0-4
Nick was originally part of the – gypsy caravan ((still deciding the name/symbol picture)), whose symbol was close to the Rowan tree clan’s ((this factoid will become important as his story goes on in RP's and he discovers certain secrets)). His earliest memories were of his mother’s kind face, and listening to stories on his father’s knee by the campfire. Most of the rest of it is foggy in his mind, no longer important as remembering his parent’s faces or what little he can of them anymore.
They lived as a normal clan, constantly in the move from town to town, selling wares, dancing and giving shows to earn a few coins. They were happy with the simple harsh life of a gypsy, which was not easy by any means. There were those that distrusted gypsies, and treated them harshly, teaching their children to stay away from kids like Nick, and he had once gone to his father to ask why. His father explained things to his little one as best he could, teaching him that these people didn’t know the truth, and that he must always be kind to those he met. Nick vowed he would, but three nights later, all that changed.
His family had just stopped outside of a town’s limits, intending to rest the animals from their labors for the rest of the afternoon so that they’d arrive fresh and ready in the morning to the town as they awoke and look the best they possibly could. A group of bandits attacked the clan that night, killing everyone but Nick, who’d managed to hide underneath a low wagon as he’d been taught. The carnage he witnessed was horrific, seared in his tender mind, a nightmare he still endures to this day. Another clan arrived shortly afterward, about two days later, and upon searching the site, found him still hiding and half-dead, and began the process of nursing him back to health.
4-6
For the first bit, Nick didn’t talk or do much of anything, his dreams were constant nightmares of heinous acts upon his clan and he woke up screaming every night. He was given much love and attention from his new family, and made friends with a young girl a year younger than him named Celest. By the time two years had passed, he was much better, but due to dangers, the family decided things weren’t safe for him and it’d be better to send him to live with Celest’s twin brother, Asher, who was living back in Avendare at the castle with his aunt, who was a servant of the King. This was the beginning of a new life for the young boy.
6-12
Life in the castle was quite a change for the young traveler, the idea of the same walls about him all the time at first felt constraining like a cage, but after a time (and much love and work from his aunt keeping him USUALLY well occupied enough to not think about it), and fast friendship that developed between him and Asher made it all well worth it. He loved his younger ‘cousin’ Mira as well, who was 2 years younger than him, and felt he had a family once more. His still missed his parents terribly, but the affection he received was so strong that he came to see this family as an extension of his own, even if they lacked the bond of blood relations.
He and Asher also got into a lot of trouble over these six years, having found they loved to play games and practical jokes on the people in the castle…no one was exempt, though their games were usually quite harmless. Thankfully, King Val had quite a sense of humor, though he did make sure the boys cleaned up after some of their messier ones (like the night at a dinner of state, they hid the roast from the cook…and replaced the cider with the more expensive wines. The meat was returned intact and in plenty of time, minus a small hunk taken from where the boys decided to taste it for themselves, and as for the wine…it was one of the more interesting dinners due to most everyone getting drunk, and one duke puking in the King’s lap. The boys were made to clean up the dining hall themselves from top to bottom, including dishes and scrubbing the floors. They still found it well worth the price paid in the end. Cook, however, has yet to forgive them 10 years later.)
12 – onward
From the time the boys hit 12, though, it was decided to channel their energies to more useful ways, and their training began in earnest with weapons and schooling. They’d been taught by their aunt, but still this was schooling that supplemented and built on their basic knowledge of reading/writing and the world about them. They were taught much as Azreth was, on top of their own chores they still had to complete around the castle. The years were busy ones, but Nick loved it. He found joy and a purpose. As he learned and grew, and realized the realities of the political world around him, and how things truly worked, he also became troubled. He found more and more that the hidden desire to take revenge for the unnecessary death of his family grew as well. This was one of the biggest fuels to his fire, to find the reasons behind the slaughter and to make them feel the pain his family had at his hands. Asher was the single thing to temper this wild fire inside of him.
Over the years, they found a shared dream, to prove themselves worthy to be soldiers of the realm, and maybe be guards of the King themselves. They found no higher honor than that. Having grown up around the Prince and King, Nick found yet another family, one that he cherished just as much, and knew he'd die for if ever called upon to do so without a second thought. His hard work, loyalty and proven courage eventually landed him a spot in one of the top ranks of soldiers...a Night Angel. Only three such people held the honor of this position, and he was proud that his best friend had proven himself worthy as well.
Still, grief for his biological family runs deep, and the nightmares haven't ever ended. He still seeks revenge for his family, but only time will tell what kind of path this will lead him down, or if Asher will be able to keep those fires tempered.
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