Character Overview Part Three - Gavain Whiterose

This is the third part of a continuing series of articles featuring characters from The Saga of Thorns. To see the previous articles featuring Laeryk Thorn or Krayna Shaddarsson, click on their names.

Gavain Whiterose

Nation of Birth: Valdaran
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Sky-blue
Hair Color: Blonde
House: Whiterose
Religion: The Church of Alluman
Gift: None
Physical Characteristics: Like most Valdarans, Gavain is tall, standing at about 6'-4" in height. He has a stocky build, well-muscled from a lifetime of rigorous training. Not yet allowed to grow a full beard, Gavain has grown a long mustache, the tips of which reach past his chin. While Gavain is quite proud of his mustache, many people seem to think that it looks ridiculous.
Personality Traits: Gavain is an upfront and honest person. A deep reverence for Alluman guides his life, to the point that any pagan worship upsets and disturbs him to the core, regardless of his feelings of friendship for a person. Despite this, Gavain stands with any he calls friend and overcomes any differences, even religious ones (though he will continue to be bothered by them). Like many in House Whiterose, Gavain was raised with the idea that he outdo the previous generation, and finding ways to distinguish himself from other Wyvern Knights is an important part of his life and behavior. Gavain feels deep regret for his absence from his mother's side during her mental illness, but fears that he might have inherited whatever traits caused his mother to snap, and stays away lest exposure to her unhinge his own mind.
Personality Quirks: Gavain has placed himself firmly in Laeryk's shadow; he naturally allows Laeryk to take the lead, despite the difference in rank between the two. This is not a sign of lack of confidence on Gavain's part, but an acknowledgment of what Gavain feels are Laeryk's greater natural strengths. Gavain tolerates Laeryk's ridicule and barbs, never believing that they are intentionally malicious. Gavain frequently prays to Alluman for guidance and strength.

House Whiterose has a history as old as Valdaran itself, filled with heroes and villains who shaped Valdaran and its society. Descended from the original Allkings of Valdaran, House Whiterose is one of the "Cousin" Houses - noble families whose blood can be traced directly back to the same lineage as the Wyverncrowns, though the relation is so distant in the past that they can scarcely be considered related at all now. The term is mainly symbolic, but the Cousin Houses are afforded great privlage in Valdaran, and members of the Cousin Houses often find themselves in positions of influence within the Allking's court. Not content to rest on the laurels of its lineage, House Whiterose has also focused on creating Wyvern Knights, producing more knights than any other House in Valdaran. To outsiders, House Whiterose treats its children as conscripts, and there is some truth to this; all of the scions of House Whiterose are expected to prepare themselves for service as either a squire to a Wyvern Knight, a member of the military, or some other position. They rise early, perform their chores and lessons with precision, and failure is not tolerated. To the world at large, this is the only attitude the House fosters. Behind closed doors the Whiterose children find a warmer atmosphere, harsh yet nurturing. The children are raised to compete with one another, to find new ways to excel and show their prestige. As a result of its position and influence, House Whiterose has had the honor of maintaining and running the wyvern aeries for generations, creating a powerful bond between the Valdaran wyverns and the family members of House Whiterose.

Gavain Whiterose was raised just as every other Whiterose before him; he rose early, performed his duties, took his lessons, and worked to impress the elders of his family - no mean feat, considering the large number of cousins and other relatives he needed to compete with. Gavain's father, Vikar Whiterose was cooler toward his son than most of the other Whiterose family members, and Gavain soon learned that impressing his father was next to impossible. Gavain found a warmer reception from his uncle, and grew close to his uncle and to his cousin, Enonna, who quickly became one of Gavain's fastest friends.

Gavain was squired to Penevyr Silverheart, second in command to Steel Wing. This was a prestigious position, though Gavain had heard rumors that his father had attempted to convince the Wing Lord of Steel Wing, Garon Wyvernclaw, to squire Gavain instead. Though Vikar considered Penevyr to be a second-place mentor for his son, Gavain was honored by Penevyr's interest in him, and warmed to the praise Penevyr offered. During his training with Penevyr, Gavain developed a rivalry with two other squires, Arngrim Icehart and Laeryk Thorn. Poisoned by his father's hatred of the Thorns - who had once been members of House Whiterose before they had attempted a coup against the Allking - Gavain focused his efforts toward beating the naturally-talented Laeryk, hoping to finally impress his father.

