Princess Clara Tracano

Molly Quinn as Clara Tracano

CHARACTER BRIEF

Full Name:	Clara Tracano
Byname:	n/a
Age:	18
Date of Birth:	05/29/1849
Kingdom:	Rivana
House:	Tracano
Title/Profession:	Princess
Position:	Lady
Place of Birth:	Unknown

FAMILY

Father:	Lord Armand Tracano (deceased)
Mother:	Lady Angelina Tracano nee l’Corren
Siblings:	Martyn - 1836 to Present Juliet - 1837 to 1853 Julian - 1839 to 1846 Francis - 1844 to 1853
Spouse:	n/a
Children:	n/a

Background

One of only two survivors of the terrible tragedy that had befallen upon house t'Myrin. There are some that say Clara is a long lost Tracano, but that simply cannot be true. If it was, then Clara t'Myrin's whole life as she knows it is a falsehood.

Or, are the whisperings true?

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Clara Tracano was born the youngest of several children to Armand and Angelina Tracano, towards the end of the 30 Year War. Young Clara knew of her father and older siblings little, one could say not at all, for they were doing their part fighting in the war when the girl was but a babe. However, her mother was a constant companion and it was quite clear to little Clara, even from a very young age, that her mother Angelina loved her dearly. However, being so young, Clara could not comprehend what was happening around her. She did not comprehend that, after the 30 Year War ended and the Succession War had begun, that her family was being hunted. She did not know that her father had been murdered and that all of her siblings she barely knew have either perished in battle or succumbed to sickness. She did not understand that she was a target simply because of her last name. All she knew is that her mother was growing more and more sad, while clinging to little Clara more and more. So, when Angelina told her daughter that they had to leave to go north to her mother’s family in Couviere, Clara complied, without complaint. For her mother said to go, and Clara loved her mother as dearly as Angelina loved Clara

Together, with Angelina using the skills she had learned when she was an adventurous young woman in Couviere, the pair fled from Rivana northward towards Couviere. The two had to cross through territory held by Lord Marco t’Myrin, a minor lord that was a vassal to the l'Saigner house. While traveling through the lands held by t’Myrin, they are stopped by the Wraiths, demanding to know who they are and the reason for their passage. Angelina, a truly noble and pious woman, attempted to fabricate a story, even going as far as to provide false names for herself and her daughter, but she was unskilled in subterfuge and it was her pious nature that was her undoing. The Wraiths suspected that Angelina was not being truthful and took them into custody, escorted them to the t’Myrin manor and separated young Clara, only 4 years old, from her mother, who was questioned further, out of the sight of young, innocent eyes

Lord Marco t’Myrin was an ambitious man. He was the firstborn of the family and had inherited the land and title as appropriate. However, Lord t’Myrin harbored a secret that he kept as close as he could. He was infertile, incapable of producing an heir that would carry on his legacy. He had several brothers and sisters, all younger than him, that were able to produce trueborn offspring and he found this to be vexing. He was determined to produce an heir and, if he could not do it via the natural means, he would simply have to fabricate one from thin air. And little Clara provided that opportunity. After being in t’Myrin’s care for less than a year, Lord t’Myrin announced that Clara is his bastard daughter and recognized her as his own, thus providing the heir that he so desperately needed.

It is at that point that Clara Tracano, daughter of Armand Tracano and first cousin of the future Queen of Rivana, ceased to exist. In her place now stood Lady Clara t’Myrin, daughter of Lord Marcus t’Myrin.

From the moment Clara was claimed by Lord t’Myrin, she was raised by him, with the full expectation that she will take over as heir designate for the house of t’Myrin. She is given a sound education, becoming a student of literature and history, though the history was decided bent towards Couviere events and little in regards to Rivana history. She was encouraged to play the part of court-raised Lady, developing a talent for dancing and always dressed in the finest fashion that could be afforded. She even took on tasks and hobbies that were expected of a Lady, learning to sew as well as garden. She also came to start her education on stewardship, learning to care for the task of running the estate, to which she found she had a sort of innate talent for.

