Mitchell Henderson

Mitchell Henderson (b. 2009) was a rider at the Eyrie from 2022-2027. He was the only son of Ira Henderson and Ruth Henderson. He was a Fire wielder, bonded to the Unicorn Red-Night's Delight.

## Biography

### Early Life

Mitchell was born to his Father Ira Henderson and his wife, Ruth Henderson. He had a very challenging upbringing as his Mother and Father Split when he was younger and Mitchell was often ignored by his Father, whom was a Water wielder. His Mother worked with the Water library.

It is mentioned that Mitchell gets on with his Mother a lot better than he does with his Father. Mitchell enjoys talking about his Mother and is genuinely happy while doing so, while he is intimidated by his own Father and is generally hesitant to speak about him.

Mitchell also has a cousin named Alfie, who was taken away by the Weaver and bonded with a wild unicorn in the first book.

When Mitchell was growing up Ira Henderson often tried to teach Mitchell his ways, such as his views on the Spirit Wielders, as well as his ambitions to become Commodore of Chaos one day in the future.

### Training at the Eyrie

Mitchell began training at the Eyrie on the Summer Solstice of 2022. He, along with the other Islanders waited outside the Hatchery to find out if they had their destined unicorns. Mitchell got through the Tunnel of the living and shortly after hatched his Unicorn Red Night’s Delight.

On the same Night Mitchell was horrified to see Skandar, and Scoundrel’s Luck, a unicorn with a Spirit Blaze. Mitchell instantly called Skandar out on this and tried to turn Flo and Bobby against Skandar, with Bobby taking Skandar’s side and Flo taking a more neutral approach. Later that night Skandar saved Mitchell and their quartet from a wild unicorn and thus Mitchell owed Skandar a favour.

Mitchell was horrified to see that his Father was on the then Commodore of Chaos’ Aspen McGrath’s council of Seven water wielders. This put a lot of pressure on Mitchell and began to form a rift inside him, conflicting feelings about helping Skandar and keeping to his Father’s footsteps.

Mitchell did help Skandar get onto the fault lines and somehow not get exposed as a Spirit Wielder. Mitchell himself was settled into becoming a fire wielder with Red Night’s Delight.

Mitchell was very curious and constantly questioned the instructors on their teaching methods. Especially during the early days of their lessons.

When the Sentinels begin getting attacked by the Weaver, Mitchell is the first to become aware of where the Weaver is attacking, that being the Mirror Cliffs on the way to the mainland.

Mitchell, although he dislikes Skandar initially, does take interest in his Chaos cards, as the Island doesn’t have anything like them. Skandar and Mitchell talk about their personal feelings on the other.

Later when Mitchell is about to eat Chocolate Custard, Amber and the threat Quartet come over to annoy and tease him by taking the dessert. However this doesn’t go as planned as Skandar takes the dessert and throws is over the Threat Quartet. This goes a long way in earning Mitchell’s trust and the two of them begin to talk more openly.

He also comes up with the plan to break into the prison on the island to talk to Agatha Everhart, the Executioner, though he is very sceptical.

On the day of the prison breaking during the fire festival the quartet use their four elemental powers to open the prison after they chase away the guards with Mitchell’s Father’s password “Riptide”. When they escape the prison they are chased away by a herd of wild unicorns instigated by the Weaver, the riders learn how to fly their unicorns and manage to escape. Though they are severely reprimanded by the instructors.

As the year moves on the sentinels begin dying more and more frequently until the quartet find their way to the spirit den, at Agatha’s behest. They find out what the Weaver is planning and discover her true identity as Erika Everhart after visiting the Graveyard of the Riders and unicorns who had died.

This causes a rift between Flo, Bobby and Mitchell and Skandar due to Mitchell putting it out that Erika may be both Skandar’s Mother, and the Weaver. Skandar denies this with everything he has and intends to try and foolishly break into the prison that very night.

