King Aldric Lionell

King Aldric Lionell inherited the Ardent Throne before he was old enough to rule it. Through the most dangerous years of his childhood, Cedric Blackthorne governed Avalos as Lord Protector and held the crown in trust until the young king came of age.

Aldric grows up surrounded by soldiers, councillors and rival claims. His uncle Frederick sees weakness in a throne protected by another house, while the western kingdoms look to the boy as the lawful centre of an alliance already strained by war.

He is young, but not blind to the cost paid in his name. The ruler Aldric becomes will be shaped by a question no regent can answer for him: whether he will inherit the peace Cedric defended—or the conflicts that defence created.

“They held the crown for me. I must become worthy of what it cost them.”