There were other things that piqued Clara’s interest. Peculiar things that seemed only to make sense to her. Perhaps it was her repressed memories, or possibly her genetic inheritance from her mother. Or, perhaps Clara felt within her heart things she could not perceive with her senses, for she insisted that she be instructed in the means to defend herself. When archery was suggested, partly to satisfy this strange desire and also to keep the precocious child close to the estate, she took to it rather well. Her adopted father brought in tutors, upon her request, and she trained well. She also insisted to be instructed in melee skills, for arrows run out, and found to be adept with the staff, for it weighed similar to a longbow and allowed her to be able to improvise the bow as a melee weapon, should she need to. Not that she needed to, for she was rather sheltered, even for being a court-raised lady.

Yet, it was this sheltered existence that drove Clara to try to stretch the limits of her domain, to find an excuse to be outside the stone walls of the t’Myrin manor. Whenever she could, she would go swimming, if only to simply be outside and enjoy the day. She grew fond of horseback riding, finding her rides every bit as calming as her archery lessons, for it allowed her to clear her mind and feel free. Always sensitive to the emotions of others, as well as being the only child within the manor, Clara intuitively took to the caring of animals…particularly the horse her father procured for her. With no others available, she often confided to her horse her greatest hopes and darkest fears, both of which seem to center inexplicably around her father Marco t’Myrin.

For, during Clara’s formative years, t’Myrin saw to it that Clara saw her mother sparingly. Lord t’Myrin doted upon his adopted daughter during the day…at night, he would steal down to Angelina and seduce her, twisting her already fragile psyche until she consented and became his lover. Then, in 1860, six months after t’Myrin’s wife died of supposed illness, Lord t’Myrin brought out poor Angelina from her imprisonment and allowed her slightly more freedom. But, on one condition….that Angel, as Lord t’Myrin claimed Clara’s mother to be, became his consort and to accept the role that she is only a common woman, mother to his Clara. Angelina, now Angel, agreed, as the years of torture, both mental and physical, had preyed upon her mind, leaving her quite susceptible to suggestion…anything to bring relief to her state of being. With her mother now free, in a manner of speaking, to be with her, Clara once again grew close to her. Clara tried to spend as much time as she could with Angel, even claiming to wish to learn how to weave, just so she justify the time to her father.

For, despite her sheltered existence…despite never seeing a need to question her own father’s motives, Clara had been sensing oddness. The older she became, the more she grew into her role as Lady and as a woman, the more uncomfortable she felt around her father. He would observe her just a touch too long. His touch was no longer comforting, but disturbing. He hid it well, but yet, there was that sense…that feeling deep within Clara that something just isn’t right. It wasn’t so bad, at first…but the closer she came to her sixteenth birthday, the more agitated she became. Those looks from her father shouldn’t be so….longing. It was only a matter of time before her own father took advantage of her. Of this, Clara knew for a certainty.

Something had to be done.

And something was done, on the night of Clara’s 16th birthday. But certainly not in the manner she had expected.

The night had started pleasantly. Master Corvin Fremont was attending on behalf of house l'Saigner and, in an effort to impress, Lord t’Myrin had held a banquet and ball for his daughter. She and Corvin had shared many dances, with her father looking on in approval. These dances were more than merely a formality, for in the midst of the dances, whispered plans were propositioned between the heir of t’Myrin and the older Master Fremont. Expectations were established amidst murmured exchanges and promises made. It was Clara that had told Corvin where to meet and when…her chambers in the late evening. With the night of food and song, the few guards that the Lord could afford were listless, apathetic to their duties. When Corvin had entered her chambers, Clara tried to throw herself upon him, using all of her admittedly novice tricks she could muster to get Corvin to bed with her. And, when all her tricks failed, Clara told the truth…admitting to Corvin that she suspected t’Myrin’s affection for her is dangerously more than just fatherly. She couldn’t stand the thought of what may happen, and begged Corvin to please help her. Corvin had promised that she will not fall victim to her father’s whims….and then proceeded to tell her a story

