Though they were obviously poor, they were comfortable enough, and raised their daughters respectably. The young Delshara had strong leanings towards the warrior's guild, and she showed promise, but her father opposed her learning anything beyond the basics that all children were taught, as he did not believe women made good warriors. Branleth was very much a traditionalist, keeping true to his conservative upbringing. However, Delshara knew she had potential, and this led to a number of strong conflicts between the aging Branleth and his daughter. She settled for swordplay over even such basics as reading and writing, which she did not learn until much later in life. After discovering that she had secretly been taking private lessons from his assistant, Branleth and Delshara had a violent quarrel, which led to her leaving home, packing a few essentials into a sack, and moving to Easlen without help from anyone save her skills and her wits.

Scarcely a few days after she left home so suddenly, the same pack of thieves that had threatened her father, so many years ago, tracked Branleth down to the village in Elysia, sacking his house and murdering him while Brianna, Elora, and Dierna hid in a neighbor's hut. Brianna, who never got along with her older sister due to temperamental conflicts, irrationally blamed her sister's departure as a reason why their father died. Dierna was left to continue raising Brianna and Elora, alone. She never married again, concentrating on her children and making a living, taking in sewing and earning gold for performances throughout Silverwood Glen and the surrounding villages.

Alone, Delshara found a small room in Easlen and sought out the warrior's guild. She devoted herself to the god of Freedom, Rastafer, in token of her belief that she was the only one to decide what to do with her own life. She was readily accepted as a warrior as well, Damar finding her a good student. Damar felt pity for the girl, and spent a great deal of time trying to make her feel welcome in the strange city. Their friendship would last the rest of her life. She found a few companions with which to train, and began to rise in skill and knowledge of her craft. However, she was never a bloodthirsty person. Delshara was a thoughtful, intelligent woman, never raising her blade except to protect herself or to train. (Her mother's teaching and temperament thus had an enormous influence on her daughter's life choices.) Once she had got her bearings, her natural liking for people led her often to the shrine's courtyard in Easlen, where she soon became a regular presence when not taking lessons or in the field. She was not a natural talker, but a listener, serious but compassionate.

A gray elven warrior, Crohan, with whom she trained regularly, began to express deep feelings for her, and being from Anwar, reminded her a little of her father. They were married by Taernyl, and Delshara felt that she was beginning to establish herself. Married scarcely a year, Crohan soon fell into a deep despair, which she could not take away, and he killed himself before her horrified eyes. Stunned by this event, Delshara was again alone. Unlike many widowed people, however, she never thought of taking her own life, or of despairing in the same manner like a living death. She was beginning to find within herself a great inner strength that years of familial conflicts had fostered. Her relationship with Crohan also brought many new friends, among them Aurelia (a barbarian of Morgath the Grey, a Warden, and later a Duchess of Elysia), who became her best friend.

She concentrated upon her studies, rapidly rising in knowledge and reputation as a sturdy warrior and a kind person at heart, once her friends got past her natural reticence. She did this for many years. Though she once harbored feelings for her friend Laeroth, the high elven protector of Sylvanore and pandion of Jezebel, Laeroth did not return her feelings, and she resigned herself to the reality of it. Being one of those people with many acquaintances and few friends, Delshara would always find herself a little lonely even in a crowded courtyard. While at the thirty-third level of warrior training, she received an unexpected scroll from Cerrick Palemoon, the then leader of the Order of the Knights of the White Flame. She had met the grave battlemage once before while travelling with Laeroth, but she had never expected to hear of him much beyond that, and had never considered knighthood for herself. Up to this time, she had vaguely thought of joining the Resistance, so the Crusaders seemed far too lofty for her. The scroll asked her to consider membership as a Knight under his command. After due consideration, and researching the Virtues with Lisstrie, who had also taught her to read and write, she decided to join. She was the only Knight to ever be asked to join the Order by Cerrick.

Soon after she joined the Order, Cerrick promoted her to third in command. She took her new responsibility seriously, but she was still rather ignorant of the standing she had as a Knight. Cerrick's wife, Alera, returned to her husband soon after Delshara joined, and Delshara joined a party Alera was leading to battle the high elven Guardian of Sylvanore, not realizing that Crusaders attacking a major protector of a major city was a very grave crime. Fortunately, she regained her senses after Tukath, the Thunder of Jaragh, convinced her that this was a very dishonorable deed, so she was not flagged for treason as the others were. She continued to serve well as the Commander of the White Flame, and took up residence in the Crusaders' Keep west of the town of Scarborough after a well deserved leave of absence to visit her family.

While on a routine training mission, Delshara met Krynn Bayani, a high elven conjurer and a new Warden of Elysia. Their friendship accelerated quickly into an attachment and an engagement. When Krynn was promoted to third in command of the Empire ranks, it was anticipated that their wedding would represent the ultimate in Empire unity, since the third in commands of both organizations would be married. (At this time, the Crusaders were full partners in the protection of Elysia). Delshara finally felt that she had found her true mate. They were an extremely happy couple, often found together in the courtyard. Their attachment was deep, so when Krynn was suddenly and unexpectedly killed in an accident, Delshara plunged into a gray valley of despair. Much of her spirit collapsed, only retaining enough bearing to continue serving in the Order. During this time, a stressful encounter with Dominion forces in Mordavia led her to seriously consider giving up her commission. She was convinced of her worth, however, and recovered enough to retain her position.

Again, many years passed. Her personal share of honor grew, and her standing assured that she was respected and admired for herself. She saved a woman from a horrible rape, an incident that reminded her very much of her mother's own experience. She was promoted to second in command, and groomed for eventual leadership. But such standing could never really satisfy her, as like all true lonely people, finding the one thing that even the humblest beggar could boast of -love - would make everything complete.

Last Modified: August 22, 2004