Dranus of Moros

Dranus debuts as the subject of Chapter 21. Originally the disinherited eldest son of Count Ranus of Moros (northern Remere), he was ambitious despite being passed over by his half-brothers. Minalan takes him on as his Court Wizard at Sevendor, partly to keep his ambitions visible and contained. Prince Tavard openly warns Minalan about employing him, calling Dranus a troublemaker who is plotting to take a county.

Dranus serves as Minalan's Court Wizard, managing communications and baronial administration. He reports mind-to-mind on gurvani scouting parties, advises on enchantments to stabilize refugee routes, proposes using the Great Mirrors for kingdom-wide coordination, and stays behind in Sevendor with Banamor and Olmeg while Minalan travels.

His largest appearance. Dranus dazzles Pentandra's wedding with irionite-enhanced philoxenic fireworks, helping inaugurate the tradition of magical firework displays at magical fairs, and enchants one section of the Spellmonger's Trial. He announces his departure as Court Wizard to pursue his candidacy for Count of Moros, packing his entire laboratory into hoxter pockets carried in a new warstaff. Minalan supports his bid with magical spies (Iyugi) and Lorcus; two-thirds of the Moros Council is initially opposed to a magelord count.

Brief mentions. Astyral and Dranus gossip about Countess Shirlin's match-making, providing Pentandra with political intelligence on the Family's moves.

Dranus is present at the feast welcoming Lady Gatina and Lord Atopol to Sevendor. He has ordered twenty sentry rods for his campaign to seize Moros and apologizes to Minalan that he will soon leave Court Wizard service. Minalan proposes Loiko Venaren as his replacement.

Chapter "The Departure Of Dranus." Minalan sees him off. Both men know his task of winning over the Moros electors will be difficult, but Dranus has learned the lessons of the Sashtalia war well and carries Sevendor's blessing with him.

Now Count Dranus of Moros. Astyral befriends him in the field against the Merwyni, and the two coordinate defensive strategy with Minalan as the Remeran front stabilizes.

Brief. Minalan orders Astyral to seek accommodation with Count Dranus in Moros to blunt the Merwyni advance into Remere.

Dranus commands ten thousand troops camped in his easternmost fields against the Merwyni invasion. He questions Minalan's plan to bribe Count Andrevar rather than fight him, preferring a decisive military victory. Later he is appointed Duke Cloafin's Remeran Court Wizard as a reward for his Merwyni response, and becomes one of two magelords on the Curia alongside Minalan, sharing the ideal that magi should administer the land for the good of the people.

Dranus hosts the visit of Count Camavon and the Countess of Remere to Sevendor. Camavon praises Dranus's admiration of Minalan and Terleman.

Brief mention only. Pentandra arranges for Dranus, now Ducal Court Wizard of Remere, to administer Alurra's examinations as a professional courtesy.