There are many things Almiya did not choose: to be born the daughter of a hag that seduced an unsuspecting man, to be plagued with misfortune as the outcome of this union, one leg longer than the other and malevolent spirits filling her mind and tormenting her thoughts. Almiya chose none of these things. But they were her lot, nonetheless. Men rejected what she was, reviling her as an accursed witch. Almiya simply wanted freedom to exist and live as she saw fit, harming no one.
But her peaceful existence could never be. Men would rather see her burn than let her exist with them. Fleeing through the night, again, Almiya cursed the name of every man she had ever met. Then the Mother of the Deformed spoke to Almiya. Lamashtu explained "My child, they will never let you be. Your freedom will never be given to you. It must be taken by force and guile. Disguise who you are, use your beauty, and destroy any who threaten your liberty."
Almiya learned to live the Pregnant Jackal's words. She listened to the visions from the Abyss and employed her grace and fairness to exploit the weak and foolish hearts of men. From that day, no man ever met the true Almiya Desren again. She was charming, beautiful, agreeable, until her enemy was in her power. Then she ensured he could never threaten her life again. And she enjoyed seeing his life, his freedom, his threat to her, seep away in a scarlet pool.
But Almiya's heart grew lonely in this life with no one ever glimpsing her true self. Then Lamashtu's visions sent her to the Chitterwood. Here, at last, she could show her true self to equals who accepted her with open arms. Blackblight rewarded capable servants with the life they desired. For the first time, Almiya was home.
Bu that shining fool, Cansellarion, wouldn't allow their harmony to persist. His men blazed into the Chitterwood, the only home for those like Almiya, and butchered with steel and fire. She watched in horror as the woods burned around her, full of the most miserable screams imaginable. She was paralyzed with fear until a vision came into her mind. Ahreni... to the south... Driven by her goddess' voice, Almiya plunged through the woods, blinded by the smoke and her tears. When her lungs nearly gave out, she found Ahreni helping a few of Almiya's companions escape the disaster.
The hot coals of the Chitterwood burned out, but the flames in Almiya's heart burned on. She and her family would be free at any cost. Surely that cost would include the death of Cansellarion. And Almiya would pay that with joy.
