The Council represents all 22 species in the Kingdom and all have picked their best, most well connected “person”. (The jury’s out on whether the orcs count as people). This has always been the case and they see no reason to change but Roxannadrell would like at least one or two more lowly folk serving on the Council. She knows she has no chance of getting that kind of concession from the elves. Though this doesn’t stop the monarch voicing her disappointment every so often.
Not that the likes of L’Evallier take any notice of this. They feel it is for each species to decide who to send to the Palace and don’t like the Queen trying to interfere here. Eileen has sympathy with the Queen’s aim, one of their few areas of agreement, but the Council doesn’t want the godmother interfering either as they’ve made clear. Each Council member keeps a detailed diary of what they do at each Council meeting and circulate it to their own kind. Naturally there are often 22 different versions of the same Council discussions!
The Council has one representative from the 22 different species. L’Evallier is Council Leader and is the poshest elf imaginable though he is honest, honourable and courageous. The Queen knows she needs him and his blunt advice even when he’s being a pain in the neck, possibly especially then. Eileen respects him and not many get that compliment.
Major Council characters featured in the novels are Rodish, then Balkish (Chief Dwarf), Thunderrock (troll), Haldra (orc), Nimble (goblin) and Brankaresh, later Abstar (Chief Wizard). The Chief Wizard is the most powerful non-royal magical being on the Kingdom which was why Brankaresh’s treachery was such a serious matter for the Queen and why Eileen felt she had to kill the wretch the traditional way - remove head, arms and legs at one go with a very powerful charm to ensure no chance of self defence. Fortunately this method of execution is not used often.
Abstar is very keen not to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps! He likes the Queen, he likes being at the Palace, he likes his job and above all he likes living! The definition of a level headed being, who are at a premium in any magical world!
Not that the likes of L’Evallier take any notice of this. They feel it is for each species to decide who to send to the Palace and don’t like the Queen trying to interfere here. Eileen has sympathy with the Queen’s aim, one of their few areas of agreement, but the Council doesn’t want the godmother interfering either as they’ve made clear. Each Council member keeps a detailed diary of what they do at each Council meeting and circulate it to their own kind. Naturally there are often 22 different versions of the same Council discussions!
The Council has one representative from the 22 different species. L’Evallier is Council Leader and is the poshest elf imaginable though he is honest, honourable and courageous. The Queen knows she needs him and his blunt advice even when he’s being a pain in the neck, possibly especially then. Eileen respects him and not many get that compliment.
Major Council characters featured in the novels are Rodish, then Balkish (Chief Dwarf), Thunderrock (troll), Haldra (orc), Nimble (goblin) and Brankaresh, later Abstar (Chief Wizard). The Chief Wizard is the most powerful non-royal magical being on the Kingdom which was why Brankaresh’s treachery was such a serious matter for the Queen and why Eileen felt she had to kill the wretch the traditional way - remove head, arms and legs at one go with a very powerful charm to ensure no chance of self defence. Fortunately this method of execution is not used often.
Abstar is very keen not to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps! He likes the Queen, he likes being at the Palace, he likes his job and above all he likes living! The definition of a level headed being, who are at a premium in any magical world!
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