Grevil was the eldest son of Dordal, the domain-master of the domain north of Reatur's. When Ternat captured Dordal in a punishment attack for Dordal's raid on Reatur's massi herds, Grevil assumed the position of acting domain-master. Reatur sent him a demand for ransom for Dordal's safe return. Grevil refused to pay it, preferring to continue to act as domain-master, much to his father's fury. Reatur considered releasing Dordal, anyway, with the intention of precipitating a civil war between father and son.