Lady of Ar, given back that title by the dying wish of a woman not forgotten. Days of bondage easily put to the past, these are days that helped shape who she is now. Yet, there comes a time when she can no longer be treated like what she was, she can only do this by living as the free woman she was born. Nothing else is acceptable.

A woman known by many names.. Flame, Bell .. and Red. Names that had their place, names that once made a woman feel special and eager to please. She shall not deny an attachment to these names of her past. She is however, Rosana Cristos.

One time ward of Rowan Bodhi. Rosana worked as Shipping Manager of Rowan's fleet based on Caithris Island and for a time lived at Bodhi House, Garden District. Sworn as a Citizen of Ar - February 19, 2006.

Rosana moved to Schendi to start a new and exciting life as owner of a shipping company of her own. She swore to Schendi February 10, 2007 and was appointed Se'Merchant of Schendi~Ushindi on March 11, 2007.

In Schendi she wears beautiful sari's and her hair is often braided and dressed with fresh flowers. She has settled in quite nicely into her own house making a few trusted friends.

Worn when away from Schendi -The wardrobe of a free woman well kept. Robes of white and gold, her Caste worn of Merchant. Auburn hair long and in gentle waves usually pinned in jeweled clips with a widing rope left to fall down her back. Upon her left wrist is worn a gift - golden bracelet set with precious gems. Cherished if given under the guise of business. Many times seen wearing a sapphire with diamond brooch. Eyes a deep smokey blue. Skin so fair, shoulders lightly dusted in auburn freckles. Hidden: Brand of Treve 3/12/05 left thigh.

The Free Woman

Born to Elissar and Mia Cristos of Lara, Rosana was her given name, the youngest of four children, she being the only daughter. Her relationships with her parents like night and day. Her mother was a very quiet woman and held a life more separate from Elissar than Rosana did. Mia was much of the time a business woman and not as close to Rosana. Rosana was never sure if this was the way of mothers and daughters or if it was not the norm but the youngest daughter of Elissar and Mia grew up under the strict hand of Elissar. Perhaps her father a bit more rigid on how a free woman would be raised and how she would behave. Mia lived under that strict hand of Elissar as well and Rosana remembered many a time when a single glance from her father to her mother brought a cold quietness to the woman Rosana could not seem to get close to. This is where Rosana probably learned to be so stiff and cool, not wanting any sort of closeness with any but her Father. He himself taking her schooling under his watchful guidance, teaching her the business that would someday be part hers.

Her brothers were protective of her but busy leading their own lives and she did not enjoy a closeness with them. Her youngest brother had left Lara when she was very young and he was the one most like her. Her world revolved around being proper and raised to be the perfect companion, or to her fathers standard of being the perfect companion.

Oft times she would watch her mother from afar, perhaps while Mia was strolling the garden early in the evening. There was a woman beneath those heavy stiff robes of concealment, did her mother have a hidden life that allowed her to be the warm vibrant woman that Elissar did not seem to allow of her?

Rosana remembered her father had slaves but they were never around the young woman much, Mia did not seem to care and preferred him to sleep in his own chambers and with that that he owned. Did her mother find what she needed elsewhere? So many times Rosana wanted to ask her mother how she managed to find happiness because beneath it all, Mia seemed a very happy woman at times and those times were when she was more alone, when she thought none were looking. Rosana would look around the garden trying to see if it was there that someone would appear, someone that her mother waited for and if there was, none would ever know because Mia was a very quiet solitary woman above suspicion. Rosana thought there had to be more to life than living as her mother did.

The day came when her father called her into his office and gave her the news that she was intended to an older man, another Merchant and that the idea had been discussed for a great many years that when Rosana came of age she would be a suitable companion for Ardis of Lara. Ardis had been part of her life as long as she could remember. His family and her own were very close and she felt him more a family member than a suitable companion as it was really something she was not the least bit interested in. Her father would not listen to her refusals, it was done and his word would be obeyed by her and any other female in his house. In anger she told him he would be sorry for forcing such a thing on her and the next morning would find her gone, having left Lara in the middle of the night with a trunk of her belongings, a bit of coin and a chip on her shoulder to prove herself greater than him.

The journey long to Ar, longer than she thought, harder than she planned on but finally making it to the City that she would make her riches in. Getting settled in an Inn, a few days spent exploring the City streets, learning where to go and where to avoid, the Arena visited, the noise and excitement drawing her there to watch careful of her purse and making sure she didn't wager coin she could not afford to lose. A plan in mind, a plan to work on and become the greatest Merchant in the land....

Enter.. the Slaver.