Characters / Children of the Red King: The Red King and His Family

The Red King and his Family

King Timoken

King Timoken

A magician and ancestor of all endowed children, this is the man who started it all. He came out of Africa in the twelfth century and settled in England, marrying Berenice, a daughter of a knight of Toledo, and having ten children who each inherited a part of his power. He was accompanied by three leopards, who later became the Flame cats.

• Action Hero: In The Secret Kingdom Timoken destroys an army of viridees by himself in Toledo, and in Leopards' Gold beheads the Damzel of Decay.

• Antagonistic Offspring: Five of Timoken's children turn to evil as soon as he's gone. The other five are forced to flee for their lives.
• Authority Equals Asskicking: When you're a powerful magician who defeat powerful enemies, people are bound to respect and follow you.
• Babies Ever After: Timoken has ten children with Berenice.
• Badass in Distress: First in The Stones Of Ravenglass, when Timoken is imprisoned after being accused of killing his friend Mabon the archer, and then in Leopards' Gold, when he is captured by the Damzel of Decay and imprisoned in a lake underwater.
• Badass Cape: Timoken has a magical red cloak which guards and helps him in battle.

• Benevolent Mage Ruler: As ruler of the Red Castle Timoken has a name of being fair and wise. His people love and respect him.

• Big Good: Is this by the time of the main Charlie Bone series.

• Childhood Friend Romance: With Berenice.
• Child Mage: As a child, Timoken can already talk to animals, call up storms, and fly, to name a few.

• Dark and Troubled Past: His parents were murdered when an enemy tribe attacked their home; he and his sister were forced to wander for centuries without a home in Africa; his sister who he loved dearly went missing one day because of evil forces, leaving Timoken by himself.

• Death Wail: Timoken yells in rage and grief when his sister Zobayda disappears and is presumed dead.

• Determinator: Never stops searching for the new kingdom his mother promised him he would find. Though at times he gives up hope of ever finding it.
• Famous Ancestor: He is a famous ancestor of all endowed children.
• Fire-Forged Friends: With Beri, Mabon, Gereint, Edern and Eri.
• Founder of the Kingdom: He created the Red Castle.
• Frame-Up: Timoken is accused of murdering his friend Mabon, and is imprisoned in the dungeons of Castle Melyntha. He manages to escape with the wizard Eri on Gabar.

• Happily Married: To Berenice before her death.
• Heartwarming Orphan: As a child.

• Good Parents: He and Berenice are this to their children. Unfortunately five of them don't appreciate it.
• I Gave My Word: Timoken promised Berenice that he would never raise a hand against their children.
• Intergenerational Friendship: Becomes good friends with the wizard Eri, who is old enough to be his grandfather.
• It's All My Fault: Timoken blames himself for his children's betrayal and his family's troubles, as he has one foot in the realm of enchantments and that causes him and his family to be targeted by evil forces.
• The Lost Lenore: Berenice is this for him after her death.
• Magical Negro: Timoken is an African magician.
• Manly Tears: In Leopards' Gold, Timoken can be seen weeping as Petrello watches on, because he is unable to cure Gunfrid of a deep-freezing enchantment.
• Marry for Love: What Timoken eventually does with Berenice.
• Master of Illusion: He can create illusions from thin air.
• Older Than They Look: Is centuries older than he appears to be, thanks to the magic of the forest-jinni.
• Out Living Ones Offspring: This comes into play as Timoken is immortal.
• Papa Wolf: Never hurt his children, or he'll make you pay.
• Parental Abandonment: Timoken's parents were killed when an enemy tribe invaded their home with help from an enemy of the forest jinni.
• Parental Substitute: Zobayda seems to become like a mother to Timoken after their parents' deaths, as she is the older sister and there isn't anyone else to do the job.

