Melwas

Sir Melwas is Lord Commander of the Home Guard of Stonekeep. He is rat-faced. His hideous ceremonial armor was etched in gilt floral patterns and edged in gold damascene, with the head of a fierce lion embossed in the center of every overpiece. The loins were guarded by a clumsy steel skirt, the kneecaps by winged poleyns, and the head by a curl-horned helm so ungainly Melwas could hardly carry it under his arm.

One of the most experienced officers. He crushed the Winter Rebellion two years ago, then single-handedly put down the Wheat Riots last fall. He was arranged to lead the company of 800 to Kural's defense. Varden volunteered his own sorcerer for the duration of the campaign if he finished it by the spring planting. He thought it was a little incursion and insisted that no more were needed.

Dressed in ceremonial armor, he and Sir Asgrim waited for Cassius in Varden's Privy Garden. Cassius was disappointed by the news and started to leave when Asgrim offered him the Brass Axe Company for free, and Melwas told to an astonished Varden that he would join them.

Although vain and pampered, the Lord Commander had stategic acumen and proved competent pushing hard to reach Kural quickly, but also being careful to scout ahead and keep his troops in good fighting condition. Outside the Twin Spires Cassius gave him information on the geography. Suspecting that the enemy is at the Shadow Gorge, Melwas told Asgrim to take the whole Brass Axe Company to get through as a bait and the Company of the Black Wyvern far enough behind to stay out of sight. Cassius would go with them for assistance, as he was a native. Brenna would then sneak the sorcerer Boghos and a troop up the cliff to surprise the galok.