Prince Neslan is the middle of the king and queen’s three sons, a year younger than Prince Valkin. He is independent, more intellectual than active in his hobbies, and wise beyond his years. He was named after Neslan Dormenor of the Crimson League, and while he looks nothing like that Neslan–the prince has father’s blond hair and green eyes– he’s not unlike him in interests and temperament. Prince Neslan grows to be more edgy and cantankerous than his namesake, though. More bold as well.

Definitely, of the three princes, Neslan is most like me. That was unconscious on my part, but it makes sense, seeing I am also a middle child.

Neslan is ten during the events of The Magic Council. He’s perfectly glad to have an older brother. He wouldn’t want to be king. He always thinks before he acts, and he tries to think things through as much as he can. He loves his brothers, and obeying his parents and other trusted adults is not something he struggles with.

He gives pushback against his willful older brother, but he’ll generally give in to what Valkin wants before too long, unless Valkin wants to do something Neslan feels is wrong in a deep way. He’ll have to grow into holding his own–which he will.

Neslan loves to read and to learn. He especially loves history and culture–art, architecture, books and stories.

He is a sweet kid. I like him a lot. He’s one of those people who as a teenager and young adult will definitely want to ponder the deep questions of life–questions of philosophy and theology. He’s intelligent, but no genius by any means.

The princes have roughly equal roles in book two. In book three, Neslan shrinks into the background a bit, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s unloved or unimportant. He has a stabilizing, supportive, meaningful presence that everyone in his life deeply appreciates.