Anders of Driftmark

**Anders of Driftmark** is the son of a hedge knight and his Dornish wife. His father, Alester and his mother Nymeria both passed shortly after he was sent to squire for a minor knight in House Massey's service.

## Appearance and Character

Anders is a tall man with a rough build. He has spent the entirety of his life fighting for the smallfolk's rights in town he comes upon. He quite often acts as an intermediary in disputes that are brought to him by the elders of villages he stays in. His hair is graying along the temples, with his beard having turned fully grey.

## History

### Youth

Anders was born in 397, to parents who had settled in on the small island of Driftmark, his childhood was quite happy. His father had enough money to ensure that his family lived happily during his life. He trained Anders himself in the ways of war. His mother insisted the boy learn with a spear, to show respect to his mother's side of the family.

### Adolescence

He was eight when he was squired to a retainer in Lord Massey of Stonedance's service, and he spent the entirety of the next ten years serving dutifully. He was knighted on his eighteenth name day. And upon his return to Driftmark he found his mother and father's estate empty, the house long abandoned. He took his father's armor and set out on his own, knowing nothing was left for him on the island of Driftmark.

### The Wanderer

Anders spent his time moving from village to village. Living the tenets of the Seven as was expected of him as a knight. He spent the majority of his time settling disputes between families in the villages he found. His life was nothing extraordinary, he slept with livestock most nights and ate whatever his hosts were kind enough to provide.

The man spread the faith of the Seven everywhere he walked, causing many issues as Queen Visaera undermined the Seven throughout the realm. He was challenged to a duel by many Red Faithful. He walked away from each of them, another kill to his name. He had no regrets for the heathen's deaths. They deserved it in his eyes.

### The Synod of Lannisport

Upon hearing of the gathering of the faithful in Lannisport, Anders pledged himself to protect those who travelled to the Synod, travelling with many septons and their retainers and ensuring their protection along the roads between their lands and Lannisport.

It was here he met Prince Aerys Velaryon, a young prince  who was appointed as the royal attendee of the Great Synod of Lannisport, charged with settling the Schism of the Faith of the Seven. Anders idolized the man, seeing him as an Avatar the Seven placed on the earth to bring the faithful together once more. He swore himself to the man from that day, and he expected that the only reason Aerys accepted it was due to his birthplace.

### Hand of the Hand

Anders from that moment was not seen away from Aerys' side. He lost his burlap cloak for a silken one bearing the Velaryon sigil. His rotted spear for one made of castle steel, and his rusted mail for a set of steel as well. The man had been raised from his position as a hedge knight to guarding a Prince. He was surprised at the elevation that he had in but a few moments, and now he clashed with Lords and Ladies rather than paupers. He was given a manse that he stayed in when he wasn't with the Hand. He quite often spent time with Kingsguard, never their equal, but Aerys selected him to defend him over them. Causing strife between the men and Anders.

He has been in his position since the Synod, focusing more on Aerys than his own needs. His line will die with him, but Anders didn't mind. The protection of Prince Aerys was by far more important to him.