Conail Northan

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Author: Atarah al'Norahn

General

Conail Northan is the young High Seat of House Northan in Andor. Elayne thinks that, while he is past his majority, he cannot be many months past 16 (CoT, Ch. 13).

Conail is tall and lean, with bony wrists and an eagle's beak for a nose. He has merry brown eyes and an engaging grin. Elayne thinks that he seems to find everything worth a laugh (CoT, Ch. 13).

Elayne thinks that he swaggers too much and caresses his sword too fondly, but that there is little harm in him (KoD, Ch. 17).

Timeline

  • Conail arrives in Caemlyn with Dyelin and speaks with Elayne, proclaiming his support for Trakand (CoT, Ch. 13).
  • When Birgitte learns that the Far Madding Gate is under attack while she is arranging Elayne's rescue from the Black Ajah, she tells Dyelin to defend it. Dyelin tells Conail, Catalyn, Branlet, and Perival to come with her, as their foot soldiers, who are being sent with Dyelin, will fight better with them there. Conail looks disappointed, and Birgitte thinks that he no doubt saw himself riding in a gallant charge to rescue Elayne. However, he goes along with Dyelin without complaint, saying something to make Branlet and Perival chuckle as he does so (KoD, Ch. 32).
  • During the battle against Arymilla, Elayne sees Conail, Branlet, and Perival ride through the Far Madding gate, swords in hand, to urge on their men. They are far enough away to avoid harm, but Elayne still thinks they shouldn't be there. After Elayne has spoken to a beaten Arymilla and her followers, she rides towards Dyelin, who is riding out of a side street followed by Conail and the other three (KoD, Ch. 33).
  • When Elayne arrives at the Grand Hall for her meeting with Abelle, Aemlyn, Arathelle, Ellorien, Luan, and Pelivar, all of her supporters are already there. Dyelin is watching Sylvase converse with Conail and Catalyn while Branlet and Perival listen closely. Elayne warns Conail and Lir not to let Ellorien provoke them (KoD, Ch. 35).
  • After gaining their support, Elayne invites Abelle, Aemlyn, Arathelle, Luan, and Pelivar to dine with her in her apartments. It is likely that the rest of her support, Conail included, accompany her as well (KoD, Ch. 35).

Relationships

Conail thinks that Arymilla is a ninny (CoT, Ch. 13). Arymilla, in turn, considers Conail to be little more than a child who can be swayed to her cause. She thinks to herself that she will use torture on Conail, Catalyn, Branlet, and Perival, if she must (KoD, Ch. 17).

Birgitte thinks that Conail is even more of a child than Catalyn, Branlet, and Perival are (CoT, Ch. 13).

Aviendha thinks that he is a fool (CoT, Ch. 13).

He treats Branlet and Perival like younger brothers, ruffling their hair, which embarasses them (KoD, Ch. 17).

He was certain that Luan, Abelle, and Pelivar would join Elayne, and he is disappointed when Dyelin tells Elayne and the others that she was unable to convince them. He thinks that they come to Elayne when Arymilla is beaten (KoD, Ch. 17).

Ellorien commends snidely to Elayne that she has gathered most of her support among the children and Arymilla's leavings. Conail starts to say something sharp before Elayne gives him a firm look (KoD, Ch. 35).

Miscellaneous

He manages his sword smoothly (CoT, Ch. 13).

Conail wants to challenge Arymilla's champion (CoT, Ch. 13).

He enjoys watching Birgitte walk in her high-heeled boots (CoT, Ch. 13).

Conail vows never to wash his cheek again after Elayne kisses him in parting (CoT, Ch. 13).

Dyelin excluded, Conail, Catalyn, Branlet and Perival are Elayne's most important allies (KoD, Ch. 17),

He seems happy at the prospect of facing Arymilla's army (KoD, Ch. 17).

Conail gets into a fight with a mercenary that he thought had spoken disparagingly about Elayne. Luckily, the other man drew his sword first, so Conail is not completely at fault for the fight. Law in Andor is not like it used to be in Tear, where nobles can get away with anything. It is not said exactly when this fight occurred (KoD, Ch. 35).

Quotes

"We drew straws for the order to be introduced, and I drew short. Northan stands with Trakand. Can't let a ninny like Arymilla take the throne." (Conail to Elayne; Crossroads of Twilight, Chapter 13)

Their youth was no surprise, of course, but she had expected Conail to have a graying head at his side to advise him and the others to have their guardians looking over their shoulders. (Elayne thinks of Conail; Crossroads of Twilight, Chapter 13)

"Northan may not summon as many swords as Haevin or Trakand -- or Mantear, but whoever rides when the Eagles call will be riding for Caemlyn." (Conail to Elayne; Crossroads of Twilight, Chapter 13)

"Children! People are going to die because of the decisions they make, and they're flaming children, Conail worst of all! You heard him, Dyelin. He wants to challenge Arymilla's champion like Artur bloody Hawkwing! Hawkwing never fought anybody's flaming champion, and he knew when he was younger than Lord Northan that it was a fool's game to rest so much on a flaming duel, but Conail thinks he can win Elayne the flaming throne with his flaming sword!" (Birgitte to Dyelin and Elayne; Crossroads of Twilight, Chapter 13)

"As for Conail, he's hardly the first young man to think he's invincible and immortal. If you can't keep him reined in as Captain-General, I suggest you try walking for him. The way he was eyeing those breeches of yours, he'll follow anywhere you lead." (Dyelin to Birgitte; Crossroads of Twilight, Chapter 13)

Lean and tall in a red silk coat with laughing eyes and an eagle's beak of a nose, he was of age, just, a few months past his sixteenth name day. He swaggered and caressed the hilt of his sword much too fondly, but there seemed no harm in him. Only boyishness, an unfortunate trait in a High Seat. (Elayne; Knife of Dreams, Chapter 17)

"I was certain Luan would join us," Conail muttered. "And Abelle and Pelivar." He took a deep swallow of wine. "Once we beat Arymilla, they'll come. You mark me on it." (Conail to Elayne, Dyelin, and Birgitte; Knife of Dreams, Chapter 17)