• Royals Who Actually Do Something: Unlike other leaders, Timoken actually gets involved in the welfare and security of his people. When something is amiss, he strives to fix it.
• True Companions: With Beri and his friends Peredur, Mabon, Gereint, and Edern, whom he rescued from slavers in The Secret Kingdom.
• Universally Beloved Leader: Almost everyone in the Red Castle adores Timoken, for being the kind ruler he is who keeps them safe from the Conquerors.
• Walking the Earth: Timoken and his sister Zobayda spend centuries doing this, after they are forced to flee their kingdom after it is attacked.
• Who Wants to Live Forever?: Because of the gift the forest-jinni bestowed on him, Timoken is destined to live forever. He doesn't consider it a good thing.

Queen Berenice

Queen Berenice (Beri)

The kind, spirited wife of the Red King. She died when their youngest child, Amoret, was born, but was later resurrected by Ezekiel Bloor in the form of her favorite mare. She now lives in the ruins of the Red Castle with the tree that is the Red King.

• Action Mom: After hearing that Amadis may be in danger, she rides out into the forest to help him. When she finds Osbern D'Ark's men, she fares reasonably well in a fight against them.
• Affectionate Nickname: Is called 'Beri' or 'Running Hare' by Timoken, Peredur, Edern, Mabon and Gereint.
• And Now You Must Marry Me: What Osbern D'Ark attempts to do to her in The Stones of Ravenglass. Luckily, she escapes with help from a small child, who happens to be the wizard Eri's grandchild.
• Back from the Dead: Comes back to life within the body of her favorite mare Elizen, as a result of Ezekiel Bloor's attempt to resurrect his ancestor Borlath.
• Badass Normal: Berenice has no magical powers to speak of, but still manages to kill a viridee. She's extremely good with a sword, though not as good as Tolemeo or her father.
• Beware the Nice Ones: Normally she is a very kind, warm-hearted person. However, once you make her angry, watch out. She will fight to protect herself and her loves ones from danger as it presents itself.
• Big Damn Heroes: In the last three books of the Charlie Bone series, she carries the Red Knight as he rides into battle against enemies of the good children of the Red King. Notable examples include when Ashkelan Kapaldi is about to attack and kill Tancred Torsson, and also when the same Ashkelan Kapaldi tries to kill Dagbert Endless in the ruin with his magic sword. During the final battle they arrive at the heath to fight against Count Harken himself when all seems lost, and end up killing him.
• Blue Blood: Came from a prominent family of Castile.
• Childhood Friend Romance: With Timoken.
• Cool Horse: After her resurrection she becomes this.
• Damsel out of Distress: She fights back against Osbern D'Ark's men when they try and recapture her after her escape from Castle Melyntha in The Stones of Ravenglass, and even kills one of them.
• Death by Childbirth: Dies after giving birth to her tenth child, Amoret.
• Fire-Forged Friends: With Timoken, Gereint, Mabon and Edern after Timoken rescues them from the slavers in The Secret Kingdom.
• Good Parents: She and Timoken are this to their children. Unfortunately five of them don't appreciate it.
• Happily Married: To Timoken, in later years.
• Lady of War: In Leopards' Gold.
• Little Miss Badass: As a young girl, she kills a viridee by herself, putting to good use the swordsmanship skills her father taught her. She is also very brave and determined to help others.
• Mama Bear: Don't even think of hurting her children. She'll go all the way to protect them.
  • This is apparent in the main series. She is determined to help the good endowed descendants of the Red King in Bloor's Academy, as she sees them as her own children who she would do anything for.
• Nice Girl: Has a very kind heart with no ill-will at all.
• Plucky Girl: She never gives up in anything she does. In Leopards' Gold she goes all the way into a forest swarming with enemies to search for her son Amadis, even after Councillor Thorkil presumes him dead and tries to stop her from going.
• Really 700 Years Old: Is this after being resurrected into her favorite mare's body. As a human, she lived in the 12th century, making it over nine hundred years after her death.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: She plays an important role in the defeat of Osbern D'Ark in Leopards' Gold and the return of the missing seeing crystal.
• Silk Hiding Steel: She may be dainty and lady-like, but that doesn't mean she won't cut you if need be.
• Tomboy Princess: While not exactly a princess, Berenice enjoys dueling and playing with swords. Her father taught her swordsmanship and she puts it to good use in her life.

