Cathal Lindir was age-mate and cousin to Domenic Lanart-Alton. They swore the oath of bredin with each other. Cathal was Domenic's paxman
Both boys were cadets in the Guard. During sword practice, Cathal hit Domenic with a wooden practice sword, accidentally knocking him out. When Cathal went to summon the Hospital Officer, Desiderio Leynier, under pretense of attending Domenic, killed him by removing his matrix. Cathal was devastated at the untimely death of his friend.