Shafrena

Shafrena /ʃafʁɛna/ is a Shúwune woman from the Trégal islands to the far south, like many of the Shúwúne her blood is a mix of Sumric and native Trégal. Due to her beauty and purity she was awarded the status of lagúe, a spiritual woman leader which comes from a native Trézgal tradition of choosing one woman of fine beauty from each of the three islands. The word lagúe come from the native Gāl Nâg language lâ gù meaning 'other world' and the Shúfre -e 'which is a female diminutive suffix. To test which one of these three women is the true lagúe they are blindfolded and placed on a shúftô (a native style of boat used for long distance travel) and are challenged to find a sacred hidden isle named Sangú (from the Gāl Nâg for 'sacred world') and bring back the sacred lapue flower which grows only on that island as proof. Sangú can't be found by map or compass nor can any sailor plan his way there by purpose. Only those rare few whose sails are filled with wind from the other world can find it. When Shafrena was placed on her shúftô the sea water felt as if it was still and unmoving. Curious she lifted her blindfold to see that her boat lay on the shores of a small green and luscious island. When she stepped foot on the landmass all the flowers blossomed at once, the birds started to sing their songs and the trees bore fruit within seconds. Shafrena looked up into the canopy and saw a strange and curious bird of many colours and long luxurious feathers. It gave a call which sounded almost like "Shafrena". It then flew away to another tree but within Shafrena's sight. The woman followed the curious bird until she was led to bountiful and pure pool. There the bird stopped and, much to Shafrena's surprise, spoke to her. The bird told her that she was the lagúe, that she lived in between the two worlds and that it was her tasc to give spiritual guidance to her people. The bird then told her the workings of the world and taught her the divine tongue which no mortal could even bear to hear. It was there and then in the marine isolation that she became a true lagúe. Within seconds a bright red lapue sprouted from the ground and bloomed before her, she pluck it from the ground and placed it in her hair to bring back proof of her visiting the island. Shafrena returned to her Shúftô with the bird perched on her shoulder and set sail back to Trégal. There she was known as the beautiful, pure and wise lagúe. The lapue flower remained bright red and healthy for as long as Shafrena lived despite it knowing no water or soil.

Shafrena's position as a lagúe can be compared to the Somoñi *Shia esþíċ* (see Asfar)