Ishta was born as the second daughter of Mehrdad and Taraneh, both proud people of the tribe of the Ben Shadif, that is located quite in the center of Harad's desert.
   Living among the nomadic folk, Ishta lived most of her life in the tent of her father and wandered with her clan from oasis to oasis. Only occasionally she was allowed to come with her brothers into the desert-towns to prize on the horses, for which the Ben Shadif are renowned, on the markets. The old Abdul Al'damacht was her godfather, taught the girl how to write and read and that the world was greater than just the inside of the tent or the road from their campsite to the town walls.
   It also was Abdul who could convince Mehrdad to take Ishta with him on a great journey into the north, where she would learn the craft of a merchant. Their way led over Umbar and the town Shebah, where they met the outcast warrior of the Ben Kasim, Gamal Al'assasayn sheij, who was well known for killing a black lion.
   As trio they continued and it was Gamal who began to teach Ishta the ways of the warrior, fighting with spear and with the khunchomer, the curved sword of the tribes of Harad. Henceforth it was Ishta's wish to become a Ahmad'sunni, a woman who walked and spoke among men, yes, even led them into battle.