Leo’s first memories are of the Order orphanage in which he was raised. Resources at the orphanage were deliberately scarce, and the boys often scrapped, unless they could discourage a challenge, leading Leo to develop his swagger. He often ran away, but was always caught in the act. Father Carmine, the only priest who genuinely cared about the boys, gave him a key to the tunnels below the orphanage. “I know you’ll make your escape eventually, Leo,” he told the lad, “but if you ever need or want to come back, the door will be open.” Leo used the key to run away several more times, but always followed his grumbling belly back to the orphanage.
Recruiters for the crown’s army often visited the orphanage, offering meager pay but regular meals, so Leo became a soldier. He was periodically promoted for valor only to be demoted for insubordination. Despite his worst efforts, he earned a cushy assignment as captain of the garrison positioned to monitor shipments coming out of the Crucible.
Then Leo met Twist, who enticed him to use his position not to prevent, but to effectuate smuggling. The young men became friendly rivals, gloating over the other’s failings while also urging each other to greater feats of daring.
Eventually they were discovered and had to seek opportunities elsewhere. It was Twist’s idea to become Void Hunters, but it was Leo who took to it with the most gusto. The life of a Void Hunter gave Leo everything he had ever wanted—excitement, freedom, coin, and adoration. Leo’s complicated feelings toward Twist underlay his keeping Nadia, Twist’s sometimes lover, at arm’s distance, since he knew it was only a matter of time before Twist tired of her affections. These tensions eventually led to a fight and then a more-or-less amicable break between Leo and his old partner.