Born in 1700, Malik’s father was a soldier in the Duchy of Adria, with his mother a simple baker. The family had lived out in the outskirts of civilization. His mother died when he was 4 during childbirth. When he was 7 his father remarried. Shortly after the family moved to the capital of Ves, as the father had gotten a promotion requiring him to be close to the capitol. While living in the capitol, he had trained with his father in swordplay. Right up until the Sacking of Ves. Where his father was killed. His step mother took custody of Malik and evacuated the city with the rest of the population.
Apparently the step mother had an aunt out in a distant hamlet. Where they lived the next three years. During that time, the step mother spiraled further and further into her drug addiction. Every spare coin they made went into it. Then a witch traveled through the hamlet and, after seeing her condition, made her a deal. Her son’s tongue, for enough cash to sate her addiction for a month. She agreed. One week later she died of overdose and left Malik speechless and parent less. There was the aunt though, but she was the one that sold his step mother the drugs. Not very trustworthy.
Malik, not knowing where else to turn, traveled back to Ves, which had been rebuilt. He got a foster family until he could enroll in the guard. Where he has been ever since.
