix, who had arranged for her to continue her studies in the Village of Briarveil. The village, known for its unparalleled knowledge of rare medicinal plants, was far from the sandy beaches of the Point of Veil and farther still from the life she had been expected to lead.

Her journey to Briarveil was not without peril. Along the way, Jade faced bandits, illness, and loneliness, all while grappling with the guilt of abandoning her family. There were nights when she doubted herself, wondering if she was wrong to leave behind the comfort of the life she knew for an uncertain future. Worse still, she feared the inevitable confrontation with her family should they ever find her. They had resources and connections—how long before they tracked her down?

When she finally arrived in Briarveil, exhausted but determined, she found solace in the quiet, misty village, where the people welcomed her as a skilled healer. Here, Jade began to rebuild her life, throwing herself into her studies and proving herself to the villagers with her expertise. Her violet eyes, a rare and striking feature, became a symbol of her uniqueness, though whispers about her elvish ancestry followed her like shadows.

But her past was not so easily forgotten. Rumors of her family’s search for her reached the village. There were sightings of a Sentinel asking questions in nearby towns, and a letter from her mother, filled with accusations and pleas, found its way to her. Jade’s new life in Briarveil, as peaceful and fulfilling as it was, hung in a delicate balance.

The inner conflict raged on: Could she continue to run from the life she was born into, or would she be forced to confront her family and the traditions she had left behind?

For now, Jade is determined to prove herself in Briarveil, but the weight of her past lingers, a constant reminder that the path she has chosen is far from easy. She must now navigate not only the challenges of honing her healing craft but also the looming specter of the life she left behind—a life that refuses to let her go.

In the quiet moments of her new life in Briarveil, Jade Catori found an unexpected solace in her friendship with Dulcianna Tenebrae. Dulcianna had arrived in the village under shadowy circumstances, bearing the weight of a troubled past that mirrored Jade’s own struggles. The two women, weary and heartbroken in their ways, formed an unbreakable bond that offered both comfort and understanding in a world that often felt overwhelming.

Dulcianna, with her kind eyes and gentle demeanor, slowly opened up to Jade about her own heartache. She shared tales of Lucien Valcoris, a man she loved deeply yet was separated from by circumstances beyond her control. Despite the distance between them, Dulcianna’s feelings for Lucien remained strong, her heart forever entwined with his memory. Jade listened intently, understanding the ache of longing for someone who felt worlds away.

As Jade confided in Dulcianna about her own turmoil—especially the Sentinel, Torian Amal, who had been arranged to marry her—Dulcianna surprised her with a bold move. Taking matters into her own hands, Dulcianna sought out Torian. What transpired between them remained a mystery, but Jade could sense the tension in Dulcianna’s posture when she returned. It was clear that Dulcianna had declined Torian’s offer on Jade’s behalf, effectively severing the ties of obligation that bound her to a life she had fought so hard to escape.

Jade never learned the specifics of that conversation; perhaps it was better that way. Whatever Dulcianna had said was enough to make Torian retreat, leaving Jade with a profound sense of gratitude. That moment forged an unspoken bond between them, deepening their friendship and solidifying Jade’s sense of indebtedness to Dulcianna. She felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, replaced by a fierce loyalty to the woman who had come to her aid.

From that day forward, the two women were often seen together—sharing stories, laughter, and the occasional tears that came with their shared experiences. They became each other’s confidantes, supporting one another in the complexities of their lives. Jade admired Dulcianna’s strength and resilience, qualities that inspired her to confront her own fears and insecurities.

As they walked through the misty streets of Briarveil, collecting herbs or tending to the local healer’s needs, Jade found a sense of belonging that had eluded her in the Point of Veil. Together, they navigated the challenges of their pasts, learning to trust and rely on one another. With Dulcianna by her side, Jade began to understand that she was not alone in her journey; she had a friend who would stand with her against the shadows of their histories.

Yet, even as they grew closer, the specter of their pasts loomed large. Jade’s connection to the Sentinel and Dulcianna’s unresolved feelings for Lucien would inevitably intertwine their fates, testing the strength of their friendship and forcing them to confront the choices that lay ahead