Mitchell and Skandar are still at odds when the Training Trial begins the following day. As they fly Scoundrel’s Luck begins to fall behind due to his Rider, once again not allowing him to use the Spirit Element. Mitchell appears to help Skandar to he won’t get kicked out of the Eyrie as a nomad. This works and Mitchell comes in 12th place, while Skandar takes 13th. This upsets Ira Henderson, whom expected Mitchell to do better.

After the race the Weaver takes Silver Blade prisoner and using Skandar’s Spirit abilities they manage to find Silver Blade with the Weaver and her unicorn army. Mitchell threatens her to let Silver Blade go but Erika doesn’t take kindly to being threatened and promised that Mitchell’s unicorn would go to someone more “worthy”.

However with help from Flo, Bobby and Mitchell they are able to break the Weaver’s control over almost all the wild unicorns, bringing the riders back to their senses. Mitchell also witnesses Scoundrel and Skandar repair Aspen’s bond with New Age Frost.

### Second Year at the Eyrie

Mitchell and Red passed the training trial. But the trouble continues when the quartet discover a dead wild unicorn on their picnic in the water zone. The quartet retreat and learn later from the Hatchery Herald.

Later Mitchell and the rest of the quartet decide to paint their tree with paint from Flo, Mitchell painting the fire colours of red.

At the saddle ceremony an old man sings his true song regarding the future destruction of the Island and about how wild unicorn killings will bring it about. Mitchell dismisses this as nonsense, not being a believer of truesongs.

At the saddle ceremony Mitchell is completely undecided on either  Nimroe and Taiting saddle, partly due to his Father’s influence. Mitchell eventually decided to honour his Father’s wishes and goes with Taiting.

Later Michell goes with Skandar and Bobby to Wildflower Hill, where Flo’s family live for dinner. Mitchell discusses the Truesong with Jamie and the two share a small moment after Jamie compliments Mitchell’s mutation. Mitchell and Red help save the people at the treehouse when Earthquakes suddenly arrive causing damage.

Mitchell goes to the Furnace, the fire wielder den for the first time and coming back tells his quartet about it. He also talks with Skandar about his plans for saving his money when he accidentally discovers Skandar saving everything he can. He also explains to Skandar about being a peregrine rider and explains about the society when Skandar gets an invitation later that night.

Mitchell offers to help Flo attend the silver circle meeting later in the year when it comes to Skandar finding out if his sister was a lost Spirit Wielder. Visiting Four Point these plans are put on hold as Mitchell is “invited” by his Father to go to lunch with some of his friends, helping Mitchell plan his future. This hurts Mitchell as he wanted to please his Father but also help Skandar. Skandar goes in his place instead.

After telling Mitchell of their escape from the silver stronghold and discovering the Silver circle were killing the wild unicorns, Mitchell and the others attempt to talk to the instructors of the Eyrie in order to get them on their side, only to discover Dorian Manning had already talked to them instead and lied to them.

After Bobby becomes possessed and stops riding Falcon’s Wrath, Mitchell attempts to bring her back to her senses.

Mitchell “kidnaps” Skandar and takes him to a recently redone Spirit Den to a party organised by Agatha and most of his friends. Mitchell has a good time with his quartet (minus Bobby). Later that night Flo calls to the quartet about the hunting trip hosted by the silver circle. Needing Bobby’s strength to stop the Silver Circle Mitchell tries a last ditch effort by making her an “emergency sandwich” and a heartfelt note pleading for her help.

Mitchell and Skandar attempt to fight off the wild unicorns after the Silver Circle leave in an attempt to frame Skandar. Bobby intervenes after coming to her senses and the three fight off the unicorns until the timely arrival of Nina Kazama.

Nina and her council of seven question the quartet (minus Flo) about their activities in the forest. Mitchell explains it was he who sent Nina the note. When the three are kept out of trouble Mitchell asks if Nina not tell his Father and with a smile Nina agrees.

The four once again try and save the Island by finding out where the First Rider’s Tomb is. And to do that Mitchell talks the quartet into going to see the Secret Swappers, a group who keep secrets and exchange them for others. During the water festival the four sneak away to the secret swapper treehouse.

When they enter Mitchell gives his secret but it gets rejected much to his annoyance. The four are however, able to get two secrets that give them clues to the first Rider’s tomb and weapon.

