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?
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