As he tightened the cilice around his thigh, Horatio's vision went white. The pain was familiar, but no less severe. He savored this first moment of pain - it helped clear away the noise and distractions that built up in between the purifications.
Born to prostitutes - his mother worked in The Blushing Rose and his father a Tallow Boy - Horatio sought to rebel from his parents' life-choices from the moment he was able. He looked for companionship through numerous child gangs of Kaer Maga, but eventually found direction and enlightenment from The Temple of the Endless Step around his 15th year. A focused and dedicated pupil, Horatio endured the trials of the monks and pursued perfection with an obsessive intensity.
As his vision returned and the pain transitioned away from a searing burn to a dull one, he heard a knock on his door and one of the Temple elders entered his room. "Is it already time for another purification?" the elder said, smiling. "Your dedication and focus is unmatched for one so new to our fellowship." He paused before continuing. "We have decided it is time. Time for you to leave the Temple and walk among the Imperfect. See what assistance or aid you can provide the City. Test the bounds of your dedication outside of these walls. You are to take whatever you have and leave within the hour. You must not return until your service to Kaer Maga - whatever form it takes - is complete. May the Master be with you." With that, he turned and left the room.
Horatio stood, leaving the cilice in place, and began to pack his meager belongings into a bag. He knew this day was coming, but he still felt a pang of sadness to be leaving. He immediately chastised himself for such weakness. This is just another test. Another purification. Thank you, Master, for giving me this chance.
As he left the room, he felt the barbs of the cilice dig into his thigh deeper than ever before. In a reflex, he reached down and undid the belt, throwing it onto the floor of his room. He would leave that implement behind - the purification from walking the streets of Kaer Maga would be sufficient.