Mitchell and Jamie grow closer as the two spend quite a lot of time researching previous true songs about clues to fix the Island.

At the jousting tournament Mitchell finally lets all his pent up rage and regret out as he shouts at his Father in regards to what sort of person he is as well as his friendship with Skandar. This seems to make Red much happier to be back to her old self instead of tidy and clean looking.

Mitchell is horrified and comes to help Skandar when he becomes possessed by Scoundrel’s Luck and hurt instructor Saylor. He attempts to defend Skandar against Dorian Manning but with limited success.

Mitchell later goes to watch the Chaos Cup with Bobby and Flo until Skandar comes to get them with further news of the first rider. As Jamie tells his true song Mitchell attempts to help him to the Shekoni Saddles tent, hearing the true song the quartet are able to figure out where the Firsr Rider’s tomb.

On the summer solstice the four go to the mirror cliffs and are able to figure out their way inside. On the tunnel they come across four elemental unicorns. Mitchell is able to figure out how to wield his native element against the fire unicorn to allow Bobby, Skandar and Flo through. He awaits until the unicorn vanishes when Skandar defeated the first rider.

Staff in hand the four head back to the Eyrie where they run into Skandar’s sister Kenna and her newly hatched wild unicorn. Mitchell listens to how she was brought to the Island and what was to be done with her. Mitchell helps his quartet defend Kenna from Dorian Manning’s attack from his silver unicorn.

The four alongside Kenna save the Island when they are able to use the bone staff to harness the five elements and stop the elemental destruction. With Mitchell wielding the fire section.

Ira later receives a congratulations from his Father for helping to save the Island and helps to repair some of the damage done by the Silver Circle.

## Personality

Mitchell is a very by the books type of person, this is mostly due to his strict upbringing by his Father Ira Henderson, who he looks up to and constantly seeks his approval, at least in the beginning.

Mitchell dislikes rule breaking and is usually the last to volunteer for doing something that may get himself or his quartet into trouble. He was initially sceptical about helping Skandar due to the trouble he would get into.

Mitchell is also very methodical. When he comes up with a plan he will go over it numerous times and even has a black board he uses for such occasions. This mostly helps but can sometimes be a hindrance when fast action is required. This attitude is what prevents him from believing the prophecy of true songs at first.

Mitchell loves Red Night’s Delight but since Red has some rather disgusting habits that contradict her rider. This however changed a bit in their second year when Red stopped these habits to try and help Mitchell get his Father’s approval. It was only when she stopped that Mitchell realised these outburst gave Red her own personality.

Mitchell was initially very hostile toward Skandar due to his upbringing and hearing his Father talk about Spirit Wielders. It took a long time for Skandar to break through this outer shell into the core of Mitchell’s own personality.

Mitchell is also the type of person to get angry easily. When Mitchell's element is revealed to be Fire, it is said that Skandar thinks Fire suits Mitchell very well as the element matches Mitchell's temper.

Part of Mitchell’s most crippling personality trait is his approval he seeks from his Father. Since he was raised on his Father’s beliefs and didn’t have many friends Mitchell struggled with himself for a long time. He subtly changed through the year from his Father’s son to slowly become his own person, who doesn’t need his Father’s approval. Mitchell wanted his Father to pay attention to him for a long time and when his Father didn’t then this caused a rift within Mitchell that he didn’t consider himself interesting enough to have friends, or anyone that would want to be his friends.

Out of his quartet Mitchell gets on best with Skandar as do their unicorns. This was a complete opposite at first when Mitchell was initially very hostile. He gets on well enough with Flo and the two of them often take the initiative together when telling the others about what they know of the Island. Mitchell and Bobby are often at odds due to their own personalities being so different, with Bobby being more unorthodox and foot loose compared to Mitchell’s logical and calculated approach. As with almost everyone else Mitchell also hates Bobby’s Emergency Sandwich.

## Physical appearance

Mitchell is a teenage boy with straight black hair, dark brown eyes and light brown skin. He wears glasses with brown frames and is the only trainee rider described as wearing glasses. Mitchell is presumed to be quite tall. For a mutation, he has flaming hair.

