APPRENTICE HARPER VONDRELI

Persona : Vondreli
Writing Status : NPC/Free
Age : 13
Gender : Male
Rank/Craft : Apprentice Harper - Level 1
Residence : Thread's End Harpercraft Hall

Physical Description : Vondreli exudes an aura of nervousness which is reflected in his appearance, from the unkempt state of his short, wiry brown hair, to his ever watchful eyes and his bitten down nails.

Having grown up in the territories of Southern Weyr, Vondreli's skin is tanned darkly and he never burns in the sunlight. His eyes are hazel in shade and are framed by long dark lashes. Dark circles beneath those eyes tell of sleepless nights and worries that Vondreli will not talk about.

He is a sturdy youngster; his limbs slim but strong from Turns of working in the fields with his extended family.

Personality :No one has, as yet, managed to learn much about Vondreli as he keeps to himself, even in a classroom his is often found to be wedged at the back of the room in a seat framed by two walls. It is almost as though he expects trouble to attack him from behind.

He does, however, have a need to be kept busy. When he is not in lessons or carrying out official chores he can often be found in the kitchens, helping out, but even the talkative kitchen workers can't get much out of him.

Life Story : Vondreli was born at Southern Weyr to a kitchen worker and her bluerider mate six Turns after the birth of their first child, a daughter named Drelani. He grew up as a happy weyrbrat, talkative and outgoing if only because he had to hold his own with the other children. At seven Turns old, though, tragedy struck when his father was killed during Threadfall. His mother was beside herself with grief and decided that she and her two children should move to the cothold that belonged to her sister's husband's family to gain a fresh start.

Vondreli's new family were not entirely enthusiastic so have three new additions to their numbers. While his mother was treated politely as she was the cotholder's wife's sister, the children were barely tolerated. After a Turn, Drelani escaped from that intolerable existance by apprenticing to the Healer Hall in the North, leaving Vondreli to face the family's dislike on his own.

The journeying harper who made his rounds through the area noticed a gift for music in Vondreli early on, his ability of perfect pitch making him stand out from the rest of the cothold younglings. Yet as the Turns went by and the harper returned again and again, he noticed Vondreli becoming more nervous and withdrawn. He was troubled by the injuries, small though they were, that Vondreli often sported: bruises, cuts and stiffness. At first the harper wondered if the cothold children were singling him out as a victim for their cruel games but a few times he noted how the boy also reacted in a terrified manner towards some of the adults. The harper resolved that as soon as the opportunity presented itself, he would find a way to help Vondreli escape his living nightmare.

At thirteen Turns, Vondreli received a note, by runner, from the Harpercraft Hall at Thread's End stating that he had been accepted there as an apprentice on the recommendation of the journeying harper. With only his mother upset at his departure, Vondreli arrived at Thread's End Harpercraft Hall in Month 1 of Turn 38 to allow him time to settle in before the start of the new Turn's lessons.

Last updated on 08-Sept-06.