Klara

Klara, Akakios' Wife (through winter 1226)

Klara was the only child of Tremshin, the leader of a village of pagan Slavs in the middle of the Novgorod Tribunal. When a mysterious young man, clearly a sorcerer, took refuge in the village from a nearby den of vampires, Tremshin saw an opportunity and offered his daughter to the man in exchange for protection against the demons.

Akakios and Klara married in a simple ceremony that was recognized by the pagan villagers; Tremshin himself performed the rites. That was at the end of autumn in 1213 and in the time that followed the two young people came to understand each other. Klara slowly grew more fond of Akakios, as she came to learn his story and the many struggles which he endured. As a young girl, she never imagined she would marry a wizard, but life takes us in unexpected directions and a wise woman learns to adapt.

Klara left her home behind and joined Akakios in the Greater Alps, helping him as best she is able. After Alys left the covenant to marry Samuel the Butcher, Klara took over domestic chores for the apprentices when studied at Icy North. This was a lot of work and she was kept very busy. When Akakios traveled to the Tower of Solomon, Klara accompanied him. She befriended the Toymaker, knowing that life would be easier for her husband if his mentor liked her.

Klara accompanied her husband to Hibernia and assisted him in the lab as a mundane servant. Taking care of Innocentius, as he then called himself, was a full time job, but Klara remained popular and well-liked around the covenant. For the first few years, she was one of the few women present, but her good nature and fear of her husband kept any of the male covenfolk from making unwanted advances.

By 1226, Klara had come to fear for her husband's life and safety. She knew his mother had returned from the afterworld, and was now almost always in his presence, though Klara could not see her. She knew Innocentius was plotting to kill Sebastien, but Klara sided with her husband in this, and said nothing. But Innocentius kept the details of his plot a secret, and she did not know he framed the necromancer Muirgen, an act which got Muirgen killed. By the time Alfeva began to investigate Innocentius's plots, Klara had come to feel helpless -- torn between the man she loved and magi whom she had known since they were children, but whose power was beyond her.

Eventually it all came out: prompted by Kallisto, Innocentius had tried to kill Alfeva and then fled without Klara. He was caught and sentenced to serve at Qui Sonant for the rest of his life. Her heart broken, her image of her husband shattered, Klara was not sure she wanted to follow him. At this moment, Sander stepped forward to console her. Assured that the covenant would always have a place for her, and that she was not required to follow Innocentius into exile, she has so far decided to stay. Sander is very kind, but she is still uncertain.

Klara is a beautiful young woman with long dark hair and dark eyes. Raised a pagan, she has been haunted by nightmares all her life. She perceives these nightmares as a wicked and ugly hag who hovers over her at night, stealing her breath. She wakes up gasping.

Age 28 (Born 1198)

Int +1, Per +1, Pre +2, Com 0, Str -1, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik +1

Virtues & Flaws: Covenfolk; Common Sense (+1), Unaffected by the Gift (+1), Venus' Blessing (+1); Compassionate (-1), Pagan (-1), Night Terrors (-1)

Abilities Animal Handling 3 (cattle), Artes Liberales 2 (alphabets), Awareness 3 (when alone), Bargain 3 (merchants), Brawl 3 (knife), Carouse 2 (dancing), Charm 3 (young men), Faerie Lore 2 (Slavic), Folk Ken 3 (strangers), Hibernia Lore 3 (Meath), Infernal Lore 1 (vampires), Latin 5 (magi), Magic Lore 3 (necromancy), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (Greater Alps), Profession: Steward 3 (housekeeping), Slavonic 5 (teaching), Survival 3 (cold climates)