Princess Zobayda

Timoken's older sister, who escaped the secret kingdom with him. She was gifted with a magical ring that gives her some clairvoyant power.

• Beware the Nice Ones: Is usually very kind. However, if someone tries to hurt her or her family she will fight back, no matter what.
• Big Damn Reunion: Her home was destroyed and her parents murdered by an invading enemy tribe, who were helped by the viridees. She and Timoken had to flee for their lives, and spent over a century searching for another place to safely live in. After a century or two of this nomadic life, she was separated from her brother after jumping into a river to prevent the viridees from using her as leverage against Timoken. She fully expected to drown, and was surprised when she ended up alive and in the care of a man travelling in a caravan. Timoken also believed that she had drowned and deeply mourned her loss. He only discovers the truth decades later when they finally reunite.
• Cool Old Lady: Is certainly this. She's respectful and kind to her nieces and nephews and always seeks to help them if she can. She's also pretty badass in her own way, and can use the forest-jinni's ring to predict the future and see into someone's mind and heart.
• Damsel out of Distress: In Leopards' Gold. When Thorkil's men attempt to seize her she stops them by using the magic in the forest-jinni's ring.
• Dark and Troubled Past: Her home was invaded by an enemy tribe and her parents were murdered, forcing her and her brother to flee for their lives.
• Determinator: Was so determined to keep her brother safe that she threw herself into a river knowing that she'd in all likelihood drown. It was either that or be captured by the viridees and used to force Timoken to give them the forest-jinni's ring and the magical cloak.

• Friend to All Children: She is kind to and helps all children living in the Red Castle, particularly her young niece and nephews. Petrello, Guanhamara and Tolomeo can always count on her to help them with their problems.

• Happily Married: To Tariq, until his death.
• Heroic Sacrifice: Chooses to drown in a river rather than let the viridees use her as leverage against Timoken.
• Magical Negro: Is an African who has the gift of foresight, courtesy of the forest-jinni's ring.
• Nice Girl: Has a very kind heart.
• Parental Abandonment: Her and Timoken's parents were murdered by soldiers of an invading kingdom.
• Parental Substitute: Is one for Timoken after they flee their secret kingdom.
• Promotion to Parent: After their parents' deaths Zobayda acted as a mother to Timoken.
• Really 700 Years Old: Like Timoken, she is centuries older than she looks.
• Seers: Wearing the forest jinni's ring gives her seer-like abilities.

• Starting a New Life: After being separated from Timoken she was found by a man who she travelled with to Europe. She eventually made it to Castile, Spain, where she met and fell in love with Tariq. They married and settled down into a life together.
  • After Timoken reappears in her life, Zobayda travels with him to England, where they eventually found the Red Castle.
• True Companions: With Timoken.
• Walking the Earth: She and Timoken spend over a century doing this in their attempt to find a new home for themselves.
• Warrior Princess: She's an African princess who is also a seer, thanks to the forest-jinni's gift to her. That gift made her Wise Beyond Her Years and she's not above using it to protect herself if it must come to that. Even as an elderly person she can still kick some major ass. She takes out two of Thorkil's men using just the magic of the forest-jinni's ring.
• Wiser Than Their Years: The forest-jinni's ring has made her into this, as it gave her seer-like powers that allowed her to see into the future and into the minds of other people.

Prince Borlath

Borlath

The Red King's first child, and a sadistic tyrant. He could manipulate fire. He is the ancestor of the Bloor family.

