Telis Heddorel

**Telis Heddorel** is a Magus of the Octal Tower. She belongs to the Chain of the Hummingbird. For the past twenty years, however, Telis has worked away from the Tower.

## Biography

Telis Heddorel was the youngest of three children born to a family in Dalmhenn, a small village in the northern part of Thamm. In 640 BA, at the age of sixteen, she travelled to the Octal Tower. Among her peers during this period of training were Malesind Wyme and Annelies cos Madalen. She was linked to the Chain of the Hummingbird, and bonded with Meia Anjol, in 650 BA. In 664 BA, after Meia had a vision, Telis travelled south to Dael, where she became a member of the household staff of the regnant Queen Jemessan. When Jemessan's daughter Jelestal gave birth to a chimera, Telis spread the word that the child had been stillborn, but instead took her north.

Telis occupied a house at the edge of the Village. As an outsider, she hadn't been allowed to purchase a larger plot, even after being resident there for nearly eighteen years. She was the only person in the last fifty years to come to the Village and make it a permanent residence. Telis was close with Meriel, who was born around the time she first moved to the Village. Whenever Meriel passed by, Telis invited her in for a pot of tea. Most of the Village distrusted her, however. In 677 BA, she was nearly killed by a vigilante mob of villagers after being blamed for the death of Addeor Colsor's brother, and was only spared when Addeor admitted that his brother was hidden in a hayloft.

Telis was known to read only infrequently. When she did read, it was invariably outdoors. In 684 BA, after the death of Meia Anjol, she had her Awakening. She left the Village for a time, visiting Easind Fann in Falien. In her absence, Meriel went to her house and discovered a book which she took. Telis was ultimately away from the Village for a week. Upon her return, she discovered Meriel by the body of her father, who she had killed in self-defence. Hugging Meriel to calm her, Telis escorted her away from the Village. Telis and Meriel travelled to Camistane. On the journey, she demonstrated her ability to use magic, and explained to Meriel what Magi were. She informed Meriel of her status as a Daughter of Prophecy, revealing that she'd taken Meriel from her mother at birth.

Arriving at Camistane, Telis had Meriel cover her eyes with a bandage to avoid attracting attention for being a chimera. She concocted a cover story that she was escorting her blind daughter Ana from Jaren Cothe to Tihedamel. Once in the city, she rented a room at an inn for her and Meriel. In the night, Telis left the room she'd rented, having noticed that they were being followed on their ride. She caught Cad Mathe and Helicent Loghire, two of Meriel's friends from the Village, and brought them back to the room. Once there, she explained to the three youngsters that Meriel was in truth daughter and heir of Queen Jelestal of Dael. Leaving the three, Telis went to buy provisions. She returned, informing them that they had to leave immediately - they had been betrayed by the innkeeper, Howel Tomarty. On their escape they were confronted by an assassin; Telis acted to kill him with her magic. They found Tomarty in the common room of the inn, cradling the body of his wife. He confessed to Telis his betrayal and apologised, before slitting his own throat.

Telis led her companions to the city's northern gate, where she begged the Captain of the Guard to let them leave. The Captain informed her that he had orders not to open the gate at night - but privately warned her that there were sinister actors wanting Magi dead, and that the Margrave had to keep up the appearance of pursuing her for his own daughter's life. The Captain allowed the gate to be opened, at Telis' insistence, and she left Camistane. She was keen to reach Falien quickly, only reluctantly allowing her companions to stop for a brief rest. They briefly passed through the Salted Lands, where she relayed some of the story of the war between Otenlan and the Octal Tower. On reaching the border of Falien, Telis realised that a magical ward had been put in place on the kingdom's border. After warning the others, she told them that they would have to go deeper into the Salted Lands.

Telis found a cave in the Salted Lands for them to shelter in, and insisted on taking the watch as much of the night as possible. In the morning, she filled up their waterskins from a small stream. Meriel approached her to ask about the book, and Telis explained to her that the book was a collection of ancient knowledge on the magic of the stars. As the group heads deeper into the Salted Lands, they come upon a ruined village in the heart of a thicket forest. Telis only allows them a few minutes to rest, and that reluctantly. Her fears are borne out when a creature emerges from the forest floor, attacking them. Telis, after using magic to push Helicent to safety, is able to repel the creature, though doing so pushes her to breaking point. She picks up Meriel, who has a broken leg, and carries her towards the Octal Tower.

## Appearances

* The Forge of the Magus
	+ 2. A Village Without A Name (Mentioned)
	+ 3. A Stone of Red
	+ 5. A Ride With A Magus
	+ 6. Camistane
	+ 10. Midnight Flight
	+ 11. Heading For Falien
	+ 12. A Shadow in the Salted Lands

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.booksoflightness.com/telis
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.scribblehub.com/read/521121-the-forge-of-the-magus/chapter/554253/

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