Life began for Aden in the crowded halls of Saint Marilla's Home for Children in northern Alchester. His earliest memories include fighting for breakfast portions and learning to smile his way into extra blankets during cold winters. The orphanage staff never knew his true parentage, finding him wrapped in expensive swaddling cloth on their doorstep one stormy night.
Aden bounced between four different orphanages before age twelve, developing survival skills at each stop. His natural charm emerged early, helping him navigate the complex social hierarchies of orphanage life. The caretakers often gave him second helpings or overlooked minor infractions, swayed by his winning smile and earnest demeanor.
Life changed when he witnessed a group of mercenaries, the Silver Foxes, breaking up a street brawl outside his latest orphanage. Their confidence and capability impressed him, but it was their camaraderie that truly caught his attention. The next day, he followed them to their compound, offering to work as a stable boy in exchange for combat training.
“Name’s Aden Stavenger, lieutenant of the Mavens.” Aden gave them a perfunctory, informal salute. He had a scraggly beard that hardly covered a cut on one cheek and boyish good looks that probably got him places when he wasn’t using the weapons at his belt. “Plenty of strangers in town due to the strong possibility we’re about to go to war, but when people like yourselves come to High Holt asking about passage into the Grimmere? That raises some questions.”
- THE INVERSION SOLUTION
Captain Morgan of the Silver Foxes recognized the potential in the ambitious youth. Rather than turn him away, Morgan took Aden under his wing, teaching him martial skills and the mercenary code. The old captain's lessons went beyond swordplay and tactics, including instruction in negotiation, contract law, and the importance of maintaining a professional reputation.
Under Morgan's guidance, Aden flourished. His natural charm proved helpful in securing contracts and gathering information, while dedicated training honed his fighting abilities. The Silver Foxes became the family he never had, providing structure and purpose to his life. Senior members taught him different weapons and fighting styles, each contributing to his education as a soldier for hire.
His first real taste of combat occurred during a bandit suppression contract. Rather than freeze or panic, Aden fell back on his training, his movements fluid and precise. The experience taught him that charm alone wouldn't keep him alive, spurring him to train harder and develop his martial skills further.
The Silver Foxes' destruction came during a contract gone wrong. Betrayed by their employer, the company fell into an ambush. Aden survived by luck and skill, though losing his adoptive family left deep scars. He spent the next year hunting down those responsible, using his charm and blade to exact revenge.
Afterward, Aden worked independently for several years, building a reputation for reliability and skill. His ability to navigate social situations proved as valuable as his combat prowess, allowing him to secure better contracts and negotiate favorable terms. Yet he missed the camaraderie of company life.
The Mavens attracted his attention through their professional reputation and sense of unity. Captain Madilyn Oakthorn reminded him of Morgan in her leadership style, helping him decide to join their ranks. His experience and abilities earned him a lieutenant's position, while his charm helped him integrate smoothly into the command structure.
Aden found a balance between his social and martial abilities within the Mavens. His good looks and charisma help secure contracts and gather intelligence, while his fighting skills ensure the successful completion of missions. Fellow Mavens have learned to appreciate his light-hearted nature and commitment to professional excellence.
Personal relationships remain casual for Aden, and his childhood experiences make him wary of deep emotional attachments. Yet he forms strong bonds with fellow Mavens, recognizing the importance of trust among mercenaries. His quarters often serve as a gathering place for off-duty soldiers, where his stories and easy manner help build unit cohesion.
His rise through the Maven ranks comes from natural talent and hard work. Aden never relies solely on charm or combat skill, instead using both to maximum advantage. His experiences in the orphanages taught him to read people and situations quickly, while his time with the Silver Foxes gave him the skills to handle whatever comes his way.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Aden first appears in The Inversion Solution (The Alchemancer Book Three).
