Clara Montag

Clara Montag was a human woman from the city of Hiberia. She is the elder "sister" of Sophie Montag. A former slave, she was rescued and rehabilitated by the prophet Dagda Vormund, subsequently becoming one of his first followers and among the few surviving members of the Cult of Vormund. She was married to Kemet, an Exekian, and had a child by him, John Stirling.

## Biography

### Early Life

Born in Hiberia in 147 AYZ, Clara was the daughter of two unmarried servants working for a wealthy lord. When she was still very young, her father died. Her mother became an alcoholic and soon lost her job. To avoid starvation, she sold the eleven year old Clara into slavery.

Removed from her mother's care, Clara was eventually purchased by a wealthy merchant known as Madame Rathbone, who pretended she was her orphaned ward. Rathbone forced Clara to act as a household servant, and while she wouldn't hit the girl, she would frequently verbally abuse her and withhold meals as punishment for minor infractions. Clara was not allowed to leave the house or speak unless spoken to; she described her experience as being treated like an automaton, without thoughts or feelings of her own.

After seven years of bondage, Clara discovered that Rathbone intended to sell her to a brothel and replace her with a new girl, Sophie. Out of despair, Clara became suicidal.

### Rescue

While attempting to squeeze through the bars outside her bedroom window in order to jump to her death, Clara heard the prophet Vormund preaching below. Vormund saw her and tried to talk to her, but she was pulled away from the window by Rathbone before she could reply.

Not long after, Clara killed Rathbone and was forced to flee. She took Sophie with her and found Vormund, who placed them in the care of Heather Montag, a retired nurse and close friend of his. Heather gradually helped the two girls recuperate, and during that time they each took the last name Montag and began referring to each other as "sister".

### Recovery

In 162, following the instructions of a divine vision, Vormund headed for the Kuhlimani Mountains. Several of his acolytes followed, Clara among them.

The cult came upon an Exekian called Kemet, who was badly beaten and left for dead. They nursed him back to health, and in return he allowed them to stay in his hideout, the caves of Arza Kell. Clara and Kemet fell in love. The couple were married in a double wedding ceremony, along with Gavin and Melissa Zosimus.

Clara left the caves in 164, traveling with Vormund to the city of Bodai. Within a few weeks, they were banished from the city and forced to return to Arza Kell. Clara refused to follow them on their next journey (a return trip to Hiberia), preferring to stay with Kemet, who was taking care of the infant Laura.

### Disbanding of the Cult

Some weeks later, the trio of Leonard Gorrister, Gavin Zosimus, and Adrian Vandiir (disguised as Drusus Rolfe) returned to the caverns. Knowing that "Drusus" intended to betray them, Leonard went on ahead in order to warn Kemet and Clara. They gave him Laura to bring back to Gavin and fled before Adrian could reach them.

Kemet and Clara traveled to Exekia, where they built a cottage and lived in solitude as peasant farmers for the next few years.

### Fifth Exekian War

In 183, the first Exekian kluuda since before the fall of the Empire began. Clara miraculously became pregnant, and believed her child would one day bring about peace between humans and Exekians.

King Aldous Stirling and his army invaded Exekia, forcing Clara and Kemet to evacuate to the Exekian fortress of Heliobas. Kemet was made a commanding officer, although those taking shelter at the fortress treated him as if he were their prince. Hiding her condition from the others, Clara eventually gave birth to a son, whom she and Kemet named Sinuhe.

## Trivia

In early drafts, she was named "Sophia Belgrade". In *The Inquisitor*, she uses "Miss Belgrade" as a false identity.

The name Clara means "bright" or "clear".