The Nightingales are despised by the people of Bree, falsely accused of killing their street, which got devastated by an illness only they survived, giving them the reputation of murderers, cursed, maleficient beings.

Around ten years ago, some townspeople led by a group of bandits burned the Nightingale family's house and kidnapped the youngest child, his sister Narenel, in hope of ending the curse by sacrificing her. She was presumed dead by her family and everyone who knew her existence (any local around her age or above) until very recently when she came back after the death of her 'tutor'. During all this time, Nashta did his best to stay in the shadows, or rather on the rooftops, observing everyone and staying out of trouble, for the most part.