Wise men say my element is fire, probably for the bright red colour of my hair, which appears to be most uncommon, and especially for a lass of good breeding, such as I. They say I am damned, a seed of evil for fire has destructive powers. Because of this belief, soon after my birth I was taken away to the woods and left there on my own. Forsaken and alone, I grew up under the care of one ancient woman who recognized the good and innocence within me.

'Fire gives warmth and has healing powers, my child. Thou arst not damned, neither you shall ever be. It is the colour of your hair and jealousy that frightens those fools' she says to me. "But, not all the people are like them and i am sure this you shall see for yourself and sooner than you think.'

I have strong affection for her, for she has raised me and introduced me to the world. Her wisdom,great beyond ages, helped me understand the reason behind my loneliness.

I've never, as of yet, met those who have given me life and then abandoned and disowned when I was but a little creature, although I feel, deep within, it is they who do not wish to confront me; otherwise they would find a way to me. Therefore, I do not insist either.

Strangely enough, I can rembemer one thing about the day I was born. I remember a sable raven with a crimson rose in his talon, sitting by my mother's bedside while she was giving birth.
...and I remember horrified cries rendering the skies...
My custodian, Nene, eased off some of my anxiety concerning this and many other of my memories, yet some still haunt me in nightmares.

"You are one of the Niafer clan. You are strong and have a great power of the will. People are weak and so they are afraid. Be not afraid of who you are., be proud and uncompromising and your path shall become clear. Be a Niafer.

Yet any time I come close to human communities, I wear a hooded cloak to avoid being recognised. Only in disguise, am I allowed to come close and help.

I am a skilled healer of animals, my heart bleeds if any of the little ones are hurt. I do not wish any harm, I only want to help. But the people of the village hurt me in the past, whenver I tried to apporach them without wearing a cloak. They hurled stones at me, and much more than that, invectives. Each time I hear them do so, I have to remind myself of who I am, so great is my desire to take revenge. Yet, I cannot allow these feelings to take over me.

"Your passions are great, Mairead, and both good and bad, are a part of who you are. Yet, under no circumstances must you let the evil in you overpower good, lest the fire of your soul might indeed absorb the more destructive powers of its great nature."

I must never forget this advice. If I ever do, it will mark my end.

Yet, I am content with my life in the serene surroundings of the trees. I listen to the voices of nature, contemplating the peace I have here, in this solitary taigh far from the madding crowd of human communities and far from their dilemmas. My spirit is free and I feel harmony.


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Mairead -- literally means a pearl