She used to [investigation pending]

She made her way to Westkeep where she has lived for two years on the streets known only as Rain. She shared a hovel with her small gang of friends, being able to keep away from, but not unnoticed by, the Scarlet Brotherhood’s monks, tribal warriors, and assorted humanoid troops. Her exploits did not go beyond pilfering food from the marketplace or the occasional stolen purse from non-locals. Recently, however, Rain’s luck changed.

[this portion of the chapter has been classified as Top Secret by the Lion Throne]

And so it is that Rain finds herself issued a longbow, shortsword, new dagger, complete set of leather armor (and helmet), and clad in the red tabard of the Westkeep Guard. After a few days of practice, Rain is put on the regular rotation in Commander Gorman’s Company, currently on the night shift. Her immediate superior is Sgt. Apone. Rain introduces herself to her squad and makes an effort to get to know each of them. She also tries to [classified as Top Secret by the Lion Throne]. At the same time she makes it very clear that she is by no means the “kid” of the squad. She has enough naiveté and bravado to think that, after all, she has led a gang around for over a year, and she figures this shouldn’t be too much different. She is willing to get into words or even a fight to prove this too.

The most intriguing of her fellow guardsmen is the squad magic user, a half-elf named Aramek. He seems nice enough for a sorcerer and an herbalist or alchemist or whatever else he claimed to be, though unfortunately given to flighty elvish fits of doggerel poetry.

Concerning Aramek, Rain recalls the Captain Bodwyn talking to Sgt. Apone one day after several drinks. “Ha! Get this, no really, get this, I told him, no wait for it, I told him, heh heh, that ferrets were illegal in this town. I said get rid of it or get out of town! Haw haw haw! When Parwyn said he was a sorcerer, I told him that in that case he could keep it if he joined the Guard! Hahahahahah! Bwahahanana!” With that the Captain and Sgt. Apone both roared with laughter.

For his part, Aramek seems to be very curious and quite gregarious, but for some reason, the other members of the Guard are quite wary of him and keep their distance, though they are careful to treat him respectfully. Rain finds out that his ferret is named Snoop. Inquiring into what kinds of treats ferrets like, it turns out that they particularly likes boiled eggs! In fact, so does Aramek! So Rain made an effort to always have some on hand. Aramek immediately takes to Rain. Since Snoop has accepted her, that’s good enough for Aramek! Rain even gets the sense that Aramek feels a bit protective towards her.

Rain earns two silver hawks a day alongside the troops, but [this portion of the chapter classified as Top Secret by the Lion Throne].

After the night shift and dinner, Rain is able to sleep in the barracks. This allows her to get up sometime late in the afternoon. There are times when she is called to drill and train with the troops, but most evenings she is free to wander the city as before. She never wears her Guard tabard or carries her bow when off duty as this would draw too much attention. She does wear her armor, shortsword and, of course, dagger. She makes her way through the city wrapped up in her cloak with her hood up, which is sensible enough in the rain or fog.