THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ASHWYN
King Orlan
King Orlan has ruled Ashwyn for almost two decades, presenting himself as a kind and jovial king with a deep sense of responsibility toward his people.
As High Commander of the Ashwyn Guard, he takes the kingdom’s defense seriously and is widely seen as a benevolent ruler standing between Ashwyn and its more aggressive neighbors.
He is warm in public, confident in command, and accustomed to being obeyed.
Queen Talmyra
Queen Talmyra is beautiful, gracious, and famously hospitable—but those who know her well speak just as often of her intelligence.
Once celebrated as an extraordinary Rose, she is now the king’s most trusted advisor and one of the most influential figures in Ashwyn. Rumors persist in taverns and alehouses that Talmyra is the true ruler of the kingdom and Orlan merely her puppet.
The truth is less theatrical, but no less formidable.
She is shrewd, patient, and unwavering in her commitment to Ashwyn’s future.
Crown Prince Valen
Crown Prince Valen has perfected the art of appearing not to take very much seriously.
He is charming, witty, fond of wine, women, and good company at a gaming table, and entirely too comfortable at the center of a party. The court knows him as an indulgent prince with an easy smile and expensive tastes.
There is, however, a persistent piece of court gossip:
Perhaps the wrong brother was born first.
Prince Garrick
Prince Garrick has never had much patience for ornament when something practical will do.
A soldier by temperament as much as training, he is blunt, capable, fiercely loyal to the king, and happiest when the problem before him can be met head-on. His collection of weapons is extensive, well-used, and considerably less decorative than one might expect of a prince.
Garrick has little interest in looking impressive.
Being useful will do.
Princess Honoria
Princess Honoria is easily overlooked in a family filled with formidable personalities.
Quiet and soft-spoken, she rarely competes for attention and has become quite skilled at disappearing into the background of court life. What few people realize is how much exists beneath that quiet surface.
Honoria writes, dreams, plays the lute, and sings when no one is listening.
She may speak softly.
Her hopes do not.
Prince Roland
Prince Rawland, known as Rawley to his family, has spent most of his life looking toward somewhere else.
At sixteen, he already collects maps, travelers’ tales, rumors of distant continents, and anything else that suggests the world might be larger than Kingsmere. He explores whenever he can, sneaks out when he cannot, and dreams most fiercely of seeing the sea.
Rawland has never yet stood on an ocean shore.
This strikes him as an intolerable situation.
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