Brynaen Shander
Mayor of the city of Haes Brynaen is another of those rare common folk who have risen to high station in Tuornen. Unlike Willam Redstaff , however, she is no provincial fool and runs the city efficiently. Except for a sharp dislike for things Alamien, she is well known for her objectivity and fairness. Her estranged husband and children live in Lofton ; she lives with only a small staff in her Haes manor.
The mayor of Haes is one of the most fervent enemies of Alamie and Lofton, though her wisdom and sense of fairness prevail over her hatred for her former homeland. With her husband, Trenton, and infant children, Brynaen came to Haes nearly 30 years ago. Brynaen and Trenton wished to leave what they saw as a decadent city caught in the grip of a bitter and unpleasant ruler.
Unfortunately, while Brynaen quickly found engaging work as a scribe and clerk for the city, Trenton spent his days toiling in one laborious job after another. Sweeping streets, assisting carpenters, or carrying coals, Trenton always let his gaze stray across the river to Lofton. He missed the family and friends he had left behind, and gradually his disdain for Lofton turned to longing. One day, Trenton gathered his children and slipped back across the river without a word.
Brynaen refused to return to Lofton, though she pined for her husband and children. Her grief and sense of betrayal turned to redoubled hatred for Carilon and all things Alamien. Only work soothed her sorrow. She quickly advanced as far as a com- mon woman could, becoming chief secretary and adviser to Morrin Haesrien, the mayor.
When Haesrien died, the political quarrels over his successor were greater than anyone expected. None of the Haesrien line was especially adept at administration, nor particularly trusted by Duke Gilgaed. After the houses contending for the position exhausted themselves with courtly manipulations, Gilgaed surprised them all by placing Morrin's assistant in his place.
Within a year, Brynaen proved Gilgaed's deci- sion wise. The city not only recovered from rav- ages remaining since the War of Brothers, it thrived such that Haes now eclipses Lofton as a center of commerce.
Brynaen watches over her city with the protective gaze of a loving mother. But people who spend much time with her sometimes see those same careful eyes soften and turn toward the city across the river
Unfortunately, while Brynaen quickly found engaging work as a scribe and clerk for the city, Trenton spent his days toiling in one laborious job after another. Sweeping streets, assisting carpenters, or carrying coals, Trenton always let his gaze stray across the river to Lofton. He missed the family and friends he had left behind, and gradually his disdain for Lofton turned to longing. One day, Trenton gathered his children and slipped back across the river without a word.
Brynaen refused to return to Lofton, though she pined for her husband and children. Her grief and sense of betrayal turned to redoubled hatred for Carilon and all things Alamien. Only work soothed her sorrow. She quickly advanced as far as a com- mon woman could, becoming chief secretary and adviser to Morrin Haesrien, the mayor.
When Haesrien died, the political quarrels over his successor were greater than anyone expected. None of the Haesrien line was especially adept at administration, nor particularly trusted by Duke Gilgaed. After the houses contending for the position exhausted themselves with courtly manipulations, Gilgaed surprised them all by placing Morrin's assistant in his place.
Within a year, Brynaen proved Gilgaed's deci- sion wise. The city not only recovered from rav- ages remaining since the War of Brothers, it thrived such that Haes now eclipses Lofton as a center of commerce.
Brynaen watches over her city with the protective gaze of a loving mother. But people who spend much time with her sometimes see those same careful eyes soften and turn toward the city across the river
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