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For as long as I can remember, I have borne the mark of a hawk on the inside of my right forearm. My twin sister bore the same mark on the inside of her left. Both, our non-dominant arms. Our parents told us they were our marks for each other because we are twins. A 'Twin Mark', as it were. I've always loved having this mark, as it has always been a physical manifestation of the bond I have with Lyndra.
During our 8th year, the bird on my arm began to change. Mother explained to me that this could happen, if there was any change in Lyndra. But the change wasn't what I expected, as the hawk seemed to either be perching on a branch or clutching a stick, depending on how one interpreted it. And not too long after the stick appeared, my twin began showing the signs of being a mage.
By setting me on fire.
Twice.
The first time, I was on the opposite side of the room from the fireplace. I didn't feel more than a bit of warmth. Until I felt a lot of warmth and smelled burning fabric. Looking down, I realized my skirts were on fire. I was swift in tamping it out. And when Mother asked me about it, I reasoned that an ember from the fire must have leapt out and landed on my skirt. It seemed reasonable, and I honestly wondered if that wasn't what really had happened.
The second time, Lyndra and I had just had a small spat. I wasn't even in the same room as the fireplace, this time, and there wasn't a fire burning in it even if I had been. Suddenly, like before, I smelled burning fabric and felt the heat of a fire too close. Once again, I was swift to see that my skirts were on fire. And as before, I was swift in tamping the fire out. Lyndra witnessed the whole thing, this time, and felt absolutely awful. She'd been fuming in anger, but hadn't really wanted to harm me.
Father began training her, after that, to control her magic. And she began to have nightmares unless I slept beside her. Wanting to protect my sister, I started watching the Templars in the training grounds, trying to recreate their movements at home. I watched the archers long enough and hard enough, one of them got me my own bow and showed me how to use it. I set up a target in the backyard at home to practice. When performers came through town, I would observe them as they rehearsed, then would watch avidly during any show that Mother and Father took us to, especially the acrobats and tumblers.
With the skills I was trying to develop, I was hoping I could protect my family.