Numair Salmalín

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Numair Salmalín is a fictional character created by Tamora Pierce. He exists in the Tortallan universe and is a major character in the series The Immortals but is mentioned also in later series. He is originally from Tyra and his given name is Arram Draper. He lived and studied in Carthak, but took on the name Numair when he became a Black Robe Mage, supposedly because Arram Draper was not a fitting name for a mage; in truth, he adopted a new name to protect himself from the Emperor of Carthak, who was hunting him after he left the country. He spent several years on the run and made his living juggling in Corus, along with a few other tricks.

Upon reaching Tortall he became King Jonathan IV's chief mage after several years of service. A good-looking young man, he was involved with many women at court. He is described as being six feet five inches tall, with a swarthy complexion, raven black hair, brown eyes and a long nose.

Over the course of The Immortals series, he became the teacher and mentor of Veralidaine Sarrasri (Daine) and they went on many adventures during the four book saga ranging from Tortall, Carthak, and even the Divine Realms. Though he was fourteen years her senior the two developed a romantic relationship in the last book of the series and later married shortly before Trickster's Choice. In the Protector of the Small series he is employed at the royal palace, teaching knights-in-training magic.

We learn in the book Trickster's Choice that Numair and Daine have a shape-shifting daughter named Sarralyn after Daine's mother, Sarra, and in Trickster's Queen, they have a son, Rikash, named after the Stormwing Daine befriended in the third book, Emperor Mage; who died in the course of the Immortals War while fighting a creature of Chaos.

Numair is one of seven Black Robe Mages in the world. His Gift is black with white sparkles and he is able to transform into a black hawk, which is the form he first meets Daine in. He is often said to be the most powerful mage in the Realm by several people over the course of the books featuring the Tortallan universe.

Whether it is relevant or not, his first name may have a connection to panther and his last to haven. This seems warrented of a connection since Numair is described as having acquired much grace as he matured, despite his stature. Haven may also be a refernce to the need of a new name, perhaps his own safe haven from Ozorne.

Tamora Pierce is writing a book about Numair's early life that is said to be published in 2009.