Lord Horace Sylver

"*What? Of course not! I'd never ought a negative word about one of my overlords!"* - "The Feeble King (I)

**Lord Horace Sylver** is the head of House Sylver during the late 15th century and a recurring character in *Wars of Frozen Flames*, debuting in the first episode of the series, *The Feeble King (I)*, and the Father of Sir Korrin Sylver. Lord Sylver is portrayed as a coward and a hypocrite who often switches his allegiance depending on who's present, though most people are able too look right through his facade and he tends to irritate them. His eldest son and heir, Harrin, is a knight, and Sylver's very clear favorite of his children, while he is rather neglectful of Korrin. He is based on Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

## History

### Backstory

Not much is known about Horace Sylver's backstory. He became head of the Sylver House after the passing of the previous head, who was likely Horace's father. He then earned a spot of King John Koopa VI's royal cabinet. Horace then married one of Lord Birchard Python's daughters, Lady Rosanna Python, and the two would go on to have many children, including three sons, who they named Harrin, Korrin and John, presumably named after the King. Horace would go on to favor Harrin and neglect Korrin growing up. Whenever he had the chance, he would try to help his son succeed but never had an interest in Korrin's upbringing and is even implied that he sees him as a nuisance. It is known that Horace's second son Korrin was appointed as King John Koopa VI's squire, while his eldest son Harrin was granted knighthood prior to Part I.

### The Feeble King

#### Part I

Horace is introduced during a royal cabinet meeting, where he agrees with Queen Cynder Von Bohnenrotte's proposal of executing the anarchists for all the crimes they have committed. Later during Lord Richard Koopa's arrival at the Koopa Castle, he tells him that they were all pleased by his arrival, only for him to laugh at Richard when most of the other nobles mock him over Lord Sigmund Phoenix being chosen as King's Claw over him. Later on in the episode, he assists Queen Cynder with the execution of the anarchist peasants by bringing them to her and informing her that their leader was killed. He states to be fully supportive of the idea of execution, but is completely horrified by the execution by beheading of the anarchists.

A few weeks later, Horace attends the Loveday feats alongside his two sons Korrin and Harrin. During the feast, he is seen badmouthing King John and later during the dinner tells Richard that he should leave, only for Richard to tell him that everyone is tired of him being a "yes-man" and that everyone can see that he is not being genuine. Before the dinner, Sir Rodrick Solberg approaches Korrin and informs him about the benefits a wedding between him and Lady Jane Phoenix could have for both the Phoenix and Sylver Houses. Korrin considers the offer and tells Rodrick he will, try to talk to his father about it. Horace is also among the people who witness John Koopa VI collapsing in the middle of the dinner after being informed of the loss of Oho Oasis.

#### Part II

Horace reappears during Part II. He first appears along with Queen Cynder, Lady Jane, Sir Rodrick and Sir Theodrick Solberg, being informed by an archbishop that the king has fallen into a vegetative state and that someone must act as regent until he recovers. Rodrick proposes Lord Richard, but Cynder refuses and Horace is quick to agree with her. However, when Richard deposes Lord Sigmund of the position of regent and King's Claw and has him imprisoned for his crimes against the realm, Horace immediately says that he fully supports Richard, a support which he fully takes back once John recovers from his vegetative state and orders for Richard to be arrested per Cynder's request.

Horace is stated to have accepted Korrin's proposal for a wedding between him and Jane, but he has decided to make it a joint wedding by also marrying off Harrin to Sigmund's daughter, also named Jane. He is seen at the wedding with his wife Rosanna and is stated that he has given most of the benefits that came with the ceremony to Harrin, even taking some of them away from Korrin.

#### Part III

Horace appears in the cabinet meeting where John VI returns from his coma, admiring his return and mentions that Harrin and his new bride are expecting a child when John asks about his family. When Sigmund returns from the Black Tower, Sylver cheers at him being back in his place at the King's side. Sylver also appreciates being given back the lands he gave up for the throne. When John states that Richard will be awaiting judgement for his crimes, Sylver claims that Lord Richard was never truly the King's Claw and that he probably wants to claim the throne for himself.

Horace appears in the great council meeting along with his sons. When the King arrives, he tells the attendees to silence themselves. He later says that it's great to have the King back but Jane says that it's obvious that Lord Richard's going to return to the Kingdom with an army so Sylver tells her not to talk to the King like that only for Siebold Skayles to say that Jane is right so Sylver congrats Jane for her observation.

##### Battle of Whomp City

In the Battle of Whomp City, Horace is present with John VI and four others as he says that Lord Ironside cannot be trusted and claims they have enough men. Sylver then asks John what he thinks they should do, to which John asks to dine. When John refuses to be given Richard's head by Theodrick when offered, Sylver states that a good king always shows mercy and claims that people will tell tales of the day the great warrior King John Koopa VI defeated his cousin. Lord Sylver is given command by John when Sigmund is absent with them and says he would be honoured.

The battle starts and Sylver, along with Tyebolt, is told by Rodrick to take the King to safety but Sylver reminds him he is the commander so Rodrick asks if he has a better idea only for Sylver to comply and order him, Blayne and Theodrick to take care of the rebels. John VI, Sylver and Tyebolt are at hideout with the latter two observing the battle. When Tyebolt scolds John VI for being cowardly, Sylver tells him to watch his mouth only for Tyebolt to give a lecture.

Later, Sylver and Tyebolt witness Thornton's men raining arrows down on the royal army and the former informs John about it. Sylver then tries enlightening hope on Tyebolt, mentioning that they still have the King. However, Lord Berwick's army invades their hideout and Sylver gets slashed by a Knight Bro.. It is presumed that he may have been captured after the battle along with John and Tyebolt.

## Appearance

Horace Sylver is a slender, elderly dragon Koopa with yellow skin, a grey head and pale yellow snout, long silver hair, and a thick beard and moustache of the same color, and greyish blue eyes. He wears a silver shell with pale yellow spikes surrounded by white rings, a pair of silver cuffs, one on each arm, and a silver necklace that is shaped like a penis.

## Personality

Lord Sylver is shown to be a coward who often switches his allegiance depending on who's present. For example, he initially pretends to agree with Cynder finding the violence of the anarchist peasants horrific, however when Cynder states she was referring to the peasants themselves, he acts as if he also agreed to what Cynder was referring to. His cowardliness extends to screaming horrifically after Cynder ordered the execution of several anarchists, as well as hiding under the table while Richard & King John's loyal supporters defended their respective allies. His opinion is shown to shift depending on whoever's in the room such as when Rodrick points out that he was trashing on Lord Richard Koopa moments ago but when Richard appears, he acts pleased. His dishonesty is shown when he claims that he wouldn't utter a negative word about one of his overlords despite his son Korrin recalling him saying that the Duke of North Skyland is a no-good kiss up, showing that rather than being loyal to a specific faction, he's loyal to whoever has the most power, and therefore whoever he can leech off from.

Lord Sylver shows clear favoritism for his elder son Harrin, often showering him with praise and gifts, but always neglects his son younger son Korrin, being quick to scold him for minor things and generally not being impressed by any of his actions. Korrin states that this has been the case ever since he and Harrin were children, and that his mother Rosanna was the only one in the family who ever appreciated him growing up.