Petrah
Character Overview
Petrah, heir to the Blueblood Witch-Clan, emerges as a compelling figure amidst the brutal Ironteeth hierarchy. Introduced during the gathering at the Ferian Gap, where the witches are to become the aerial cavalry for the King of Adarlan, Petrah is immediately set up as a foil to both Manon Blackbeak and the Yellowlegs heir, Iskra. However, unlike her overtly ruthless peers, Petrah distinguishes herself through her grave demeanor, strategic mind, and surprising capacity for compassion, hinting at a different kind of leader for the Ironteeth.
Quick Facts
- Role: Heir to the Blueblood Clan
- First Appearance: Heir of Fire
- Key Relationships: Manon Blackbeak, Iskra, Keelie
Who She Is
Petrah is a study in contrasts, a character who embodies both the strength and the potential for change within the rigid Ironteeth society. She is a warrior, a leader, and a strategist, but also capable of deep emotion and loyalty. Her actions challenge the established norms of her clan, suggesting a path forward that values not only power but also compassion and strategic alliance.
Personality & Traits
Petrah possesses a unique blend of traits that set her apart from the other Ironteeth heirs. While she is undoubtedly a formidable warrior, she also demonstrates a level of thoughtfulness and compassion that is rare within her clan.
- Grave and Serious: Petrah is consistently described as "grave," carrying herself with a solemnity that suggests a deep, contemplative nature. This seriousness underscores her commitment to her clan and her understanding of the weighty responsibilities she carries as an heir.
- Strategic and Observant: Petrah is not one to act impulsively. During the wyvern selection, she subtly aligns herself with Manon against the more aggressive Iskra, demonstrating a keen political mind and an understanding of power dynamics.
- Compassionate: In a world where cruelty is often seen as a virtue, Petrah shows flickers of compassion. She flinches when the bait beast is injured during the wyvern selection, an emotional response that Manon notes as unusual.
- Honorable: While she is a fierce competitor, as shown during the War Games, she does not resort to the same level of sadism as Iskra. Her actions are driven by strategy rather than a desire for cruelty.
Character Journey
Petrah's journey in Heir of Fire is one of subtle but significant growth. Initially presented as a quiet and enigmatic rival, she quickly establishes herself as a more complex figure. Her decision to speak to Manon before the wyvern selection signals a departure from the expected animosity between heirs. Her character is most profoundly developed through her relationship with her wyvern, Keelie. The love she feels for her mount, and the soul-crushing grief she experiences at Keelie's death, reveals a depth of emotion that challenges the Ironteeth ideal of heartlessness. Manon's decision to save her life at the cost of an easy victory solidifies a bond between them, positioning Petrah as a potential key ally and a force for a different kind of future for the witches—one where loyalty and even love might have a place.
Key Relationships
- Manon Blackbeak: Petrah recognizes Manon's strength and strategic potential, viewing her not just as a rival, but as a potential ally against the reckless Iskra. She makes the first move by stating she'd rather see Manon claim the prized wyvern, Titus, than the Yellowlegs heir. This tentative alliance is cemented when Manon saves Petrah's life during the War Games, an act that will undoubtedly have major repercussions for the future of the witch clans.
- Iskra: Iskra serves as Petrah's primary antagonist among the heirs, embodying the cruelty and aggression that Petrah seems to reject. Iskra's overt cruelty and aggression stand in stark contrast to Petrah's reserved and strategic nature. Their rivalry comes to a head during the War Games when Iskra's vicious attack leads to the death of Petrah's wyvern, Keelie.
- Keelie: Petrah's wyvern, chosen during the selection, represents a deep and genuine connection that defies the Ironteeth's expectations of heartlessness. Keelie fights to save Petrah even as she is dying, and Petrah is described as being "broken in her soul" after Keelie's death, a testament to their powerful connection. This bond highlights Petrah's capacity for love and loyalty, further distinguishing her from her peers.
Defining Moments
- The Wyvern Selection: Petrah approaches Manon and declares her preference for Manon over Iskra, a calculated political statement that reveals her strategic mind and willingness to defy expectations. She also shows a rare moment of empathy, flinching when the bait beast is wounded, hinting at a nature that deviates from the Ironteeth norm.
- The War Games: In a brilliant strategic move, Petrah holds her forces back, waiting for the Blackbeaks and Yellowlegs to engage before she dives for the Yellowlegs' nest. Her plan is thwarted by Iskra's brutal attack, which results in Keelie's death and Petrah's near-fatal fall. This moment highlights both her strategic prowess and the ruthless nature of her rivals.
- Manon's Rescue: Manon's choice to abandon her chance at victory to save Petrah is a pivotal moment, forging a life-debt between the two heirs and setting the stage for a powerful future alliance. This act fundamentally alters the political landscape of the Ironteeth clans, suggesting a potential shift away from the endless cycles of cruelty and competition.
Essential Quotes
“Waiting for Titus, aren’t you?” Petrah murmured, eyes also on the tunnel. “I’d rather you have him than Iskra.”
Petrah's words to Manon reveal her strategic thinking and willingness to form alliances based on mutual benefit rather than blind loyalty to tradition. This quote highlights her ability to see beyond the immediate rivalry between the clans and recognize the potential for a more advantageous partnership.
The bait beast yelped, and Manon could have sworn the Blueblood heir flinched.
This small moment of empathy, witnessed by Manon, hints at Petrah's capacity for compassion, a trait that is rare and often suppressed among the Ironteeth witches. It suggests that Petrah is not entirely hardened by her upbringing and that she may be capable of challenging the established norms of her clan.
Petrah screamed. Not in fury, but pain. Agonizing, soul-shredding pain, the likes of which Manon had never heard, as Iskra’s wyvern clamped its jaws on Keelie’s neck.
Petrah's raw, visceral reaction to Keelie's death underscores the depth of her bond with her wyvern and the profound emotional impact of the loss. This moment shatters the Ironteeth ideal of heartlessness, revealing Petrah's vulnerability and humanity.
“Doesn’t your wyvern talk to you?” Petrah cocked her head. “Don’t they?”
This question, posed to Manon, reveals Petrah's genuine connection with her wyvern and her surprise that others may not share the same bond. It highlights the depth of her relationship with Keelie and further emphasizes her capacity for empathy and connection, traits that set her apart from many of her Ironteeth peers.