Frye

**C****aptain Frye** was the captain of Halfwind Citadel under Lord Ramnor.

## Biography

### Early life

Frye was a childhood friend of Helmer, and both fought in the service of King Jupiter. Frye was present for many victories, including Perkin One-Eye's campaign against the eagles of Dell Beck and the climax of the Red Valley War. He was also an acquaintance of Garten Longtreader, and after his betrayal came to see all members of the Longtreader family as suspect. Frye eventually became the highest ranked officer of Halfwind Citadel, providing much-needed assistance to the scholarly Lord Ramnor.

Frye was also responsible for dismissing Jo Shanks' father from military service after hopeful archer's ambitions were dashed by a crippling accident.

### *The Green Ember*/*The Last Archer*

Some time prior to the Citadel Congress at Cloud Mountain, Captain Frye attended a meeting in Leapers Hall at Halfwind. He and other citadel leadership were in conference during the first rounds of the Archer's Cup, but arrived just before the final three competitors—Nate Flynn, Kent Halmon, and Jo Shanks—were announced. Frye marched onto the field to converse with Clay Fletcher, who had been overseeing the tournament. He then had troops move onto the field and make various changes, such as setting up obstacles and spreading pitch across the grass.

Frye then informed the spectators and remaining competitors that the final round had been redesigned to simulate battle conditions. Furthermore, the winner of the round would receive the accolades of a combat archer. He then watched the final round, showing amusement at an error made by Jo Shanks, who regarded Frye as his least favorite officer. Later, Frye berated Jo for missing his final shot before leaving in company with Lieutenant Drand.

When the Halfwind forces traveled to Cloud Mountain, Frye took charge of half the group and leads them off to make camp. After hearing from Drand that Nate Flynn had brought Jo Shanks along as a temporary member of the Bracers, Frye expressed his disapproval to the newly appointed lieutenant, who later conveyed it to Jo. Frye started a fight with Kyle in the Savory Den prior to the citadel congress by verbally attacking Heather because of her Longtreader heritage. Frye got the upper hand before Gort broke up the fight, at which point Frye left in a huff.

Returning to his bucks, Frye oversaw a training exercise on the Cloud Mountain plateau, and angrily confronted Wilfred Longtreader when he appeared. Wilfred refuted his accusations that he was Garten's accomplice, and condemned Frye for threatening his niece and nephew. Frye expressed the willingness to act without the lords' sanction to deal with the Longtreaders. However, before anything drastic occurred, Smalden Joveson appeared to lead Wilfred away.

Frye was praised by his soldiers for confronting Wilfred, though accounts varied as to whether the incident was reported to the citadel lords or whether Frye was rebuked. After one such lunchtime congratulations from Jo, Frye and the Bracers were led out to a tower hide by Pacer. The Halfwind bucks settled in to keep watch on the surrounding forest, but Frye led half of them out after Jo spotted an unfamiliar buck. The group ended up being attacked by wolves, whom they attempted to flee before being forced into a confrontation.

The next day, having driven off the wolves, Frye started another argument about Longtreaders and loyalty, and Lord Victor stepped in to defend Heather and her brother Picket. Frye accused Picket of passing information to the wolves, as the strange buck spotted by Jo had similar coloring to Picket. He dismissed the Longtreaders' attempts to persuade him of their innocence, and Victor's bucks were forced to prevent Picket from attacking the older soldier. Frye later attended the assembly in the Great Hall, sneering at Heather when she turned and saw him the back with his bucks.

Frye took part in the Battle for Cloud Mountain, and one of his arms was crippled by a wolf bite. The Bracers arrived in time to save him from being killed, and Frye sent them after the retreating wolves while he and Drand attempted to rally more troops. He stopped Heather and Picket as they left the mountain to help Smalls, believing that they were responsible for the wolf attack. Despite his injuries, which Doctor Zeiger was attempting to tend, Frye confronted Picket, but was subdued by the younger buck.

Despite having the antagonistic Frye at his mercy, Picket spared him, and Frye told Heather the direction in which Lord Rake and Helmer departed. She then informed him that Kyle is the spy he spotted the night before. Captain Frye was among the rabbits who arrived at Jupiter's Crossing in time to see Picket defend Smalls. He then helped drive off the remaining wolves, and commented later that Picket's feat was unlike anything he has witnessed, even in the days of King Jupiter. Some days later, Captain Frye delivered word to Picket that they had found the location of some prisoners, possibly including Picket's family.