Corvin Fremont told Clara not just any story. He told Clara her story. He told her of the brave Couviere warrior Lady, who married a lord of another nation to establish peace. He told her of the death of the noble husband, and of the mother’s flight from the warring nation to Couviere, holding tightly her only child left alive. As Corvin told his story, long buried memories started to resurface. It sounded so familiar…but why? When Corvin finished, Clara began to half suspect…but…it couldn’t be true. Her mother was a commoner. She…she had a father. What could all this mean? Poor Clara was so confused…why was she told this? Her confusion only deepened when Corvin summoned her mother into the room, escorted by a Wraith. He…he called her ‘milady’. But…it was just a story. It couldn’t be real…

Clara, with the help of her mother, was hastily dressed and taken away from the only home Clara could remember. They were escorted by the Wraith bodyguard…taken beyond the sight of the manor. There was little explanation. All Clara could think off was one simple question.

If she isn’t Lady Clara t’Myrin, then who was she?

Who Clara really was ended up being a surprise to everyone but a select few. After the destruction of the t’Myrin house by fire (which Clara had some suspicion as to how exactly *that* happened.), she and her mother were taken to Pacitta City, delivered by Corvin and the Lady Alina l'Saigner to Prince Martyn Tracano, a scant couple of week later…in mid Juin. And, just like that, Clara was placed in a strange new world, one of impossibilities made possible, and yet holding so much more at stake. Less than a month prior, she was a bastard-born daughter of a minor lord…just barely considered noble. Finding out that not only is Clara a trueborn noble…but a member of the royal family with a brother nearly 13 years her senior? It was too much for the young woman to grasp. And so she retracted, growing unsure of herself…shy. Everything she knew was wrong, so how could Clara be certain of herself anymore?

Not more than one day later, the Great Raid of 1865 struck…and Clara found herself shunted off to the Pacitta strongholds, with no one but her mother with her as her only anchor to the fantastical world Clara found herself in. She attempted to help where she could, but she was only a young woman, after all. A young woman seen in the company of l’Saigners, delivered to Prince Martyn. It did not earn Clara any favors….even less when, after the raid has been thwarted, it was time to return to Rivana. Rumour and innuendo started to fly…first she was Martyn’s daughter from an illicit affair. Then she was a poor girl being manipulated by her mother in a ploy to gain sympathy (and of course riches) from the poor Tracano. Then she was a spy, sent by Couviere as a ploy to spy upon and possibly gain the throne. It didn’t matter where she went….all seemed wary of the mysterious young noblewoman in some form or another, with the reactions ranging from quiet distrust to blatant obvious disregard for Clara. It prompted the girl, for girl Clara certainly felt like, to be a bit nomadic for the immediate period after the Great Raid. She certainly stayed with her brother when she needed to, but, if there was a reason to go somewhere…anywhere within reason…Clara took it. She went to Venderos as part of her brother’s entourage, meeting her cousin Tristan there for only the second time ever, and was within the city-state when the Battle of the Blade was fought. She returned to Rivana with her brother, only to prepare a masquerade gown and leave the kingdom again, this time to Couviere, to attend to Lonnaire Masque. Her reasoning at the time seemed sound, even to herself. After all, it was a wish for her to go when she was younger, living as a t’Myrin within the Duchy of Lonnaire itself. And…now that she could, it was appropriate, as a member of high nobility, to at least be seen in Lonnaire, before and after the Masque, even if her identity is obscured during the masque itself. It certainly sounded like a good enough reasoning that Martyn even let Clara go alone, which still meant a contingent of guards with her. But…at least she got to go.

