Soon grew up in a small village, north of Saifeng. As the third daughter in a large family, she knew her options were limited. Her father, a woodcrafter, had instructed all of his children in his art, but Soon showed very little skill, and quickly learned that was not the life for her. By the age of 10, she spent most of her time on her own, exploring the nearby forests. She climbed trees, followed animal tracks, and sometimes, snuck up to listen to others she would happen upon.
At age 11, a wealthy merchant commissioned a great table from her father. The down payment alone was more than her father would make in a month. Her father worked day after day on the great table; All who saw it said it was his finest piece. The day came, and the merchant game to pick it up. He fabricated a flaw in the piece and demanded it, without providing any further gold. Her father protested, but the merchant had guards, so the family offered no further resistance. Soon was overwrought. As the merchant and his guard left, she snuck out of the house and followed them. She knew there was nothing she could do, but refused to control herself. When they camped for the night, determined as she was, she snuck into their camp. They had set guards, but her small size along with the years of time in the forest, made it easy to be unseen. She dared not approach the merchant’s tent, but, outside of one of the guard’s tents, she saw an enormous bow. She waited until she knew there was time, and stole the bow.
She never took the bow home; it was always hidden in the forest. Upon returning home from stealing it, she was unable to draw the bowstring more than a few inches. By age 13, she was able to pull it back, and often, hit a target a distance of 20 feet. By 15, she was able to hit it at 60 feet. By 19, her range was much further.
By the time she turned 22, she was ready to move on. She packed up her belongings said a prayer to Locheia, and snuck out into the world.