Fiora Destine, like many Streiga, was raised in seclusion, forbidden literacy and mathematics, taught only the weave and politics.  But her family and minders made an error when they began holding her lessons out on a high balcony, one where she was visible to the heir of another family as he took his own lessons.  Her father wished for her to wed the boy, and so keeping her in his line of sight would aid in this, or so he thought.

Perhaps, had he realized how keen her eyes and mind were he would have made a different decision.  She learned her letters from a distance, reading lips and slates while unable to hear their voices.  Her minders allowed her to stare, thinking that such attentiveness to her future husband boded well for the match.  Instead they were allowing her to gather the tools for her escape, the boy's lessons proceeded on to mathematics, geography, and other topics, all lessons she took to heart.

When she began learning Tessae she continued to study forbidden topics from a distance, biding her time, until finally she was ready and an opportunity presented itself.

One day at breakfast, when she knew her father's courtesan was due to visit, she laid a blessing upon him to improve his 'stamina', saying nothing of this to him as she did.  Then later, knowing their tryst would be far longer than usual, she simply took the courtesan's dress and mask, donning them herself and walking out the front door.  From there she made her way to Ambrogia's academy, having 'heard' others speak of her at one of the false practice balls she attended.

A member of Sofia's Daughters, Veronica Ambrogia took her in until such time as she could be smuggled out of Vodacce, teaching her many things while they waited, things necessary to maintain the illusion that Fiora was a courtesan instead of a runaway streiga.  She also taught her to wield a sword, feeding lesson after lesson into her voracious mind in their short time together.

Having abandoned the name 'Destine', when it came time to choose a new name Fiora asked to take Amborgia's surname for her own, the woman more of a mother to her than her own in many ways, despite their short time together.  So now Fiora Amborgia, she's free of the slavery she was born to, and eager to find her place in this wider world.