My name is Zemlyv and I was born in the year 998 on the steppes of Muscowy.

My father Ingvar was a Boyar, a descendant of the Svear pagans that came across the Baltic Sea some two hundred years past. He was a man of principle and honor, fair-handed and honest in all his dealings. These qualities drew men to him and as such our lands were prosperous and our lives privileged.

My childhood was one of countless fond memories and carefree adventures. As youngsters my brother and I would sometimes escape our tutors and set off to explore the fields, hills and streams surrounding our house. Our explorations would inevitably end up a mock-battle which my brother, older and stronger than me, always won. Exhausted and starved from our day journeys we would return home to face the chagrin of our father. We quickly developed a keen sense for his moods, knew almost instantly whether our punishment would be light or severe. For the most part he would merely scold us with harsh words, but every so often his punishment would be more serious and we would end up having to work a long day in the fields with the serfs. My father could be strict, but there was never any favoritism.

My life in Muscowy was privileged. Alas, in the year of our Lord 1010 my world changed beyond all measure. What a difference a day can make. How quickly the rabid dogs of wickedness can come snapping at the heels of the pious. Through an act of unimaginable duplicity my brave father and newly knighted brother were called away on business for the Prince. Though I didn t know it at the time, they were already dead when the villains responsible fell upon our house with flame, sword and spear. My fathers retainers fought valiantly but they were horribly outnumbered. To a man they perished, but their sacrifice gave my mother and I the time needed to flee. What followed next, in the darkness of night, is difficult to accept. I remember looking back and seeing the night sky lit up by the flaming blaze that used to be my house. I remember hearing the screams of my mothers handmaids, presumably suffering the worst torment a lady can. My mother was dragging me. Her hand clenched tight around my arm. I tripped often, could hear dogs behind us, their barks growing louder as we kept running. My legs were heavy as lead, I needed to rest. My mother stopped suddenly, releasing my arm. I drew deep breaths gasping for precious air. Perspiration soaked my face. The barking dogs were almost on us. My mother told me to run, to keep running. I refused. She told me again, more adamant this time. I refused. She slapped me hard across the face. Tears came to me eyes as she pushed me away from her. I saw a sadness in her eyes as she lunged forward hugging me tightly. Then she was gone, running into the darkness toward our pursuers. I stood for a moment stunned by her actions, wishing her embrace had never ended. I was trembling as I realized she had done this for me, to give me a chance....

I began running, never looking back. I ran until my body gave out, until the barks of the dogs no longer pierced the night. I stopped by a stream and drank icy water. Dawn came and I kept on, moving eastward. After several days I came to a house owned by a friend of my father. He took me in and I told him what happened. He listened, but his eyes, his very demeanor suggested he already knew. He then told me in detail that my father and brother were dead. A wave of fear swept over me, but he assured me he had taken no part in it. He told me his trusted man in the court of the Prince was privy to knowledge of the plot to kill my father and seize his lands. My fear subsided when he offered me sanctuary, offered to keep me hidden from my fathers enemies. He gave his word on the matter, then had his wife settle me in their house. I was exhausted and utterly dismayed by the past days events but I was also relieved I had stumbled across this place of safety.

I was 12 years old. My family had been murdered and I was alone. My long journey to manhood had begun, and I swore my first oath. By God and all His Angels I would bring those responsible to justice.