Geofram Bornhald

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Author: Val a' Shain

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General

Geofram Bornhald is a Captain Commander of the Children of the Light, a military organisation dedicated to rooting out Darkfriends wherever they can find them. It isn't mentioned where he is from but the way he talks suggests Tarabon. Bornhald is grey-haired, dark eyed and has a kind, grandfatherly face. He looks bluff and dignified. His exact age is not known but given the fact he has grey hair, an adult son (Dain, also a Whitecloak) and a long career in service of the light he must be an old man.

Uncharacteristic for a Whitecloak he wants to be sure someone is a Darkfriend before punishing or killing them. This brings him into conflict with the Questioners and the more zealous Children. His methods of interrogation are subtle compared to most other Children of the Light.

Bornhald is an experienced battle commander. His judgement of the situation is usually close to the truth, he doesn't let his judgement be clouded too much by the Whitecloak prejudice and ideas on who must be a Darkfriend.

Timeline

  • Geofram Bornhald is travelling towards Caemlyn. They are in a hurry to arrive before the Daughter-Heir leaves for Tar Valon. The Whitecloaks find the spot Perrin, Egwene and Elyas were camping and take Perrin and Egwene prisoner. In the fighting he loses nine men, two killed by Perrin, and dozens of horses. After interrogating Perrin and Egwene he decides to take them, to eventually hand them over to the Questioners in Amador. Their mission in Caemlyn is more important though (TEotW, Ch. 30).
  • Bornhald is recalled to Amador and leaves his unit under the command of Eamon Valda. His son Dain has also joined them in Caemlyn. Back in Amador Bornhald receives orders regarding the Seanchan invasion on Falme. He leaves for the Almoth Plain with a full legion (TGH, Ch. 5).
  • The tension between Bornhald and the Questioners accompanying him is mounting by the time they reach Tarabon (TGH, Ch. 5).
  • Once on the Almoth Plain Bornhald is convinced the Questioners are using him for their own plans. He decides to ignore the orders to obey them he got from Niall and move against what he perceives as the real threat, the Seanchan invasion (TGH, Ch. 29).
  • Bornhald deploys his legion in such a way the Questioners believe his forces are still spread out across the Almoth Plain. He pulled together over a thousand Children on Toman Head though. In the few skirmishes with the Seanchan it has become clear to Bornhald they are not to be underestimated. They use women who can channel in battle, therefore the must be Darkfriends. He doesn't expect to live through this mission (TGH, Ch. 44).
  • Bornhald orders Byar to observe the battle but not take part in it. He is to reports to Dain and then to Niall what happened (TGH, Ch. 44).
  • Bornhald leads the legion into battle at Falme. The legion is destroyed and he dies in the battle (TGH, Ch. 46, Ch. 47).

Relationships

Pedron Niall considers him the best battle commander among the Children (TGH, Ch. 5). He is one of only two people the Lord Captain Commander truly trusts.

Geofram cares a lot for his son Dain. Before riding into Falme to face the Seanchan he sends Byar back to Amador, not only to report his findings to the Niall but also to tell Dain of his death (TGH, Ch. 44). He is not blind to his son's faults though and realized Dain is overzealous sometimes (TGH, Ch. 5).

Despite Perrin running with wolves, killing two Children and showing up at Falme, Geofram is not convinced Perrin is a Darkfriend (TGH, Ch. 44).

Miscellaneous

  • Niall gave Bornhald the oath thirty-six years ago (that must be 962 NE) (TGH, Ch. 5).
  • Bornhald dislikes the Questioners and the methods they use.

Quotes

"I expect you do not know much about the Anointed, or about Lords Captain of the Children of the Light, do you? No, I thought not. Well, for Child Byar's sake, at least, try not to argue or shout, yes? I want no more than that you should walk in the Light, and letting anger get the better of you won't help any of us." (The Eye of the World, Chapter 30)

"'They do not put up much fight, my Lord Captain,' Byar said, 'either these Taraboners or what is left of the Domani. They snap like cornered rats, but run as soon as anything snaps back.'
'Let us see how we do against the invaders, Byar, before we look down on these men, yes?'" (The Great Hunt, Chapter 29)

"'Perrin,' he muttered. 'That was his name. Perrin, from the Two Rivers.'
'The Darkfriend, my Lord Captain?'
'Perhaps, Byar.' He was not entirely certain, himself, but surely a man who seemed to have wolves fight for him could be nothing else. Certainly, this Perrin had killed two of the Children."
(The Great Hunt, Chapter 44)

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