Sansa's parents died in the line of duty--her father was a soldier/diplomat, who was killed by a bomb, which crippled her younger brother. Her mother, who was a schoolteacher, was killed by a mugger, whereas her two older brothers died in the line of duty--they were soldiers. Her foster-brother tried to act as a guardian for her siblings and herself--when he made inappropriate advances to her, she complained to the authorities, who had him locked up. However, this meant that the children were at the mercy of the state system, since their uncles, who were career soldiers, had gone MIA. The boys found foster homes, where they were well looked after; her younger sister kept running away and joining gangs. Sansa herself was taken in by a dysfunctional aunt and her rather pervy husband--she left as soon as she was of age and began working to support herself. She discovered her knack for telling stories and has since been able to build a home for her siblings and herself with this talent.