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Chandrisa (pronounced CHAN-dree-sah) was a Trader, and the gilav, or leader, of Tenth Caravan Idaram. She had one daughter, Polyam, who before becoming a wirok, was a daka, a high-caste negotiator who brought a lot of profit to the caravan. After Polyam's near fatal accident in which she lost a leg and the use of one eye, she had very low status, and became a wirok—a low-caste Trader who spent money on needed stuff, like food and repairs. Chandrisa did nothing to help her daughter's status, but treated Polyam like everyone else in the caravan did.

Meeting the Trangshi[]

When the trangshi, Daja Kisubo created a living metal artifact, Polyam was sent to trade with her, as she was just a wirok, and they could not risk contaminating someone of greater value. Even so, she had Polyam go through the qunsua ceremony, a rite that was believed to ward off evil and bad luck and keep it from sticking.

Chandrisa met with Daja one occasion, keeping her distance from the trangshi. Later, right before Tenth Caravan Idaram was meaning to leave, Daja was talking with Polyam and saw the Traders' camp. Daja sensed the new forest fire before anyone else, when she tried to warn the caravan, everyone ignored her. Chandrisa, irate, shamed her for trying to bring bad luck on her people. After Daja, Tris, Sandry, and Briar saved everyone, Chandrisa said that a debt must be paid, and that Daja would be cleared from the lists of trangshi and made a full Trader again.

Once Chandrisa, the caravan's mimander, and Polyam came to claim Daja from Lady Inoulia's house, Daja refused the offer of being a part of the caravan. Chandrisa, disbelieving, asked if their debt would be paid. Daja assured her that it would be, just as long as her name was removed from the lists of trangshi. Chandrisa said that Daja would be satisfied to know that the gilav had already sent a messenger to the Trader Council, to begin the removal of the girl's name from trangshi. Chandrisa told Daja to keep the new Trader staff that her caravan had made for the girl as a symbol of friendship and thanks. A promise of future business was made, and they departed.

Physical Traits and Characteristics[]

She was brown-skinned.[1] Chandrisa also had a sister, who was mentioned once by Polyam, because she provided the food Polyam brought to one of her bargaining talks with Daja.[2]

Like many of her people, she seems to have a tough love attitude when it comes to the more unethical side of the Traders. She treated her daughter as a member of the lower class and she held disdain for Daja, who had no control over her circumstances. She was fair, though, in consenting to provide Daja with proper trading conditions like food, a table, and good cushions. Afterward, she knew the debt to Daja must be paid, even though she was sour about it (as Traders don't like to be indebted to anyone).

Appearances[]

Chandrisa only appears in Daja's Book.

Notes and references[]

  1. Daja's Book, Ch. 13 (pg. 227; Scholastic paperback)
  2. Daja's Book, Ch. 6 (pg. 101; Scholastic paperback)

See also[]

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