The villages of the Sarin people weren't particularly prosperous, and their inhabitants certainly weren't exempt from the hardships of life. Yet, to young Alith, the people seemed to be content. Happy, even.
The Sarin were a special people. Ostracised by their patrons, the Bazirians, they were dejected and prohibited from stepping foot outside their designated "zones of living." The Bazirians called it a mercy given to the grim-skinned devils by the all-merciful Grand Bishop. Some said they didn't even deserve that much.
The source of their hatred was the Book of Light, the religious document of the Bazirians—a book to which only the High Marshals of the Ardentia were allowed access. A book in which, supposedly, God himself wrote that "the people of grim skin and pale hair are the descendants of the Dark One." The Dark One was the one they called responsible for chasing the light away. Every day, the light wages war against the dark, but inevitably the darkness always remains, and the light is banished by nightfall.
Only one thing kept them from being killed off by the believers: their gifts. More specifically, their knowledge. They practiced old magic. Forbidden by the Ardentia, it died away. Only the Sarin remembered. Only the Sarin spoke to the sands anymore.
Because of their abilities, they were an economic powerhouse. They were forced into all kinds of hard and dangerous labor, with little to no pay. It was supposedly to "atone" for their sins. The Sarin could only obey in silence. The Sarin were strong, but they were few. And the ambitious liberators of recent history were all killed publicly. They killed the heroes of the Sarin. They killed their fighting spirit. It died long ago.
A glimmer of hope—a child named Alith—was born. He was a prodigy and was well loved by his community. They all contributed to hiding him from the Bazirian guards. His training was vital; he was the future, the hope of all the villages.
He grew into a splendid young man. His speech demanded attention, his stance demanded respect. His smile was warmer than the sun and emanated kindness. He was a born leader, admired by many, but none more than his little brother, Alumin, with whom he trained. Although Alumin didn't show the same prowess as his older brother, Alith insisted he be given the same fine education.