Cortael of Old Cor

**Cortael of Old Cor** is of Spindleblood and one of The Companions of the Realm. He is the father of Corayne an-Amarat and the twin brother of Taristan of Old Cor.

## Biography

### Early Life

Cortael and his twin brother Taristan never knew their parents. Their mother died giving birth to them. While Taristan was cast aside as superfluous, Cortael was raised in Iona by the Vedera to one day hopefully be able to open a Spindle towards the Vedera's home world. Taristan describes Cortael as "a warrior, a scholar, a lord of men and immortals both. The heir to rebuild an empire long since lost." Cortael grew up in Iona under the care of the Monarch of Iona, Isibel Beldane. He and Domacridhan of Iona considered each other to be brothers, mortality aside.

### *Realm Breaker*

Cortael and the Companions of the Realm face off against Taristan and Red Ronin at the Spindle near the Gates of Trec. Until Taristan's appearance at the temple, Cortael didn't even know he had a twin brother. Unbeknownst to the Companions, Taristan has already opened the Spindle and an army of the dead comes through to Allward. Slowly the Companions all die at the hands of the dead. When only Dom and Andry Trelland are still alive, Cortael manages to drive his Spindleblade into Tristan's chest. But instead of dying, Taristan pulls the blade from his chest and stabs Cortael in the heart.

Ridha of Iona reveals to Dom that while Cortael was drunk one time, he told her about having a child when he was younger. She sends Dom off to track down this child, as they are the only other person known to have Spindleblood besides Taristan.

## Personality

Cortael is a natural leader and is accustomed to command. Cortael was infamous for having slept with many women, both Veder and mortal. For example, according to Dom, half of Iona knows about Cortael and Ridha's tryst. Ridha describes Cortael as "a man who thought himself a Veder and did all he could to convince the Veder." It was not in him to admit to what he viewed as "mortal mistakes," such as having a child out of wedlock. His greatest desire was to be like the Veder. Dom recalls how even as a boy Cortael set against his own nature. He would try to ignore wounds, cold, and hunger. He would refuse to sleep because Vedera often don't need to. Cortael would get furiously angry. He would become frustrated and rage as a mortal boy among living statues. He spoke Vederian as well as any in the enclave. He once revealed to Dom that he dreamed in Vederian and not his own language. Cortael struggled with his Corblood as a boy. He was "restless and searching, hungry for a place to belong but hesitant to drop anchor."

## Physical Description

Cortael is about thirty-five years old. He has dark red, shoulder-length hair. He is regal in appearance, with a fine face, piercing black eyes, a stern jaw, thin lips, a high brow, and the strange, distant way of all those of Spindleblood. There are slight lines of age on his face, notably on his stern brown and at the corners of his lips. He and Taristan are mirror images of each other. Cortael wears a cloak of Iona with a steel breastplate embossed with antlers. He carries a Spindleblade he wears at his hip.

## Powers and Abilities

As someone with Corblood, Cortael is capable of opening Spindles using his blood and a Spindleblade. He is also a highly trained and skilled soldier. He fights with skill and force.

## Relationships

### Domacridhan of Iona

Cortael has known Dom his entire life. Dom loved Cortael like a brother and then like a son. He was there for Cortael's first steps, first tooth, first words, first drop of blood to fall, and his last. Dom was the only one who could calm and comfort Cortael when he would rage in frustration at not being like the Vedera. Dom is wracked with guilt and grief over Cortael's death.

## References

1. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pgs. 14-15
2. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 85
3. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 162
4. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 6
5. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 16