Introducing…
The side characters of ANW! Aka my absolute favorite characters to write. XD
~ Dasilmer ~
A man strode in between the swirling couples, nearly tripping more than one dancer with the sweeping hem of his bright scarlet overcoat. He spared none more than a passing glance, the beady eyes of his ornate mask glittering from wood carved to make him look like he had sprouted the head of an owl.
It all would have created a strangely comical sight, if it weren’t for the gears adorning the side of his mask. They slowly twisted in and out of each other, matching the man’s movements with a precision that none but the master craftsmanship of Lord Dasilmer could create.
Lord Dasilmer. An inventor, member of the Eisyberian Council, and life-long mentor to Cassian.
The only member of the council to know that Cassian is still alive, Dasilmer had aided Cassian’s mother–the queen–in helping Cassian escape the coup. Now he keeps an eye on the council, advising Cassian from a distance as Cassian tries to hide from his old country.
Dasilmer is a dramatic old man who did not get enough screen time for the amount of sarcastic quips that he wanted to say. XD
~ Fritz ~
The soft, breathy notes of a flute filled the hall behind us, and Fritz turned to me, bowing low. “Another dance, m’lady?”
Rising on tiptoe to peer through the archway and over the heads of the quickly regathering dancers, I studied the musicians gathered in the corner, a delicious shiver running down my spine as the haunting strains of a violin joined the flute in an Eisyberian folk tune. “Wouldn’t you rather listen to this one?”
Dancing was quite enjoyable—even fun—but nothing could compare to holding still and letting the sounds of dozens of feet tapping in time to a favorite melody wash over you.
A quick glance at my brother revealed the dangerous glint behind his dark silk mask. “I suppose…”
“You suppose…?” I arched an eyebrow, my own mask shifting against my skin.
“Of course.” Fritz nodded, his face the picture of a calm and passive lord. “But don’t blame me if Lord Ekelhaft sees you aren’t dancing and asks you to join him for the next waltz.”
“Fritz!” I swatted at his arm, a shudder wracking my shoulders at the mere thought of having to dance with that slimy, stuck-up lord.
It was extremely hard to pick a good snippet for Fritz. He has so many gloriously mischievous moments, and yet is such a caring and protective big brother to Marie.
You might say he was one of my favorite characters to write.
Maybe. Just maybe.
Ehem…anyways. Fritz. Older brother to Marie, the youngest lord in Ninaria after the tragic deaths of the Stahlb’rin parents.
A mischievous goof-ball who will stop at nothing to make sure his little sister is happy and safe.
~ Madam Rothenberg ~
The elderly woman shook her head, the candle light flickering across her towering white hair and casting long shadows over her face. “An’ it’s been far too long, laddie. Fiona’s had ny-on six kittens since yu’ve last seen her.”
As if on cue, another kitten peaked out from under her billowing skirts.
Madam Rothenberg. Strangely enough, she was one of the first characters to pop into my head when I started planning ANW.
The old housekeeper for the royal family, a retelling of Mother Ginger, who favors ridiculously massive skirts and always has at least four of her precious kittens hiding under said skirts at all times.
She was a really fun piece of the story to write, from her thick accent to the becoming the piece that fully connected Cassian’s backstory with the plot of ANW.
~ The Eisyberian Council ~
The doors swung open, their rumbling groan shaking the stones under my feet in a slow proclamation of my doom.
Gold gave way to white, the weight of dozens of eyes falling on me as the mouse soldiers marched me forward, their footsteps matching the pounding of my heart.
Thump.
Into the council.
The council gets included on this list, not only because they are a vital part of saving Eisyber from the Mouse King, but because this is where I went wild with very subtle Land of Sweets references. It was so fun to write. XD
Keep an eye out for cameos of…
Coffee.
Peppermint sticks.
Caramel.
Tea.
Lemon drops.
Chocolate.
The flowers from Waltz of the Flowers.
*pants* Okay, I did not realize I had dropped so many cameos into only a few chapters. XD
Lulu’s Library 