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Captain Kestrel's "Three Hermanos"

Carlo Vespucci: Hero

Carlo was, in many ways, Elizabeth's primary tutor during her captivity. Indeed, for all the terror Carlo originally inspired, the two became fast friends themselves during her "captivity," and it was his idea that the educated Avalon become captain. While he no longer truly has secrets of his own, Kestrel's secrets are also his, though getting them out of the powerful Vodacce is another story.

On the other hand, for all that he earned it, Rufier was still Carlo's captain, and to this day he is haunted by the fact that he is a mutineer. Unlike his "hermanos," Carlo has never quite forgiven himself; the stigma of mutiny is too ingrained in the "sailor's sailor" for him to ever quite be rid of it in his own mind. That may be a small part of his almost fanatical devotion to Kestrel. It would be...interesting...to see what he would do if forced by an outside agent to choose between Elizabeth and Angelina. At least, Villanova thinks it's interesting...

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Domingo de Castille: Hero

Domingo Gallegos de Zepeda was once an up and coming scholar in the great universities of Castille, when his birthright manifested during a daring rescue of a child from a house fire. He was untouched, the clear mark (to him) of Fuego blood. His mother was from La Sierra del Hierro, which she confessed to him when he came home with his story. Realizing that it would only be a matter of time before the Inquisition found him, and through him, his mother, he left to "wander the countryside," as young Castillian men are wont to do. Domingo saved lives and learned much during this time, but still feared his power as a curse. He set sail with a Castillian merchantman, fate eventually leading him to the Straits of Blood.

A chance encounter led him to the Dark Hawk; while Domingo wasn't entirely fond of Rufier's Rilasciare ideals, he could see how moderation would improve them. Castille, after all, benefitted greatly from the balance of monarchy and local self-rule. Also, it would get him farther away from the Inquisition, and his heart went out to a recently captured Avalon beauty. Already a well-trained sailor, Domingo quickly earned a place as the Master's Mate (the previous Ship's Master had been killed in battle), and rose to his current position the same way his predecessor had. Never especially fond of Rufier and more of an intellectual than a sailor, the idea of rebelling against a petty tyrant bothered him not at all, and he felt Carlo's choice inspired.

He hid his Fuego powers from them all, even then, and only revealed them after Kestrel had been captain for some time, when it was the only way to save the ship from burning to ash. Since then, his powers have proved useful to them repeatedly, though Domingo is still reluctant to use them, particularly when he might be noticed. However, recent events have changed his fate yet again. When El Malvado died, something flowed from the great Fuego sorcerer into Domingo. Until then, his sorcery was impressive but limited. Now, his power grows in leaps and bounds. Has Lorenzo's unique gift somehow passed on to Domingo? Is it even sorcery any more? Even Domingo does not know for certain.

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Ambrose du Paix: Hero

Ambrose du Charouse was indeed a peasant working the fields of Montaigne. He decided at a young age he wanted more. Much more. Ambrose wanted a life of purpose, wonder and glory. Raised on tales of the heroic Musketeers, with it the only avenue of advancement for commoners, it was an easy choice. He excelled.

Unfortunately, he ended up under the command of the cruel and unbalanced du Toille, who took an immediate disliking to the swashbuckler. Du Toille decided to dislike a lot of men, but he had the chance to do something about it while marching through Ambrose's home and lands. Typically, the nobles ordered the army to take the most direct route without thought for the damage or consequences, and took what they pleased. When Ambrose's little brother objected (politely, no less), du Toille shot him through the skull. When his sister went half-mad with grief at the sight, the general decided "what they pleased" included her. Ambrose objected violently. Then, being no one's fool, he took his sister and ran.

His sister safely deposited with family friends, Ambrose knew he could not take the same option. Musketeers do not desert, ever. His former comrades would hunt him down - with tears in their eyes, yes, with understanding, true, but they would hunt him down and kill him. Ambrose, not ready to die, escaped on the first ship he came across. On board, he met a man named Rufier. He knew he shouldn't have, but drunk and morose, he told Rufier his story. The fellow Montaigne was deeply moved, and told Ambrose a story of his own, one Rufier "shouldn't" have told, about an organization dedicated to liberty and equality. Ambrose was won over instantly. He was part of the original Dark Hawk crew.

Like Domingo, Ambrose feels no guilt over turning on Rufier - the man who had taught him liberty and equality became a tyrant and Villain, betraying everything he'd supposedly stood for. After fleeing the Musketeers - the Musketeers! - turning on the fallen Rufier was nothing to him. In fact, while the trio decided to rebel more or less together, if any of them can be "credited" with the idea, it would be Ambrose. No, if he feels any guilt, it is over having to kill his former superior, the bosun who remained loyal to Rufier. Admittedly, the bosun went along with Rufier's Villainous pursuits without hesitation, enjoying some of the darker tastes the captain picked up, but even so, Ambrose is still a little troubled by the memory of his blade going through his predecessor's heart.

These memories are what make him so ambivalent about the Revolution. He considers their ideals laudable, but sees more than a few Rufiers emerging from among them. Worse, others seem to be building a road to the Abyss with the most benevolent intentions. Ambrose knows better than most the harm a petty, vicious noble can do - but he also knows that many of them really did try to live up to their responsibilities, after his time in the Musketeers. The growing hatred has shaken him to the core.

All this has deeply complicated his feelings about Nicole du Paix - aka Nicolette du Montaigne, princess of both Montaigne and Castille. She's of royal blood and he's the lowest commoner, and a deserter to boot. She is one of the most wanted women in modern Montaigne (or will be, if word gets out she's alive), and he is a hero to the peasants. Nicole is a woman of beauty, breeding and education. Ambrose, for all his time in the Musketeers, is a fighting machine. His purpose is death, no matter how much the stories may pretty it up. Such a romance cannot - must not - be.

It doesn't help that, no matter how he protests, he's hopelessly in love with the woman. Even those who see the mutual attraction don't know how deeply Ambrose's passion runs, but that it exists is obvious to everyone. Nicole is entirely willing to face the many problems and dangers, but Ambrose is not. He may be a deserter, but Musketeer duty still runs in his veins, and Ambrose will die before he places the princess in any more danger.

Recently, Ambrose was gifted by Matuschka with Porté for the Ladyhawk's efforts on her behalf. While he only has the least skill in it at the moment, he has the potential to reach the same heights as a Full Blood. Like Nicolette, however, he has 'clean' Porté. Between his feelings for her and the unique traits of their shared power, Ambrose is most likely going to acquire a whole new set of friends and enemies.

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