Lander Whitson

*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.**

## Lander Whitson

Lander during the Dragon War, as pictured in Prince Lander and the Dragon War.

## Association information

### Also known as

Son (by his parents)
Your Highness/Highness (by various rabbits, as a prince)
Yer Highness-ness (by Nickel Drekker)
Yer Royal H (by Nickel Drekker)
His Yer Highness (by Winnie Drekker)
Lander Lordling (by Winnie Drekker)
Your Majesty (incorrectly by a member of the Frustrated Band of Hot Youngbloods as a prince; later by all loyal rabbits, as king)
Princeling (by Hollie Grimble)
Yer Princeship (by Biggting Pusher)
Prince Marinerson (by Biggting Pusher)
My Royal Higherz (by Biggting Pusher)
Young prince (by Chief Heckle)
Captain Deeds (by himself and the Tricky Reds)
Yer Sireship (by Nickel Drekker)
Little king (by Namoz)

### Titles

Prince
King

## Book information

### Appears

• *The Black Star of Kingston*
• *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
• *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

### Mentioned

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

**L****ander Whitson** was the son of King Whitson Mariner and Queen Lillie and the older brother of Lemual, Davis, Grant, and Lucianne. He led the rabbits of Natalia to victory in the Dragon War and later founded the city of First Warren.

## Biography

### *The Black Star of Kingston*

Having been born to King Whitson Mariner and his wife, Queen Lillie, Lander spent his early childhood in Seddleton. Lander was antagonized by other young rabbits due to his parentage, with his peers believing he had an easy life. Fortunately, Lander was beloved of his parents and of his maternal grandfather, Lord Grant, who would tell him stories of the Crossing and the heroic sacrifice of his paternal grandfather, Lord Whit. Lander would at times hide in a cabinet in his parents' office in order to listen in on their conversations, though this grew more difficult as he grew older.

One on occasion, Lander entered his hiding place when he was supposed to be with Grant, and was discovered partway through a conversation between his parents regarding the Grimble family. After talking with their son, Whitson and Lillie agreed that the time had come to entrust Lander with the Green Ember, the symbol of his future role as king. Some time later, the royal family made their way down to Ayman Lake, where Lander enjoyed playing with a toy ship that his father had made for him some time previously. In the process, they were greeted by Fleck Blackstar, who would later approach Whitson with an idea to travel across the lake and explore.

Much to Lander's dismay, Whitson forbade him from accompanying him on any of his voyages across the lake, a decision with which Lillie agreed. However, during the last voyage to the far side of the lake, Lander stowed away inside a barrel in the hold of *Natalia*, only to be discovered by Galt. Galt fetched King Whitson and now Captain Fleck Blackstar, and Whitson gave his son a stern reprimand for his disobedience. At his father's bidding, Lander apologized to the two older bucks as well, who quietly left as Whitson then spoke kindly to his errant son.

Fleck and Galt, both of whom approved of the young prince, later informed their colleague Burnley of his presence. When a flock of birds of prey swept down towards the lake, Lander joined his father on the deck of *Natalia* as they raced back towards Seddleton. In order to allow him to steer the ship with both hands, Whitson placed Lander's hand in Fleck's, and the older buck spoke comfortingly to Lander as they anticipated a terrible struggle. As he looked into Lander's eyes, Fleck saw a vision of the future Lander would build for their kind in Natalia, a sight that brought a smile to his lips and brought and answering smile from the younger buck.

When the raptors caught up to the ship, Lander stayed by his father's side, with his father and several crewmates fighting desperately to protect the young rabbit from the vicious predators. Gavin, acting on Fleck's orders, would carry Lander over the side of the ship and to shore for safety, allowing him to be reunited with his family. Whitson, who was saved by Fleck, briefly searched for Lander among the wreckage of Natalia after it was destroyed by a blastpowder explosion before finding him on shore. Lander helped to treat wounded survivors of the Battle of Ayman Lake, and Fleck honored an earlier promise he'd made to the prince by making him a member of Black Star Company, giving him the black star patch that had once belonged to his own father. Lander recognized Fleck as a hero, and King Whitson would repeat the story of Fleck's heroics to Lander and other young rabbits for years to come, with the vow of Black Star Company becoming the oath of all rabbits loyal to Whitson and his line.

