Chase (Dell Brandstone)

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Chase is a fictional character in the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.

[edit] Physical Description

Chase is the leader of the boundary wardens of Westland and an old friend of Richard Rahl. He is a big man with a large frame, clean-shaven, with a head of light brown hair that shows no sign of receding but instead gives way to age by going gray at the sides. His laughter is loud and booming. Heavy brows shade intense brown eyes that steal slowly about, even as he talks, and see everything. This habit often gives people the impression - a seriously mistaken impression - that he isn't paying attention. Chase has two basic expressions he wears most of the time, the first a look of feigned ignorant disinterest, the second, one that makes him seem as if he is about to participate in a slaughter. Despite his size he is frighteningly quick when there is need. Chase's day isn't complete unless he has intimidated someone. He typically wears a brace of knives to one side of his belt and a six-bladed mace to the other, as well as a short sword strapped over his right shoulder and a crossbow with a full complement of barbed, steel-tipped bolts hung from a leather strap on his left.

When outfitted to travel near the boundary or when expecting conflict, Chase wears a chainmail shirt over a tan leather tunic, heavy black pants, boots, and cloak. Black gauntlets can usually be seen tucked behind a wide black belt set with a large silver buckle emblazoned with the emblem of the boundary wardens. Strapped everywhere are enough armaments to outfit a small army. On an ordinary man the effect would have been silly; on Chase it is frightening. He is an image of overt threat, deadly with every weapon he carries.

[edit] General Characteristics

In addition to Richard, Chase was good friends with George Cypher while he was alive, their friendship going back over 40 years. He is also long-time friends of Zedd and Adie. Chase lives outside of the town of Hartland with his wife, Emma Brandstone, and his large number of children. His house is surrounded by a spiked fence with a heavy oak door with iron strap hinges and trees who's branches bough close to the house. Inside, heavy oak beams support the house. Chase had felled the trees, hewed the beams out, and placed them by himself. There was also a fireplace inside made of stones Chase had collected in his travels over the years. Each had a unique shape, color, and texture. Chase would tell anyone who would listen where each had come from, and what sort of trouble he had encountered in retrieving it.

Chase was a man who had seen more trouble than most would probably ever know. Nothing ever seems to surprise or fluster him. Chase was not a man to worry over anything. In fact, Richard often thought he worried far too little. Chase spent most of his life alone out by the boundary. Armed to the teeth, Chase was like a black wraith upon his horse. He was feared by the people he protected as well as by the ones he hunted, but somehow, not by children. He treated most everyone he met with respect.

After learning that Richard had been appointed as the Seeker of Truth, Chase dedicated himself to the defense of the Seeker. He continued to fulfill this role until he went home to Westland to be with his family with his adopted daughter Rachel.

Before leaving for the Midlands, Zedd gave his cat to Chase's daughter, Lee, to take care of.