Acolyte Lirael Mort

Lirael Mort was the only apprentice of Reven Mort, a low-ranking and well-regarded death-curator of the outer marches. They were moving a casketed dignitary on a contested lane when a Steam Confederacy frigate, citing a border tariff, opened fire without further talk. Reven was killed. Lirael was sixteen. She finished the courier run, delivered the casket, and filed the report with the funeral rolls.

The Dominion's diplomatic office, for reasons of a larger treaty, chose not to pursue it. She was informed by letter. She did not answer. In the eight years since she has become a competent small captain, finishing the commissions her master left open. The frigate is still on the active Confederacy roster. She knows its hull number. The Small Inheritance is named for what was left her, which was very little, and for what she intends, which is small and specific.