Bleston

Bleston, as illustrated by Zach Franzen.

### Also known as

• The Silver Prince (by Heather Longtreader and the rabbits of Halfwind Citadel)
• The Winter King (by Heather, Kylen, Picket, et al.)
• Lord Bleston
• Bleston Turncoat
• "Traitor" (by Heather Longtreader)
• The Sliver Prince

### Allies

• Kylen
• Tameth Seer†
• Garten Longtreader†
• Morbin Blackhawk†

## Book information

### Mentioned

• *The Green Ember*
• *Ember Rising*
• *Ember's End*

**B****leston** was the king of Terralain. He was the father of Kylen and Naylen, the son of King Walter, and the oldest brother of Jupiter.

## Biography

### *The Green Ember*

As Lord Rake explains to Heather and Picket Longtreader, Bleston was known to be like his wicked grandfather and was therefore passed over as heir by King Walter. Angered by this, he contemplated a revolt against Walter and Jupiter, who he was stronger than during this time. Ultimately, he left the Thirty Warrens with a number of malcontents who were loyal to him. Years later, Bleston sends his son Kylen—though the buck did not mention his father by name—to Cloud Mountain and infiltrate the Cause.

### *Ember Falls*

**Heather Longtreader**: But you are the sun in the sky, are you not?

—*Ember Falls*, pg. 116

Bleston is mentioned during a council meeting preceding his nephew Smalden Joveson's departure from Halfwind Citadel. He subsequently appears at the head of the army of Terralain, of which he became king after his disappearance, during the Attack on Halfwind Citadel. Bleston's forces attack the enemy wolves, saving the beleaguered rabbits of Halfwind. Bleston then takes functional charge of Halfwind Citadel, succeeding Lord Ramnor, who during the attack is slain in his chamber secretly by Perkinson, Bleston's servant.

Bleston later summons Heather and Picket Longtreader to a private meeting in Ramnor's chambers, which he has made his own. He explains the Terralain belief that all rabbits are equal, though Heather and Picket are quick to point out his superiority. Unfazed, Bleston further asserts that he is the rightful king of all Natalia, and reveals that he is in possession of the Whitson Stone. He convinces the Longtreaders not to challenge his authority for the present, and to await Smalls' return, before dismissing them.

The order of things at Halfwind undergoes drastic changes under Bleston's authority, increasing efficiency but also imposing a strict regime upon the inhabitants. Bleston has Kylen and his advisor, Tameth Seer, bring Picket to a private meeting, at which Bleston compares the young rabbit to one of Picket's uncles, without specifying who. He guesses correctly that Picket wants very badly to be sent with an elite rescue group to rescue his mother, father, and little brother from the clutches of Morbin Blackhawk. At their meeting, he convinces Picket that he should follow his own way without considering wise counsel from his elders, so that Picket afterwards decides to tell Captain Frye that he was going to go on a rescue mission to get his family back.

However, Frye warns Picket against taking Bleston's counsel, warning against the dangers of Bleston's path in life. Later, Kylen takes Heather to meet with his father on his own initiative, though the two only speak after Kylen has been gravely injured by an attacking wolf. After embracing a distraught Heather and watching her attend to Kylen, Bleston explains his desire to claim the throne so that Kylen may succeed him. Heather pleads with him to honor his father and brother's decisions by throwing his support behind Smalls.

Bleston is subsequently overheard arguing with Tameth Seer. In a gathering at the Seven Standing Stones, Bleston calls Picket, Heather, and Emma up to the platform on which he stands, at which point he announces to the anxious Halfwinders that he would support his young nephew and hang the Whitson Stone around his neck when he returns. At this point, Heather, Picket, and the Halfwinders all began to see him as a valuable ally.

News then arrives at Halfwind that Morbin's army s going to attack Cloud Mountain, and Bleston gathers the newly united forces to march to the citadel's aid. As the force prepares to leave, they hear a signal, and the Fowlers are sent to investigate. They encounter Wilfred Longtreader, who informs them of Smalls' apparent death, and Perkinson learns that Emma is now Jupiter's heir. After escorting Heather to Cloud Mountain, he informs Bleston of these developments.

According to the plan set out for the ensuing Battle of Rockback Valley, Bleston's forces were supposed to reinforce the Halfwind rabbits under Helmer from a ridge overlooking Rockback Valley. However, Bleston, secretly in league with Morbin, keeps his forces at a distance. Aided by Perkinson, he leads a small force into Cloud Mountain, with some of his rabbits and Garten Longtreader guarding Lord Rake to prevent his interference in the battle. He then finds Emma and Heather at Lighthall, and fires an arrow to destroy the tenth window depicting Smalls as the future king.

