Minalyan

Minalan and Alya's first child, born at Sevendor Castle during the Magelord arc. Old Peg attends with a knife, begging Minalan to choose between mother or child; Minalan improvises a healing intervention that saves both. "He's past the worst of it," Old Peg says. "I think we can take it from here now that you . . ." A new wetnurse, Darishi, is brought in from Brestal Village. Minalyan's birth coincides with the discovery of snowstone, tying him mystically to Sevendor from his first breath.

Minalyan is now a weaning baby traveling with Alya and a legion of retainers to the capital. Minalan reflects:

I know his birth was profound, but he hasn't shown any other signs of being remarkable. He's a normal human baby.

Takes him to the mill pond with the new baby (Almina) to enjoy a rare evening together before returning to war. Alya says:

I begrudge every day you spend away from us with that stupid war. We both do. He's not going to be a baby forever.

A boisterous toddler now in Sevendor. Alya teases Minalan about her upcoming solo parenting:

From the work out our boisterous boy Minalyan was giving her every day, I could see how she might think I needed it.

While addressing the Kasari parents giving up their children to the Great March, Minalan thinks of Minalyan and Almina:

I could see the faces of Minalyan and Almina in each boy and girl. I could not leave them behind, when these other children would get the benefit of opportunities these kids didn't have.

The Flour Monster scene — one of Minalyan's most-quoted moments. At Minalan's father's bakery, Minalyan plays the Flour Monster game with his grandfather:

Minalyan clapped his hands over his mouth to keep from screaming in horror. When the huge figure finally crept into the room, one could see why the lad was terrified: the great beard and hair of the creature was a chaotic sight, standing up and out like so many spikes. The eyes between were wide and scary, and the mouth that called for the unlikely meal was smeared with the residue of his previous victims . . . raspberry tarts.

"'Here I am!' Minalyan finally announced, rolling out from under the trestle and leaping atop a stool with surprising alacrity. He brandished a three-day old long baguette in his hands like a greatsword and challenged the monster. 'You will not eat me!'" As valiant as Minalyan's attack was, no one defeats the Flour Monster. Grandfather verdict:

Reminds me of Borsa, at her age. Always a squealer, that one. But that boy of yours is braver than them all.

Minalan says:

Minalyan, on the other hand, was fearless. He must get it from his mother.

Brief background reference only — Minalyan remains safely at Sevendor while the events of Vorone unfold through Pentandra's POV.

Now an active little boy, acutely aware of his toddler sister Almina's jealousy over the new baby. Minalan's reflection:

We're just getting started. By the time he's old enough to care, Minalyan will have quite the legacy.

Alya says:

They all will. Now, let's see if we can keep you out of any more wars for a while so that you can watch them enjoy it.

He witnesses (at a child's remove) much of the Rardine-rescue drama unfold around him in Sevendor.

Now a toddler in Vanador. "Minalyan was more intrigued by the musicians, and clapped and danced enthusiastically to the songs they belted out for the crowd. He was a highly social boy. He thought nothing of boldly approaching a stranger and conversing about anything that took his mind, while his sister hid behind Alya's skirts and just observed." Adopts Ruderal as his role model and foster brother.

Now old enough to dine at the family table during war-council discussions — and old enough to say embarrassing things. "We will meet them on the field of battle and we shall prevail!" insists Minalyan, suddenly and defiantly, from the other end of the table. He had raised his spoon high, like it was a sword. "No one may stand against the house of the Spellmonger!" Taren: "Good lad!" (earning a look from Alya).

Minalan gently reproaches: "I understand . . . now. I will try to do better," Minalyan promises, with a sigh. Minalan says:

Good lad. Now learn to keep your mouth closed and ears open when overhearing the councils of your seniors. And keep their words to yourself.

A social, eager boy who wants to be part of his father's great world.

Minalyan remains at Sevendor with the rest of the children during Minalan's Anghysbel expedition. Referenced only briefly — Minalan is reminded of home often during the dangerous expedition, and Ruderal (as his foster brother) stays behind specifically to watch over him and Almina.

At Sevendor through the civil-war crisis. Minor reference only — the children are kept safely away from the worst of the Gilmoran campaign and Sevendor Magic Fair raid.

Present at the breakfast where the Saram memory begins to surface in Minalan's mind: "There was a subtle shift in my perspective during breakfast, when I noted a decidedly feminine cast to my humor. It was not apparent, at first, but as I bantered with Minalyan and flirted with Alya, there was a change in my mood and perceptions that informed me that I was no longer the one holding the reins to my body and mind." Minalan's journal ruminations note the magical snowstorm that occurred at Minalyan's birth as still unexplained.

Minalan reflects on Minalyan's difficult birth while discussing Fallawen's twin boys:

Why wouldn't he be? Those boys were as robust as any baby. More than Minalyan, perhaps.

Alya bristles: "It was a difficult birth." Minalan quickly walks it back:

You did magnificently delivering our son. It was probably that dust-up during our honeymoon that caused all the problems. But all ended well. We have a fine boy who takes after his mother, as he should.

Confirms Minalyan is now a proper little boy — "a fine boy" — and not showing any of the magical portents his birth had implied.

Old enough now for serious father-son activities. Minalan teaches him games in the new Sevendor Castle game room:

I loved games. When I helped design the new castle, I'd ensured that there was an ample place for any type of game or amusement, and games had a particular appeal to me. Alya and I played together frequently. I'd recently taught Minalyan some of my favorites.

Fifty feet wide game hall with score-or-more tables, slate floor, chairs. Ruderal, judging Minalan's nephew Laresk's enneagram against Minalyan: "He's not like Minalyan or Almina much" — implying Minalan's children are unusually sophisticated and intense for their ages.

Now old enough to question Minalan's plans with genuine insight. Before the Farise expedition:

The younger children just accepted it, but Minalyan and Ismina were old enough to have questions. I indulged them, because I liked to encourage their inquisitive nature.

Minalyan catches the hedge: "'That's the land Duke Anguin took back. You said mostly,' Minalyan accused. 'That means you'll be in other places, too.'"

Fiercely defends his father's leaving: "'He's the Spellmonger!' Minalyan argued, authoritatively. 'It's what wizards do!'" Now an articulate, observant young heir — the "fine boy" who takes after his mother but is clearly absorbing his father's mantle from a distance.