• 0% Approval Rating: Everyone in the Red Castle either hated or was afraid of Borlath. When he took over after Timoken's departure, most of the castle's inhabitants followed Amadis, who was a fair and good ruler like his father.
• Aloof Big Brother: He is very distant toward his younger siblings and treats most of them with disdain.
• Driven by Envy: This is implied to be the cause for his actions in Leopards' Gold.
• Green-Eyed Monster: Borlath is jealous of his brother Amadis, for being so well-loved and for having the gift of animal-speak.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: Borlath gets annoyed at the slightest things. His siblings learn to be wary of him because of this.
• Hot-Blooded: Borlath can be unpredictable and short-tempered, especially when he is annoyed about something.
• Hypnotic Eyes: As discovered in Leopards' Gold, Borlath is a hypnotist. It gives his father quite a shock when he manages to force Olga into a trance-like state to end her hysterical telekinetic rampage. It is also implied that he hypnotized Lilith into bewitching Amadis' helmet with a freezing spell.
• It's All About Me: Borlath is completely self-centered and does not care about anyone but himself.
• Jerkass: He is very mean to his siblings and the young orphans who settle into the Red Castle after being found by Amadis, Petrello, and Tolemeo.
• Kill It with Fire: What Borlath does to Amadis and his followers and family when he attacks the Castle of Mirrors.
• Lack of Empathy: Borlath doesn't seem to have any empathy at all, considering the crimes he has committed against his own family.
• Perpetual Frowner: Borlath never smiles.
• Playing with Fire: Borlath has the power to manipulate fire.
• Pride: Borlath's main flaw, aside from envy.

• Sibling Rivalry: With Amadis. It's totally one-sided.

• The Resenter: He resents Amadis for his gift with animals and his popularity with the people, and also resents the fact that he'll probably never inherit the Red Castle due to his father being immortal.
• The Unapologetic: Borlath never apologizes for betraying his own father and the Red Castle to the Damzel of Decay and Osbern D'Ark.
• Unstoppable Rage: After months of trying to take the Castle of Mirrors, Borlath loses his cool and puts it on fire, killing all occupants inside except one.
• Warrior Prince: He leads his people in an attack against the Castle of Mirrors.
• Would Hurt a Child: He seems quite willing to hurt the orphans Zeba and Gunfrid if they ever get in his way.

Prince Amadis

Amadis

The Red King's second son. He was one of the good children who left the castle forever. He could talk to animals. He is the ancestor of the Ravens, the Bones, and the Crowquills.

• Action Dad: Went into battle against Borlath on the Island of a Thousand Blues, while being the father of four children.
• Animal Talk: Can speak to and understand animals.
• Determinator: He refuses to surrender his castle and its people to Borlath, knowing that he would show no mercy to anyone who sided with Amadis over him.
• Frame-Up: He is accused by Borlath and Thorkil of abducting the bellman and conspiring to take down the Red Castle. He quickly manages to clear his name, as he'd just returned from a mission to find out where Rigg had been taken to.
• Friend to All Children: He is always willing to help his siblings and treats the orphans Zeba and Gunfrid with kindness and respect.
• Happily Married: To Elin.

• Nice Guy: He's well-liked for being just and kind. His younger siblings like him a lot more than Borlath, who is exactly the opposite.
• The Good King: After he leaves the Red Castle, most of the people there choose to follow him, as he has a name for being a fair ruler like his father. He holds court at the Castle of Mirrors, until Borlath lays siege to it.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: Amadis helps ensure the security of the Red Castle by going on missions and gathering important intel from animal spies.
• The Quiet One: He doesn't speak as much as some of his other siblings.
• Sibling Rivalry: Had a one-sided rivalry with his brother Borlath. It culminated in the siege on the Island of a Thousand Blues and the fire that led to the creation of the Castle of Mirrors.
• Speaks Fluent Animal: Amadis can speak the language of animals. This allows him to summon help when he is in trouble, and to hear of important news and track down traitors.
• Warrior Prince: He leads his people into battle against Borlath on the Island of a Thousand Blues.

Princess Lilith

Lilith

The Red King's eldest daughter, and one of the evil ones. She marries Count Harken and moves to Badlock with him. She is a bewitcher of clothes.

• Brainwashed: It is implied that in Leopards' Gold, Borlath hypnotized her into enchanting Amadis' helmet.
• Bratty Teenage Daughter: In her youth.
• Child Hater: She hates all children.

