Born in Cubeo as a slave to the Duval household, Dirk the Unsung was named the princess's fool on her name day. After years of service entertaining the princess Dirk gained his freedom after saving the infant Aisling Duvals life when she fell into a lake during a public gathering. Many years later when Aisling heard of the infamous story of her near fatal drowning of a few years earlier, she granted Dirk his freedom, effective immediately with the kind words - "no one will see you as a fool from this day to your last". The emperor did not approve of this and feared revolt from his own slaves but allowed it so as not to embarrass his young daughter, he would have to teach her the imperial ways later!.

Never asking or wanting of his freedom from the princess, Dirk spent the next years of his life in voluntary service to her cause which mostly meant far away missions at her request that would last months at a time. On returning from on such mission to collect a dozen Rohinian Purple Tulips the Princess issued an injunction preventing him from being within 500ft of her position stating - "I really dont need you to entertain me anymore, fool!". Teenage Aisling was somewhat lacking in the grace she has in adulthood. Despite this he believes she is the rightful and just ruler and would gladly lay down his life at her request and awaits the day that she will call on his services... he keeps a close eye on the comms panel... its gonna happen soon... soon... oh so very soon.

Dirk spends almost all of his time onboard Ghost with only his holographic wolf, Minion, as company but this suits Dirk... he never had any friends at court except the Princess and once she started dating "that asshole" he didnt want to be in one place for too long so He, Ghost and Minion set off exploring the galaxy together earning most of his earnings through tourism runs to far off worlds.