In the year 1083 a boy was born and named Gregorie was born to Oliver and Marie-Andree Grismore. He was the youngest child of the couple, his older brother Philippe and older sister Modestine never seemed very interested in him in his younger years. Always busy doing their own thing, Philippe had developed a bad habit in picking fights, and Modestine had a habit of surrounding herself with boys. Their mother tried to keep the older children in line but soon gave up to try and get Gregorie to follow a better path.

In 1090 a girl by the name of Annika Puusepp had moved into the small village, Gregorie and Annika soon became fast friends. They would play in the fields near their homes and no one ever bothered to stop them. Marie-Andree was happy that her youngest child had managed to stay out of trouble. So she never thought to bring him in while they played. He was a responsible child even at such a young age, always making sure that Annika and himself were in their homes before dark. Annika's father, being a traveling merchant had gained a new job in Paris causing the family to uproot and move away less than a year after they had moved into the village. Losing his one and only friend Gregorie turned his focus to his family. Focusing on hard work along side his father helping in the fields and around the home when his mother asked for help.

Three years after the loss of his best friend the Grismore family was hit with tragedy. Philippe had been reported as dead, he had been killed by a group of boys while visiting another village near by. Hearing the news of his eldest sons death Oliver lost his temper and traveled to the very village his son had been killed and hunted down the boys that had killed his son. Upon his return home Oliver had burned bloody clothes and stopped speaking to the family. Modestine fearing the safety and sanity of her father ran to the authorities for help. Fearing he himself was going to die she failed to realize by seeking help she would condemn him.

On further inspection of the crimes against the boys in the other village, the authorities learned that Oliver was in fact their attacker and soon arrested. When he claimed it was justified due to the death of his son, he was informed Philippe had been the one to attack first and his death was in self defense. Moths after his arrest, Modestine, Marie-Andree and Gregorie stood in front of the Gallows that Oliver would be hung on. Fearing the children watching the death of their father would have ill effects on them, Marie took them away and refused to allow them a final good-bye.

The family mourned the death of not only Philippe but also Oliver for just over one year. The moment the time of mourning was up, Modestine had suitors asking for her hand at every turn. She had come of age and having no father or elder brother all the business of her suitors fell to a young Gregorie. His rule was that they had to court her properly and she got to choose her husband. The family wasn't in need even after the death of the elder men, his mother was a seamstress and Gregorie helped farmers out on the farms near by for extra income. It was never much as he was still a child, but it was enough to help keep the family in their home.

When Modestine finally chose her husband, the family was pleasantly surprised that he was a German fellow who seemed to take an interest in helping the family get by with more than Gregorie working. He believed the boy needed an education and a good standing job. After the wedding Modestine moves to Germany with her husband leaving Gregorie and his mother to live alone in their home. The news of her pregnancy made Marie-Andree very happy, however, not long after the announcement came another. She had birthed twins. Both were lost within days of their arrival.

Taking a trip to Germany to be with Modestine, Marie-Andree left Gregorie home to care for the house and small bits of land they had acquired with the help of Modestine's husband. During his mothers absence he learned Annika was back in the village. Seeing her once again they instantly rekindled the friendship they had formed years prior. Spending time together they both soon learned they had more than an attraction as friends. Neither ever spoke of it choosing to stay friends at that point in time.

When he became an apprentice to a bookbinder Gregorie asked Annika for her hand in marriage only to learn that she was already promised to another man. Having been refused didn't stop him from remaining friends with her, though it did distance her from him slightly. Focusing on his work he made sure to study his master carefully so he could be the best he could. In the year 1103 his master had died from illness leaving the business he ran to Gregorie. Focusing on his work more than he did anything else he became known as the best in the region.