Cameron was twelve during The Purge, which was just barely too young to join the milita and aid the war. He was unbelievably angry about this, and harbored a great deal of resentment towards the war heroes who emerged. His young mind always believed that he’d have been a hero if he was just a couple of years older.
He was accepted as a cadet two years after the war ended, and spent the next five years training with the knighthood in Reverian. Cameron distinguished himself as an able tactician, and an incredibly swordsman. People compared him to Aranthar, which made him hate the war hero even more. He hated being second best, and while he was the best of the cadets he always lived in Aranthar’s shadow. This was made even worse by the fact that Aran deserted the knighthood.
Cameron continued to distinguish himself and was made a squire at the age of nineteen. He spent a bare three years serving under Gavin himself before being granted full knightood. This time period only deepened his hatred for Aran, because Gavin still loved Aran. Gavin spoke of him with a fondness that was never used for Cameron.
Cameron’s hatred gave birth to a burning need to eclipse Aranthar. After becoming a knight he participated in the Orokh wars. He played a critical role in two battles, and slew several prominent Orokh chieftains in single combat. Unfortunately none of these achievments rivaled the slaying of Rakarian, or leading the people of Olivantia against the last consumed horde.
Cameron was good, but Aran was better. Because he was nowhere to be found Cameron had to battle a living legend, and it was impossible to eclipse him. He grew more and more bitter as he desperately sought to better himself, and it has twisted and warped a once noble spirit into a mockery of justice.
He returned to Reverian after the Orokh wars, and was asked by Gavin to instruct younger knights in swordwork. The cadets and squires see him as the most legendary fighter they have ever known, and many revere him nearly as much as Dalanthar himself.
These younger knights are either apathetic or outright hostile to Aranthar, as none of them were present for his exploits. Cameron has done everything he can to encourage this including openly mocking Aranthar. He’s even claimed to be a better swordsman, and that he could best Aranthar if the man would ever show his face.
Cameron’s greatest desire is to be the finest swordsman in creation. This leaves him vulnerable, and Arie is more than happy to exploit the weakness. Shortly after returning to Reverian she set about finding the most influential knights to turn to her cause. Cameron is young, handsome and well respected so he fits the bill perfectly.
It’s public knowledge that he’s being groomed as Gavin’s heir. It will be a decade or more before that comes to pass, but it still makes him pivotal among the Dawn. Arie’s investigation turned up Cameron, so she began studying him.
Before long she realized he’d make the perfect lever to accomplish her plan. He was placed highly enough to exert influence on Gavin, and to report back to her. Yet not so highly placed to face a lot of scrutiny. The younger knights idolized him, which meant that if she could subtly alter his attitudes those would soon be adopted by his charges.
Cameron fell into her trap with rediculous ease. She flattered his ego and then slept with him. He was smitten and more than willing to listen to anything she told him. He adopted her opinions as his own without her even needing to bind him, though she eventually laid several subtle bindings on him.
Once Arie was positive that Cameron would be the best tool to orchestrate the downfall of the knights she took things a step further and blooded him. This made him even stronger, more influential through the supernatural aura of the vampyr, and strengthened her control over him.
Cameron took to being blooded with shocking zeal. He reveled in the hunt, and loved sating his thirst on the poor in Lowtown. His new strength and speed made him an even better swordsman, and he eclipsed the few elder blademasters who might have bested him. The only one he remained unsure of was Aranthar. Cameron tried to write him off as dead, but some part of him feared that Aran was both alive and the superior swordsman.
Cameron passed information on every active knight to Arie, who built profiles for all of them. She spent months studying them to learn their weaknesses, and to identify which would be the best targets. Once she was ready she had Cameron bring her targets to her to be bound. Those that were too strong willed served as food for Cameron.
Cameron’s depredations in Lowtown to slake his thirst had the locals in a panic. They knew a vampyr was hunting among their ranks, and called upon the knights to intervene. Since Cameron knew which knights would be dispatched to deal with the problem it was a simple matter for him to intervene.
He helped Arie lay traps for them, and the captured knights were brought to the Pearl. Arie decided that Cameron’s thirst wasn’t doing enough damage, so she began blooding the more biddable knights she captured. Because they were weak willed many became consumed, and were kept as fodder for the arena.
Those that survived intact were allowed to hunt the streets of lowtown. This furthered the terror the populace felt, and made the knights look even worse. Gavin responded by sending more knights, which Arie picked off and either converted or made into consumed.
Cameron continued to serve as a spy on her behalf. By the start of the novel she’s successfully converted eleven knights besides Cameron, and has them ravaging Lowtown. The citizens are terrified beyond all measure, and on the point of rioting. They do not venture out after dark unless in groups, which is wise since those that do rarely make it to their destinations.
Cameron no longer believes in Dalanthar’s justice. He has become a plaything for Arie. He doesn’t love her, but lusts after her and has enjoyed their few trysts. His true love is Bree, but she sees him as a rival and while she respects him she has no romantic interest. This is one more thing that will put him at odds with Aran.
Cameron’s ultimate goal is to become the Knight Commander. He knows that to do this he will have to kill Gavin, but thanks to Arie he nows sees him as a doddering old man. Cameron is ignorant to the return of the council, and has no idea what Arie’s ultimate goal is.
All he knows is that the knights need a change, and Arie can help bring that. Vampyr knights are stronger and faster, and if they have to kill a few dirty peasants its worth it for the greater good. He’s hoping to usher in a new age where the vampyr overlords watch over the people.
