William, often referred to as Billy Boy, grew up in a small farming area just outside a major trading port in the western regions of the land. His parents did well both with farming and making of goods for trade. During these childhood years, William learned much about trade and the value of quality merchandise. He listened intently to the stories of the traders from every imaginable trade frequenting his home land. Stories of valuable gems and methods to make them more valuable were of most interest. And of course, the romantic stories surrounding the sale of such quality goods to Kings, Queens, Lords, and Ladies had him dreaming of grandeur.

William was also quick to see the benefits of quality swords and daggers with the frequent wars and skirmishes around the lands. He also listened intently to these war stories and discovered there were a few blacksmiths who knew how to make swords and daggers that seldom ever broke in battles, quality craftsmanship that could benefit him and those using those goods.

William�s parents saw this interest and sought out a reputable scholar to teach him of the known world, about different people, and how to be a gentleman. Aye that includes learning of scallywags and honorable alike. He also learned of the ways and reasons of those feuding over lands and women. Yet the glamour of such travels seemed to overshadow the evil risk.

While being taught, the scholar also had other pupils, of which several caught his eye. These lasses and lads came from rich homes and castles. And of course, was the lasses that intrigued him the most, though riggers of learning nay let him too close to these fine future Ladies. First time William tried to gain the attention of one lass and the watchful scholar made sure William would not forget �A Gentleman must always treat a Lady with respect.� William never forgot that lesson, being how he could nay sit for a week from that encounter. Upon completion of his training, William was bestowed the honor and responsibilities of a Young Gentleman, a title William was proud to have.

As William grew into manhood, he found work in the local merchant shops, learning quickly how to judge the value and quality of the merchandise. A few years later, William opened his own shop, then a second. Then he found himself traveling to do business with the masters of several trades. So he sold his shops at a good profit and started traveling and supplying goods to many shops around the lands. The quality of his merchandise soon became known around the lands and gained the interest of Lords and Ladies, and, soon after, Kings and Queens.

William also learned to expertly hide the fine goods and let only the raw materials be seen while traveling. This allowed William to convince highway thieves that he had already sold the fine quality goods and only possessed raw materials to take to the craftsmen. More oft than not, William even found a way to talk most of these would be thieves into profitable trade, thus, making his travels safer. �Fill a need, make a friend, help both profit from the relationship� was a philosophy that usually worked.

Now with quality goods, and still an eye for the Ladies, William found himself becoming a very discrete rogue while still presenting himself as a Gentleman in public. Still a few Lords that nay know what all really happened while William was with Their Ladies, nay always sales of gems, rings, and fine materials. Though there were subtle rumors about roguish activities, William seemed always to raise the question of his Gentlemanly values, and seemed to always avoid the controversy. Besides, what Lady would want to admit to Her Lord of any such pleasures?

Upon his travels, William heard of Castle MacLaaran and thought wise to turn from his normal routes to visit. Finding MacLaaran more attractive than he could imagine, did seek to make his home there. Soon he discovered a Lady of special interest, a Lady, he thought, had been with him under the tutorship of the same scholar of his youth.

Among William�s frequent long journeys, he still has one question in his mind: Has this Lady stolen his heart and removed the rogue in him? She certainly has his attention and frequent thoughts.