RIYANNA ASHAY · 19 · APPRENTICE · THE DISCIPLE · TAKEN
"Clever as the Devil and twice as pretty.”
+ Intelligent, Resourceful, Charismatic
- Stubborn, Distrustful, Headstrong
I’M WAITING FOR THE CALL, THE HAND ON THE CHEST.
Born in the port city of Naples, the granddaughter of a merchant and the daughter of a Captain grew up in a large family. Her mother, from India, came to Italy with her father, a trader and upon meeting Riya’s father, quickly settled down in Italy. Riya grew surrounded by a very loving and supportive family. With two older brothers and a younger sister and brother, she was never lacking company. Her father, who saw the intelligence and inventiveness in his daughter, taught her the ways and the workings of ship, often encouraging her to join her on his voyages, even at a young age. He taught her how to fight and fend for herself, the way he would teach any of his sons, and refused to let the gender of his eldest daughter define her.
While an accomplished sailor by the age of 16, Riya also spent much of her home time with her mother in the markets, selling and trading all sorts of odd items. Her mother taught her the skills of the street- how to make a deal. Overall, much of Riya’s life was full of happiness, that is until the day she was framed. The day had begun as any other- Riya had headed for the docks, prepared to meet her father and set sail for France. However, as she approached the docks, making her way through the marketplace, she was stopped. A thief, they had called her. A series of weapons had been stolen and the new dagger she had purchased just days ago, the one she had proudly strapped to her waist this morning was an exact match for the stolen the weapons.
She had pleaded innocent, but her pleas went unheard and even her dashing smile couldn’t get her out of this one. She was soon sentenced to the gallows, her fate sealed. The tears of her mother just seemed to add to the sorrow. An innocent woman was to die for a crime she did not commit- the victim of a cruel mistake. As she was walked to the ropes, she noticed that something was off with the other two prisoners. They were far too relaxed, confident, and calm- and their ease to which they approached death piqued her curiosity. Riya was a perceptive girl and it didn’t take her long to put the pieces together, as to what was about to go on.
She had made eye contact with one of them, asking them for the opportunity to escape death with nothing but the simple tilt of her head. As the rope was placed around her neck, she relaxed and smiled at her dear mother, who was a sobbing mess in her father’s arms, who couldn’t bear to witness the hanging of her oldest daughter. As the guard stepped forward, she released the breath she had been holding in and looked one again at the other prisoners, offering them her signature smile and just like that, she heard the swift swipe of the rope above her being cut, the guard in front of her dropping to his feet.
No more than a few seconds passed before her dagger was returned to her hands and she was fighting alongside the Brotherhood.
I’M READY FOR THE FIGHT AND FATE.
Riya was never the most trusting individual, but the Brotherhood had earned her trust by saving her life. She had barely given her parents a quick kiss before she was whisked off to join the Brotherhood.
The day she was saved something changed in Riya and she finally felt she had found her purpose. Eager to learn, Riya was willing to trade her loyalty for the knowledge and way of the Brotherhood, combing her old skills with the new ones, however she doesn’t trust her mentor.
Riya fears that her life holds no value to The Warrior and worries that she is simply a pawn in their bigger game, a sacrifice to be made, if needed. She wishes to prove herself so she can earn more control over her life and while she’s willing to learn from The Warrior, she’s unwilling to give The Warrior her full faith.