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

Aboard the *Vanguard*, Lander and his parents sailed with their community down the River Fay, searching for a new home. After spending a winter at Halfway Harbor, the rabbits held a celebration aboard *Vanguard* to commemorate the continuation of their journey. Lander, in attendance at the event, wore the Green Ember openly as opposed to under his shirt as was his normal custom. Some time prior to the party, he had begun training in the use of a sword, but had also begun to suffer from nightmares in which either he or those he loved were carried off by the lords of prey. These dreams were particularly ominous due to increasing tensions between Whitson and the Grimbles, who had scouted the route of their journey aboard *Burnley* and led the way as the small fleet set sail.

As they made their way down the fog-shrouded river, Lander spoke with friend and fellow Black Star Company rabbit Massie Burnson, who encouraged Lander not to let his worries prevent him from living his life to the fullest. The two became anxious due to the diminished visibility, and their fears proved justified when *Vanguard* crashed into a large rock. As evacuation efforts commenced, it was discovered that Queen Lillie had disappeared, and Lander reacted with horror at the realization that she had been kidnapped. On his father's orders, Lander accompanied Massie in a boat to the shore of a nearby island.

Hearing his mother's scream in the nearby woods, Lander set off after her, and was pursued by Massie; the older buck reluctantly agreed that they should continue the search for the queen. Lander successfully found the tracks of several rabbits, along with those of a creature he didn't recognize. The pair soon sensed the presence of another being, whom Lander dubbed "the ghost". As they progressed, Lander spotted movement and rushed to investigate, only for both bucks to be whipped off their feet and suspended upside down in a net-like trap.

Massie and Lander were then approached by a masked rabbit carrying a sword, who revealed himself to be Galt, who had left the community during the battle of Ayman Lake. Galt freed Massie and Lander and offered them his help in finding Lillie in exchange for a pardon for his crime, something that Lander convinced him to do. He then shared the story of his arrival on the island and the discovery of the vile dragons who inhabited it, and who had made a pact with the Grimbles and their followers. Lander entrusted the Green Ember to Galt and sent him to speak with Whitson, while he and Massie continued to hack their way through the brush, hoping to find the camp of the dragons. Eventually, they emerged onto the edge of a cliff, from the top of which they could see the camp, including a shack in which they correctly deduced Lillie was being kept.

Lander attempted to infiltrate the camp by lying prostrate on a raft, drifting towards shore. Just as a dragon was about to seize him, the young buck killed it with his sword. His act distracted Captain Grimble's rabbits and allowed Lillie to escape the shack, and with help from a returning Galt and Massie Lander subdued the enemy rabbits. Interrogating a buck named Tarn, they learned of the dragons' imminent return for a meeting with Lord Grimble, shortly before the creatures appeared in person. Lander and his companions hid, watching the dragons mourn their fallen comrade with an eerie rite. Just then, one of the dragons spotted the group and orders chase, prompting the rabbits to flee back into the forest.

With the creatures gaining on him and his companions, Lander tasked Galt and Massie with protecting his mother while he darted back and led several dragons away. He eventually made his way to the same cliff where his companions had been pursued, and found himself caught between two lines of dragons. Fortunately, the crew of *Steadfast*, under the command of Whitson, had appeared just in time to rescue Lillie and her escorts, and with their help Lander was able to safely reach the ship. He and Lillie were then sent below to rest and eat as the *Steadfast* sailed on for a confrontation with *Burnley*, renamed *Desolation* in token of Captain Grimble's treachery.

As evening approached, Massie spotted movement on the edge of the island, which turned out to be fellow survivors from the wreck of *Vanguard*. Lillie and Lander, followed by a few others, swam for shore as the rest prepared for battle. Later, they prevent deserting bucks of Grimble's from returning to the fight on *Desolation*. After the battle, the survivors and soldiers reunited, with Lander joining his parents in caring for the beleaguered survivors. Whitson was cheered when Mother Saramack directed him, Lillie, and Lander to where a crate had been found with King Gerrard's seal on it.

Inside, much to their awe and relief, they found the Stone Sword of Flint, which Lander feared may have broken in the wreck. This prompted Queen Lillie and Mother Saramack to quote passages from the Stone Book of Fay regarding the sword's destiny, which was to remain intact until the Mending. Disappointed to find the blade still intact, and faced with continued war against the dragons, Lander nevertheless was committed to carrying on.

