Sir Heldric Kavil Horth

Sir Heldric Kavil Horth, the Lion of Valeford

The first son of the Horths had Syvalde as his mentor. Heldric, the second, had Wulfgard, the commander of the guard. He was a sickly, rebellious child, and Wulfgard raised him the way he broke in his recruits, with blows and humiliations. Heldric gritted his teeth until he became the most powerful knight in the duchy. Wulfgard still commands the guard. He has to look up to meet Heldric's eyes, and neither of them ever looks away..

Describe him

He ducks to get through doorways, and even full plate looks tight on him. His face keeps count of his battles: a split brow, a nose broken more than once, a scar that tugs at the corner of his mouth. On his shield stands a lion rampant, where the rest of House Horth bears the griffin. He smiles at you, and for a moment you forget to be afraid.

Play him

Play him warm, and more at ease with etiquette than his older brother. Compliment everyone's looks, freely. Talk about marriage like a battle lost before it starts; he'll marry no one but the battlefield. If someone disrespects the city or his family, or starts trouble in a tavern, have them thrown in a cell on the spot, without anger or contempt, because he never humiliates anyone. And keep, underneath, a man who still grits his teeth when someone talks down to him; in that moment, the charmer goes quiet.

What he says (rarely)

"I think my cloak will suit you better than me, in this cold…"
"There are no lions around here, but every one of you knows its name."
(catching his wrist, without raising his voice) "Raise your hand to one more person in this city… go ahead."