### *Ember Falls*/*The First Fowler*

Acting on Captain Frye's intelligence, Smalls and Picket led a force to the prison camp, only to find it deserted, and were attacked by several raptors. Frye later invited Jo, recovered from his own battle injuries, to survey the former site of Decker's Landing, and complimented the young archer's undiminished zeal for the coming fight. In a subsequent meeting of Prince Smalls' advisors and several elite combat units, Frye was present, and chosen to second Helmer in the advance team. This group also included Jo and two of his fellow Bracers, Heyward, Aubray of Vandalia Citadel, and Emma, Smalls' secret sister and chosen heir.

While on the mission, Jo wondered how the old captain kept up, as even the younger soldiers were having difficulty, and admired Frye's mental powers. However, Frye soon collapsed on the ground. Owen mused how they ended up with the two harshest captains in all Natalia, Helmer and Frye. They then thought about what would happen if they fought each other, deciding that because of Frye's lost arm and his collapsed state, Helmer has the advantage. When Jo and Owen returned, Helmer and Frye were seated together, and Helmer was laughing at something that Frye had said. However, as soon as they heard the results of the scouting mission, they were back to business and discussing strategy. They eventually decide to split into two groups of four, Helmer taking Emma, Jo, and Heyward and sending Aubray, Studge, and Owen with Captain Frye. Frye insisted that just because he only had one arm didn't mean Helmer got two inexperienced soldiers, but Helmer told Frye to call him Lord Captain, and Frye saluted. Frye later set off some blastpowder in an attempt to distract the raptor Solus, then ordered Owen, Studge, and Aubray to run to Helmer's band while he took on the wolf attack.

Captain Frye arrives, wheezing, to where Heather and Smalls are walking together in the brambles at Halfwind. He sends them to Lord Ramnor's ready room for a conference, where he tells them news of a rabbit army in the southwest. Captain Frye was one of the ones who begged Smalls not to tell Picket there was another report on where Picket's family might be.

During the Attack on Halfwind Citadel, Frye entered the hospital with a gang of soldiers. Upon seeing that Emma was all right, he was relieved and sent his soldiers to secure the room. He informed Heather, Picket, and Emma that things were very bad for the rabbits, and that he could not find Lord Ramnor. Picket rushed back into battle with Frye, and saw that the rabbit line had crumbled. Frye shouted that they would fight until the end of the world.

Following Lord Ramnor's death, Picket noted that the senior captain was supposed to take command until the council appoints a new lord. This would mean Captain Frye would lead. However, Bleston led instead. Captain Frye warned Picket not to play games with Bleston. Frye remained the military commander under Bleston, but seemed to Picket to be 'not quite himself' after Halfwind's soldiers failed in the attack and needed to be rescued by the Terralains. Picket told Captain Frye that he was attempting a mission to rescue his family, presumably not wanting not to follow Bleston's instructions entirely. Captain Frye told Picket again how foolish this would be, and that he wished Smalls had not mentioned it to Picket. Picket almost said that he had advised Smalls to attack the camp, but did not. Captain Frye told Picket that he was on Picket's side, and advised Picket to bury the part of him that wanted to go his own way, for all their sakes.

After Bleston pledged his support to Prince Smalls, Captain Frye joined in the celebration. He clapped Picket on the back, and Picket in turn hugged Frye, and they made peace. The next morning, Frye and Helmer met the Fowlers, telling them to pack up their gear, as Morbin's army was marching on Cloud Mountain.

As the army was preparing to leave, a sentinel warning was fired. Frye informed Bleston what the noise meant, and said that a small force should be sent to check it out. Picket volunteered the Fowlers, and Bleston agreed. When Picket returned, Frye commented on Picket's lateness, but Helmer saw Picket's expression and sent the other officers away. Frye instructed Picket to sit, seeing how tired the young buck was. Frye correctly perceives Picket's news: that Smalls is dead.

During the Battle of Rockback Valley, Picket looks at Captain Frye. Understanding, Frye nods at Picket, and Picket proceeds to attack the wolf general with a flying leap. Frye commanded the small band that attacked the wolves. Frye then joined a last-stand council by the catapults, discussing strategy with Helmer and the Fowlers. He tells Helmer that their best option is to hurt Morbin's army as best as they can before they die. However, the rabbits win the battle. After the battle, Picket asks after Frye, afraid that the old soldier is dead. Helmer informs Picket that Frye is only seeing to the dead, and is not one of them.

Captain Frye commanded the soldiers as they waited to see Princess Emma. He then joined Helmer and other soldiers in making a stage for Emma.

### *Ember Rising*/*The Archer's Cup*

Frye was mentioned by Emma, who noted that he and Lord Blackstar had thought it best that she make camp, sleep, and carry on to Blackstone Citadel in the morning. Heyna argued that the two did not know Emma's strength, and eventually persuaded her to keep on toward Blackstone. While at Blackstone Citadel, Emma mentioned Frye to Cole and Heyna, thinking of the time he and Helmer led her and some others in killing Preylord Solus and getting Prince Smalls safely to Halfwind Citadel.