But, it was all a ruse. Clara was simply hiding from her new life. The mask she wore to the ball did not compare to the facade she put up around herself. She simply could not believe that she was anything else other than what Lord Marco t’Myrin had told her she was…a bastard-born only child and nothing more. Clara’s avoidance of responsibility as she tried to deal with the implications of all that had happened to her only serve to drive a wedge more firmly between herself and the new kingdom that she now had to call home. Clara’s decision to forgo the faegates when traveling back to Rivana, taking the slow overland route to take her time did not garner her any sympathy. However, it did prompt her to visit Ironhold as a stop along the way. This chance visit brought her to Roseguard and it was then, in late Aout, that Clara first met the Lady Emilia Cassomir. The meeting itself was nothing extraordinary. Truly, Clara was much too caught up with her own angst to remember much, other than Emilia’s stoic, yet pleasant mannerisms. There was little emotion initially felt from the young Cassomir and, for someone as sensitive to emotions as Clara was, it was a welcomed relief.

Their paths would cross again later in the beginning of Septembre, for the wedding of her brother Martyn to his betrothed Johana. It was Clara’s first official public appearance in Sunsreach…and also in Rivana, and no one felt this more that Clara. She stood up for her brother in the wedding ceremony, showing her affection for her family, but the reception was another matter. She was more pariah than social, with stray glances to the young woman as rumourmongers were finally able to place a face to the mysterious Couviere-raised Tracano. It was Emilia, in Sunsreach for Martyn’s wedding, that reached out to Clara at the reception and invited her to the Cassomir manse a scant few days later. The ‘touched’ Cassomir had saw similarities in Clara to her own self, and felt it prudent to befriend the Tracano. The invitation to the manse was a perfect opportunity to allow Clara to be the person she was before, without judgement, as the two ladies climbed trees. No courtly discussion, no hang-ups over perceived political stations….just two pixies taking to the trees. And, somehow, in the branches of the trees, with bits of bark within her hair, Clara finally realized that the life she had and the life ahead of her did not have to be mutually exclusive. Regardless of what other people thought…she was still the adventurous precocious young woman she always was. She could still be that and add this new wrinkle in. She did not lose her identity…it only needed redefining. And…that she had a friend who understood that sometimes one just needed to get away from the world for a while. Clara finally felt comfortable with herself, knowing that, essentially, she was not alone

This new-found stability within her provided enough courage for Clara to finally attend court in Sunsreach, to face the detractors that she has heard whispering whenever she had walked past in the palace. The experience was not without its hardships or surprises. It was apparent that there were some attending that felt that Clara, with her shrouded past a mystery to most, including Clara herself, that she had no right to attend court, or even to be called a noble. One such emboldened nobleman, within sight of Queen Alysande, had gone so far as to instruct Clara to leave, refusing to even acknowledge her noble birth by pointedly not using the Lady appellation. However, to the detractor’s surprise, Clara did not rush off and hid, like she might have done in the past, but instead stood resolute and took the disdain as calmly and politely as she possibly could. Yet, all of court, including Clara, were stunned when Alysande took it upon herself to correct the nobleman, stating that he forgot to address Clara by her proper title of Princess. This simple statement brought all to silence, for, with its simplicity, the Queen validated Clara’s standing as not only a proper noblewoman, with the right to stand among the nobility of Rivana, but also Clara’s standing as a Tracano. It established a profound request of the Queen within Clara, as well as dispelled any false notions of what Clara thought herself to be previously. It signified acceptance and, to Clara, that was more important than title could ever be. No longer would Clara cringe to the sound of her own true surname. She would bear it with pride.

Sunsreach, and the palace, became home for the young Tracano. Clara had continued to travel, to Rovilon for the final tournament of the circuit, but she would no longer tarry to return to Rivana. The faegates saw more of Clara, though she always made it a point to stop at Roseguard to visit with Emilia whenever she could. These side trips would last anywhere from a couple of days to a week, but never too long to overstay her welcome. Then, Clara would return to Sunsreach, using the palace libraries to research her own family history and continuing her stewardship studies she was so proficient with in her Couviere life. By the time she had left Sunsreach in late Octobre to attend the wedding of her cousin, Lord Sir Thaddeus Greycen, in Pacitta (with the usual side-trip to Roseguard a couple days prior), Clara had pieced together her history prior to the ill-fated trip to Couviere…identifying her lineage and the history of her siblings and father in an effort to better know them. When staying at the Tracano manse at Pacitta, the morning after the wedding reception of Thaddeus and his l’Valdan princess bride, Alysande and Clara met, by happenstance, in the library. By then, the pending nuptials of Alysande to her champion, the Viscount Jaren Cassomir, was an open secret. The Queen had asked her cousin Clara of what she thought of Thaddeus’ wedding and the importance of having such events. Clara answered her cousin truthfully and earnestly, stating that such events are needed to heal rifts and build bridges between families and kingdoms. Then, when asked of what is to be done with Clara, again Clara answered truthfully, stating that she was raised to be a steward, with her skill-set rather firmly in place for that, but that Clara would be willing to do whatever is asked of her. When Alysande then stated her intention to have Clara plan her wedding, it left the young noblewoman at a loss for words. Alysande’s reasoning, to test Clara’s skills as well as provide ample opportunity for the two to get to know each other, was sound and…once Clara could find her voice again, she readily accepted.

