Goliad grew up as one son of many. His father Menkir was a deputy of some esteem and so he held some social power among the people of the Sandsea - enough to buy girls for his sons to marry, with the hope of strengthening the family. It was arranged that Goliad would marry the newly bought Beza, although both were against the union; and when Beza boldly hatched a plan to escape Goliad went along with it until their parting.