A Bastard Start
A bastard of the Walder Frey. Born to a common girl, a crannogman at that. One that had a bit of word about her being a mystic of some sort. Staying at the Twins until she was impregnated. She then took her leave because of peoples reactions. Especially as people thought her to be a mystic. Walder wanting nothing to do with her, as is usual for noble and common relations, once he knew that she was pregnant. Sending her to flee, as she did not either want to stay. Not wanting her child to be known as a bastard. Running away and soon enough finding herself having to give birth in Tall Oaks. Luck never was on her side as she passed after she gave birth to Ciaran.
The small baby getting birthed and many people hearing of it, some supersticial people keeping distance to the child that took his mother's life. Though one man did not. As for who that man is or was is hard to tell. Just that he called himself Deicun Q'ar.
Deicun Who?
Deicun Q'ar was a rather kind man. Oddly enough, considering that he used to be an assassin. Raising the child as to be his own son. As to why is hard to tell, perhaps thinking it was time to find someapprentice. A traveling man who has been a bit all over. Hearing stories all kinds. Telling Ciaran of all the things he has seen across the lands and sea.
The man having enough money from stealing and such. Money left from being an assassin as well. Starting to teach Ciaran how to steal and trick people to a start. Taking on disguises and a lot of different ways to earn money. Also teaching Ciaran how to be invisible when needed. Before long there were few people that knew who he was.
The Wisdom of Herbs
As most children he also did get injured ever so often, scrapes and whatnot. Thus starting to learn a bit about the aspects of herbs. Studying them. Through learning to read and all such things. He started learning quite a bit by listening in on studies, sneaking into places he shouldn't be and so on.
When he asked Deicun about it the man did start to teach a bit about it all. Teaching as much as he could, be it the good or the bad aspects of the hebs. Though he did tell Ciaran that they could learn more from the mystics in the neck as well.
Vengeful Thoughts & Journey North
As he grew a bit older he started to wonder exactly what happened with his mother. He did know that she died when she gave birth, that he had been told by Deicun, but he wanted to know what happened before that. After quite some time he did learn that he was actually a bastard. Although who he was a bastard for was hard to know. But he did understand that he was a bastard, the fact that she ran and that she was alone does make it clear that he was a bastard. Although a noble one he did not learn about until later. he only knew that his mother had come from the Riverlands. Which of the places hard to tell. But he come to that to learn who it was he would travel to the Riverlands to find the man and get revenge. Blaming him for his mother's death. That she fled to raise her son in a better place. Since his father did not agree to raise him. Thanks to the fact that to have to run to avoid the man it caused Ciaran to guess that his father might be noble.
He started to want to travel south to exact revenge, he was talked out of it by Deicun. Telling him that it would be reckless to go without knowing anything. And that Ciaran was still young. He did tell Ciaran that he would teach Ciaran more about using the weapons of an assassin though. The man being a professional assassin with the use of knives, poison, ranged weapons and even his hands.
They continued their travels north into the neck. Finding a small village which was a bit known for mystics and healers. Being accepted in there and taught a bit of their skills with herbs. Since several of them was more than proficient with herbs. Though he also got to hear the stories and folklores. Finding one interesting and perhaps having heard something similar by Deicun. About men that could become anyone they wanted. Making him start to think about his plan on the return to the Riverlands. And also about who these men, or myths, were.
Skinwalkers
As they stayed there he continued to learn about these shapeshifters, or skinwalkers, or whatever they wished to call it. Some of it he was just told that they could become animals or such. That they were druids. They were creatures of the wild. Though others, along with Deicun, talked of them as being people good at disguises. Though Deicun seemed to talk more about some sort of assassins over the usual folklore of skinwalkers. Though all of it considered folklore.
As years passed Deicun tried to talk Ciaran out of taking revenge. Or at least to stop acting upon emotions and impulse. As to which Ciaran shrugged about for now. Continuing their training for the coming years as well. Training on using his skill to become a master of disguises.
Back to the Riverlands & The Death of Deicun Q'ar
He could only guess about which house. But he doesn't really have a good knowledge about the houses. Just a small understanding about them. But he does understand that it would take a long time before he knows who his father is. Instead he started thinking of trying to be a noble. A fake one of course. However with how hard the plan would be and the high profile he would have he opted only to use such disguises would it be really necessary.
As he left, along with Deicun, to head to the Riverlands he started thinking of ways to create his plan. The noble persona being thought of having clothes and being a distant relative to house Groves. Then stealing some of the better fabrics to be able to be accepted as looking like a noble. Helping people on their way south. Telling them that he was a very distant relative to the Groves. Creating rumors as they made their way southwards. Wanting his name to at least having been spoken about a little. Although the persona was soon put aside. Only making it so that it could be used should it prove really necessary. As to join in where he would otherwise not be able to come in.
After some time they would find themselves in Tall Oaks again. Although by the time they got closer they had been told that Tall Oaks had already fallen. Along with Deicun, Ciaran started in the direction of east until they found themselves in the Twins. There Deicun wanted Ciaran to make a promise not to kill by instinct or self gain. To try and not be a murderer. To do so only if necessary and to be of some kind of help. Agreeing to this, if perhaps not fully meaning it.
Although that would come to a change when Deicun died. As they continued to travel away from the Twins going southwards to Stonebridge and then onwards towards the Roost. Bandits showed up. Deicun having fallen ill some time before was now not at his full potential as to which the bandits took to their advantage. Injuring the man, although losing some of their own as well. Ciaran and Deicun able to flee but the injury that Deicun sustained caused him to pass, and telling Ciaran to keep his promise, despite it all. As to which he agreed, more full hearted this time.
Job, Mourning & Disguises
Ciaran mourned his mentor and carried black. The noble clothes stacked away, but kept in case it would be needed in the future. Opting to keep a low profile as he arrived in the Roost. His skill with herbs, thanks to Deicun and the mystics, had given him knowledge in a lot of different things. Healing, poison and even to help with his disguises would it be necessary. He might not be like to folklore of skinwalkers but he would try and be the best with disguises in all of the Riverlands.
As it came to keeping a low profile he managed to find a job being a blacksmith's apprentice.
New Start
Luckily the blacksmith asked no questions about him or so. At least not too much about his past. Knowing that he had been running and that he is a crannogman. That is enough. Though with Tall Oaks and bandits, it is not odd that people run. The blacksmith just taking him in almost as his own. Teaching him what he can about blacksmithing.
Though Ciaran took some time to start learning how to utilize the hammer better in combat as well, still opting for the smaller weapons over the bigger ones though. Relying on speed over strength thanks to his mentor.
