Phedre's Boys
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This article is about the fictional characters in the Kushiel's Legacy novels.
Phèdre's Boys are a section of the Royal Navy of Terre d'Ange that have taken Phèdre nó Delaunay as their symbol. They are not her personal guard or affiliated in any concrete way to her personally.
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[edit] The Creation of Phèdre's Boys
[edit] Background (The Royal Navy's Mission)
The Royal Navy is assigned to Phèdre nó Delaunay, the Queen's new ambassador to Alba and Eire. They learn from Phèdre that the kingdom is on the brink of war with the Skaldi and that they need reinforcements. They also learn that the Queen of Terre d'Ange, Ysandre de la Courcel, has been betrothed to the King of Alba, Drustan mab Necthana.
In Alba, however, Drustan mab Necthana's cousin, Maelcon, has usurped the throne. Alban succession is matrilineal; Maelcon wants to change this to a patrilineal line of succession, which would see him as King of Alba rather than his cousin Drustan. Upon Maelcon's taking of throne, Drustan and his family found sanctuary among the Eiran Dalriada.
The mission of the Royal Navy is twofold: they must regain Drustan his throne, and they must get Alba and Eire's support for their own upcoming war with the Skaldi.
[edit] Ambassador Phèdre nó Delaunay
Phèdre nó Delaunay is a strange choice to be an Ambassador but she is one of the very few D'Angelines that speaks the languages of Alba and Eire, Cruithne and Eiran. She is also unquestionably loyal to Queen Ysandre de la Courcel. Her life before, however, was as a Servant of Naamah of the now-dead lord Anafiel Delaunay. She is also an anguissette.
On their way to Eire, the Master of the Straits attempts to halt their passage, appearing to them in a fierce storm as a face in the waves, and demands a toll. Remembering the story of Thelesis de Mornay, Phèdre nó Delaunay pays their passage with Skaldic hearth-songs.
In Eire, the twin Lords of the Dalriada, Grainne and Eamonn, are split on whether or not to go to war. Grainne wishes to give aid in restoring Drustan to his throne and to Terre d'Ange in their hour of need. Eamonn, however, does not consider this to be their fight and that, if they loose, this will only bring the Dalriada trouble. During a banquet, Phèdre has sex with Grainne. As Eamonn can not stand Grainne having something he does not, he asks Phèdre why she continues to refuse him. Phèdre says to him that D'Angelines like strong men and not those that are afraid of battle. Grainne goads him on. Eamonn then says he is not weak and will prove his courage by going to battle for Drustan and Terre d'Ange!
[edit] The Battle & Creation
Given that the battle for Alba is not strictly the fight of Terre d'Ange, the leader of the Royal Navy, Quintilius Rousse, asks Phèdre if they should not fight this battle. Phedre replies that unless he can find a very good reason, this is Terre d'Ange's fight and that if the Dalriada are willing to risk their lives for Drustan so should the D'Angelines. Rousse, without Phedre's knowledge, pledges to his men that all who survive the upcoming battle will be knighted and receive the title of "Chevalier".
The battle to oust "Maelcon the Usurper" is victorious and Phèdre keeps Rousse's pledge. As the Queen's emissary, Phèdre knights Rousse's men.
Rousse's men see Phèdre as a charm of good luck and make her their personal symbol, calling themselves Phèdre's Boys. On their voyage back to Terre d'Ange, they create a flag for themselves: a black flag with a ragged red circle in the middle and, inside the circle, a golden dart with point and fletching! They present this to her and begin chanting humorously bawdy marching songs. Phèdre is shocked and slightly embarrassed but announces to them all that, for those who survive, she will throw open the doors of the Night Court and have a party that none of them have ever seen!
[edit] Chants
The chants of Phèdre's Boys are:[1]
Whip us 'till we're on the floor, we'll turn around and ask for more, we're Phèdre's Boys!
We like to hurt, we like to bleed, daily floggings do we need, we're Phèdre's Boys!
Man or woman, we don't care, give us twins we'll take the pair! We're Phèdre's Boys!
...But just because we let you beat us, doesn't mean you can defeat us, we're Phèdre's Boys!
[edit] Famous Phedre's Boys
Remy
In the second novel, Remy, along with Fortun is murdered along with Fortune is murdered trying to defend Phedre at Benedict de la Courcel's orders.
Fortun
In the second novel, Fortun, along with Remy is murdered along with Fortune is murdered trying to defend Phedre at Benedict de la Courcel's orders.
Ti-Phillipe
[edit] References
1. Phedre's Boys- The bawdy Sailor Song. Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
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