Elder (Renfayar clan)

The old man addressed as Elder was the last elder of the Renfayar clan, and perhaps the most ancient man still living among the Awl.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 16, US HC p.452 He was a bowlegged man with a savage red scar across his neck, black and glittering red-rimmed eyes, rotting teeth, and a pointed tongue so red it was almost purple.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 12, US HC p.305Reaper's Gale, Chapter 10, US HC p.267-268 His voice was a broken growl.
==In Reaper's Gale==
Upon Redmask's return from exile to lead the Awl against the Letherii, the Elder forced his way into the war leader's counsel. He was fearless of Redmask's K'Chain Che'Malle guardians and often rode at his side offering rebuke or advice. The Elder claimed to be the last living witness to the events surrounding the death of Redmask's sister and he held the information like a dagger over the war leader's heart. He warned Redmask that he would always ride by his shoulder during the war with the Letherii and speak with the voice of the Awl. He wished him great glory, but he would not allow the war leader to betray them. 
The Elder despised Redmask's other advisor, Toc Anaster, who had been betrayed and captured by Redmask's predecessor, Hadralt. He claimed Toc dreamt of running with wolves and advised Redmask to kill the man and be done with him. When Toc was dead, then the shame of Hadralt and the Awl would be erased as if it had never been. 
Before the Battle of Bast Fulmar, the Elder approached Toc and informed him he did not trust him, accusing him of planning to betray the Awl for their mistreatment of him. He refused to believe Toc's stories of being reborn in a new body and suckling at the tit of K'Chain Che'Malle Matron, claiming evil spoke in lies. During the course of their conversation, the Elder revealed his own secrets: that he had seen thousands upon thousands of sea canoes beached on the north shore, that he had witnessed skeletons wandering the plains in the night, that only he knew the story of an ancient victory at Bast Fulmar was a lie, that he witnessed Redmask's sister kill herself, and that he believed Redmask would betray them. Before he left Toc, the Elder made a warding sign and warned that Torrent would kill the Malazan if he broke and ran during the battle.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 12, US HC p.305-306
Sometime after the battle, the Elder was found strangled in his tent. Whoever had killed him had sat on his chest and watched him die. While the camp's crones wailed and cried of ill omens, Redmask came to observe the body, but did not otherwise offer his respect.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 16, US HC p.452 It was later revealed that Redmask had strangled the Elder himself because the man knew too many secrets that could destroy the warleader and his chance of leading the Awl to victory. Afterwards, Redmask was haunted by visions of the Elder's face.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 19, US HC p.582-583
==Notes and references==
Category:Awl
Category:Males