Rhianna
"No good will come of this decision. I warned the council, but they were taken in by her Charms. The faintest golden glow burned around her and drowned the fire in my voice. The other elders looked at the slight young girl before them. She had tanned, wind-roughed skin. She had long, braided black hair. The lids hung heavy over her eyes and her cheekbones were soft. They saw only a Marukani girl, dressed in tatters that once bore our bright colors. They saw her frightened and longing for her nation's bosom. And, to a man, they elected her circuit rider of the post. They gave her our protection.
"She's traveled the plains since then. She carries the mail between range-towns on her magnificent horse. She takes messages further afield, too. She avoids Lookshy, but has been to Nexus a handful of times. More often, though, she travels southward. To Thorns. She comes back with gifts from the Mask of Winters; rare coral, fist-size pearls, sheets of dried seaweed. Prizes the Deathlord's pulled from the ocean beds around his prize city. She carries dark promises, too. Strike a peace with the Mask, trade him our horses and our strength for his wealth and defense. Trade him our pride and freedom. The fools are considering it!
"Do I alone see that the Mask has two hands? One that promises us riches, and another that has taken Shenden and Three-Steeds-Dancing. Mark me, by the time this girl is done with us, the Mask will not need to march on Marukan. My words will fall on deaf ears and the elders will give my lands over to Rhianna, to rule in the Mask's stead!
-- Mayhiros Tesos, Horselord of Celeren, fire aspect
