
Deep in the Southern Reaches, beneath swaying palms and the blazing sun, Sable learned her first lessons in survival. Her coastal hometown's crowded streets and bustling bazaars shaped her into a shadow—quick, silent, and deadly. Her early years brought harsh lessons about trust and betrayal, teaching her the value of a sharp blade and sharper instincts.
The name "Shadowclaw" emerged from whispered tales in dark alleys, stories of a thief who struck with the precision of a hunting cat. Each mark fell prey to her graceful movements, never seeing her claws until too late. Her reputation grew through the criminal underbelly of the Southern Reaches, catching the attention of the region's most notorious thieves' guild, the Crimson Hand.
The Crimson Hand extended an invitation she couldn't refuse, pulling her into their web of intrigue and power. Through their ranks, Sable honed her skills with blade and stealth, becoming one of their most effective operatives. Yet the guild's increasing demands and brutal methods clashed with her code of honor.
“The last one is Sable. Sable Shadowclaw.” Aden gestured to a small woman with olive skin leaning against the gunwale. She had her arms crossed and a scowl across her face. Like the others, she bristled with weapons, though hers were daggers and knives. Her armor was supple leather of browns and blacks with strategic pieces of plate on forearms, thighs, and shoulders. Her hair was long and dark and tied into a single braid that hung to her shoulder blades.
“Where does the Shadowclaw part of her name come from?” Bella asked.
“Not sure. Sable’s from the Southern Reaches. Rumor has it she got into a bad situation with one of the thieves’ guilds, and it was either get out or pay the price. But most people’s stories around here start and end with some sort of trouble, so no one thinks twice about it. I figure Captain Oakthorn knows, and that’s enough for all of us.”
- THE ALCHEMIST’S FORGE
A fateful night changed everything when she discovered the guild's darkest secrets. They involved themselves in the flesh trade and the sacrifice of innocents for power. The knowledge left her with an impossible choice. Maintain her silence and become complicit, or risk everything by acting against them. Sable chose to strike first, liberating their victims and burning their secret holdings to ash.
Her actions earned her powerful enemies, forcing her northward into the Freelands. The journey proved treacherous, filled with close calls and narrow escapes. Each pursuit strengthened her resolve. Each fight sharpened her skills. She forged ahead through frost and rain, through mountains and valleys, leaving only whispers of her passage.
Fortune smiled upon her when she crossed paths with Madilyn Oakthorn and the Mavens. The mercenary company offered Sable a chance at belonging without surrendering her freedom. Captain Oakthorn saw past her scowls and silence, recognizing the value of someone who could move unseen through enemy lines.
Within the Mavens, Sable found her place among others who carried their own shadows. Her daggers now serve a greater purpose, protecting her newfound family and striking at those who threaten them. Though she speaks little of her past, her actions speak volumes. Her loyalty is unwavering, her blades always ready.
The olive-skinned warrior now stands as one of the Mavens' most reliable operatives. Her long dark braid swings like a pendulum as she moves through shadow and light, her leather armor allowing silent movement while strategic plates guard against enemy blades. Those who know her learn to read meaning in her scowls, understanding that beneath her hard exterior lies a fierce protector.
Few dare ask about her past, and fewer still press for answers when she remains silent. The mystery of Sable Shadowclaw adds to her legend, making her more effective in her role. Her reputation precedes her—a ghost in the night, a blade in the dark, a shadow with claws of steel.
The Southern Reaches still whisper her name, but Sable looks only forward. Her daggers flash in moonlight and firelight, defending her new family with the same ferocity that won her freedom. The scowl remains, a mask protecting the loyalty and honor burning beneath, while her skills serve the Mavens with deadly precision.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Sable first appears in The Alchemist's Forge (The Alchemancer Book Four).