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

#### Prince and captain

Whitson's community eventually established a camp at Lener's Crossroads, which they spent the next several years defending from the Grimble faction and their dragon allies. Lander was joined by three younger brothers: Grant, Davis, and Lemual. Tragically, Davis would be killed in an attack on the camp by Namoz Dragonking, while the newly elevated Lord Grimble would murder Lord Grant. Despite these personal losses, Lander grew to be a strong and skilled leader among the Trekkers, and one of his father's most trusted counselors.

Eventually, Lander's father was diagnosed with a condition that would see his mental health deteriorate until he passed prematurely. Some months after this, a meeting was arranged between Whitson and Grimble's forces, and over Grant's objections Whitson led his lords and officers out to attend. However, this proved to be an elaborate ruse on the part of Whitson, who exaggerated his failing health in order to expose a pair of spies Grimble had planted in his inner circle. Whitson's forces then learned that the Grimble faction would once again be sacrificing half their younglings to the dragons.

Supported by Captain Walters, Lander returned to Grimble Island in order to attempt a rescue of the endangered younglings. He was unexpectedly joined in this mission first by Nickel Drekker, and then by Nickel's sister Winnie and several of their cousins. These initially unwanted allies helped Lander survive his infiltration of the island and eventually reach the Grimble settlement. After arranging a clever distraction, the group made their way to the barn where the younglings were being held and convinced the group to accompany them to safety. Lander was unpleasantly surprised to find Hollie Grimble, Lord Grimble's eldest daughter, among the younger rabbits, but helped her and the others make their way safely off the island.

Lander suffered a leg injury during the escape but returned to camp and was treated by Doctor Grimes. As he and his parents discussed their dire circumstances, Lander questioned whether it might not be time to unbury the starsword, which Whitson had hidden away in a secret location. Whitson and Lillie revealed to Lander that, since Whitson had first held it, he had suffered a nightly dream in which he used it to destroy their enemies only to become an even greater evil himself. They were then interrupted with word of a group of dragons to the west of the camp, and Whitson—acting on established protocol—sent a small force under Grant in that direction while leading a larger force to the east to counter any surprise attack from that direction.

Remaining behind to oversee the camp, Lander spoke with Captain Brindle Cove before and after hearing a report from a messenger sent by his father. However, Lander and Cove soon overheard the messenger speaking to other young soldiers, deriding King Whitson as a senile old fool who would lead them to ruin. Lander ordered the messenger arrested and warned the others that they could be accused of treason for listening and agreeing to his seditious words. Unfortunately, the remnants of Grant's party then returned bearing the badly injured prince, who had dared to attack the scouting dragons.

#### Dealing with division

As Grant was attended to and Lander's family waited anxiously for news on his condition, Captain Walters asked him to come outside and deal with a brewing situation. Lander emerged to find a number of young soldiers gathered in a growing mob and confronting the royal guards and demanding to know whether, as they believed, Whitson's actions had killed the beloved Grant. Lander asked to speak with a representative, and Filmun Derkson stepped forward to speak for the malcontents. He warned that his fellows wanted change and would seek to dethrone Whitson Mariner and install a new monarch by force. Conflict was narrowly avoided when Grant, struggling even to stay upright, emerged to inform the crowd that his injuries were the result of his own folly before falling into a coma.

Whitson issued a blanket pardon to the malcontents, and Lander spent several days attending to his duties while worrying over Grant's condition. While discussing the matter with Grimes, Lander questioned whether the memory tonic prescribed to help slow Whitson's own decline might be helpful. However, Grimes informed Lander, and a nearby Lemual, that the tonic included a powerful poison that would kill anyone who ingested it in less than two weeks unless they also took the antidote. Leaving their home, the pair discussed Lemual's assignment to depart with the Third Scouts, as a means of keeping some remnant of their group alive if the worst ever happened.

The brothers subsequently paid a visit to Mother Saramack, whom Lander was displeased to find being visited by Hollie Grimble. However, Saramack made peace between the children of bitter enemies, and soon turned her discussion with Lander to matters in the camp. Aware of the deepening divisions within the camp, Saramack surprised Lander by suggesting that his limited time and effort would be best spent attempting to win over the Drekkers. Heeding her wisdom, Lander and Lemual visited the Drekker hold, and were able to gain entry thanks to the friendly Biggting Pusher.

