Lantern

Lantern is the firebird who took care of Aerie when she was a gosling. Later, he takes Solace under his wing and treats her like a daughter.

Appearance
Being a firebird, his feathers and eyes have the colour of fire. His beak and talons are bronze and his tail is a shower of gold. He is bigger than a falcon.

Personality
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Background
He was the best thief in his flock, but was caught stealing cherries for his cousin by Ravhija. In exchange for the fruit he gives her one of his feathers and is supposed to bring her the seeds of an Ixora. But, being hunted by Laakea, he comes too late and all the Ixoras are destroyed by the Harpoon-Star. Five years later there are enough seeds to get them to Ravhija, but he is too late again. Ravhijas garden is burned down by the Wizard and all Lantern can do is give the new-born girl his seed to start a new garden.

The Book of the Steppe
He takes the young Aerie under his wing and teaches her. But after two summers he can feel the wizard calling for him with his feather. Aerie joins her flock and Lantern flies to Omir.

The Book of the Scald
Omir sells Lantern to Kostya, the rat-man. He is brought to Ajanabh, meeting the River pilot, and and locked in the Cage of Ivory. Kostya plucks his tail-feathers, giving them to Sleeve to sew the Golden Cloak.

After Kostya´s death and after he learned to dance at the Carnival, Aerie comes to visit and gives him Solace to look after. Before she leaves again, he gives her a single feather.

Relationships
Over the time, he loves Ravhija, Aerie, and Solace.

Trivia
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