"Hmm...well, I suppose that's simple enough to answer. I was born in Ardras, the demon-ruled world nearest to your own. From what I understand, when the other races came to this world, they sealed the connection between the world they came from, and this one. So each group had to go to their previous world that they ruled in its entirety, and open a new portal to this one. I was born to a priestess in service to my Owner, and was given the mark when I was three. Every year, they expanded it, until I was fully grown. I was groomed for being a priestess as soon as they saw my...aptitude for divine magic. I've never had a choice in the matter." The woman spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, then shrugged. "Only those who are...bound to another plane are trusted with authority by the demons I know. That way they can't run away through the Barrier. I, however, haven't been quite...powerful enough. I'm not gaining power quickly, and they noticed that I'm not...as dedicated as some of the others. Thus, I got exiled here. They<em>expect</em>me to die. I don't blame them, really."