Lander was thus able to speak with Chief Heckle, the Drekker leader, who refused to commit to Whitson's cause while things remained unstable in the camp. Lander accused him of cowardice and was then treated to a lesson in Drekker history and their commitment to the heirs of Flint and Fay. The two were interrupted by the uproar surrounding Lemual being challenged to a game of fling-a-ding by Haldorn, and over his own misgivings Lander allowed his brother to go through with the challenge. Lemual's bravery and quick-thinking won them the respect of the Drekkers, including Chief Heckle.

The princes arrived home to learn that Lord Grimble had requested a "peace summit" with Whitson, and quickly agreed that some treachery was planned. Feeling that a trickster would be best suited to help them deal with treachery, Lander had Chief Heckle and Nickel Drekker brought to his father's council to discuss the planned meeting. As Nickel predicted, a force of Grimble's soldiers attacked the camp, and Lander quickly rushed to the battle. Along the way, he came upon a band of young soldiers and took them in tow, christening the group as the Tricky Reds after Nickel arrived to join them.

#### The fall of the king

Fighting bravely, Lander and his cohort went up against the enemy commander, Captain Forne, only for Lander to end up weaponless facing the vicious rabbit. Fortunately, Whitson arrived at the head of reinforcements, killing Forne and leading his loyalists through the remainder of the battle. Once Grimble's forces retreated, Lander helped attend to the injured and dying, returning to camp only to learn that the Third Scouts had embarked and that his father was missing. Based on his mother's guess, Lander traveled to the hiding place of the starsword and found his father there. The two had a heartfelt conversation about their troubles, and Lander briefly experienced a horrific vision when Whitson lifted a handful of dirt from atop the sword's burial place.

Nickel and Winnie prepared a vessel for Whitson's journey to Barren Point, building in a hidden compartment that Lander rode in as a precaution against Grimble's treachery. As they journeyed to Barren Point, they saw that Grimble had brought Hollie, abducted from their camp during the attack, with him. While Lander watched, the older bucks debated their conflict and relationship to the dragons and were then joined by King Namoz and his sorcerer and priestess as they emerged from the waters of the River Fay. Detecting Lander's presence, Namoz insisted that he join them, and Lander looked on as the dragons initiated a horrific ritual.

The dragons' actions resulted in Grimble becoming a monstrous fusion of rabbit and dragon, the result of ingesting a potion they claimed could give both Grimble and Whitson eternal life if mingled with the blood of their firstborn children. Whitson refused to accept such an offer or to allow Hollie to be killed in hopes of completing Grimble's transformation. Lander and his father both deflected a sword strike from Namoz, but Whitson then took a crossbow bolt aimed at Hollie. Lander and Hollie got Whitson into the boat, and Lander activated a pulley system that drew them back across the river.

Mortally wounded, Whitson—aided by Hollie—removed the Ruling Stone from around his neck and placed it on Lander's, before bidding farewell to his son and the doe whom he had given his life to save. As Whitson's body was carried to safety, Lander took charge of the bucks who had stood ready on the shore of the river. When a wave of dragons arrived to attack them, Lander took the initiative and attacked the leading monster. However, despite helping to kill two of the dragons, Lander's forces were hopelessly overwhelmed, even as Grimble's rabbits came across the river to join in crushing his brave band of rabbits.

Unexpectedly, Lander's forces were relieved by the sudden arrival of *Steadfast*, carrying a force of bucks from Kingston under the leadership of Lord Fleck Blackstar. He was accompanied by Captain Massie, who had been sent by Whitson for the express purpose of calling on the Kingston rabbits for aid, and Lemual, who had met the incoming rabbits while traveling with the Third Scouts. Having sent the Third Scouts on, Lem brought some of Fleck's force to the hiding place of *Steadfast*. Their arrival turned the tide of the battle, and the dragons and Grimble's rabbits retreated.

#### Taking the offensive

Lander enjoyed a happy reunion with his brother and Fleck, though he was forced to break to them the sad news of Whitson's death. Returning to Lener's Crossroads, they assembled the rest of Whitson's former council, and after being greeted by his mother Lander took his place at the head of the table. He invited the lords and captains to put forward advice, only to spark a debate that was ended forcibly by Mother Saramack. The aged doe noted that Lander was fully qualified to take command of his father's army, and further noted that Hollie had spoken to her of Lander's bold actions in the recent battle.