Now charged with a specific task, Clara saw less and less to traveling, preferring to remain in Sunsreach for her long-term planning. Clara within the marketplace of Sunsreach became a frequent sight, as she perused the vendors looking for what she can use for the impending royal nuptials and coronation. In fact, her travelling ceased, the young woman settling into her duties and finding little need to leave the city. With the fighting outside of the city walls, with the Thorn occupation of Goldhollow and other insurgencies throughout Rivana, it was also the safest option. But…it wasn’t safe for long, for not even the walls of Sunsreach could hold out the dreaded Thorn forever. In late Janvier, the Grey Prince, Victor Tracano, along with the Duchess and Duke Gerrell, infiltrated Sunsreach Palace, with the aid of planted Thorn and Gerrell sympathizers in court. With the surprise coup, bolstered with freed Thorn prisoners from the dungeon, the palace is swiftly overtaken and those who reside within taken captive, including Clara. There was little that she could have done but stand and watch in quiet rage as Maya Tracano, squire to Sir Raymund Durante, betrayed her Queen by turning Alysande over directly to the Gerrells, taking her from a grievously wounded Sir Raymund and turning her back on her mentor. It is an image that would not soon leave Clara’s mind and one that she could not forgive, for Maya’s betrayal was not only of Queen and kingdom, but of family as well.

Clara’s opportunity to pay back her wayward cousin for her treachery would come in Fevrier, with the Battle of Sunsreach. The Thorn captors did not think much of Clara, with her young age and her somewhat tarnished reputation. Therefore, they did not monitor Clara as well as one probably should. After all, she’s just a girl…what could she possibly be able to do? It was this apathy for the young Tracano that allowed Clara to assist the Huntresses with the opening of the city gates, working from within while the Huntresses worked on the outside. However, once the gates were opened, Clara did not stop there. She returned to the palace, grabbing longbow and arrows to take the fight to her former captors. In her rush to help the loyalists take the castle, Clara spied her traitorous cousin Maya within the palace courtyard, distracted by the fighting. It would prove to be Maya’s last mistake, for Clara rushed up to the false squire, swinging her bow as a staff and cracked Maya on the head, once on each side, from behind. The blows sent the squire to the ground, but Clara did not bother to remain still. Instead, she left the squire laying on the ground, while Clara herself headed to a higher vantage point, from which she provided range support until the battle was won and the Grey Prince was killed by Viscount Jaren Cassomir and Queen Alysande

From that point onward, it was a matter of clean up. Clara did her part, doing what she could to assist in restoring order to Sunsreach first and the kingdom second. Because of her part in the battle, the kingdom was finally starting to see that the young woman, raised in Couviere, was Rivanan, regardless of her checkered past. As for Clara, she knew that she did not do what she did to look better in the eyes of others. She did what she had to because, quite simply, it was the right thing to do. After all, it was her family in trouble and she was not about to lose her family again.

Once was enough.

On the Grid

“It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”

― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

Artist - Song	Lyrics
R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts	Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends. Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand, oh no. Don't throw your hand. If you feel like you're alone. No, no, no, you are not alone. If you're on your own in this life. The days and nights are long. When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on. Well, everybody hurts sometimes