Gavain's life changed after his mother went insane and attacked his father, critically injuring Vikar Whiterose. Though Vikar survived the attack, his injuries forced him to retire as an active Wyvern Knight. Gavain was traumatized by his mother's condition, unable to understand what could have unhinged her. He attempted to visit his mother on several occasions, but feared that he might somehow catch whatever madness afflicted his mother. Vikar Whiterose grew obsessed with the power he had lost, and worked tirelessly to regain his former influence, becoming as adept a politician as he had once been a warrior. Vikar's expectations for Gavain rose at the same time - if he could no longer show his prowess as a knight himself, Vikar's son would need to show it for both of them. The mounting pressure and guilt over his inability to visit his mother wore heavily on Gavain.

During an archery tournament between the three rival squires, Gavain watched Laeryk intentionally miss the winning shot, allowing Gavin to win in his place. Surprised at this compassion at a time when he sorely needed it, Gavain demanded to know what Laeryk's motives were. He was further shocked to see the punishment Laeryk's uncle inflicted on Laeryk for losing. When Laeryk explained that when his uncle had been forced to take Laeryk as a squire, it had cost his uncle the chance to petition for Gavain as a squire - and denied the greedy Belok Frostwind the generous stipend House Whiterose would have paid him. Discovering that Belok mistreated and abused Laeryk because of the imagined slight revised Gavain's opinion of the squire. When Laeryk later asked Gavain to be his sparring partner for private sword lessons, and offered them as an opportunity for Gavain to distinguish himself to his family, Gavain couldn't resist. The resulting sparring sessions engendered a deep friendship between Gavain and Laeryk that formed into an unbreakable bond, despite Vikar Whiterose's obvious displeasure at the friendship.

Gavain's Proving was to travel into the Wastes and investigate reports that the inhuman hrimthaar had found the pass leading into the Wyvernpeak mountains. Accompanied by a scout who trained Gavain on survival techniques in the harsh wasteland, Gavain learned that the hrimthaar had massed a horde of the creatures near to the pass. Barely escaping the Wastes with his life, Gavain coordinated an effort of the Valdaran border guard and Steel Wing against the hrimthaar horde, personally leading the border guard's forces. During the battle, Gavain fought the leader of the hrimthaar horde, and upon slaying the monster broke the horde's moral, saving Valdaran from a costly invasion. Gavain was presented to the wyverns, Chosen, and made a Wyvern Knight before the Allking's court. Since his knighting, Gavain has worked to help Laeryk earn a Proving of his own, but has been frustrated in his efforts. But a mission to the city-state of Hadar, led by Wing Lord Garon himself, might provide Gavain a new opportunity to help his friend...

Laeryk's Proving - Chapter Forty-Six

Gavain had faced hrimthaar hunters, naelfarn, armed bandits, and more during his short tenure as a Wyvern Knight. He considered himself to be brave, bold, and pious. Despite all of that, Gavain was seriously considering turning around and fleeing as soon as the church came into view.

The church grounds were well kept and quiet. Serene. He stopped by a bench and stared at the building ahead, fighting back the dread that threatened to overcome him. It wasn't the building — that was just a place, and not even a dangerous one. He'd gone into the Waystation at Kaerodan knowing that there was trouble inside. There had been no doubt in Gavain's mind that he'd face the naelfarn inside the Waystation, and he'd gone in anyway. There was no danger here, no chance of battle whatsoever.

So why was he so nervous?

It wasn't the church itself, but rather the large stone tower which  lay behind it, on ground surrounded by a thick wall built to withstand a siege. Yet the wall wasn't meant to keep anything out — it was meant to keep people in.

People like Gavain's mother, Hellara Whiterose.

Unwanted memories flooded Gavain's mind. He'd been eleven when his mother had suddenly changed. All his life she had been a loving woman, devoted to both Vikar and Gavain. In public, she had never argued with Vikar, but in private Gavain's parents had often argued over the way Gavain was being raised. It wasn't uncommon in House Whiterose. Many of the relatives who had married in had problems with the House's militant rearing of its children. Conflicts between parents who wanted to nurture their children and Whiterose parents who wanted to forge the next generation of Wyvern Knights were common, but always resolved in private. Despite their arguments, Gavain had never worried that his parents might separate. His mother even seemed to finally appreciate the harsh conditions he'd been raised in after Gavain had been squired to Sir Penevyr.

It had been a complete shock when her entire demeanor had changed, seemingly overnight, and she had tried to murder Gavain's father.