## Relationships

### Skandar Smith

Skandar is Mitchell's good friend and roommate. Mitchell was rude towards Skandar at first because Skandar was a Spirit wielder. However, this changed when Skandar defended Mitchell from the Threat Quartet by pouring chocolate custard onto the bullies. Mitchell was thankful for that and started treating Skandar far more nicely.

They found that they both hadn't had much experience with friendships before moving to The Eyrie. Mitchell also told Skandar he initially treated Skandar poorly because his father Ira taught him to hate Spirit-allied riders.

Mitchell always helps Skandar through risky challenges even though those can get him in trouble. He also landed Skandar a hand during the Training Trial so Skandar doesn't get declared as nomad.

In the second book, Mitchell also helped Skandar to find the Phantom Rider's tomb.

### Florence Shekoni

Florence is Mitchell's friend. Florence, as she does with almost everyone, displays kind and caring behaviour towards Mitchell.

Although their personalities are quite different, with Flo being more peaceful and Mitchell being easily angered, they typically get along well.

In the second book, Florence comforted Mitchell when he felt sad about his father being constantly disappointed in him and not truly loving him. Flo told Mitchell to stop worrying about his father's approval and that Mitchell is great the way he is.

### Roberta Bruna

Roberta is Mitchell's friend. Even though they are friends, they are often at odds because of their personalities clashing with each other.

At first, Roberta was extremely annoyed at Mitchell due to him constantly complaining about Skandar's alliance to the Spirit element.

Their personalities frequently do not resonate due to Bobby being more relaxed, outgoing, foot-loose and prefers to 'live in the moment' while Mitchell likes planning ahead and is more serious as well as methodical.

Although Bobby hated being always getting called "Roberta" by Mitchell, in the second book she seems to be more fine with it.

### Jamie Middleditch

Mitchell and Jamie got to closely know each other and became friends in the second book.

Mitchell and Jamie get along very well. It can be seen when Jamie tries to encourage Mitchell to be more confident in himself and implies that it doesn't matter that much if Mitchell's father doesn't approve him for who he is.

Mitchell was a bit jealous of the fact that even though Jamie's parents didn't want Jamie to be a blacksmith, they still love him, while Mitchell's father is always disappointed in him if he doesn't meet Ira's standards.

Jamie also complimented Mitchell's flaming hair and said that he'd want to be a Fire wielder as well if he was a rider. Mitchell commented that what Jamie said was logical as "Fire and blacksmiths are meant for each other".

Jamie cares a lot about Mitchell and tells him to be careful when getting into dangerous situations. It is also revealed that Mitchell and Jamie also chat with each other through sending letters.

### Ruth Henderson

Not much is known about Ruth's and her son's relationship since Ruth hasn't directly appeared in the books. However, it is said that Mitchell speaks of his mother proudly which indicates his mother truly loves and supports her son. Mitchell also seems relaxed and happy when talking about Ruth.

### Ira Henderson

Ira is Mitchell's father. Their relationship certainly isn't the best as Ira is extremely strict and cold towards his son. He always sets high expectations for Mitchell and pushes his dream of Mitchell becoming the commodore one day even though Mitchell himself isn't interested in this idea.

Mitchell was obsessed with receiving his father's approval for a long time until he stood up for himself against his father in the second book. Later, it is revealed that Ira started paying attention to Mitchell for who he actually is. Ira also showed interest in Mitchell's unicorn Red-Night's Delight.

### Amber Fairfax, Koby, Meiyi and Alastair

Amber, Koby, Meiyi and Alastair are Mitchell's bullies. They knew him long before moving to the Eyrie. It is said that they have always bullied Mitchell. Alastair, Amber, Koby and Meiyi took advantage of the fact that Mitchell had hard time making friends with other riders, so they picked on him, thinking no one would help Mitchell, however Skandar defended his quartet member.

## Etymology

* Mitchell is a name meaning "Who is like God" from English origin.
* Henderson is a surname meaning "Son of Henry" from Celtic origin.