Brindle Cove

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Biographical information

### Home

• Golden Coast
• Kingston (formerly)

## Association information

### Titles

• Lieutenant
• Helmer
• Captain

### Allies

• King Whitson Mariner
• Queen Lillie

## Book information

### Appears

*The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

### Mentioned

*Ember Rising* (not named)

**Brindle Cove**: Your father made me what I am, and I'm a kingsbuck forever.

—*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*, p. 66 |  | ”

**B****rindle Cove** was a buck who served under King Whitson Mariner and Queen Lillie.

## Biography

### Early life

Brindle Cove was born the son of a poor farmer and his wife. Though Brindle had planned to take up his father's profession, he soon took to being a sailor during the voyage from Golden Coast.

### *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*

Brindle Cove attended King Whitson Mariner's reception aboard *Steadfast*, where the king congratulated him on his promotion to lieutenant. He also invited the shy Brindle and his parents to a private dinner the following night, assuring him that the meal would be less formal. Brindle gratefully accepted the offer.

Some time later, *Vanguard* was wrecked at the hands of Captain Grimble. Unable to find Queen Lillie, Whitson dove back into the bowels of the ship to search for his wife. He was quickly overcome by the water, however, and would have drowned if Brindle Cove had not saved him at the last second.

After this, Whitson decided to take a skeleton crew aboard *Steadfast* to search for Grimble's ship, *Desolation*; Brindle was among the crew. When Hamp vanished from his post as helmer, Brindle stepped in seconds before the ship was dashed by the rapids, much to Whitson's relief. Brindle stayed at the helm, and was ever after known by the nickname “Helmer”.

As the sun set, Whitson revealed to Brindle and the others his plan to overcome *Desolation*. The red-furred buck feigned idiocy along with the rest of the crew, allowing *Desolation* to gain on them. Then, at the last second, Brindle whipped *Steadfast* about, sending it crashing into the side of *Desolation*. A battle then ensued between the bucks on each ship. Though initially Captain Grimble had the upper hand on Whitson Mariner, Grimble was surrounded by the king's supporters, Brindle included, who forced the rebel buck to surrender.

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

In the years following this incident, Brindle remained a steadfast and trusted officer of Whitson's, eventually attaining the rank of captain. He was credited with saving Whitson's followers on many occasions. Eventually, Brindle was part of an entourage supposedly going to meet the Grimble faction for a peace summit. In reality, this was a ruse to expose Grimble's spies in their midst. Captain Cove and Prince Lemual were charged with interrogating Lord Arben and Captain Danker after the two were arrested.

Brindle later reported to Prince Lander regarding feelings in the camp about his father's tactics. Brindle admitted that some were confused by the king's actions but affirmed his own loyalty and that of the other veterans. He also noted that Winnie Drekker had ignored his charge to report to Lander as the prince had asked. Lander thanked him for his dedication; after a brief separation, they went to the provisioner's tent only to overhear a messenger insulting King Whitson’s competence.

At Lander’s order, Brindle took hold of the traitor in order to place him under arrest, and attempted to halt his mutinous tirade. Captain Cove subsequently attended a council convened in response to Grimble's call for a summit at Barren Point. Afterwards, he took part in defending the camp from the Grimbles’ attack, and cheered as King Whitson arrived at the head of a countercharge. Brindle took charge of rebuilding the defenses after the attack, and sent Nickel Drekker to report on their progress. Confident in Brindle's abilities, Lander told Nickel to reply that he felt no need to inspect the captain’s work.

Captain Cove later took part in the Battle of Barren Point, and was among the bucks of Lander’s party to survive. He also attended the first meeting of Lander's council after he became king in the wake of Whitson's death. Brindle was also among those who called out to volunteer for service in Lander's new army. Taking the helm of *Steadfast* once again, Brindle sailed the ship under the command of Lord Fleck Blackstar. He was left in command of the ship after Fleck joined in the ground fighting of the Battle of Dragon Mountain.

### *Ember Rising*

While speaking with Lord Hewson about a prank he pulled as a young buck, Lord Captain Helmer refers to Brindle and his association with the title, for which Helmer was named.

## Physical appearance

Brindle Cove was described as being "red-furred" and "wide-eyed."

## Personality and traits

Loyal to the end, Brindle Cove proved to be a valuable rabbit to King Whitson Mariner time and time again. He was an able sailor, a skilled fighter, and a brave and patient leader, traits which earned him the titles of lieutenant, helmer, and captain.

## Family tree

 - Helmer's Family Tree -

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

## Trivia

* The name "Brindle" is of English origin and means "to burn" or "tawny."
	+ Additionally, the surname "Cove" is of Anglo-Saxon origin.

## References

1. ↑ [1]
2. ↑ [2]