Will was the son of Daniel and his wife, born in the Highcliff Fief shortly after the couple moved there prior to the First Araluen Civil War. After the war broke out, Daniel, who was part of the Highcliff garrison, was deployed in the Araluen Army at the Battle of Hackham Heath. During the battle, he saved Halt's life fending off several Wargals, though he was mortally wounded in the process. With his final words he told Halt to make sure his wife and child were safe, and Halt resolved to do so. He tracked them down after being lead to Daniel's farm by Kord and Jerrel, who then tried to rob Daniel's widow. Halt killed both of them, though he was too late to save the widow's life. She told him her newborn son's name was Will, and Halt took him to the Ward at Castle Redmont, where he lived until the age of fifteen.