Atharielle (Ree to her brother) is the only sister and living immediate family member of the king of Nalycia (think Scottish essence). Her dream is to see the people of her country respected and cared for by their ruler. Ree likes nothing better than long walks on the heath or reading a book by the fireside. She hates conflict, but is not afraid to face it when it comes, or even cause it when necessary.

After her brother left for battleschool, Ree's life was very lonely. She spent much of her time by herself, avoiding her domineering uncle, who is the real power behind the throne. She did everything she could to help the people, who are oppressed by her uncle.

Ree is very hurt by her brother's seeming impotence and callousness (see Alaen's interview). She sees the world in black-and-white, and wants to see him put things right. She is angry when he does not, practically driving him away with her quick temper. Before this, their relationship was extremely close. She was devoted to her father when he was alive, but she all but hates her uncle.

Character:
- Conservative in social matters, religion, and morals
- Prefers the familiar to the unfamiliar
- Nostalgic
- Oblivious to the need to try new things or do things differently
- Opposed to change
- Resistant to new styles, fashions, trends
- Strong family ties
- Dependable, consistent
- Can avoid strange situations, depending on mood
- Jealous
- Sometimes, sulky and resentful, but usually hides it
- Typically shows passivity, but incapable of remaining that way in a bad situation, so a bad mood/anger erupts
- Willing to try hard
- Feels chronically misunderstood
- Nags
- Short-lived bursts of temper
Strengths:
- Protective of those she loves
- Often hangs on, no matter what is done to her
- Not hesitant to speak up when she thinks a wrong is being committed
- Dependable
- Strong ideas of justice and right
Weaknesses:
- Can find it easy to feel slighted
- Sees the world as black and white
- Can let her temper get the better of her
- Introverted

See also: essence map, picture

Please direct your questions to Ree herself, so I can develop her voice.

Who do you confide in?

Do you know it was your temper that drove your brother away? Do you regret it?

*eyes grow sad* I used to tell everything to my brother, but now... I don't have anyone any more.



*tenses* He was already changed when he came back from battleschool. It wasn't my fault. I'm so ashamed of him. Father always wanted him to be a strong king, to take over... He's betraying everything Father wanted for him, for the sake of clothes and parties. He doesn't care what Uncle is doing... There's nothing to regret; I meant every word I said.

Me: She doesn't realize (at this point) that her brother still cares, or that he's playing a part instead of being himself. Later on, she does come to deeply regret what she did.

Does anything frighten you? Are you willing to restore a relationship with your brother? If your uncle were not ruling, what would you do?

Can anyone honestly say they're not frightened by anything? I'm afraid of my uncle the most. And change...



If he changes back into the older brother I adored as a child. I don't mind the hurt so much, it's his disregard for others and our people.



I'd give the people back their land and farms. Maybe pay for them to get back on their feet again...

Who has had the greatest impact on your life- the way you think and what you value?

Do you see yourself getting married someday? What qualities are you attracted to in a man?

How much can you do to help the people hurt by your uncle? Do people appreciate what you do, do they ever know?

How much do you miss your father?

What do you believe is the duty of a ruler?

How did you spend most of your time while Alaen was away?

Did you write letters and get letters from him? Were they nice, if you did?

Probably my father. He wasn't the strongest or most powerful of kings, but he believed in doing as much as he could for the good of others, even in a seemingly hopeless situation. He always emphasized that we must never use people for our own purposes...



I'd like to. I don't really know anyone right now, though. I'm attracted to strength, of both body and will, to caring for others, to a sense of humour.

I certainly cannot do as much as I wish I could. I have no money of my own, so Uncle knows everything I spend. If I gave it to people who needed it, or the like, he'd get it back from them, hurting them worse in the process. When I can, I'll give food to people that need it. After Uncle took away some of the most fertile land in the country to make into his private garden, many of our people were starving. Father and I refused to eat more than they had; at least until he took sick. Those who know appreciate it, but few know. I wish I could do more...



*stares at you, her eyes empty* That's like asking a man in the desert how much he misses water.



To reward good, punish evil, and rule for the good of his people, not himself.



I still had my lessons with our tutor, and Father and I would spend hours together, reading, or talking, or just being together. But life was so empty and dreary without Alaen. Father used to say he was a speck of life in a castle filled with the dead. I used to take my horse and ride on the heaths sometimes, but after the Folly was created, it hurt too much to see the people's suffering.



Oh yes. We wrote often. Well, I wrote often. He could only write once a month. I sent my letters to the Athulian court, and they were forwarded to him from there. He couldn't ever tell us very much about what he was doing, since we suspect Uncle reads every letter that comes in, but they were full of lovely generalized anecdotes and nice, sweet things.