Bleston reveals his intent to turn Emma over to Morbin in exchange for a peace between them, fully intending to let the Halfwind forces be crushed. He becomes increasingly angry at Heather's refusal to cooperate, and even cuts off Perkinson in the midst of an explanation about Kylen. When Heather and Emma escape through another window, Bleston and his bucks pursue them, and corner them with the aid of the Terralains guarding Rake. Garten and Bleston exult in their triumph, unbothered by Heather and Rake's condemnation for their betrayal.

The tableau is interrupted by the fall of an eagle, killed by Picket Longtreader on his first glider cape-aided flight. Heather takes advantage of the distraction to attack Perkinson and free Emma, whom Bleston orders killed to prevent her escape. Rake takes the arrow meant for her, and Bleston rushes in to kill his niece himself. Picket's sword then falls, the Green Ember emerging from it when it hits the ground. Bleston gleefully seizes the artifact, but is tackled by Picket before he can reach Emma.

Enraged by the young buck's appearance, Bleston rushes to attack him, and makes a feint before unleashing a devastating strike. Familiar with the move due to his training with Helmer, Picket dodges, but is then carried over the edge of Cloud Mountain's plateau with the rushing Bleston. The pair briefly struggle in midair, but Picket eventually breaks free with Bleson's sword in hand. Bleston then falls to his death, and his scheme is ultimately thwarted by Picket and Heather.

### *Ember Rising*

The Terralains-most of whom are apparently unaware of their leader's pact with Morbin-soon seek vengeance upon Picket for what they deem the murder of Bleston. A force of them, led by Tameth Seer and Captain Vulm, later confront a party of Cause soldiers including Picket at Jupiter's Crossing, seeking justice for the death of their king. Tameth vehemently denies their accusations of treachery against Bleston, but after a skirmish Vulm is persuaded to lead his forces away peacefully. Later, Emma also tries to persuade an ill Kylen of his father's duplicity, but Kylen refuses to accept the accusations.

When confronting Winslow Joveson prior to the Battle for First Warren, Whitbie Joveson notes that he failed to prove himself better than their uncle Bleston. This he did by refusing to accept the appointment of their younger brother Smalls as heir to their father Jupiter.

### *Ember's End*

Bleston's younger son Naylen later brings the remainder of the Terralain army to join Kylen and Tameth Seer's forces in attacking First Warren. Tameth is revealed to have held Bleston and his followers in contempt, and the Terralains finally recognize the truth about their fallen king and his seer and join the Cause.

## Physical appearance

Bleston was a large, grey-furred rabbit, who often dressed himself in silver; this led to his nickname of "the Silver Prince." His presence, described by Picket as being "powerful", was also said to be "magnificent," "regal," and "imposing". While feigning support for the Cause, he donned a tunic that featured the symbols of Terralain, Halfwind, and the Cause as a whole.

## Personality and traits

Bleston had a jovial, charming, and dynamic personality that drew rabbits to his leading. He was a born leader, as was evidenced by his excellent and ordered handling of all the matters at Halfwind Citadel. He strongly believed that the way to find happiness was to follow one's own way, as he did by taking the Whitson Stone and leaving his father's kingdom for Terralain when the King had passed him over in favor of Smalden Joveson.

Bleston was also very clever and manipulative. He managed to know about Cloud Mountain and send his son, Kylen, to infiltrate and betray Smalls. Oddly enough, Kylen didn’t quite seem at the time to like the idea when he carried it out. He also managed to convince Perkinson to infiltrate Halfwind to set the course for the future of his rule. He even successfully managed to appear as the savior of Halfwind, when in truth he was still plotting his personal revenge against King Jupiter.

## Skills and abilities

Bleston was an excellent fighter, being big and imposing and strong.

## Family tree

 - The Royal Family of Natalia -

Note: Broken lines indicate relation through affinity or adoption or distant relation; unbroken lines indicate relation by blood.
## Relationships

### Walter Good

King Walter was Bleston's father, but the pair were not alike in temperament or their ideas of ruling. When Walter chose his third son, Jupiter, to succeed him instead of Bleston, Bleston was outraged, and plotted against his brother in defiance of his father's decree. Ultimately, Bleston left First Warren, and was never reconciled to his father before Walter's death. Years later, despite Heather Longtreader's pleas for him to do so, Bleston once again rejected his father's will by attempting to usurp Natalia's throne for himself.
### Jupiter Goodson

Jupiter was Bleston's younger brother, but he grew to despise his younger brother after their father passed over him to name Jupiter as his heir. Despite Jupiter's efforts to reconcile, Bleston plotted a rebellion against him, ultimately leaving First Warren with numerous supporters. The two brothers never met again in life, with Jupiter being killed before Bleston led the Terralain army back into Natalia proper. Bleston later claimed to regret how his relationship with his brother had ended, saying he wished he could have been at Jupiter's Crossing when Jupiter was betrayed. However, his regret proved to be a lie when he betrayed the Cause, and he relished the idea of turning over Jupiter's heir-his own niece-to the same monster who had murdered his brother.

