Talthien Sura Eddings

Talthien, Graeme, and Moire, by artist Aeden Solus

First Eldritch to bond with Guardkin: Graeme and Moire.

Appearance and Personality

Ran observes that he senses "lively curiosity, a quick mind, and a heart as true and fierce as a running stag’s" when he touches Talthien's hand.

Biography

Son of the (former) senior seal servant of Firilith. Resident of Acorn.

At Reese's first New Year celebration, he offered his service as guard to Reese and her heirs; she pointed out that he would need training. Hirianthial recommended ten years as a minimum duration, but suggested that half of it could be served as an apprenticeship under a mentor. Liolesa agreed that Laisrathera's armsmen (she assumed there would be more than one) could train with her White Swords until such time as they had a core of their own, and it was decided that "after the holiday we'll send you to Ontine for your training, and on your return you can take up your apprenticeship until such time as your mentor decides you're ready for your duties." His Guardkin would accompany him, but it's not clear what their duties would be.

Talthien later befriends Kirthander Nanech Imthereli during that boy's visit to Escutcheon in Lisinthir's train. They meet when chasing away vandals intent on destroying the statue gifted to the Eldritch by the Chatcaavan Empire, and Madoc, the Guardkin Talthien had been helping, bonded to Ran: "We could be allies." The two become correspondents after Ran's departure.

It is during one of these exchanges that Talthien decides to learn Faulfenzair.

Quotes

• "My lady, I am the youngest son of the line of the Seal’s servants, and it is mine to offer. Will you take me into your service, to guard you and your heirs until I fall in that duty?"

• "No, but I’ve been a tenant longer than I’ve been a guard-in-training, so I wouldn’t. I noticed their bearing, mostly. They had good posture, and looked directly at one another and other things. That’s a kind of arrogance that gets bred in early."

• "We at Laisrathera touch, as a sign of trust."

Trivia

• Madoc tells Ran that Talthien told him many Eldritch stories.