• Ice Queen: Not so much in Leopards' Gold, but very evident in the main series.
• It's All About Me: She is extraordinarily self-centered as a child. She gives no thought of other people's feelings.
• Kids Are Cruel: She bewitches Amadis' helmet with a deep-freezing spell in an attempt to kill him, and also gives Guanhamara a rash on her face by enchanting her necklace. She and Olga also like to torment Guanhamara with their endowments.
• Lack of Empathy: For anyone affected by her horrible spells.
• No Sense of Humor: Lilith has no sense of humor at all when Billy meets her in Badlock.
• No Sympathy: She has no sympathy for Billy when he is thrown into the dungeons because of his rat Rembrandt.
• Perpetual Frowner: Never smiles.
• Proud Beauty: Lilith is very proud, especially as a teenager, and is quite attractive. She's certainly attractive to Harken, who chooses to marry her.
• Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Lilith has dark hair and pale skin.
• The Fashionista: Can bewitch clothes.

• The Unapologetic: She refuses to apologize for bewitching Amadis' helmet in Leopards' Gold. She seems unapologetic about most of her actions, including the time when she enchanted Guanhamara's necklace into giving her a terrible rash on her face.

Prince Cafal

Cafal

The Changer. He was originally one of Timoken’s five wicked children, but had a change of heart and fled the castle, taking with him his father’s great book of stories. He eventually settled in the land of the Merromals, and married a Merromal girl.

• Animal Eyes: Cafall's most distinct feature is his wolfish yellow eyes.
• Body Horror: When he changes from human to beast, or vice versa.
• Heel–Face Revolving Door: Due to his nature as the Changer, Cafall constantly switches between the good and bad sides. It is during one of his good moments that he fled the Red Castle.
• Involuntary Shapeshifting: With a sufficient light source, Cafall is human. But in the dark, he cannot retain that shape, instead automatically transforming into a beast.
• Jerkass: At times he can be this, due to his nature as the Changer.

• The Storyteller: Him having taken his father’s book of tales with him when he fled is stated to be the reason behind the Merromal people’s great love of stories.

Princess Olga

Olga

One of the Red King's wicked children. She is telekinetic. She is close to her sister Lilith, and follows her like a shadow.

• Blind Obedience: She'll do anything Lilith says.

• Mind over Matter: She is telekinetic.
• Perpetual Frowner: After Lilith is temporarily banished by Amadis from the castle.
• Psychotic Smirk: When she uses her telekinetic powers.

Princess Guanhamara

Guanhamara

The Red King's third daughter, and an illusionist and psychic. She is one of the good children who flees the castle when Harken takes over. She marries an Italian prince, Enrico, and has seven daughters, all witches. The Vertigos, Sages, and Silks are descended from her.

• Affectionate Nickname: Petrello and Tolomeo call her 'Guan'.
• Babies Ever After: Guanhamara ends up having seven daughters, all of them witches.

• Cool Big Sis: Is one to Petrello and Tolomeo.
• Daddy's Girl: She's Timoken's favorite child. Petrello points this out in Leopards' Gold, when he sees his father's father soften at the sight of Guanhamara.
• Friend to All Living Things: Guanhamara loves children and animals, and is described as having a gentle heart. When the blue boa, Solomon, is tortured by Borlath into wanting to kill and hate Guanhamara is horrified, and tries to help it by giving it the power of invisibility instead. It is said that she took the boa with her to Italy, and the relationship between them was so close that the boa went into a deep sleep when she died.
• Happily Married: To Enrico, an Italian prince.

• Master of Illusion: Guanhamara is a powerful illusionist.
• Pint-Sized Kid: Guanhamara is described as small for her age in Leopards' Gold.

Prince Petrello

Petrello

The Red King's fourth child, Petrello could call thunder, lightning, wind, and rain, and apparently had some power over water as well.

• Affectionate Nickname: Guanhamara and Tolly call him 'Trello'.

• Beware the Nice Ones

• Happily Married: To Bianca.

