Dara
Sky Captain, Hawkmaiden, Scout
Magelord
Thirteen-year-old Lanodara of Westwood — called Dara by nearly everyone — is discovered and recruited as Minalan's youngest apprentice after her remarkable feat of using her hawk Frightful's eyes to retrieve Minalan's pipe from a magically warded summit. Bold, outspoken, and gifted with an innate ability to see through her bird's senses, she wins Minalan's admiration with her creative problem-solving. By the end of the book she is installed as an apprentice at Sevendor, beginning her education in formal magic while also working with the Alka Alon on her bird projects.
Knights Magi
Dara continues as Minalan's youngest apprentice, growing in confidence and sharp wit. She accompanies Minalan to Duke Anguin's court and makes a strong impression — both on the knights who are astonished to see a teenage girl outrank them, and on the Alka Alon who find her refreshingly direct. She is snarky about the tournament culture and shows a growing awareness of politics she has been absorbing. Her hawk Frightful and her rapport with the Alka Alon emissary Ithalia give her a uniquely valuable role.
High Mage
Dara plays a growing role as Minalan's apprentice, accompanying him to the Alka Alon moot at Carneduin and acting as his aide and cultural interpreter among the Tree Folk, with whom she has developed a warm working relationship. Her sharp tongue and fearless questioning charm and irritate the Alka Alon in equal measure. She participates in the great assault on Olum Seheri, where she is cited among the warmagi and Kasari who fight to defeat Sheruel and free Princess Rardine. She is growing fast into her role as a noblewoman and leader.
Journeymage
Dara accompanies the Long March into the Wilderlands as Minalan's apprentice and an active participant in the expedition. She assists with the hawk-based reconnaissance and contributes her growing magical skills to various aspects of the journey. She and Gareth are briefly shown together at social events in Sevendor, foreshadowing the complex emotional dynamic that will develop between them.
Enchanter
Lord Kanset of Anferny — younger brother of Lady Tandine, son of Lord Kanlan. Scholarly bearing, noble features. Intelligent and studious; flirts with the Alka Alon emissary Ithalia during Minalan's Anghysbel visit. In Anferny's merit-based inheritance custom, he deferred to Tandine as the elder and more militarily capable heir.
Court Wizard
Dara continues to develop her Sky Rider corps from the Mewstower at Sevendor. She is mentioned as helping Minalan's apprentice Ruderal with his training and as having shown Minalan's cat Alurra how to sharpen her magical senses. The Sky Riders are becoming a recognized force, and Dara's reputation as the Hawkmaiden is growing beyond Sevendor.
Shadowmage
Dara is present as Minalan's apprentice and Sky Captain during a period of great tension, keeping her hawk wing ready for action. She is mentioned as part of the trusted inner circle who help manage intelligence passed through the Ways and knows enough of Minalan's secrets to be valuable — and potentially dangerous. Her status as a noblewoman and hawk commander continues to grow.
Necromancer
Dara is a major presence in this book as a fully developed noble, Sky Captain, and trusted member of Minalan's household. The Mewstower at Sevendor is complete and she commands two wings of giant hawk Sky Riders, one of which is stationed at Vorone. She manages the demands of her estate, hosts visitors, and wrestles with the complicated personal landscape of Gareth's unrequited feelings and her own relationship with Sir Festaran. Lady Estret and Alya are noted as having helped Dara learn the social graces of her noble station. She fights in the assault on Castle Saleisus.
Thaumaturge
Dara has passed her journeyman examinations, a milestone Minalan notes with quiet satisfaction. However, she is dealing with the fallout from her falling-out with Gareth: half of her Sky Riders, led by her former second-in-command Nattia, have sided with Gareth and permanently relocated their wing to Vanador. Dara put the matter to a vote — perhaps not her wisest decision — and ended up losing a near-mutiny. She retains her Sevendori Mews but the split is a lasting wound. Her relationship with Sir Festaran continues, and she remains a respected figure as the Hawkmaiden, even as her personal life remains complicated.
Arcanist
Dara, the Hawkmaiden Sky Captain, commands aerial reconnaissance and strike operations over the Magelaw battlefields. Riding her great hawk above the fray, she provides Minalan with eyes in the sky and the ability to project force in ways ground troops cannot match. Young but capable, her role in Arcanist highlights the growing sophistication of the Magelaw's military doctrine, which now incorporates aerial assets as a standard part of campaign planning.
Footwizard
Dara the Hawkmaiden remains in the Magelaw while Minalan leads the Anghysbel expedition. She commands the Sky Riders, oversees the Mews at Spellgarden, and manages the training of additional falconer-magi. Her giant raptors patrol the Magelaw's borders; she reports by mirror to Minalan when Nattia's flock needs resupply or news must reach Anghysbel.
Hedgewitch
Dara attends the victory court banquet at Vanador with her hawk wing. The dinner becomes the scene of a dramatic confrontation between Dara and Gareth, as the old wound of her rejection of his romantic suit is reopened in front of their friends. The conflict reveals the complex web of feelings among Dara, Gareth, and Nattia, with all parties arguing passionately about loyalty, friendship, and honor. Dara also mentions receiving a marriage proposal from Baron Arlastan, adding another dimension to her complicated personal situation. She is presented as an accomplished and highly respected Sky Captain whose personal life is far messier than her professional reputation.
The Mad Mage of Sevendor
Dara is briefly mentioned in relation to the Westwoodmen clearing work on a mountain in preparation for removal by the Vundel. Her role as Sky Captain continues in the background of events as Minalan wrestles with the layered memories of ancient souls while managing the political and military affairs of the Magelaw.
Marshal Arcane
Dara plays a pivotal military role in the rescue of Darkfaller, commanding her hawk wing in the assault. Her Sky Riders prove uniquely effective against the Paranchek spiders, exploiting the creatures' ancestral fear of giant birds. She personally defends Prince Tavard from attack during the battle, an act of valor for which the prince rewards her with two domains. On a personal level, Dara wrestles with lingering regrets about the Gareth situation and the complicated feelings surrounding her suitor Sir Festaran.
Preceptor
Dara has a dedicated chapter exploring her emotional state following her complicated personal history. She wrestles with lingering guilt over how she treated Gareth and is counselled by Zagor about the impact her rejection had on her suitor Festaran's pursuit of her. Her hawk wing performs brilliantly in the final assault on Darkfaller, and she personally defends Prince Tavard during the battle. She receives two domains as reward for her valor.
Practical Adept
Dara is seen at the royal wedding reception, looking wistful and thoughtful as she accompanies her suitor Sir Festaran to the celebration. Minalan, aware of her personal struggles from earlier conversations, notes her expression with quiet understanding. She continues to manage the Mewstower and her Sky Rider corps, her personal life still unresolved as she weighs the future.
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Dara
Titles
- Sky Captain, Hawkmaiden
Personal Details
| Species | Human |
| Race | Human |
| Spouse | |
| Died | |
| Cause | |
| Rajira | No |
Aliases
- Hawkmaiden
Physical Description
Young aerial scout and Sky Captain commanding hawk-riders above the Magelaw battlefields
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