Olivia Gould was born in Alchester, the thriving capital of Kallendor, and grew up in a family that once enjoyed affluence and stability. Her idyllic childhood was shattered when family enemies murdered her parents, forcing Olivia and her younger brother, the future Nameless Assassin, to flee for their lives. Navigating the treacherous streets of Alchester, they relied on each other for survival, forming an unbreakable bond as they struggled to make sense of their tragic reality.
As time passed, the trajectory of their lives took a turn when Thjorn Targalas, a figure of influence in the city, offered them refuge and resources, allowing Olivia and her brother to escape the clutches of poverty and want while providing them safety from the enemies who still hunted them. Olivia saw this second chance as a way to start over. But her brother, who refused to let go of the past, chose a darker path that eventually created a rift between them.
Up here, it was easier to claim a dark crevice or corner of your own, with little fear of discovery from the bullies and gangs ruling the streets below. I’d spent more nights than I could remember hiding up here. Not alone, but with my older sister, Olivia, whose life had been at risk as much as mine in those days thanks to our parents’ deaths. Or murders, since that’s what it had been. It’s not a gallant tale of honor and sacrifice but one of deceit and betrayal. Suffice to say, our father made enemies who captured and killed him and our mother. Given the opportunity, they would have done the same to me and Olivia, but Dad had made plans for the eventuality of his death. A guardian of sorts had swooped in, secreting us away by moving us to the other side of the city, changing our names, and making sure we laid low. Such adjustments had not been easy or entirely understood by either of us. But it was necessary, so Olivia, acting with her greater wisdom, had embraced her new identity with little resistance. I knew now that she’d done it as a matter of necessity, but it had still filled me with resentment.
- THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE
Olivia, however, embraced her new life. Driven by a fascination with healing, she immersed herself in studying herbs and potions, cultivating her skills in apothecary practices. This journey was fueled not only by her desire to help others but also by a longing for solace far removed from the dark dealings of her brother. Eventually, Olivia married a man named Mason, who shared her affinity for discovery. Together, they opened an apothecary shop, where Olivia became known for her knowledge of herbal remedies and alchemical concoctions. Her shop flourished, transforming into a sanctuary for the community, and she built a reputation as a dedicated healer. Despite the success, Olivia remained acutely aware of her brother’s continuing descent into darkness. She carefully maintained a facade of normalcy, avoiding discussions about their past and shielding her patrons from the dangers associated with his lifestyle.
Though the relationship with her brother was strained and fraught with silence, Olivia held onto hope, believing that he had disappeared to protect her from the consequences of his violent world. While her life revolved around her apothecary, she dreamed of expanding her services to include herbal education classes, aspiring to impart her knowledge to those in Alchester and build a community centered on healing and support. In this way, Olivia sought to honor her family’s legacy while carving a path forward for her and her family.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Olivia first appears in The Assassin's Blade (Assassin Without a Name Book One).
