Sebban Balwer

From A Wheel of Time Wiki

Sebban Balwer was the secretary and spymaster of the former head of the Whitecloaks, Pedron Niall. Balwer is from Amadicia, and is portrayed as having knobby shoulders and a narrow, pinched face with a disappoving mouth^[1]. He is small and nervous, often described as a "dried-up stick of a man".

Contents 1 With the Whitecloaks 2 Escape from the Seanchan 3 Service with Perrin 4 Notes

[edit] With the Whitecloaks

Despite not seeming to share their politics, Balwer worked diligently under Niall and the Whitecloaks from their base of operations, the Fortress of the Light. He was one of the few men Niall trusted, yet despite his role as spymaster, he was not the only source of information to Niall, a fact that irritated Balwer to some degree^[1].

Among other tasks, Balwer was responsible for inciting Estanda and Tedosian to rebel in Tear^[1]. He was also witness to Eamon Valda's killing of Abdel Omerna^[2]

[edit] Escape from the Seanchan

Following Niall's murder and Valda's subsequent mistreatment of the captive Queen Morgase, the Seanchan invasion of Amador gives Balwer the opportunity to escape the Fortress, taking Morgase and the rest of her party^[3] with him^[4]. When the party are accosted by Dragonsworn, they have the good fortune to be rescued by Perrin Aybara and his forces^[5]. Balwer offers service to Perrin as secretary to him and his wife; the rest of the party contrive to conceal Morgase's identity and also offer service^[6].

[edit] Service with Perrin

Balwer's skills aid Perrin a number of times; he provides and interprets information on the Seanchan and the Whitecloaks^[7], uncovering news of King Ailron's defeat to the Seanchan at Jeramel, and of Valda and the Whitecloaks' escape and flight east^[8]. Balwer proves useful in Perrin's dealings with the Prophet Masema, when Perrin leads a delegation^[9] to meet with and pass on instructions to the Prophet from Rand al'Thor^[10].

During his time with Perrin, Balwer develops an increasing depth of loyalty to Faile. When she and the others of Perrin's party are kidnapped by the Shaido he disappears briefly^[11], but works tirelessly to discover any and all information that may aid Perrin in her retrieval. He forms Faile's Cairheinin followers into a more organised spying network, keeping tabs on Masema's possible dealings with the Whitecloaks and Seanchan^[12].

When Balwer, with Perrin, reaches So Harbor he leaves the party claiming a meeting with an acquaintance, taking Latian and Medore with him^[13]. They stay behind in the town when the acquaintance doesn't arrive, and return to Perrin's camp four days later, bringing Tallanvor with them^[14].

It is Balwer who first reports to Perrin that Aram is spending more and more time with Masema^[15], foreshadowing Aram's subsequent behaviour. He is also instrumental in the preparations for Perrin's assault on the Shaido camp, having scouted Almizar with Medore^[16] prior to the use of the Malden aqueduct to deliver forkroot-dosed water to the Aiel. Balwer remains in Perrin's camp with Berelain during the battle itself^[17].

[edit] Notes