Gavain had been away at Silverheart Manor, staying with Penevyr when the news had arrived. He'd rushed to his father's side, where the best physicians in Valdaran had been tending to Vikar's wound — a nasty cut from a piece of shattered glass, running from his left hip to the right armpit. They hadn't been sure if Vikar would survive. Gavain had stayed the night with his father, so worried that he hadn't even thought to ask what had happened to his mother. Vikar had survived, but the injury had eventually forced him to retire from the Wyvern Knights.

It wasn't until the next day when Enonna and her father had come to check on Gavain that he'd learned his mother had been imprisoned within the Alluman's Eye. The massive tower housed most of the mentally infirm in Valdaran, kept under the merciful gaze of Alluman, where nuns and priests tended to them and prayed for the return of their sanity.

Gavain had tried to visit his mother during the years since — tried, and often failed. It was hard to see those wild eyes, and hear those paranoid whispers coming from his mother. He hadn't stayed long the few times he'd managed to go inside. His father hadn't gone to visit his wife in years — though Gavain supposed he could understand why. As hard as it was for Gavain to see his mother in her disturbed state, how much worse must it be for Vikar to look upon Hellara, and know that his own wife almost succeeded in murdering him?

Gavain had used his mother against his father the other day in Wing Lord Garon's office. He'd felt guilty ever since. Guilty for making such an underhanded attack, and guilty for exploiting his mother's condition that way. Guilty because Gavain was as neglectful as his father for not visiting her. How could he accuse his father of neglecting Hellara, when Gavain himself could barely step foot inside the Alluman's Eye to see her?

He'd be leaving soon to accompany Laeryk on his ordeal. Trying the ascend the Skar! Everyone in Wyvernholme grew up hearing stories of the foolhardy explorers who had attempted the ascent in the past. All had failed. All had died. Gavain had faith in Laeryk, but faced with such a grim record it seemed impossible that they would somehow be the ones to break it. If he was about to leave on a mission that seemed like almost certain suicide, Gavain wanted to have a clear conscience. No regrets.

He only had to make himself go inside.

Break this up into small, manageable parts, he thought. First, go inside the church. That shouldn't have been hard. Gavain was a devout man, and attended services whenever his duty permitted. And while the church grounds did hold Alluman's Eye, the church was still just a church, no different from the chapel at Whiterose Manor.

A leaf fell from a tree overhead and landed on Gavain's shoulder. He brushed it off absentmindedly, then stared at his shirt for a moment. He'd gone so long wearing his armor on this last mission that it seemed strange to be just wearing clothes. He'd be in the armor again soon enough, and he hadn't wanted to wear anything that might make his mother think he was a threat — even if having some added protection wasn't a bad idea when going to visit a woman known for attacking with improvised weaponry.

He took one step, then another. A third. A deep breath in, slowly out, then repeat. His steps were heavy, and he moved sluggishly, as if fighting to wade through a deep pool of mud. Each step came with countless reasons why he should turn around and leave. None of them overcame his guilt, which prodded him forward like an insistent slave master, cracking the whip at Gavain's backside. He crossed the church's threshold with a sigh of relief.

A small reception area lay beyond. A table lay near to the door, a poor box set on top of it to encourage visitors to donate. Gavain dropped a silver talon into the box's slot with barely a second thought. Beyond the reception area was the church chapel, empty today with no services going on. A side door lead to the inner grounds where Alluman's Eye waited.

Second step: go onto the church grounds.

The air was molasses, hard to walk through, thick to breathe. Being so near to the chapel should have reminded Gavain of Alluman's grace and mercy, and the strength He offered to the faithful. It didn't. All Gavain could think of was Alluman's wrath and judgment. Neither were helpful motivators.

The door opened, and a priest roughly the same age as Torren entered reception area. He was dressed in the traditional dark blue robes of Alluman's most faithful Voices, with a golden silk stole draped around his neck ending in pure white tassels. The priest's face was creased with lines despite his middling age, and his short blonde hair was being overtaken with streaks of silver. His eyes defied his age, still a sparkling blue hinting that Speaker Artan had not always been a devout clergyman.

"Gavain," Speaker Artan said with a thin smile. "Alluman bless you and your tasks this day."

"Thank you, Speaker." Gavain knelt on one knee and allowed Artan to bless him, touching forehead, both shoulders, then his breast.

"It is rare that you grace our halls, my lord," Artan said as he stepped back to give Gavain room to rise. 

"Though I suppose it is understandable. It cannot be easy."

"No," murmured Gavain.

"I had considered trying to become a squire once. It was the foolish dream of a young boy. My constitution was never strong. The physical rigors of even earning the right to become a squire were beyond me. In the end, I find my service to Alluman provides as much reward as I could ever need and does not leave me burdened by the many responsibilities which must weigh upon you."

