William was born to serf farmers in the village of Aldershire. At ten-years-old he witnessed the murder of his parents, but when he sought help he was blamed for their deaths. Confined far from his home in the hellish Isen Prison and suffering Judeicar's Justice, Will lost all emotion and hope until he came upon the powerful object that would help him escape.

Will encounters a knight, the famed Sir Robert Gilios who delivers a merciful offer Will has little choice but to accept. He becomes that knight's squire but his loyalty is rewarded with capture by the enemy, one who possesses the same powerful object that he has.

Ahmed was born to Emir Iqbal of the urban Emirate of Hamid. At seven-years-old while playing in the souk he cast fire and burned it down. Told he was a mage, Ahmed was sent away to Murzq, a university where he would learn magic, be nominated for the next grand vizier, and be prepared for such a role.

At sixteen-years-old, given his final task to prove himself to the sultan, Ahmed arrives on the battlefield where the powerful object he found during his studies guides him to a enemy boy and an ancient relic.

As a young knight Sir Robert and his friends toured the kingdom participating in tournaments and dutifully serving their king in conflicts. Sir Robert developed a reputation for his martial skill and chivalric administration of his lands and serfs.

Sir Robert was serving King Duggan when a plague swept through his home claiming the lives of his wife and son. Shattered by grief Sir Robert gave up his lands and most of his wealth but King Duggan him to become grand marshal so Sir Robert led the king's armies feeling little other purpose.

He was returning from the king's council when he was attacked by a wild boy upon the King's Road, a deliverance of new purpose.

Coming from a peasant merchant's background Jillian applied to the Knight's Hospitaller as a nurse citing her experience that a resident doctor had once given her. She now aids the war effort from behind the lines tending to the men-at-arms and even knights.

After an afternoon sneaking into the upper floors of Suthenburg's palace she encounters the new squire of Sir Robert, but his past makes her skin crawl and his persistence is annoying. She'll just have to avoid him.