Geoffrey Belford was born into a long line of military men, his family having served in various capacities for generations. His grandfather was a decorated general, and his father, a respected officer, instilled in Geoffrey a deep sense of duty and tradition from a young age. Geoffrey's upbringing was steeped in military discipline—he learned to wield a sword before he could read, and tales of battlefield glory and strategy were his lullabies.
When Geoffrey came of age, there was no question about his path. He enlisted in the kingdom’s army, eager to uphold the family legacy. However, the reality of war was far from the heroic stories he had been told. Geoffrey witnessed firsthand the costs of command, not just on the battlefield, but in the politics behind it. Despite his family's status, Geoffrey learned that loyalty and honor could be manipulated by those in power.
During a brutal campaign against a rival kingdom, his regiment was betrayed by a corrupt noble who sought to use the soldiers as pawns in a political scheme. The battle was a massacre, and Geoffrey barely escaped with his life. The betrayal shattered his belief in the noble ideals his family had long served, and he left the kingdom's army in disgust.
That left only the one merc assaulting Geoffrey, who had shoved Belford back and gained a spot in the driver’s seat. The two traded punches and elbows, and the wagon veered left and right, rolling from one side of the narrow street to the other. A pedestrian screamed as we narrowly avoided running her down. I wanted to help, but the driver’s space was too cramped, and I didn’t see an opening without making the situation worse. Finally, Geoffrey cracked the man hard in the jaw, sending him reeling back, so I was able to reach around, catch him at the collar, and toss him from the wagon. He hit the ground hard, rolled, and came to rest sprawled in the street with his arms extended, either dead or, more likely, unconscious. With his adversary gone, Captain Belford got the wagon under control in short order.
- THE ASSASSIN’S CUNNING / BLACK GUARD’S REPRISAL
Determined to forge his own path, Geoffrey joined a mercenary company, where his military pedigree and natural leadership quickly set him apart. Rising through the ranks, he became the captain of the Black Guard after the previous leader fell in battle. Unlike the nobility that had betrayed him, Geoffrey vowed to lead with integrity, always putting his men first. He transformed the Black Guard into a disciplined and respected company, known for their professionalism and honor.
Though Geoffrey carries the weight of his family's legacy, he has come to realize that true leadership isn’t about following old traditions blindly—it’s about adapting, surviving, and doing right by those who follow you. While he may not share his father’s faith in the nobility, he upholds the one principle that transcends bloodlines: loyalty to his men.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Geoffrey first appears in The Assassin's Blade (Assassin Without a Name Book One).
