The only child of the fabulously wealthy Ostervilts, young Vivian wanted for nothing—no jewelry was too expensive, no toy out of reach—except for her absent parents' love. This flaw in her childhood, her overwhelming sense of loneliness, was compensated by endless attendants and gifts.
Young Vivian quickly rebelled against her parents' strict schooling regimen. Instead of studying numbers, she wanted to study the chaos of life, out in the streets, marketplaces, and alleys. That was where the stories roamed. That was where the adventurers traveled, eager to share tales of the wonderful world outside the walls of Vivian's gated estate.

The name of the Ostervilt family carried great weight on the tiled streets of Craftstone. It was probably more than a rumor the family collectively controlled more than half the town's assets, public and private. The word "fortune" was synonymous with the Ostervilt family; literally by their riches and figuratively in the common saying, "If only I was born an Ostervilt!"
Skilled financiers to the tenth generation, money from all quarters of the world seemed to flow inexorably into their hands. With their Midas touch, Ostervilt financiers could transform the common works of any painter or sculptor into hot-selling products. Somehow they had a knack even for finding treasures buried at the repossessed properties of their various creditors.
Money talks. And in Stonecraft, they say money flows down to the politicians and up to the Ostervilts.

Vivian's childhood was defined by a friendship with a tall and lanky young man with distinctive golden hair and a flair for adventure—which is how they met, searching for stories at the bazaar. Vivian was drawn to his confidence. He would go on endlessly boasting about how one day he would accomplish something great for his family. With a wry smile, Vivian would reply sometimes that she had set her sights far more modestly on "only becoming a famous bounty hunter."
Since adventure could not truly be found outside their gated upbringing, the adventurous pair had to find it in the underground black market, the bustling tavern, the scary encounter by unguarded cemeteries at night there in Stonecraft. It was good practice for a future life of heroism—aiding the weak, opposing the unjust in public. And through it all their friendship deepened.
This important chapter in Vivian's life came to a jarring close when Vivian's young friend mysteriously disappeared. She searched high and low for any sign of him. Before returning home that day she noted the dark outline of smoke rising up over the town. One of the major estates was on fire! A crowd had gathered and when Vivian asked what was wrong, they said the house belonged to one of the members of the City Council. Yet no one went to help. Disgusted, Vivian turned to leave. She didn't realize the previous day's outing with her friend was the last she would see of him for many years.

Soon enough Vivian came of age as her parents feared. She threw off their shackles and embarked on her own brave adventure out into the wilderness of life. She was no longer a young and defenseless woman. She knew how to handle herself. Her only regret leaving Stonecraft was that the most important person for most of her adult life had vanished and she still had no idea why.
Fate brought Vivian and her childhood friend together once more in the streets of Stonecraft during one of her infrequent visits to the family estate. She caught sight of the dashing young wanderer from across the street and, overjoyed, flashed him a bright smile. He gazed at her solemnly and said nothing.
"I can't believe you never sent word! Couldn't you have told me what happened? You know how long I've waited for this moment? How much I missed you when you disappeared out of my life?"
"I was all dolled up, ready to teach those gangsters a lesson! What happened to our plan? You never showed up!" Years later Vivian remembered their unfulfilled escapade as clear as day.
"You're not going to say anything? Hello?"
"You remember my surname is Lafayette, don't you? You don't remember... please tell me you have some idea of what happened to my family after my father was exiled from the Council."
Vivian had never connected those particular dots before. Had her childhood friend actually told her he was a Lafayette? The only time she heard that surname was in hushed tones around the dinner table. "The Lafayettes are troublemakers! The ones stopping the Council from doing what must be done!"
"I'm sorry for what my father did... if he did anything to you... But that's not me."
"You know I don't like you talking to beautiful ladies!" The sound of laughter came from nearby. Who was she?
"I know you had nothing to do with what happened. But it was a big deal to me, and... I think it's best if we don't speak again. Goodbye." Vivian still wonders if that will be their final goodbye.