### Kylen and Naylen

Kylen and Naylen are Bleston's sons, and both seem to have loved their father dearly. However, both were ignorant, or at least not fully aware, of the extent of their father's collaboration with the Lords of Prey, which neither of them were particularly inclined to emulate. Both were quick to believe the lie that Bleston had been murdered by Picket, and slow to accept that Picket had acted against Bleston's own murderous intentions. Eventually, however, both came to recognize the errors of their father, and demonstrated the quality of their character by turning from his path and embracing the true succession of Natalia's royalty, as set forth by their grandfather Walter and uncle Jupiter.

As he considered himself the rightful heir to his father, so Bleston also looked upon his older son Kylen as his destined successor. He thus gave Kylen important tasks, including the infiltration of Cloud Mountain and joining him in leading the first soldiers of their army to Halfwind Citadel. Unfortunately, he also charged Kylen with duties that the prince knew to be wrong, such as betraying Smalls and Cloud Mountain, by claiming that such actions served a higher purpose. Bleston's only true purpose was his own advancement, however, and Kylen seems to have acted from fear of, rather than out of love for, his father in these deeds.

Bleston did show genuine affection for Kylen, claiming that his bid to claim the throne of Natalia was motivated primarily by his desire to see his son rule as king of all rabbitkind. After Kylen was injured in battle, Bleston sought to leave him in command of Halfwind Citadel while fitter rabbits marched to the Battle of Rockback Valley. Bleston may have had ulterior motives, however, as he also concealed from Kylen his intent to betray the Cause by kidnapping Emma. Bleston also demonstrated some hypocrisy in his parenting, claiming he had raised Kylen to "follow[ his] own way", while also expecting him to obey orders.

### Tameth Seer

A prominent figure in Terralain, Tameth seems to have become Bleston's closest advisor some time after Bleston became the lord of that settlement. Tameth claimed to recognize in Bleston, through his gifts as a seer, qualities that could shape the history of the world. He reacted with hostility whenever anyone failed to address Bleston as king in his presence, and agreed with Bleston's statements in their meeting with Picket Longtreader. Prior to the assembly in Leapers Hall, Tameth was heard arguing with Bleston, and he was seen to sneer during the meeting in apparent disapproval of Bleston's announcement that he intended to support Smalls. This performance was likely a sham, as Bleston proved to have no intention to honor his words at the assembly.

Tameth marched with the Terralain army to Cloud Mountain, and upon receiving word of Bleston's death led a force of soldiers out to intercept Picket Longtreader. Decrying the younger rabbit as a murderer and refuting any charges of wrongdoing on Bleston's part, Tameth called for his surrender. He used the fact that Bleston had trusted him as weight to persuade Kylen and Naylen to continue doing so, despite their own objections to some of his counsel. In the end, Tameth's supposed faith to Bleston's memory proved to be false, with Tameth condemning him and his followers as a "band of usurpers" and his true purpose being revealed as the restoration of Terralain to its former order.

### Garten Longtreader

Garten served as ambassador between Terralain and the Lords of Prey, and he and Bleston were evidently on cordial terms; whether they were acquainted before Bleston left First Warren is unknown. Bleston and Garten negotiated a treaty, intending to crush the Cause through treachery and use of force. Garten personally joined Bleston in his attempt to kidnap Emma, whom Morbin had insisted be turned over to him as part of the treaty terms. However, when it looked as though Emma might escape, Bleston was willing to kill her in violation of this agreement. Despite this, Garten seems to have still held respect for Bleston, mentioning Bleston whenever he referred to his own dealings with the Terralains.

### Perkinson

Perkinson, like Kylen, was one of Bleston's covert operatives within the ranks of the Resistance; how Perkinson came into his service is unknown. After Kylen was exposed and his treachery failed to bring about the death of Smalls, Perkinson seems to have become Bleston's most trusted agent. He was tasked with the murder of Lord Ramnor, and later assisted Bleston and several of his forces in infiltrating Cloud Mountain to abduct Emma. Despite his own father's loyalty to Jupiter, Perkinson was loyaly to Bleston, and seemed to regard his actions as being justified. Even after Bleston fell to his death, Perkinson sought to carry on his master's work, and was only stopped when he was sent to the same end.