Gavain wasn't certain what to say. Should he tell the Speaker that it wasn't his duties as a knight which kept him from visiting his mother more often? Artan had always been friendly enough during Gavain's visits, but he didn't know the Speaker well enough to want to discuss anything so personal as his reluctance to visit with his mother, or the pain he felt at seeing her while she was in her current state. On the other hand, he didn't feel comfortable just letting the comment go by; it might not have been a lie, but it felt close.

"How is she?" he asked finally, cursing his own weakness.

"She was quite well this morning. Calm. Very rational. We even said prayers together. She hasn't allowed me to do that... ever. She still wouldn't allow me to give her Alluman's blessing, however. The close contact is probably still too much for her. Still, it is progress. Perhaps Alluman's mercy is finally gracing her."

"I would like that," Gavain said, carefully keeping himself from hoping too much. He'd spent enough time hoping to hear of a change for the better, always to have his hopes crushed.

"You'll be seeing her today then? I've heard you're leaving again soon — a Proving for your friend, yes? 

There's been quite a bit of talk about that, even among the common folk."

"Yes. I thought I should, before —" Gavain couldn't bring himself to say it.

Artan's eyes softened, and the Speaker patted Gavain on the shoulder. "Every mountain can be climbed. Some of them are just waiting for the right person."

"If anyone can do it, Laeryk can," Gavain said, surprised at how confident his voice was. He genuinely believed that Laeryk was capable of almost anything, but at the same time, Gavain couldn't ignore the enormous risk they were about to undertake. "But if we turn out to not be the right people, I can't leave without..." he trailed off again, unable to finish.

"You've picked a good day. Even if I'm being optimistic about her recovery — and optimism is one of the faults Alluman has graced me with — Hellara is still in a better mood today than I've seen her in years. You need only take the first step, and Alluman will walk beside you." Artan's thin smile dominated his face, and he gently took Gavain's arm and began walking to the door to the outer yard, pulling the young knight along.

It was easier this time, whether from knowing that his mother was in an improved state of mind, or because Artan was right about Alluman walking beside him. Either way, the air no longer had that oppressive thickness to it.

Artan led Gavain into the yard and to the entrance of Alluman's Eye. He gave Gavain another thin smile and blessed him again. "I think it should just be you and Alluman from this point on, lad. Hellara is improved, but I don't know if she could handle more than one visitor approaching her. Alluman smile upon you, my lord."

"And on you," Gavain said automatically. The Speaker offered Gavain a bow before he left, and Gavain was once again alone, staring at the door leading into Alluman's Eye.

Only one step left. Going up to her cell. Technically, the rooms where members of the noble Houses stayed in Alluman's Eye weren't called cells, but they were no less a cell than the ones in the palace dungeon. Gavain took a deep breath and entered Alluman's Eye.

The tower's thick walls did an admirable job holding in the noise which always filled Alluman's Eye. Gavain was greeted by the howls of the mad. Monks, nuns, and other priests moved about quickly, tending to the needs of their raving charges. Many of them were locked within their cells, but a few of the more lucid ones were allowed to roam. Gavain kept his distance from all of them. As always, he worried that he might somehow catch their madness. Artan had assured Gavain that it was impossible — madness was not a disease such as a cold, it could not be contracted from mere contact — but Gavain had never found the Speaker's assurances convincing. His mother had gone mad. Who knew what weakness her blood carried as it ran through Gavain's veins?

Hellara Whiterose's cell was near the top of the Eye, requiring Gavain to climb the long staircase that spiraled along the inside of the tower wall. The shrieks grew louder the higher he rose — a frightening thought, considering that the cells were supposed to be better soundproofed the higher you rose in the Eye. Hellara's cell was one of the only ones on her level. Though spacious for the Eye, Gavain had always felt it to be a cramped space threatening to crush anyone occupying it. Her thick door had a small window in the center, and Gavain peeked through to see if Artan's report about his mother was indeed accurate.

His eyes widened with surprise when he saw his father seated on a stool at the foot of his mother's cot. Gavain couldn't see his mother at all, but it looked like Vikar was speaking to her. For a brief moment, Gavain wished the cell wasn't soundproofed, just so he could hear what his father was saying. Had his words actually shamed Vikar into visiting his wife? Did their conversation hold some revelation as to why Hellara had attacked Vikar in the first place? Gavain still had no idea what had prompted the assault.

