Sayla

Right now, one hundred percent of what is known about Sayla is revealed in Swords of Fire: Traitor. I have done no further background story on her. Sayla's background story is tied in with Khirsha's. They grew up together.

What we learn early on is that Sayla's parents, her father in particular, very much want Sayla to court and marry Khirsha. Khirsha and Sayla are close cousins, as opposed to near cousins, or just plain cousins.

A near cousin is the offspring of parent brothers and sisters. Close cousins would be those who are offspring of grandparents brothers and sisters - exclusing near cousins, of course. Cousins are all others in the family.

Sayla's grandfather is Abro, who is brother to Abrin, Khirsha's grandfather.

Actually, now that I think on it, my opening statement is not true. I do know things about Sayla which are not in the story, although I guess they are hinted at.

Sayla is one of Khirsha's generation's best warriors. Apparently, only Khirsha, Kelso, and Nivendor exceed her, but that is in fighting skill. As a hunter, Khirsha concedes Sayla's superiority, and Sayla offers no false humility in denying it.

In the year 338, at the age of eight, Sayla wins the eight-year-old sword championship by defeating her best friend and close cousin, Meekel. She will win again at the ages of ten, thirteen, and sixteen. Seven times she will fight in the championship and lose to Kelso, the last time at the age of nineteen. Once, at the age of seventeen, she will lose to Kelso in the semi-finals.

At the age of twenty she will face Khirsha for the championship. And lose.

In the last two years of competition she will face Tavaar's eldest son, Nivendor in the semi-finals and lose both times.

Sayla is an attractive girl, although even Khirsha acknowledges not the most attractive. That honor goes to Laynell, who is sweet on Kelso. Still, it is possible Laynell only appears more attractive because of the effort she puts into maintaining her appearance. Sayla, being a hunter, is more rustic, both in appearance and attitude. Her naturalness is clearly one of the things which attracts Khirsha to her. But - and this is the secret part - there is something else at play. Something I cannot reveal at this time. I believe it is slated to be revealed in Book Six, which currently has no working title.

Suffice to say, Sayla is a very important person.