Bala Jesselt

Bala Jesselt was a mage of the Old Guard, notorious for her use of innuendo, and relentless scheming for self-advancement.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4 In the distant past, her unbridled ambition led to her elimination from the cadre of mages.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4
Bala was an amply proportioned, midnight-hued Dal Honese witch with a "rich contralto" voice and puffed, lazy brown eyes.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4 She perspired constantly and fanned her face with ceaseless vigor.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4 In conversation, she often gestured with the fan for emphasis.
Her Warren was Serc and she performed her magic with great battings and flutterings of her fan.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 3 Chapter 1, US HC p.561
==In Return of the Crimson Guard==
Bala served with the Talian League as mage cadre leader reporting to Urko Crust. She was motivated by loyalty to former Emperor Kellanved and a dislike for the current High Mage Tayschrenn who had expelled her from the Malazan mage cadre.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 5, US HC p.204 
During the crossing of Urko's forces by sea from Genabackis to Quon Tali, Bala used her magic to obscure their passage. She also contacted a Ruse mage in Unta to help speed their journey.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4, US HC p.180 This mage was likely Mallick Rel, who granted her Mael's assistance and later promoted her to High Mage of the Malazan Empire when the League was defeated.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 3, US HC p.107Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 3 Chapter 4, US HC p.670
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==Notes and references==
Category:Old Guard members
Category:Mages
Category:High Mages
Category:Dal Honese
Category:Females
Category:Talian League
Category:Serc mages