A few weeks after he was born, Zephyr's mother was found dead in her own bed by a servant, in the morning. Her husband had left on some business the previous night. When the dishes from her evening meal were returned to the kitchens, the cook inspecting them out of habit before turning them over to the scullery and could detect the residue of poison. Suspecting the master of the house and fearing she would be the goat used to take the fall, she absconded with the small child and indentured herself to a ships captain for passage.
The woman was an excellent cook and, after short time, the captain considered to have acquired her at a bargain even if accompanied by a baby. Due to the proficiency of this cook, the ship's success grew as it acquired better and more dedicated sailors who were attracted simply by the prospect of excellent food while ship-bound.
The baby grew into a young man and displayed amazing proficiency at learning all skills the crew would impart, showing agility with either hand and a complete lack for the fear of heights. He went from scullery to ships crew while yet still a young youth. The captain also noticed that he also demonstrated an aptitude for numbers accompanied by an exceptional memory and apprenticed him to a particular harbor clerk for lettering education. Unknown to the Captain and the Harbor Master, this clerk belonged to a secret organization of Sorcerers and Wizards, called the Invisible Eye, whose purpose was to advocate and ensure fair commerce and just labor practices by implanting its members in various positions and stations involved in normal business. Zephyr being a natural pragmatist, fit well with the group and so progressed his training in wizardry.