Legends of Belariath
Cadi
Deep in the wild places of the forests, a small tribe of Catfolk lived in peace, undisturbed, for several generations. Though it was little known beyond their small hidden village, the womenfolk of this tribe were particularly beautiful as well as attuned to magic, and passed on their skills from generation to generation.
One day, a huntsman from a neighboring tribe of Sylvan elves accidentally discovered the hidden home of these Cat people. In secret, he witnessed the rare beauty of the females, and observed some of their secretive magical rites. The Sylvan knew at once that he had to tell his own tribe about this secret... to see how these creatures might be best employed to their advantage. Naturally, the other Sylvan men decided that they wanted these Cat women for their own, and planned to raid the village.
About a week later, chaos befell the peaceful Cat tribe. Maska, a young woman catling who had just been initiated as a witch, was one of the many females who were taken into slavery. She was sold to a Druid of the Sylvan tribe, who fell in love with her beauty at once and knew that he had to have her for his own.
Though Maska hated her new Master and the life of a slave, as the years passed she became accustomed to her new life, and even grew to love her Master, who was usually very kind to her.
Eventually, Maska gave birth to a child who was sired by her Master. Since this daughter would have no status in the Sylvan tribe, she was not given a surname and simply called 'Cadi'... which means 'witch' in the Cat tongue. Maska named her child this, hoping that her youngling would grow up to be a powerful sorceress in honor of her ancestors.
Cadi spent most of her childhood performing menial chores around the Sylvan's home, such as taking care of the house and the garden, and serving the guests when the Druid would entertain his fellow kinsmen. In secret, her mother taught her a few magic spells, and sometimes her father would take her outside and teach her how to use a dagger and a bow. Though he was a strong Elf, he was also kind and wise, and grew very fond of his half-breed daughter, in spite of customs.
When Cadi became of age, the Sylvans began to pester her father about when he was going to sell her into slavery, as she could never marry one of the Sylvan men or be of any profit to the community otherwise. Knowing that Cadi's days were numbered, her father made a decision to tell her of her fate, and allow her the choice to escape the tribe and try to make a life on her own in the big city.
On their last morning together, Cadi walked with her Atar through the misty morning of the vast forest, reaching the edge of Sylvan territory. They embraced one last time, and he implored her to remember all that he had taught her, before letting his only child free into the wide, wicked world. Perhaps he knew that, as a female, and a half-breed, her options were few, but could rest easy knowing that at least it was not his hand who had sentenced her to a collar and shackles.
Cadi wandered on foot for a long time... Hunting and gathering when she needed to eat, sleeping under the stars or in a cave when she found one, and generally keeping herself hidden until she could stand it no more... Reaching some town on the outskirts of Nanthalion, she finally caved in and decided to purchase a room and a hot meal. It was not very long before a human mage took notice of her at this tavern... He invited her to his table, introduced himself as Infernis, and offered her his wine. Though the conversation began pleasantly enough, it was not long before Infernis had the girl running away from him on a wild goose chase through the forest, where, he eventually caught up with her... And that was the night that Cadi became deflowered.
Shortly thereafter, Cadi bumped into the human mage again once within the boundaries of Nanthalion. He decided to collect her and keep her in his tower, and foretold her fate that she would become his new apprentice, he would complete her training as a mage and she was to learn the ways of magic from him. Though the girl was uncertain at first, she acquiesced to her new mentor and keeper, found a job as a librarian at the tower of Unigo, and thus her studies began.