AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Family: Wife = Coralena †. Son = Ian †.
LEOPOLD’S JOURNEY TO DATE:
Leopold, being reborn with the sole purpose of guarding Poppy on her path of bringing about great change, was one of the rare few who figured out who he was meant to protect and guide and took it upon himself to search out who he knew would eventually become Poppy’s guardian—Cora. The two fell in love and ended up having a son. For all intents and purposes, they had a good life, despite knowing the truth about the Ascended and Poppy’s fate.
When the Dark One came to claim Poppy, both Leo and Cora fought. Alastir, having betrayed them both, was also present at the Lockswood Inn that fateful night.
Most believed both Cora and Leo died that night. It’s later revealed that Cora didn’t and was instead killed by Isbeth. Leo’s fate, however, still remains unknown.
I surmise that he was killed and returned to Mount Lotho and the Arae to await his next life and mission.
IAN BALFOUR †
Click here to see a full-size image of Ian by art.bymikki.
Ian was the catalyst for so much of Poppy’s motivation after Casteel—as Hawke—whisked her away. And while his story came to a tragic end, and despite circumstances, he was a good brother.
Hair: Reddish brown.
Eyes: Hazel—shifting from brown to green. Turned black after Ascension.
Body type: Long and lean.
Facial features: Handsome. Oval face. Smooth jaw. Full lips.
Personality: Gentle. Imaginative. Playful. Kind. Patient. Doting. A bit of a flirt.
Habits/Mannerisms/Strengths/Weaknesses: Voice was as soft as air. Loved to tell stories. A dreamer. Knew the horrors of what lay outside the Rise walls. Called Penellaphe, “Poppy.” Wrote his sister monthly letters. Liked coffee. Had nightmares of the Craven attack. Before Ascension, could be found outside on sunny days, scribbling in one of his journals and writing stories. Was a great actor. Liked dancing.
Other: Was older than Poppy by two years. Born in December but didn’t know the date and didn’t really celebrate.
Background: Looked forward to Ascension. Married Lady Claudeya shortly after Ascending, though he never talked about her. Ascended when Poppy was sixteen as a favor. Was the last to Ascend.
Family: Mother = Coralena †. Father = Leopold †. Adoptive sister = Penellaphe.
IAN’S JOURNEY TO DATE:
Ian is an interesting case. He seemed to retain some of his goodness even after his Ascension. Too bad Isbeth had to cut his life short. I wish Poppy could have had more time to see how much was left so she could add that to her memories of playing with him under the willow, making snowballs, and learning how to pick locks.
The night the Craven attacked Lockswood because of the Dark One—i.e., Malik—a woman at the inn pulled Ian into a room to save him.
It’s said he always looked forward to his Ascension. I’m sure that changed once he learned the truth…
Three years before Poppy’s planned Ascension, one year before Ian Ascended, he beat Lord Mazeen in poker, and the Lord accused him of cheating. That didn’t go over well at all and caused some tension.
I’ve wondered if that’s why he ended up separated from Poppy—outside of her being the Maiden and him being slated for Ascension.
Ian Ascended when Poppy was sixteen, even though he wasn’t a second son—the ones the vamprys usually made into new Ascended. It was said it was done as a favor to Poppy, and that Ileana petitioned the gods to let it be so.
I don’t believe any of that.
However, it’s worth noting that Ian was the last to be Ascended.
He married Lady Claudeya shortly after Ascending, but I think it was more of a political move somehow. He never spoke of her. Maybe he never really married her at all, and it was just a lie. Who knows?
He next appears in my visions right around the time things were getting real with Poppy and her allies.
Vonetta confirms that Ian has Ascended, and then he leads a convoy of about two hundred Royal Knights and soldiers to Spessa’s End to request an audience with Cas and Poppy. He says he will only speak to his sister and claims he’s come to prevent another war.
