From Dawn to Dusk

Gabriel was born a late summer afternoon, within his parents bedroom, in the Nightingale Mansion in the Northern parts of Gilneas. The first born son of the Nightingale family, a noble family, of a warrior heritage. His cries, as loud of ten men in battle.
His mother, a young red-haired Lady named Marilyn Heriald Nightingale, swept him Dusk-grey silks, after the house-maidens had dried Gabriel young fragile body from the blood, and his father, Lord Thanro Nightingale had cut the belly-cord connecting mother and child.
Celebrations were kept, and blessings and gifts was given to the young newborn. First born son, First of his name, Gabriel Nightingale.
Time passed as the young boy got raised with his loving family, not many years before his own birth, getting a brother and sister as well, Aeden and Elaisa Nightingale.
Gabriel found them curious, yet felt the need to protect them along with his big sister, Celesté.
Gabriel enjoyed his childhood, for the short time it now would be, as he swiftly found interest in the art of swordsmanship at the age of five. Lord Thanro, took this opportunity to start Gabriels training, and as soon as Gabriel could lift a large dagger, his training was begun. hours a day went by with practicing, and each passing week or month, Gabriel had improved.
It wasn't many years after he had begun his training before he was able to stand, toe, to toe with his trainer. His body haven already grown a bit of muscle at the age ten, enough to be seen, and enough to be known. Gabriel himself haven lost all interest in playing catch, hide and seek, or any other child’s game.
He was focused on his training, and his eyes, life was good, it was secure, and it was safe. He felt he was able to protect his family, yet without being so arrogant to saying that he didn't need more practice. As he knew he was far from being a master.
At the age of eleven, Gabriel attended to his first ball, people was packing the great hall, and the courtyard, trouble was bound to rise however, as the Rendion Family entered the ball. They had for long been the talk of trouble, as their family was sticking their noses into affairs not concerning them.
As was predicted a heated argument arose, and it wasn't long before the Rendion Family was demanding that the Nightingale family should marry their oldest daughter. Celesté to their son. Gabriel was furious, and young, charging forward to step between the families, and demand a duel for his sisters hand, and the Rendion families oldest son, a good four years older, took the challenge with assurance he would win.
The afternoon the next day, people had gathered just outside the city, on the road, Gabriel Nightingale and Peter Rendion had shown up. It had been agreed to a duel with practice swords. The crowd formed a ring around the two young men as they stepped into the middle, whispers was being exchanged, and bets being placed.
The heat was baking down on them all, and at the first sign of utter silence, the two charged at each other. Swing after swing, blow after blow. Attacks was being exchanged, each hit more furious than the other. Minutes felt like hours, and the tension was high. Finally, they both stepped back, Gabriel and Peter, exhausted, the heat had taken its toll on their energy as well.
Gabriel raised a hand to wipe the sweat of his brow, for a moment blinding himself. Peter took the chance, and charged forward aiming a strike to the side of Gabriels head. Gabriel, barely in time, got both hands on his sword as he raised it in defense. Peters sword shattered, or so it seemed. As the wood fell to the ground, it was proven to be a clever trick, beneath the wooden layer of Peters practice sword, there was a real, steel sword. sharpened and ready for killing.
The crowd went into a panic, as they saw the sword, Peter more than them all. He had been rooted out, and his family exposed for attempted murder. In panic Peter started to lash uncontrollably at Gabriel with the sword, Gabriel defending to what measure he could, dodging and deflecting, until he found Peters weak balance. As another swing came for Gabriels head, he dodged it by bending in his knees. He jammed the tip of his sword into Peters stomach, toppling the boy over, for then to place himself over Peter, locking him in position between his legs. Peter attempted to cut at Gabriel once more, and was lucky, making a long scar across Gabriels face, before Gabriel could lock the blade between them.
Gabriel pushed down at Peter, with his weight and strength, and soon the sweaty hands of peter gave up, the steel-sword slipped from his palm, and fell down onto Peters neck. Cutting his throat wide open. Silence fell on the crowd once more, as the blood sprayed into Gabriels face, and stained the quartz-stone road. Silent, Gabriel stood up from Peters corpse, he had let go of both the Practice, and the steel sword. There were no fear within Gabriels eyes, and no regret, the only thing that was slightly visible was pity.
The crowd parted, and Gabriel walked out between them, he was heading home, the sun had already dried Peters blood onto his face, and his family was following closely behind, however keeping a distance.
Years of continued practice after his first kill, Gabriel got known as "The Mountain Wolf" by the locals, at the age of nineteen. He was adored, and somehow still feared. He was at the age of rebellion, he went to town, drinking to late hours with his friends within the City guard, he went on long walks, stealing food from the kitchen to his outdoor sleep overs.
At that point Gabriel had also found love for the first time, he was smitten by a young dark red-haired, girl, daughter to the Local smith, and niece to one of the Gilnean Priests. Her name was Isabelle Morrowfield. She had taken up the practice of her farther, working in the forge, as she would also that way be able to see Gabriel more often. Gabriel had met her in town, when she was out drinking with some of her girlfriends. They had shouted at each other, making a big fuss over who was better than who.
And after Isabelle and Gabriel had met in secret, drunken stupor, falling in love, and been with each other. It was their secret, but it wasn't for long. As Gabriels mother, Marilyn, found out, they were forced to separate. It was not possible for Gabriel to marry a common born in his mothers eyes. However, his father, Thanro, was more open for the idea, letting Gabriel go, without telling Marilyn about where their son would be.