Bastian was born into a minor, unlanded noble family and sent to serve as a page in the local lord's castle at a young age.  Although brash and reckless, the boy proved his worth and became a squire at age fourteen to Sir Matthieu Gaudin, a well-respected veteran knight.  Bastian served his knight with distinction and followed him from battlefield to battlefield gaining valuable experience along the way.  However, the squire's apprenticeship suddenly came to an end on a distant battlefield many miles away from his homeland when Sir Gaudin was mortally wounded during combat with the enemy.  Fulfilling his duty as a squire, Bastian buried Sir Gaudin and collected the fallen knight's standard to return to his family.  With nothing but his wits, sword, and sense of duty, the young knight began the long trek home.