Inspired by her counsel, Lander ended the meeting and directed his officers to call together the army, which was rapidly disintegrating as many of the camp inhabitants prepared to desert. He also asked Doctor Grimes to bring him Whitson's memory tonic and shared a brief moment with Hollie over her grief at Whitson's death. After granting Lemual permission to remain at camp, on the condition that he follow Lander's orders exactly, Lander spoke to the assembled rabbits. He released every rabbit in the army from service, before informing them that he was forming a new army that would only accept those willing to volunteer for it. Much to their astonishment, he informed them that he would not be continuing Whitson's strategy of defense, but would instead attack the dragons' stronghold.

Inspired by Lander's boldness, his rabbits quickly pledged themselves to this "new" army, which was joined by the rest of Black Star Company under Captain Gavin. Lander invited his old rescuer, along with Lemual, Massie, and Fleck, to join him in burying Whitson in the same clearing where the starsword had been concealed. They then dug up the box containing the ancient blade, with Lander explaining its history and nature to the lord and captains. Having determined to make use of the weapon, Lander gave Lemual a bottle and made him vow that he would not give it to Lander until Lander buried the starsword again in such a way that he would not be able to access it without Lemual's help.

After Fleck and the two captains swore to support Lemual in this task, Lander downed a bottle of Whitson's memory tonic, and explained that he had given Lemual the antidote. By doing so, he meant to ensure that, if he lacked the will to lay down the sword once the dragons were defeated, he would die from the poison and thus prevent himself from taking his father's place in the nightmare that had tormented the fallen king. He then took up the starsword and, feeling its power, feigned as though he would use it against Lemual if his brother refused to surrender the antidote. Lemual refused and was supported by the others, much to Lander's approval.

Fleck proposed that the antidote be hidden as a precaution against Lander eventually attempting to take it from Lemual by force, and escorted Lander away while the others carried out this plan. Lander, already feeling some influence from the sword, was frustrated in his plan to sneak back and see where the antidote was hidden but admitted as much to Fleck rather than satisfying his own pride. After consulting with Fleck and his other lords and captains over strategy, Lander addressed the army a final time as they prepared to set out for Dragon Mountain. In the absence of yet having a child upon whom to confer the Green Ember, he proclaimed Lemual to be his heir.

#### War's end

Lander's army soon arrived at Dragon Mountain to find that the dragons had gathered from all corners of western Natalia into a great army. Setting his forces in order, Lander took command of an elite unit he dubbed the scalebreakers, which included some of the best fighters in the army, including several who joined the group in violation of Lander's specific orders. The force took the lead in attacking the dragons but suffered from heavy losses in the grueling combat despite Lander's use of the starsword. Fortunately, they were soon joined by most of the rest of their army, and eventually managed to get into position to begin forcing the dragons down the mountain.

The rabbits managed to drive the dragons up against the confluence of the Rivers Flint and Fay, where *Steadfast* appeared under the command of Lord Blackstar to prevent their escape. An attempt to break through Lander's lines was thwarted by the sudden arrival of a band of rabbits led by Galt, who had marched after receiving messengers from Whitson's camp asking for aid. With the dragons surrounded, Lander offered them the chance to surrender, more as a means of giving his own troops breathing space than out of any belief that the dragons might actually give up. As expected, the dragons responded with violence, and Lander was targeted with a volley of crossbow bolts that saw one slice across his ribs while another became lodged in his collarbone.

With his right arm in agony after the injury, Lander continued fighting wielding the starsword in his left hand, only to have that be injured by a dragon's pike. Worse yet, after blacking out during the fighting, Lander awoke to find that, though most of the dragons had been slaughtered, a fresh force under King Namox was emerging from the mountain. Worse yet, *Steadfast* was destroyed when a fire set off a blastpowder explosion, seemingly taking with it the life of Lord Blackstar. Bleeding from numerous wounds and believing that no hope of victory remained, Lander nevertheless marched forward to confront Namoz.

The dragon king, surprised by Lander's attack but amused, informed him that the forces the rabbits had slain would be replaced many times over by eggs that lay waiting within the mountain. Untroubled, Lander charged into a final attack on Namoz, wielding the starsword in his right hand despite the pain, and slew his vile enemy. His army took heart as the dragons fled in terror, but Lander was dismayed to see that the starsword remained unbroken and passed out. Awakening, he briefly feared that the starsword had been taken by Grimble while he slept but learned that it had been returned to his scabbard by an unknown party. He briefly entered the mountain, but left it and made his way to the summit.

