The Assassins

Craven was born Ryan Kraddock, in a large city called Karaban located in Veluna. Here he grew up with his infirm sister, (paralysed from the waist down), and his mother. His father, Bryon, was often away on business, so he saw him rarely. There was always food on the table and clothes on his back, even his schooling was prepaid. In short he was well taken care of, though his responsibilities to take care of his sister often wore him down. It seemed he was in a scuffle with the local lads at least once a week defending her honour. Rather than punish him for ruining another pair of pants, his mother would often commend him on his high moral fibre and praise him for the love he showed his sister.

Bryon transported weaponry and armour from the Karaban smelters to Veluna City and Mitrik. One evening, when his father was home for Needfest, (an Flanaess-wide, 7 day festival celebrating the middle of winter), a stranger entered their home and escorted Bryon outside. He lead his father - who was shaking visibly - to the barn. Leaving his sister to her colouring book, Craven took up a candle and crept outside to the back of the barn.

As he approached, feet making no sound on the soft grass, he saw the stranger flee. The stranger ran by Craven without giving him a second glance. His heart beating fast, Craven opened the barn door and saw his father lying in a pool of blood, a dagger in his chest. Without a second thought he doused his candle in the horse trough, and followed the stranger into the forest that neighboured the farm. The killer walked for several hours until, finally, he lay down to rest in a glade near one of Craven's favourite fishing haunts.

Craven ran back to Karaban, bypassing his farm, and told the Lawmen that his father had been murdered and that he could lead them to the assassin... The killer was captured before the sun rose.

His mother was distraught and his sister refused to speak or take food. In the weeks that followed his father's death he became the proverbial 'Man of the House'. Being well educated he browsed through his father's business documents and discovered, with genuine surprise, that his father was involved in selling weapons and armour to a bandit group called 'The Howling Wolves'. It appeared his father had slighted this group in some way and was planning to move his family across the Yatil's (a mountain range) to the relative safety of Perrenland. He also found a letter, addressed to the Karaban Law Office, that detailed the location of the Howling Wolves.

His mother was shattered when he told her Bryon was involved in the illegal supply of arms and armour to recognised criminals. Together they decided to make a new start in Perrenland where he would begin his apprenticeship in Trade and Shipping. Not wanting to bring further misery on his family he decided to keep the letter to himself. That night, however, he was shaken awake by the supposedly incarcerated assassin; a dagger at his throat. He forced Craven out of bed and motioned for him to get dressed. A fierce glance and a threatening wave of his dagger silenced Craven's protests. When he was dressed, he lead him to his mother's room.

Craven's mother lay, beside his sister, in a growing pool of blood.

"Listen boy," began the assassin, shaking him roughly. "Forget all you have known and come to love in your miserable, insignificant life. From now on you are mine...body and soul." They spent the next several weeks travelling south. The assassin, who went by the name of Axion Daar, raped and beat him constantly. He lost all notion of time and place; each day bringing with it a new horror.

In time they arrived at Axion's home, an island in the Southern Ocean that was home to a multitude of assassins. By day he cleaned Axion's quarters, prepared meals and maintained his personal belongings and by night - when Axion would return drunk and aroused - he would perform other less savoury duties.

Sometimes Axion would leave the island for months at a time to earn, what he called, his "bread and butter". During these times Craven was left to his own devices and, out of boredom, he began to study sword craft at the local weapon's school. His natural ability soon propelled him above the other would-be assassins in his class. One of the tutors took him under his wing and so began formal lessons.

On one occasion, after Axion had returned from extended duty on the continent, Craven was called into his Tutor's office. Within the office was Axion, the swordmaster and several other, officious-looking individuals. Axion was obviously under considerable stress and did not look at all happy.

"Craven", his tutor began, "the council and Axion Daar have come to a mutual understanding. From this day forth you are considered a full apprentice with Axion performing as your sponsor. You have shown inordinate skills with your blade and an excellent aptitude for the traditional arts. You will therefore be trained as a swordsman and an assassin. It will take you longer than normal to complete your apprenticeship; but we believe your extra skills will greatly benefit the Family and is therefore too great to ignore. You will be given your own quarters and equipment. I estimate you will graduate in a little under three years."

Two years into his apprenticeship Axion was declared deceased, having not returned from a particularly dangerous tour of duty. Craven inherited all Axion's belongings. Amongst these things he found a letter addressed to him. In essence the letter stated that Axion had grown to love him and was sorry for the way their relationship began. He hoped against hope that he could find forgiveness for the atrocities he forced upon him. He also stated that only his mother was killed on that fateful night, and that his sister may still be alive. At the time Axion believed it would be 'fun' to leave his crippled sister destitute and alone.

He also found his father's sword amongst Axion's belongings and it was clear that Axion had cared for the blade for its edge was sharp and the blade well oiled. With some pride he took up the blade and claimed it as his birthright - which it was.