Bjorn–or just, "Bors", as the village locals know him–arrived in Riverrun as a boy to become his uncle's apprentice, a gnarly old carpenter with a leathered face and an even uglier temper. Bors never broke under his uncle's anger, but every nail he was forced to hammer strengthened a fierce determination in him to one day put the old bastard in his place. But he would never get the chance–less than a year passed before Bors was called to serve under his king's banner, and it was war that taught him...
...the true meaning of violence. He survived the war, and returned home a hardened man who never picked up a hammer again. With his uncle long since dead, you'll find him scowling from behind the bar at Riverrun's tavern, known for his heavy-browed look that makes one think twice about their intentions, "If you're lookin' for trouble, I'll give it to you."
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Not much is known about Serana or her past. She's not from Riverrun–an outsider, a refugee. She works at the tavern, boisterous and witty against Bjorn's stoic nature–it's anyone's guess as to what she sees in him. The old hags do love to speculate, "She's bewitched him! A dark sorceress who does the Underlord's bidding! The poor lad is cursed!"
In truth, no spells were needed. Some fifteen winters ago, Serana rode into Riverrun half-dead in the back of a wagon, hidden beneath reeking burlap to hide her wounds, and the truth of what she is. Bjorn was there to help the man who'd sent word ahead of their arrival, lifting Serana out of the wagon under the cover of night and stealing her into the farmer's cottage on the edge of town. In the weeks that followed, her wounds healed. Her glamour returned. And her past was forgotten. For in those weeks, Bjorn had never left her side, and she soon found that she could not leave his.
Call it what you will. The fates, destiny, mates, soul-bound lovers. The two found comfort in each other, healing the wounds of their pasts.
But while wounds heal, some scars never fade. Serana may have outrun her past, but it isn't finished with her yet. And now, it's not only her own wellbeing at stake, but that of the man she loves–and of their daughter and son.
