Alex and Caidy get a lot of love on this site - for good reason, as the protagonists. However, Summer Twilight has a diverse cast of characters, all of whom have complex backstories and their own trials and tribulations to overcome. Over the next few months, I'm going to give you a lot of background and secrets about the major characters in my blog! I've also written an article series which will give you a "profile" of each character, so you can learn more that way. The purpose of these blog posts? To share the hints of character history that otherwise will take books and books to all reveal. Keep reading to discover more about Merric Adley, Captain in the Rose Guard and the personal bodyguard to Caidy. Merric was born in Hollyfrost, a bustling city just across the Twin River from Pheant and several days' ride to Iera. To be specific, Merric grew up on a farm just far enough outside Hollyfrost to be the "country". He spent his youth working hard, helping his father with the harvest and performing odd jobs about town to earn a little extra money for his family. The experience made him a rather skilled carpenter, and his easygoing charm always brought in large tips.
However, despite the comfortable simplicity of country life, Merric wanted to see more of Rosemoor. He came of age during the beginning of the Tumult--an extended, bloody period of time in recent history in the wake of the Cleansing when the border region between Rosemoor and Danen became the site of constant, low-level conflict. So, when the Provincial Guard came recruiting, he gladly answered the call. After his training, during which he excelled not due to natural ability but because of hard work, Merric was sent with a squad to patrol the southern border. He spent nearly seven years there, based in the coastal town of Reima. He was steadily promoted through the ranks, but never accepted reassignment; having been sent to the border, he did not want to leave until he completed his mission. During the final (and one of the bloodiest) battles of the Tumult, nearly his entire squadron of men and women was massacred by Danen bandits; only Merric and one other soldier survived. Though he was called back to Iera to receive medals and recognition for bravery and his honorable conduct, Merric did not attend the ceremony, instead opting to personally retrieve each of the men and women he had served with and bring them home to be buried. When peace was negotiated and the border stabilized, Merric returned to the headquarters of the Provincial Guard and worked in training, helping prepare the new recruits. Despite the horrors he had witnessed, Merric never faltered in his duty; instead, he shared his war stories and hard-earned lessons with the recruits, and quickly became a favorite instructor. A few years later, the Rose Guard recruited Merric to join their ranks. The elite force responsible for protecting the Roussel family and Iera Castle, and Merric jumped at the chance to join. He joined the contingent who guarded Lady Julianna, the Lady of Rosemoor, and quickly became a trusted confidant of both Lord and Lady Roussel due to his steady nature, strong sense of honor, and dry humor. After Lady Julianna gave birth to her first and only child, a daughter named Caidelene, Merric was promoted to Captain and given responsibility for her life. He's been by her side ever since, both literally and metaphorically. Merric has witnessed Caidy grow up in a way even her parents have not, experiencing her triumphs and tragedies as she does. He has become her closest friend and confidant--and he would die before he let anything happen to her. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorBridget is the author of Summer Twilight, available for purchase now! Categories
All
Archives
March 2021
|