### Heather Joveson

**Heather Longtreader**: I'm only a herald, like thousands beside me. But we all sing the same song. Things are bad, yes. But it will not be so in the Mended Wood.

**Bleston**: I have heard this song.

**Heather**: Sing it with us, Lord Bleston. Lend your strong voice and hasten its coming. Be for us always the Silver Prince, who rides in to the rescue, who helps make a truly noble rabbit our longed-for king.

—*Ember Falls*, p. 166 |  | ”

Heather was immediately suspicious of Bleston, due in part to his part in Kylen's betrayal of Smalls. Fiercely loyal to Smalls, she also objected to Bleston's assertions that he had a claim to the throne, and to his assuming command of Halfwind after the death of Lord Ramnor. Like many others, however, she struggled against his natural charisma, particularly given his familiarity with certain information. In the face of her determined opposition, Bleston suggested that she and Picket accept him as "a winter king", and that he would discuss the future with Smalls if the prince ever returned.

Despite her reservations, Heather approved of many of the administrative changes Bleston made in the running of Halfwind. However, this did not extend to his system of justice, which punished all offenders mercilessly with no regard to circumstances. Recognizing that Bleston was dangerous to cross, however, she delayed confronting him over the case of Jone Wissel. She later passionately pled with him to throw his support behind Smalls after Kylen was injured by a wolf attack. She grew concerned by his statements during the assembly in Leapers Hall, but overjoyed when he announced his intention to submit to Smalls and support the Cause.

Unfortunately, Bleston's change of heart was a sham, and he intended all along to betray the Halfwind forces and see the Cause destroyed so that he could assume the throne. Confronting Heather and Emma with armed guards, he demanded that Emma leave with him, threatening to kill Heather if she refused. Growing steadily angrier as Heather decried his actions, Bleston was determined to turn Emma over to Morbin to secure a treaty with the Lords of Prey.

### Picket Longtreader

**Picket**: So what are you saying? That I should take a team and save my family, no matter what my masters say?

**Bleston**: The only master you have to worry about is telling you this. You're a coward if you don't.

—*Ember Falls*, p. 142 |  | ”

Like most of the soldiers at Halfwind, Picket was in awe of Bleston after seeing him in battle and witnessing the Terralain rescue of Halfwind. This even led him to question whether or not Bleston may have been the injured party in his and Jupiter's feud. After seeing the brusque manner of Bleston's guard, and the way he assumed command of Halfwind with no real right other than force, Picket became more suspicious. In spite of this, Bleston's presence was such that Picket struggled, moreso even than Heather, to resist Bleston's air of command. He did make a point, however, of addressing Bleston as a prince, never acknowledging his title as king of Terralain or his pretended right to the throne of all Natalia.

Bleston, for his part, found Picket amusing and made a show of treating him cordially, not reacting with anger to Picket's failure to address him as a king. He also reacted calmly when Picket, Heather, and Emma drew away from him the Leapers Hall assembly, left suspicious by his words. In truth, he seems to have recognized Picket as a threat to his plans, no doubt due to Picket's role in rescuing Smalls from the results of Kylen's treason. As such, he sought to persuade Picket to pursue a dangerous, if not suicidal, rescue mission, playing on Picket's own desires and frustrations to increase its appeal.

Though Picket was not persuaded to undertake the rescue mission, Bleston soon found another opportunity to eliminate him as a threat. After helping organize the battle plan for Rockback Valley, Bleston held his forces back from taking part, effectively leaving Picket and the Halfwind rabbits to die. However, thanks to Heyward's glider cape, Picket was able not only to escape the battlefield but to intervene in Bleston's attempt to murder Emma. Enraged, Bleston charged the unarmed Picket, failing in his killing strike but pulling Picket off the edge of the Cloud Mountain plateau with him. In his madness, Bleston continued to grapple with Picket until the younger rabbit broke away and glided to safety, leaving Bleston to his fatal fall.

## Trivia

* In a Q&A, S. D. Smith revealed that Bleston became a part of Terralain culture and ultimately altered it to suit his own purposes. He also purposefully kept Kylen in the dark about certain details, such as his plans to betray the Cause to Morbin, that others agents like Perkinson were fully aware of.

## References

1. ↑ *Ember Falls*, pg 116
2. ↑ *Ember Falls*, Chapter Sixteen: A New Order (Page 112)
3. ↑ *Ember Rising*, p. 269
4. ↑ [1]

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