• Magical Negro: Not to the same extent as his father. Petrello inherited his father's dark skin and the ability to conjure thunder, lightning, wind and rain out of the air.

• Royals Who Actually Do Something: He and Tolomeo play a central role in the rescue of Timoken and his men and the defeat of the Damzel of Decay. Petrello also saves the Red Castle from Osbern D'Ark's attack, by conjuring a storm out of thin air to expel the soldiers.

• Took a Level in Badass: When he saved the Red Castle from Osbern D'Ark and discovered his endowment.

Prince Tolomeo

Tolomeo

One of the good children, and a gifted swordsman and flyer.

• Affectionate Nickname: His siblings (the good ones) call him 'Tolly'.
• Badass Cape: In Leopards' Gold, Timoken (at Petrello's suggestion) orders the creation of a cloak for Tolemeo to wear, so that he won't have to go around in public showing his wings. It's an exact copy of Wyngate's cloak.
• Bearer of Bad News: Had to tell Otus that his beloved wife Amoret had been killed when Borlath set fire to the castle on the Island of a Thousand Blues.
• Big Damn Heroes: Swooped in and rescued his nephew Roland from Harken's men when he and Otus were fleeing from them. He tried to save Otus as well, but didn't have enough time.
• Child Prodigy: He is extremely gifted in swordsmanship, much like his grandfather Esteban Diaz (aka the Knight of Toledo). Berenice suspected this and started training him in secret in the Red Castle. He ends up becoming a master swordsman in the same league as his grandfather.
• Happily Married: To Elena.
• Flight: Can fly using a pair of wings that are grown from his back.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: He, along with Petrello, rescue Timoken and the knights from the Damzel of Decay in Leopards' Gold. Tolomeo's role is the most important—he flies the damaged Red Cloak back to the Red Castle, where the leopards are able to repair it. Then he takes the cloak back to Petrello and the two of them proceed to rescue their father and his men.
• Took a Level in Badass: When he used his endowment to repair the Red Cloak and rescue Timoken and the knights.

Prince Vyborn

Wyborn

A shapeshifter. He is one of the King's bad children who stay in the Red Castle.

• Big Eater: In Leopards' Gold, it's stated that he eats so much it's a wonder he's still so scrawny and thin.
• Friendless Background: Doesn't have any friends at all, and in fact has never had any.

• Perpetual Frowner: Wyborn never smiles.

• Shapeshifter: Wyborn can shapeshift into any animal he chooses; however, as he has no imagination, he cannot fly as a bird or become a dragon or leopard.

Princess Amoret

Amoret

The Red King's youngest child, and the ancestor of the Yewbeam family. She could travel through use of the Mirror of Amoret, which her father had crafted for her.

• Babies Ever After: Amoret had one child, Roland, who is the founder of the Yewbeam dynasty.
• Happily Married: To Otus Yewbeam, for a tragically short time.
• The Lost Lenore: Is this for Otus Yewbeam.
• Mysterious Past: Almost nothing is known of Amoret's past; it is Paton Yewbeam's goal to discover her history.
• Nice Girl: She was said to be very kind and sweet.
• Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: She is described as having dark hair and pale skin.
• Parental Abandonment: Her father left her to grieve in the forest; her mother died in childbirth.
• Perpetual Frowner: She never smiled after she was separated from Otus Yewbeam and her son. When Charlie travels into the Wall of History in Shadow of Badlock with Otus, he notes that her face looks very sad.

• The Quiet One: She hardly ever speaks.
• Star-Crossed Lovers: Her and Otus. The two fell in love and marry, but were forced to separate when their son Roland was a baby, after Harken began targeting them. Otus held out hope of them reuniting one day, until Tolomeo gave him the news of Amoret's death by fire on the Island of a Thousand Blues. They do end up together again, after Charlie takes Otus into the original castle through the Wall of History in the Castle of Mirrors.
• When She Smiles: After seeing Otus appear suddenly in the hall of the castle, her face lights up in a smile, making her look even more beautiful.

Other Notable Ancestors