Riley was born in Vel-Luin. Her mother and father were farmers when she was just a baby and she was told she had a brother, Talus. She never met him, or remembered meeting him because he was given up to Vel Anir, like all magical children given to the Academy to become Dreadlords. After Talus destroyed the farm’s windmill, the family moved closer to the docks with the stipend provided by the Vel Anir government for giving up their son. They mastered the art of ship-building, helping to build Ven Anir’s fierce naval fleet.

Riley grew-up on the docks, working alongside her parents and learning to love the water and swimming since she was two. She became proficient at using tools and learned the mechanics behind building ships. And she loved to work in the rigging and swing from ropes. Her parents didn’t talk about Talus much. And they seemed distant and distracted her entire childhood. And even though they were plenty safe inside the walls of the city and those two towers, Riley sensed there was more danger within the city.

The dreadlords were merciless to any non-humans. Riley learned compassion, sympathy, and to question the status-quo from her mother. She would often go out with her mother into the Falwood to leave food for the elven refugees. It was dangerous though, because those elves did not trust or like humans - especially the Anirians. Perhaps they were slightly sympathetic because she came to them with her mother as a child to help out.

Riley would often ask her parents about her brother, Talus. Her parents didn’t say much and she could see the hurt in both their eyes and perhaps a little regret at how easily they’d given their son up to Vel Anir. Even though it was their duty. And even though it was an honor. She could also see that her parents were hopeful that Riley didn’t show any signs of magic at the age of 6, when Talus was given up.

It wasn’t until she was 10 when Riley was working on a new navy model ship and a rope slipped a knot. Tons of wood on a pallet crashed toward the workers below and Riley reached out her hand, her mind moving the boards just enough so they didn’t kill everyone. Her parents were mortified. And before the day was done, the town’s dreadlord visited their house and took Riley away.

The next eight years were miserable. Riley missed her family and their modest house on the docks. Her smart-mouth and tendency to question authority got her into a lot of trouble. She wanted to reach out to her brother but didn’t know how or if it was possible. And she was scared. She assumed he was like all the other dreadords, coldhearted and merciless. She spent a lot of time in the hot-box as punishment. Received many physical beatings and lashings.
And when thrown into the edges of the Falwood knowing that only half their class would survive, she hid, using another gift of magic she didn’t know she had or could do.She was able to build an invisible shield around herself that warded off her fellow student’s magical attacks. The shield nearly drained her entire life-force away and she was found weeks later by the proctor nearly starved to death. But she’d made it within the numbered half to survive.

And there was a point when she was nearing 18 that someone named Sierra joined the Academy. Things got a little better. But not enough to want to stay or face graduation.

Riley prepared for escape two nights before the trials. Somehow, Sierra knew. And instead of turning her in or killing her, Sierra said she could help Riley escape. And she did, with an organization called the Underground. Unfortunately, as they neared the border walls of the great city of Vel Anir, a fifth level dreadlord caught up to them. The Underground members were killed and Riley barely escaped into the mazed streets of the city. She didn’t want to leave, though. Even though she was hunted, she wanted to make a stand and fight against what she knew was wrong. A system that she felt needed to be fixed or challenged. She began getting a plan together to fight back. Could she evade those looking for her for long? Could she find help? Would she ever be able to find her brother or see her family again?

Riley took one day at a time. Surviving just enough to fight again. And again.