Day Twenty Four - Other Characters

Today has been a rainy Friday, and coupled with the fact that my husband is off work today, makes for a very unmotivational day. I really don't feel like writing, but maybe I'll manage a few words. I don't much feel like writing the blog either, but hey I said I would do this thing for 30 days, and I'm going to complete it gosh darn it!

So I'm going to do my final post regarding my characters. I have far more characters than I am listing here on the blog, as I am only putting down the major players in Book 1. These characters I will talk about below are the questionable ones: those of dubious loyalty and side changers.

The other Aru's: Osack and Derrel

"You're ashamed of what you've done
Crying 'cause your father's wrong
Trying to be something new
You feel that you have something to prove"
-Flyleaf, "Fire Fire"

Derrel

Derrel is the "spare heir". He suffers from stereotypical "middle child syndrome" - his older brother is the darling of both parents, being both the first child and the heir. His younger sister is also beloved by their mother, by virtue of being female, even though Iris does very little to inspire maternal affection. As such, Derrel has never had the chance to discover his abilities as a natural leader because he’s been in Osack’s shadow. It's always been easier to follow him than to fight him, and he feels the need to prove himself. He has been raised as a younger son aristocrat, leaving him with the possibility of little inheritance and career choices include politics (not his thing), joining the Dictator’s Army, and other “gentlemanly” pursuits. Of course, these future pursuits are put on hold until after the war is over. He manages to fall in love with Robin, even though she's technically a country nobody, and time will see if he will continue in this passion or not.

Osack

As the first child and male heir to his father's estate of Lynden, he has been given everything since birth, and it’s made him arrogant. He is Alpha Male, competitive, and rebellious. He is a rebel without a cause, therefore easy fodder for the Yalu. Because of his aristocratic background and promise of inheriting whatever he wants, he supports the Dictator and his politics. He looks down on everyone not of aristocratic background which does not garner him much friendship or support from the refugee community. This leads him to keeping Derrel with him all the time as his one friend. Osack has never made a secret of his support for the Yalu. He abhors his father's decision to flee their lands rather than turn to the Yalu for help, and it's to this sinister group he turns when his father is taken prisoner.

Lavinia

It's hard to say much about Lavinia here without giving away a bunch of spoilers. We shall suffice to say that she is beautiful and deadly. She is Shank's instrument, posing as a refugee in Mennington and preying on Osack for information and ultimately to convert him to her cause. In some ways she serves as a foil to Robin. Where Robin communicates with Derrel with friendship, openness, and honestly, Lavinia uses Osack with seduction, hidden meanings, and false promises. Her origins remain a mystery for now, and it's left to see if she has any redeeming qualities.

Tym

Most of what we see of him is in his appearances in the town defense classes. He is both the foil for and personal nemesis of Iris. Like Lavinia, he is an undercover operative of the Yalu, searching out information and looking for strong young people to subvert. His roll in Book 1 is relatively small, but he will figure largely later in the series.