Prince Avery, Duke of Vedette

* Franklin MetZe (half-brother)†

Prince **Avery Chandellar** is the third son and youngest child of Riley III and Evelyn of Parchley. He is Duke of Vedette and Earl of Helion. He is third legitimate son and youngest child of Riley III and Evelyn of Parchley. He is the younger brother of Leighton V.

## Biography

Avery was born in 1575 at Adust Palace. He is the overall fourth son and youngest child of Riley III and his queen consort Evelyn of Parchley. He has two older brothers, Leighton, who was King of Tzeauland and Prince Marley, and also a half-brother Franklin Metze. His mother, Evelyn, died shortly after her confinement.

## Storyline

Avery and his elder brothers Leighton and Frankie return from a small holiday to the Sky Isles. They initially were taken by Leighton after being ostracised from the common interest at home (their nephew's wedding). While Leighton is searching the ship for Avery, he climbs up into the crow's nest. Shortly after he is found and carried down by a sailor. Leighton lectures him about what it means to be a prince and the behaviour it involves.

Arriving back at the castle, Avery and his brothers see the new preparations made for the arrival of the Abernatheys, and are greeted by Madison, who eventually tells Avery he seems sickly and needs to see the physician again. Avery is visibly annoyed with everything happening.

## Personality

Initially, Avery was a happy, studious child who enjoyed the quiet life of an heir presumptive. He rarely complained and was known for his good behaviour. However, it was also known he did not like change; he thrived on routine, and any small change of plan distressed him.

His anxiety and inexorability are at their worst when he lives in exile. Avery demands Franklin to start organising a campaign in Tzeauland, and while Frankie keeps explaining the illogicality behind this idea, Avery refuses to listen. With his relentless piety comes a sense of self-righteousness, where he believes he is divinely supported and has the ideal thought that Tzeauland shall be returned to him, regardless of his lack of an army or military strength. He also has a strong belief in evil entities such as Caligo and his cacodemons, hence why he fears darkness so much. Since he views his exile as a punishment from god, he spends a lot of his time praying for forgiveness and practising penance, as he greatly fears damnation. He is appalled by any talk of heresy or apostasy, and is stubborn when it comes to religious debates.

## Relationships

### Franklin Metze

Initially, Franklin and Avery were very close, as a result of both being disbarred from life at court. They frequently visited one another and used to love playing royal tennis together. In exile, however, their relationship shows to be faltering. Avery develops a mistrust for his half-brother after he shows hostility toward Ariel, his close friend. After Franklin voices his concern to Avery, a rift occurs between the two, and they become emotionally distant. A few weeks later, Avery agrees to return to Pathe and reconcile with Franklin, but his brother dies before he can reach him.

### Ariel Vardaryhen

At first, Avery views the Vardaryhens with contempt. He has a strong disliking of Azryterians, and is furious that his brother the Duke of Summerhill was lenient toward them. He shuns them as best he can, and, on the grounds that their 'obstinate' and 'haughty' attitudes must be quenched, he endeavours to make their lives a misery. This is until he meets Ariel, the meekest of the four, who is easily scared into submission. Avery, spurred on by the fact that Ariel used to be one of the most powerful figures in Azure, decides to use his influence upon him. Thus, their relationship is not one of amity, rather it is Avery trying to beguile someone of significance. However, as time progresses, Avery starts to come to appreciate Ariel as a person, and realises they share many interests and have experienced similar circumstances. Along with this, Avery fills Ariel's head with lies, to prevent him from growing intellectually.

Ariel, becoming increasingly confident with Avery, also gently asks him to act kinder toward his cousins, as they didn't mean any harm and were still afraid of their new environment, as he was. Avery reluctantly agrees. He begins to familiarise himself with the other three, even as far as developing a fondness for Venus and his precocious intelligence. However, he does not get along well with Phaedonas, whose most 'Western' physiognomy and innate 'conceit' discourage him.