Massie soon approached Lander on behalf of his lords, who anxiously awaited his decision regarding the dragon seeds. In the grips of a vision of the future, Lander looked down upon the surrounding woodlands and dubbed it the Great Wood, foreseeing that he would build a home for his rabbits there. When Massie again pressed for his decision, Lander decreed that they would hide the dragons seeds, turn the mountain where they were contained into Forbidden Island, and seek to erase all knowledge of their foes. As a precaution against the day the dragons might reemerge, and to insure that the starsword would be hidden but accessible were it ever needed again, he also determined that they would place the weapon in the tomb as well.

In gratitude for Massie's years of faithful service, Lander appointed him to the newly created rank of Lord Captain. He then received news of Galt's apparent death alongside Fleck, along with a happier report that Grant had awakened from his coma. Despite the many losses sustained, Lander looked forward to the future with happiness, proclaiming that they would establish a kingdom that would look forward to the prophesied Mending. Unbeknownst to him, Fleck and Galt, watching from across the river where they had been washed up, looked on in joy and knelt with the rest of Lander's army as they pledged themselves anew to their king with Blackstar's oath.

### *The Green Ember*

Emma mentioned Lander—more specifically the tomb he ordered built for the dragon seeds—in conversation with Heather and Picket Longtreader.

### *Ember Falls*

Lander was mentioned in connection with the dragon tomb by Captain Frye when the latter urged Picket to reject Bleston's counsel.

### *Ember Rising*

Lander was mentioned in a conversation between Picket, Hame Smith and Hewson regarding the history of the starsword. He was also mentioned by Heyna Blackstar during a conversation with Emma, in which Heyna noted that Lander was close to his sister, Lady Lucianne Blackstar. Lander was also brought up by Louise when she reminded Picket that they were imprisoned under First Warren, the city Lander once ruled as king.

### *Ember's End*

Smalls and Heather, after encountering the supposed dragon keeper, learned of Lander's long ago treaty with the last of the dragons and the conferences between dragon keepers and rabbit kings ever since. Based on this information, Heather and Smalls determined that much information regarding the dragons had been lost, if not purposefully hidden, since Lander's day.

## Physical appearance

Lander was a buck with gray-tan fur and light brown eyes. Around the time of the Battle of Ayman Lake, his head came just past his father's waist. By the time of the betrayal of Vanguard, he was nearly as tall as his father. By the end of the Dragon War, Lander was similar in height to Whitson, as tall as him if not slightly taller. His attire consisted of a dark-colored tunic, under which he wore pants of a somewhat lighter color. Over this he wore a dark blue cape lined with gray.

## Personality and traits

**Fleck Blackstar**: Me too. He will be a fine king.

—*The Black Star of Kingston*, pg. 92 |  | ”

EAs a youngling, Lander was loved by his father's subjects and was recognized as having courage and wisdom beyond his young years. A natural leader, he strove to do right in his parents' eyes, and took his position as future king very seriously.

As he grew older, Lander learned how to use a sword and became a skilled fighter; though right-handed, he could also wield a sword in his left hand. He also learned archery from Massie and likewise excelled in this craft.

## 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

### Whitson Mariner and Lillie

**Whitson Mariner**: I want you to sail with me too, Lander, but at the right time. This was not only disobedience to me, son, but you have also let our subjects down. You have caused them extra work and worry. It is selfish and unkind.

—*The Black Star of Kingston*, pg. 91 |  | ”

Lander had a strong relationship with his father Whitson Mariner, whom he dearly loved and perhaps respected above all others. Despite being somewhat headstrong, Lander aspired to make his father proud and was deeply sorry when he did something that disappointed him. This affection and respect only deepened as he grew older, even as Whitson came to rely on Lander more heavily and trust him not only as a son, but as a captain and advisor.

Lander also had a strong relationship with his mother, who sympathized with his struggles making friends with other children due to his royal status. Like his father, Lillie worried for Lander's safety, and in his childhood was adamant about him staying where it was safe. Her concern remained even when Lander grew older, though over time he became more capable and came, in his turn, to worry for her safety. He was greatly distressed when she disappeared from *Vanguard*, and after hearing her scream as she was carried away hastened to catch up to and rescue her.

