Marten was born into a farming family, just outside the small village of Arien. Marten was always small and shy, and kept mostly to his family's stead. Marten never meshed well with the other boys. He tried to tag along, and stayed on the edge of the social circles that formed. His small size made him an easy target for bullies, and by the time he hit his teens, Marten no longer made trips into the town unless required by his family.
A few years ago, word began reaching the village of a new false Dragon, this one from nearby in Andor. Marten dismissed these rumors, and thought nothing of them. Time passed, and Marten continued working on the farm. One day at the market in town, however, his life changed.
A man in all black appeared, asking to see the boys and young men in town. Distrusted, his promise of coin for simply speaking to them was too much to be overcome. One by one, he met with them, dismissing all until it was Marten's turn. After sitting with Marten for just under twenty minutes, asking him questions and attempting to get him to focus his mind in a strange way, he informed the boy that he was able to channel saidin. Marten, confused, went back to his father with the knowledge. His father refused to open the door, having gotten word of what took place, and disowned his son right then. Marten, with no place to go, made the trip with that man to the Black Tower for training.
The training was incredibly difficult. Taim, the leader of the tower, forced the young men to use their power for everything, from sunup to sundown. Marten watched as those around him fell to the side, burnt out or unable to continue. Marten pushed himself harder, pushed by a desire not to lose the only thing left. In time, he discovered a talent for calling fire, and rose to be an Asha'Man.
