Atticus

Atticus is the older brother of Hephaestus and a survivor from the raid on Barley Village. He wishes to become a knight some day, but first wants to provide for his family since the death of his father. Atticus is recruited to come with the questing party to The Airways.

Atticus is usually rather quiet and reserved, though enjoys to talk with his friends. He cares deeply for his family, as evidence by him working as a baker to make money instead of following his dream of becoming a knight. Sometimes he speaks without thinking, but will own up to his mistakes.

## Champion Batticus

Atticus is first seen working in his mother's bakery in preparation for the Spring Welcoming Festival. He's very tired, however, and so his mother sends him home. At home his younger brother, Hephaestus, tells him that his friend, Celeste, had come looking for him. Atticus meets with Celeste at their tree house and she shows him a group of strange people camping in the forest. While looking closer they encounter a phonidae, who scares them away and on the way back they see that the village is being raided.

Atticus tried to save his brother, who had been trapped in their burning home, but ends up being trapped as well. He and Hephaestus were saved by Sir Ardmann and Dame Mereli and are sent to a hospital in The Castle. After a few days Atticus was brought to King Kyron when Mereli overheard him talking to Celeste about seeing the group of strangers before the attack. In the end, his knowledge was unneeded as he learned that Ru Relding, an informant of King Kyron, knew much more about the strangers.

After learning he was officially discharged from the hospital, Atticus found his mother in the temporary tent village made in a large courtyard. That night he tries to sleep but is unable to over feeling guilty about his brothers condition. Lawrence, a pastor from The Grand Cathedral, invites Atticus in and tells him about the Divine Nine. Lawrence allows Atticus to rest in the private prayer room of Lord Korakara, but he isn't allowed much time before Atticus is collected by two night guard. Atticus is taken back into the royal palace and into a room where he sees Celeste, Penelope, Mereli, Sir Ardmann, Osprey, Ru Relding, and King Kyron. Atticus is then told he is being drafted for a mission with the others in the room.

Atticus doesn't want to go, but after seeing his brother, decides to in order to receive the money reward that will be given. Atticus sleeps in Celeste's home for the night and that evening the questing party and refugees heading towards Sequoia Sanctuary leave The Castle, settling down in Steadfall later that night. The next morning Atticus ends up insulting Penelope to the point he genuinely hurts her feelings, though Osprey soon does the same to him. He sulks for some time before Ru Relding gives him a pep talk and he soon apologizes to Penelope, though Osprey does not apologize to him. Penelope later talks to Atticus privately and says to keep an eye out for Osprey, as his family seemed to have a prejudice against his kind.

Atticus bonds with Penelope as they talk about the strangeness of Steadfall but stop when Celeste comes by. He states that he thinks its horrible for the other kingdoms to send their wounded warriors to Sequoia Sanctuary. Atticus and Celeste end up leaving to talk to a guard but stop when a childhood friend of his, Charlie, talks with him. Atticus' perspective on sending injured to Sequoia is changes as he worries about Charlie's well being. When they have their next meeting with Ru Relding he states he cannot ride a horse and so he will have to ride with someone else on the next part of the travel through Sequoia. That night he is directed to sleep in the caravan and hears Mereli and Osprey arguing outside. Afterwards he leaves the caravan to comfort Mereli, pretending he didn't hear the argument to avoid making her uncomfortable.

When the group arrives in Milllet Town he helps the Barley Village refugees into the town hall. He spends some time with Charlie, but when he goes to have dinner he is approached by Trylon, who is looking for Mereli. Atticus is told to have dinner, but he says he can eat later and looks for Mereli instead. He meets up with Penelope on a river bank and while following Mereli's boot prints they hear Mereli and Osprey arguing on a bridge above them. They stay quiet during the break up and then go home. The next day Atticus is worried they left him behind before finding out the questing party is staying in Millet town for the day to rest.

## Relationships

### Hephaestus

Atticus' younger brother who shared a room with him in Barley Village. They are very close and often banter back and forth with each other. He was greatly upset by his brother being gravely injured in the raid of Barley Village and used his condition as a motivator to be a part of the questing party.

### Mom

Atticus' mom is very caring towards him, as seen when she sends him home when he is not feeling well at work. She works hard to provide for Atticus and Hephaestus after her husband dies.

### Celeste

Celeste is one of Atticus' only friend, though they don't see each other often. He supports her endeavors into magic and they often hang out in her tree house.

### Penelope

Atticus doesn't much like Penelope because he sees her as a mood-killer and stuck up. After hurting her feelings on the quest he apologizes and she express concern for him regarding Osprey's views on people like him. Afterwards their relationship somewhat improves as they find they have interests in common.

### Mereli

Atticus looked up to Mereli from a young age, as he wanted to be a knight and thought she was cool. After meeting her he grew a friendship, though it was strained when she didn't speak up against Osprey insulting him. When he heard her get into a fight with Osprey he went to comfort her.

### Osprey

When Atticus first met Osprey he thought Osprey was cool. His view of him was somewhat tarnished when Osprey spoke out against Ru Relding, but then he started to not like Osprey at all when he insulted Atticus. From then on Atticus and Osprey were constantly at conflict with each other.

### Ru Relding

Atticus is rather intimidated by Ru Relding due to his large stature and stern expression. He appreciated his advise, however, when Atticus was sulking about hurting Penelope's feelings.