During the Battle for First Warren, Picket sees Captain Frye and Cole Blackstar leading the rabbit army. He later looks for them, but remembers Helmer's words about how much symbols matter, and changes his course to wave a banner from atop the statue of Falcowit on the third Standing Stone. Near the end of the battle, Captain Frye attempts to move archers from the field to the west wall.

### *Ember's End*

Following the Retaking of First Warren, Frye participates in Emma's council. He informs Emma that he's received intelligence that Morbin is massing his army to attack First Warren, and that defenses will not be ready for ten days at least.

During another council, Frye is one of those arguing, disagreeing with those who thought finding out about True Blue to be too much risk, as he says that everything is risky now. He then offers a suggestion for how Emma should proceed— by releasing the prisoner from the Longtreader Command. Frye arrives where the prisoner is being held, and the prisoner insults him. Frye, Emma, and Picket stage a fake argument in which they insult each other, but also argue about how unprepared they are. Emma instructs Frye to take the prisoner out of the city and do what he thinks best with the buck, and Frye obeys, and lets the prisoner escape. This was later revealed to be so that the prisoner would give false intelligence to Morbin's army on when and where it was best for them to attack.

Before leaving to find where Jo Shanks has flown, Picket makes sure that Frye has been told that the Terralain army is advancing. Bannon assures Picket that he has. Picket found Frye leading the left flank of the Royal Warrenguard while Helmer led the right, and noted that Frye appeared old and worn. Upon arriving, Picket saluted Captain Frye before bowing to Helmer. Helmer then told Picket to lead the right flank of the Warrenguard, as he was now in command of the whole of Emma's force. Captain Frye saluted, and Helmer saluted back. After Emma spoke to the army and Lord Ronan commented on how out of control they were now, Captain Frye responded that them being so eager to fight was worth the disorder. When there was fighting in the Terralains after Naylen accused Tameth Seer of treachery, many soldiers were eager to help out, but Captain Frye commanded them to stay, a decision Picket agreed with, as everything needed to stay balanced.

When the wolf army arrived to First Warren and the siege began, the wolf king Farlock dealt death to any in his path. Captain Frye and two burly bucks ran at him, Frye shouting, "Attack the alpha!" Picket knew this was the right strategy, as Frye, described in this moment as 'brave', led soldiers of the Royal Warrenguard in attacking Farlock. Captain Frye rushed ahead, leapt, and brought it down on Farlock's head. However, it broke on the silver helm on Farlock's head. Farlock brought both his his attack blades and, sadly, killed the old captain right there.

Emma later instructed two soldiers to bury Captain Frye within the city. They bowed, and took up the captain's body reverently. Before they left, Picket placed his hands on Captain Frye's head before nodding for them to carry on.

## Physical appearance

Frye was described as strong and stocky, but after the Battle for Cloud Mountain he only has the use of one arm. He was even older than Lord Ramnor.

## Personality and traits

Captain Frye was a dedicated soldier of the Cause, willing to give his life for the sake of the Mended Wood. His tenacity made him a formidable warrior, though it could also make him confrontational. Frye was also a stern commander, showing little tolerance for those who failed to meet his expectations. Captain Frye was extremely brave, as seen when he rushed at the wolf king Farlock and many other times. He was unafraid to speak up, being one of Heather and Picket's most vocal opponents, thinking they were traitors because of their Longtreader name. However, after realizing this was not so, he apologized to them.

Frye's age and weight affected his ability, though he possessed surprising stamina in spite of this. He was capable of keeping up with Helmer over a long distance, though on one occasion he was left so winded that he collapsed. Despite losing the use of one arm, Frye remained a formidable fighter, leading charges in both the Battle for First Warren and the Siege of First Warren.

## Relationships

### Wilfred Longtreader

Captain Frye is originally convinced that Wilfred is a traitor, slandering him and even drawing his sword on Wilfred. Upon learning that he was not a traitor, Frye felt guilty. Wilfred did not appear to have hard feelings toward the captain.

### Helmer

**Frye**: A few weeks ago? The only thing that's changed is that now you're a brooding insider. You've always frightened children, Helmer, even when we *were* children.

—*The First Fowler*, p. 46 |  | ”

Frye and Helmer were old friends and had been through a lot together. During the mission to bring Prince Smalls to Halfwind Citadel, they seemed to enjoy their time together and even joked and teased each other. However, when Frye had doubts about Helmer's plans, he asserted his rank on the captain. Both died bravely defending the rabbits in the Siege of First Warren.

## Trivia

* The name "Frye" is of English origin and means "free."