At the age of twelve, Jorvatuan was handed the family sabre, and given instruction by his father in the art of swordplay. As the sabre passed hands, his father bestowed upon him the name Jaque - a new name having no meaning - allowing him to make an identity of his own. Until the age of fifteen, Jaque practised every day, sometimes for the whole day.
His happiest moments were spent on the rooftops of the castle keep, overlooking the Blood Sea and watching the red sunsets dance across his blades silvery edge, as he struck at imaginary foes. His own shadow, charged with the power of his 'Karma Ritual', would come forth and duel with him. The ritual would be complete as he struck the crucial blow against his own shadow. At sixteen, Jaque was a master of the sword but still living in the shadow of his father - the kings best Swordsmaster.
He set off northward, toward a place he had heard of but never seen - Bartertown. In his mind, Jaque plotted ways to take back Charlo-Narev, and restore his families noble title. He reasoned that a band of adepts could infiltrate Charlo-Narev, under his guidance, so he set off to find such a group.
Stopping in the town of Forgal, Jaque decided to have a quiet drink, and maybe use his sword training to earn some money busking. Jaque had learned flashy demonstrations of swordplay, being the son of the kings best sword. Others seemed to find this interesting and unusual - from time to time, he would entertain people with his 'blade-dancing'. But as he stepped into the bar at Forgal, he saw something even more impressive than his swordplay. Outside he heard the distant sound of hoofbeats; battle cries filling the air soon after. In front of him, sitting at the bar, a burly looking warrior lept to his feet, and drew a sword which stood as big as his muscled frame. Jaque staring, realised he needn't travel all the way to Bartertown after all. He had found his first companion, to win back his families honour (see Brun).
