Catherine Gate, the daughter of a simple baron, was born blind. Her father and mother, learning their daughter was born without sight, were devastated; still, no matter what, they loved their daughter so much more.
They called for clerics, they called for wandering healers, mages, and even alchemists. But no matter who came, the result was the same. There was nothing to heal.
Her eyes were not wounded. Her body was not cursed. There was no poison, no disease, no evil spirit, and no strange mana twisting her sight. She had simply been born that way.
For a noble house, even a small one like House Gate, this was not a small matter. Nobles were expected to lead, fight, manage territory, attend gatherings, and represent their house with dignity.
A blind daughter was seen by many as a misfortune. Yet the Baron and his wife did not care; all they knew, all they understood was that this was their beloved daughter, a gift given by the deities.
