Aniekra

Biodata

Background

Aniekra and Lucy are orphans who grew up together and consider each other family. They jointly care for children they have adopted, and both insist that a prospective partner treat the children as well as they do 20.

Aniekra was formerly a spellcaster, but she and Lucy have both lost their powers and live as civilians. Aniekra refers to both of them suffering from curses, though the details are not explained in the available account 43 44.

Appearance

Aniekra is described as a pretty, full-figured woman with a gentle appearance 7 32.

• Hair: Long, silky, and brown 7.
• Complexion: Fair and rosy 7.
• Clothing: Wears a fitted dress and, for the river trip, a loose purple-blue hooded cloak 15 32.

Personality

Aniekra is gentle and easily flustered around Li Xing, but playful and affectionate with Lucy. At their first meeting, she worried about the impression she had made on him and asked Lucy not to compete with her if she fell for him 7.

She is devoted to the children she raises with Lucy and attentive to her friend’s wellbeing. After noticing that Lucy looked thinner, she gave her the last pancake from her plate and offered to help her more 20 44.

Abilities & Skills

Weaving and tailoring

Aniekra makes clothes and fabric at her home, where she also takes orders for traveling merchants 15 42.

• She can estimate a customer’s measurements by sight, although she measures Li Xing by hand when he orders clothes 15.
• She offers clothing styles and makes alterations to fit customers 15.
• Shoes and other crafted goods sold at her house are made by Lucy, rather than Aniekra 42.

Spellcasting

Aniekra is a former spellcaster who has lost her powers. No specific spells or former abilities are described 43 44.

Relationships

• Lucy — Her childhood companion, close friend, and family. They raise orphans together; Lucy also works and sells goods at Aniekra’s house 20 42.
• Li Xing — A Hunter Town newcomer whom Aniekra is attracted to from their first meeting. Her feelings deepen after he rescues her, although she agrees to wait while Lucy investigates his background 7 38 40 44.
• The adopted children — Aniekra and Lucy care for them together and require prospective partners to accept that responsibility 20.

Story Role

Meeting Li Xing

Lucy introduces Li Xing to Aniekra while showing him around Hunter Town. Aniekra is immediately interested in him and privately worries that other women might attract his attention 7.

Li Xing later orders several sets of clothes from her. She takes his measurements and agrees that he can return for the clothes in three days 15.

River trip and bandit attack

Aniekra proposes that Li Xing escort her and Lucy to bathe outside town, with Little Jerry present to watch him. She offers to make Li Xing’s custom shoes for free if he fetches Jerry and borrows a horse for the carriage 31 32.

After the women bathe, Aniekra goes to the carriage for her clothes and encounters bandits. Their leader binds her and attempts to rape her, but Li Xing arrives, frees her, and kills him. Inspired by his stand against the remaining bandits, Aniekra takes a knife to support him, then drives their carriage away. Lucy and the town’s hunters reach them as the bandits pursue 36 37 38 39 40.

Aftermath

Lucy visits Aniekra to comfort her and help finish merchant orders. Aniekra reassures Lucy that their friendship does not depend on Lucy’s ability to protect her 42 43.

That night, Aniekra tells Lucy that she admires Li Xing’s strength, humility, and kindness, but is uncertain about beginning a relationship. Lucy asks her to wait until his background can be investigated. The next morning, Aniekra asks Li Xing for permission to call him “Big Brother Li Xing,” and he agrees 44 46.