### Lemual, Davis, Grant Whitson, and Lucianne Blackstar

Lemual was Lander's oldest brother, and the two seemed to get along quite well in most respects. While he loved Lem, Lander sided with their father on the matter of Lemual being sent out with the Third Scouts, in spite of Lem's own protests. He was greatly saddened by the prospect of never seeing his brother again, and thus much relieved when Lem returned with Lord Blackstar and Massie. Lander even allowed Lem to remain with the army, on the condition of his agreeing to help ensure that the starsword would not be misused. Lem objected to some of these measures but ultimately went along with them.

Lemual also hoped that Lander would eventually marry and have a family, evidencing a great regard for his older brother's happiness.

Davis was Lander's second brother, and his tragic death weighed on Lander even long after it took place.

Grant was the youngest of Lander's brothers, and the two clashed at times when it came to the war against the dragons. Lander supported their father in all matters, while Grant was often quick to object to any perceived flaws he saw with regards to strategy. His brash approach occasionally made him oblivious to the more subtle arts of warfare. Lander was quick to call Grant out on this, and to reprimand Grant for his open disregard for Whitson's authority. Despite this, the two brothers loved each other dearly, and Lander was left greatly saddened when Grant was injured and left comatose. As such, he was much relieved when word arrived of Grant's revival.

Lucianne was Lander's younger sister, and due to her marriage to Lord Blackstar II presumably lived in Kingston in later life. Despite this, she was remembered as always being close to Lander, who by that time ruled over Natalia's rabbits as king.

### Grant

Grant was Lander's maternal grandfather, the father of his mother Lillie. Grant cared deeply for his grandson, the two often spending time together while Lander's parents were occupied. Grant would often tell Lander stories, praising the heroics of Lander's father and other grandfather, Lord Whit.

### Fleck Blackstar

**Fleck Blackstar**: I don't know. But even if it is, I'll stand beside you.

—*The Black Star of Kingston*, pg. 114 |  | ”

Lander looked up to his father's friend Fleck Blackstar as a hero and role model, admiring the older buck's courage and adaptability as a leader. He was beyond thrilled when offered a place in Fleck's company, and even more so when Fleck gifted him with his father's old black star patch. Later, Lander spoke to Massie about Fleck following the wreck of *Steadfast*, both expressing admiration for him and wishing he could have been with them. Lander was overjoyed when Fleck arrived to join in the war against the dragons, stating that wearing Fleck's patch was something he regarded as an honor second only to bearing the Green Ember and the Ruling Stone.

### Massie Burnson

Lander and Massie developed a friendship after Whitson's community departed Ayman Lake, both being the only members of Black Star Company not to remain at Kingston. In his youth, Lander wished for Massie to be less formal with him, but Massie made a point of acknowledging their divergent ranks. Whitson trusted Massie with Lander's safety after *Vanguard* was wrecked, and Massie became fearful and angry when Lander ran off without him. However, upon learning that Lander had heard his mother's scream, Massie reluctantly agreed that they could pursue her kidnappers. He also trusted Lander in the midst of their perilous first confrontations with the dragons.

Lander came to view Massie as a mentor, with Massie himself noting that he had contributed to Lander's upbringing. Despite this, he never sought to assert his will with regards to Lander, whether it was in advising King Whitson or when Lander himself became king. He was one of a handful of rabbits Lander trusted to help him in the matter of the starsword, and one of another handful bold enough to defy Lander's orders and insist on joining him as a member of the scalebreakers. For his dedication and service, Lander chose to honor Massie by appointing him the first Lord Captain, though he warned that Massie might not feel so honored once Lander explained his plans for his highest-ranking officer.

### Namoz Dragonking

Namoz was perhaps Lander's greatest foe, a being of wickedness whom Lander knew had to be destroyed if the rabbits were to know peace. He thus sought for him during the final battle of the Dragon War and was dismayed when he proved not to have been among the many dragons destroyed in the main phase of the engagement. Namoz, for his part, had little regard for his opponent, initially seeing Lander only as a means by which Whitson could potentially be converted to his cause with the promise of eternal life granted by shedding Lander's blood. After Lander took up his father's cause, Namoz—in characteristic lack of regard for his individual subjects—found Lander's assault to be amusing. He was considerably less amused when Lander, wielding the starsword, sliced through both of his swords before taking off the dragon king's head.

## Trivia

* The name "Lander" is of Basque origin and possibly means "poor" or "pilgrim."

## References

1. ↑ [1]

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