Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
~ The Priestess called Poppy, “the one whose blood is full of ash and ice.”
THE BLOOD FOREST
Click here to see a full-size image of The Blood Forest by Jemlin C.
CORALENA “CORA” BALFOUR †
From all appearances, Coralena was an incredible mother. Despite becoming Poppy’s guardian under orders from her Queen, she eventually went against Isbeth to try to save her daughter, likely knowing the punishment would be swift and severe if she were ever discovered.
Eyes: Brown (we later learn that they’re very pale like all Revenants but were darkened with magic).
Background: Third daughter. Handmaiden/Revenant.
Family: Husband = Leopold Balfour †. Son = Ian Balfour †.
CORALENA’S JOURNEY TO DATE:
The story goes that being a third daughter, Coralena was a Lady in Wait, given to the Court at the Rite. Before her Ascension, she met Leopold—which they say was an accident, though we know it wasn’t since Leo was a viktor and knew who his charge was, thus seeking out Cora before Poppy was even born. They fell in love. That much is true, at least. It’s said that Coralena requested to forego her Ascension so she could be with Leo—something that had never been done before. It’s not one hundred percent clear whether or not that part is true. What we do know is that they ended up married and had a son together.
The real history is that Cora was a Revenant, one of the Queen’s personal guards, and very close to Ileana—whom we now know is really Isbeth. Coralena was the Queen’s favorite.
After Penellaphe’s birth, Isbeth gave her to her most trusted Handmaiden—Cora—so none who sought to gain what the Queen had could use her child against her. But Cora had a change of heart when she discovered Isbeth’s plan to marry Poppy to Malik in a bid to bring the kingdoms together. She disapproved, so she and Leo stole away with Poppy and Ian.
Having befriended Alastir before that night, the couple asked for his help. Little did they know that he had ulterior motives for getting close to them, and once he learned the truth about Poppy, he decided to kill her.
Alastir let Malik—the Dark One—in that night, believing the Prince would do what he hadn’t accomplished yet. The trail of blood that Malik left in his wake on the way to the inn drew the Craven, thus resulting in Poppy’s injuries. Cora tried to save her, pleading with Malik and telling him her daughter would usher in great change and be the end of the Blood Crown, not the end of the realms. She went on to tell him that Leo was Poppy’s viktor. It did little to sway the Dark One, and Cora ended up stabbing Malik in the chest as Alastir looked on.
It was believed Cora died that night at the inn, overcome by the Craven. However, the Blood Queen later revealed that she did not perish in Lockswood. She lived. But she didn’t survive Isbeth’s wrath afterward.
She made Cora ingest draken blood, thus killing her.
LEOPOLD “LEO” / “LION” BALFOUR †
Leopold is an interesting subject. As a viktor, he was born—or reborn, I guess—to guard someone the Fates believed was destined to bring about significant change or serve great purpose. But unlike most viktors, Leo figured out what he was, as well as who he was sent to protect and why.
Hair: Coppery red.
Eyes: Pine green.
Body type: Tall.
Facial features: Square jaw with several days’ worth of beard growth. Straight nose. Dark brows.
Personality: Caring. Stable.
Habits/Mannerisms/Strengths/Weaknesses: Called Poppy “poppy-flower” and “baby girl.”
Background: Viktor. Firstborn son. Wealthy but not a Lord—merchant family involved in shipping and friends of the King.
Family: Wife = Coralena †. Son = Ian †.
LEOPOLD’S JOURNEY TO DATE:
Leopold, being reborn with the sole purpose of guarding Poppy on her path of bringing about great change, was one of the rare few who figured out who he was meant to protect and guide and took it upon himself to search out who he knew would eventually become Poppy’s guardian—Cora. The two fell in love and ended up having a son. For all intents and purposes, they had a good life, despite knowing the truth about the Ascended and Poppy’s fate.
When the Dark One came to claim Poppy, both Leo and Cora fought. Alastir, having betrayed them both, was also present at the Lockswood Inn that fateful night.
Most believed both Cora and Leo died that night. It’s later revealed that Cora didn’t and was instead killed by Isbeth. Leo’s fate, however, still remains unknown.
I surmise that he was killed and returned to Mount Lotho and the Arae to await his next life and mission.
IAN BALFOUR †
Click here to see a full-size image of Ian by art.bymikki.
Ian was the catalyst for so much of Poppy’s motivation after Casteel—as Hawke—whisked her away. And while his story came to a tragic end, and despite circumstances, he was a good brother.