Bendonal

Bendonal is introduced in Warmage as one of three new warmage recruits Minalan inducts at Tudry. He is, in the book's own framing, "technically an outlaw... a warmage who had been wandering the northern wastes ever since he ran afoul of the Censorate in Gilmora." His scandal has several versions, "none any more truthful than the last," and the Censorate has revoked his certification and issued a warrant against him.

Azar vouches for him, and explains his specialty: he is adept at "the nastier side of warmagic, infiltration and betrayal... getting into an enemy's castle under a pretense and then disabling their guards and lowering their defenses. It was kind of his signature service." Minalan grants him a witchstone. Bendonal fights at Timberwatch alongside Delman on the wall and is reported as having fallen, "pierced by dozens of blades" — though later books reveal he survived severely wounded, saved by the healer Lelwen who would become his partner.

A brief mention. Bendonal is among the warmagi party that welcomes Minalan to Sevendor alongside Astyral, Azar, Carmella, Curmor, Master Cormoran, Delman, Rustallo, Reyman, and Landrik. The "Outlaw" nickname clings even though the Censorate is by now formally dissolved in Castal.

Bendonal's major arc begins. He is now Azar's second-in-command and castellan at Megelin Castle. Minalan observes the match:

From renegade warmage to military commander, Bendonal had proven the perfect counterpoint to Azar's flamboyant leadership style. Where Azar inspired fire and fear and loyalty among the Megelini Knights, Bendonal demanded discipline and accountability, and he got it.Minalan, High Mage

The outlaw nickname persists but is by now anachronistic: "his crimes had mostly been against the Censorate, and once Rard disbanded the order in his realm he was safe again." He leads the relief cavalry "Storm Charge" that rescues Azar from the ambush near Gillain manor, slaying gurvani priests in the sortie.

Later in the book he fights at Anthatiel, where in the final plaza skirmish "Sir Cei and Terleman rushed to defend us, and were joined by Taren and Tyndal, Azar and Bendonal the Outlaw." The healer Lelwen, who saved his life after Cambrian, becomes his romantic partner here.

Astyral praises him directly:

It was he who rescued Megelin. Azar's men were bold and brave enough, but they fought in ignorance and without discipline. Bendonal brought order, reason, and discipline to the castle.Astyral, Journeymage

He appears at the Tudry dinner where Pentandra discusses Kasari origins, and pointedly presses her on whether the Kasari were a religious order. Lelwen accompanies him.

Bendonal arrives with the Alshari contingent at the Sevendor Magic Fair Conclave. When goblin raids strike the Wilderlands mid-Conclave, Azar and Bendonal are among the first to depart via Gareth's newly discovered Ways. He handles wards and lower-chamber security on the Isily/child-rescue strike team at Anthaseel, and notes ominous transformation effects on the enemy warmagi: blue eyes, blue teeth.

From Pentandra's perspective: Azar and Bendonal are sent back to Megelin when the sudden Wilderlands raids begin. She describes him as one of the "relatively restrained warmagi" (in contrast to Azar and Wenek). He is victorious in skirmishes against hobgoblins, and later joins Astyral and Azar in attacking a large gurvani stronghold east of the Umbra.

Bendonal fights at the raid on Olum Seheri. He commands the second wave, "comprised of seasoned warmagi from Tudry (including Sarakeem, Gerendren, Rustallo, Landrik, and other stalwarts)." In the undercaverns skirmish he drops a draugen with a warhammer to the face.

Earlier in the book, his Megelini Knights reinforce the failed Iron Band rescue at Glandon, and he joins Azar's deep feint attacks into the goblin heartland, devastating the land between Dark Vale and Tudry. He is inducted into the new Estasi Order alongside the other veterans, and during the Greenflower Magewar he brings a team from Megelin to Sevendor under Pentandra's coordination when the dragon attack hits. At Spellgate he leads 500 Megelini Knights as the main cavalry force under Terleman's overall command.

A brief but telling remark from Terleman:

Bendonal has organized and ordered the castle and the fortress in an admirable fashion.Terleman, Thaumaturge

Bendonal is now formally styled Magelord Bendonal, called the Outlaw — Azar's castellan "actually running most of the castle on his behalf." He organizes the Council of the Magelaw at Megelin. Minalan marks his worth:

You've attracted more notice for it. My thanks for your attention to detail. And my assurance that, should we prevail, a higher position is warranted.Minalan to Bendonal, Arcanist

He describes his Penumbra defensive ring — Iron Hill, Forgemont, the Iron Ring forts, Salka Castle — as "flanking castles." During Shakathet's siege of Megelin, with siege worms breaching the outer bailey, he serves as castle commander while Terleman directs overall strategy — organizing sallies, relaying command, and keeping order as the hospital fills with wounded.

A surprise invitation into the Alshar Garden Society at Falas. Pentandra pulls him in personally; he looks "a little uncomfortable and a bit bored" and protests:

So why have I been invited to a garden society? I don't usually get invited to these sorts of things.Bendonal, Hedgewitch

He complains of hay fever, then volunteers to recruit and prepare the spy / strike squadrons for the Westlands Karakush operation. He later organizes the warmage forces that strike Karakush's captured Westland estates with Rondal, drawing on Eastwatch Tower commandos and Megelini knights magi, and helps prepare the Darkfaller assault.

Brief mention in the context of Azar's upcoming wedding.

Bendonal hosts the secret pre-wedding meeting of senior warmagi — Terleman, Taren, Mavone, Sandoval, Curmor, Reyman, Wenek, and others — to discuss Minalan's post-Anghysbel mental state and whether he has become "mad." He plays genial host, and later organizes Azar's bachelor surprise celebration with a cheerful "Let's cheer for the bridegroom!"

During the Cottonwood Palace / Castabriel crisis, he leads the Vanadori mobilization.

Present at the plaza skirmish during the withdrawal at Olum Seheri. He is listed among the warmagi — with Caswallon, Landrik, and Tyndal — who felt the Call of Battle when Duin manifested.

Bendonal's late-career arc. He serves as Azar's herald and enforcer during the Farise "Ducal Executioner" operation — wearing "black finery but wearing his harness and mageblade, a death's head baldric on his chest," reading the Duke's warrants in accented Perwynese and announcing bounties.

He and four armoured warmagi then spend six hours smashing through the Palace District hunting fugitives:

He sent doors to shivers to get at his fugitives, he smashed through walls, eliminated barricades, stunned guards, and used truthtells liberally.Practical Adept

He handles the Gray Dome supply runs, escorting prisoners (including Count Cingaran) through the Ways to Gareth's pocket facility. After the operation, he celebrates with brandy on Minalan's porch with Azar, Noutha, Mavone, and Sandoval.