Alluman, what am I thinking! My father comes to visit my mother for the first time in years, and I want to eavesdrop just to satisfy my own selfish curiosity?

Gavain was so busy chastising himself that he almost didn't notice Vikar rise from the stool and approach the door. Gavain jumped backward. If his father knew that he'd been watching... Vikar's fury would be legendary. There was no way he would forgive Gavain for such a transgression. Despite his speed, there wasn't enough time to get away from the door completely. The best Gavain could hope for was that his father would think that Gavain had just arrived, and had been unaware of Vikar's presence.

The door opened, and Vikar stopped in shock, his eyes widening as he stared at Gavain. They both stared at one another, neither saying a word.

"Gavain," Vikar said softly. "I hadn't expected to see you here."

"I needed to visit mother before..." Gavain paused.

"Before you leave on a fool's journey to reach the summit of the Skar?" Vikar asked. He shook his head. "I don't know whether to despair that you continue to follow on the heals of that Thorn, or admire the tenacity you show in your loyalty to him."

"When we return with Wing Lord Garon cured, Laeryk will be a Wyvern Knight, and the former squire of a member of the royal family," Gavain said. "He will have ample allies to help him restore House Thorn to its former status, and may even earn House Thorn the status of a Cousin House. It might be wise to let go of your resentment toward the Thorns."

"Perhaps it will. If you survive this ordeal, you will certainly have proved me wrong about you." Gavain's father frowned for a moment. "Or perhaps being connected to Prince Ragnar will no longer be the benefit you seem to think it is. Only time will tell."

"What do you mean?" Gavain demanded.

"I need to leave. You should let your mother rest." Vikar's voice had a tone of finality to it, as he ignored Gavain's question.

"I won't wake her," Gavain said, frustrated.

Vikar shrugged as if it didn't matter, and pushed his way past Gavain. Gavain watched his father descend the stairs before turning to the still-open door to his mother's cell. He thought he saw a flicker of movement inside.

"Mother?" he asked quietly, approaching the doorway carefully. He didn't want to startle her if she was starting to wake up. Looking inside the cell, he saw that his mother was unconscious on her cot. There was no one else inside, nothing to account for the movement he had thought he'd seen.

Just my imagination, he thought. Gavain knelt beside the cot and carefully took one of his mother's hands in both of his. Hellara did look better than she had the last time he'd seen her. She'd combed her hair, or allowed someone else to do it. That was progress, at least.

"I'm leaving soon, mother," he whispered so as to not disturb her. "Maybe as soon as tomorrow. Laeryk has his Proving. We'll attempt to climb the Skar, find this Arakon, and make him give Wing Lord Garon his cure. I wanted to see you before I left in case..." he didn't finish. His mother had grown up in Wyvernholme. She knew the stories about the attempts to climb the Skar as well as Gavain.

He knelt beside her for a few minutes longer, praying that Alluman help her find her way back to health, and that he would be able to see her again. When Gavain finished, he rose and turned to leave.

Hellara sat upright suddenly, hissing, grabbing Gavain's arm. She pulled her son around to face her. Gavain stared at his mother in shock. She hadn't been like this in years!

"I know what your father did, Gavain — I know what he is doing! All of them! That's why I tried to stop him — that's why I'm in here! You can't trust the Houses, Gavain! A nest of vipers hiding in a thorny briar! Alluman has shown me! His light has illuminated the darkness the Ebon Wing hides in!" Spittle flecked her lips as she raged.

"Mother!" Gavain yelled, trying to pull his arm free from her grasp, but she was too strong. "Mother, stop this! You need to calm down!"

"I hear their whispers. They think I don't, but I do! I do! I know their plans to unleash war, to set things aflame, to bring famine and pestilence — death! They must be stopped! They must!"

"Mother!" he yelled again, still trying to pull himself free. "Alluman, bring her peace!" he prayed as fervently as he could.

She let him go suddenly, and stared at Gavain with sad eyes. "He cannot help us Gavain," she wept, curling into a ball. "Even Alluman fears what is to come."

"Alluman forgive me," Gavain whispered as he fled the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Gavain, what's going on?" Artan demanded as he came up the stairs. "The others said your mother started screaming! What happened?"

"She isn't better, Speaker," Gavain said, fighting back tears. "I hope you can help her — I, I can't."

Gavain fled Alluman's Eye before Artan could say anything else. He needed something — anything! — to clear his head.

No matter how fast he fled though, his mother's words echoed in his mind.

"I know what your father did. I know what he's doing."

What in the Hells was his father mixed up in?