Classification
Name: Michael Herder
Origin: Candra Valley
Parents: Simed Herder and Avla Herder
Companion: Gannon
Affiliation: Companions of Seth of Candra
Overview
Michael Herder began life as the son of a farming family in Candra Valley. Restless, thoughtful, and often at odds with the difficult atmosphere of his home, he dreamed of a wider world beyond the fields. His friendship with Seth of Candra ultimately carried him far beyond those dreams and placed him at the center of events that would decide the fate of Etharath.
Gannon
Michael's discovery of the white stallion Gannon marked a turning point in his life. The bond between man and horse became one of the defining relationships of his journey. Gannon carried Michael through danger, exile, and war, becoming a symbol of freedom and possibility.
Friendship with Seth
Michael's greatest strength was neither physical power nor martial skill. It was loyalty. Again and again he chose friendship over safety, following Seth into danger when every sensible instinct urged retreat. Whether crossing the Wall, entering the Rainland, or facing the armies of Amphileph, Michael remained steadfast.
The Eastern Journey
Though often frightened by the dangers they encountered, Michael refused to abandon Seth. He survived encounters with Rainland horrors, the Mireland, Syrae, Inferiors, and the City of White itself. His courage came not from fearlessness but from choosing to continue despite fear.
Personality
Michael possessed an unpretentious honesty that frequently contrasted with the grand destinies and prophecies surrounding him. He viewed himself as an ordinary fieldman rather than a hero. Yet his compassion, humor, and devotion to his friends repeatedly proved that heroism often arises from ordinary people placed in extraordinary circumstances.
Legacy
Although history remembers Seth as the Deliverer of the Sword, Michael's role was indispensable. He stood beside Seth through every major trial, preserving their friendship even when reason argued for turning back. In later years Michael became a living reminder that the fate of the world can be shaped by those who never sought greatness.
Notable Quote
Once a fieldman, always a fieldman.