What would have happened to Talandriel if Ariceli hadn't died?
Talandriel romanticizes the memory of her mother. She focuses on a handful of happy memories and believes, had Ariceli lived, her childhood would have been filled with moments like those.
The truth is, Ariceli was suicidally depressed and Talandriel suffered the effects of emotional abandonment from infancy.
Ariceli buried her lover a few weeks before their daughter was born. Grief stricken, alone, and weakened by the difficult pregnancy, Ariceli could barely care for herself, much less Talandriel.
Despite the difficulties, Ariceli had a strong will and was determined to keep his baby. She managed to make a life for them, and protected Talandriel (mostly) from the ugly side of her profession. I think, had she lived, their life would have improved with time.
It was Ariceli’s death that sparked Talandriel’s determination to become a city guardian. Without that, I’m not sure what direction her life might have taken. Probably not in her mother’s footsteps, but… who knows?
illuminest, thank you for the question.
