Hesero Nelaran

Hesero Nelaran was the wife of Setheris Nelar. During Setheris' relegation she worked to have him freed.

Appearance
When Hesero first met Maia Drazhar, she "was a year or two younger than her husband, crow’s-feet showing behind her maquillage. Her clothes were the black of proper court mourning: a floor-length dress trailing a train like a snake’s tail; a quilted and elaborately embroidered jacket, plum on black, frogged with garnet clasps like drops of blood. Her hair was dressed with black lacquer combs and tashin sticks and strands of faceted onyx. She was not beautiful, but through sheer force of elegance she contrived to seem so.”

She had a smooth voice.

Personality
Hesero was typically polite, but could be forceful when she was focused on a goal, like helping Setheris.

Life
Setheris had a bitter feud with Uleris Chavar, and wanted to be Lord Chancellor. Setheris seemingly attempted to turn Varenechibel IV against Uleris, and Varenechibel IV had Setheris imprisoned in the Esthoramire for 3-4 months as a result, for attempting to exert undue influence on the emperor (treason). After Chenelo's funeral, Varenechibel IV had Setheris relegated with Maia to Edonomee, where Setheris served as a sort of caretaker for Maia. Varenechibel IV believed that Hesero drove or at least schemed with Setheris, and so would not allow her to accompany him into exile, to avoid them scheming together.

During Setheris' relegation, Hesero regularly sent Setheris letters with gossip about happenings at the Untheileneise Court. She also worked to have him recalled to the Court, but was unsuccessful.

When Setheris returned with Maia to the Court for Maia to be crowned, Setheris and/or Csevet Aisava fetched Hesero, and Setheris presented her to Maia. She was warm and polite to Maia, and thanked him for the audience. She asked that he called her cousin. Afterward, Setheris took her away.

Maia believed the Hesero told Setheris what to write in a letter Setheris later sent to Maia.

After Sheveän Drazharan and Uleris' attempted coup, Setheris was arrested along with many other members of Uleris' office. Hesero sent a message to Maia asking for an audience. Maia gave her an audience "a month and a half since he had first been introduced to her". Hesero requested that Maia grant Setheris an audience. When Maia asked why, Hesero pointed out Setheris was Maia's cousin, Maia pointed out that Sheveän was Maia's sister-in-law. Hesero protested that Setheris raised Maia, and that although she didn't understand why Maia didn't favor him, could he not see past his grudge against Setheris? Maia raised his voice to interrupt her and said he bore Setheris no grudge, and pointed out all he had given Setheris, and explained that Setheris bullied Maia, and beat him "for his own anger and helplessness", and revealed the scar Maia had received when he was 15 and Setheris knocked him into a firescreen at Edonomee. Maia further noted, “This is his handiwork, Cousin Hesero. And while I … I understand, truly, and I forgive him as best I may, I will not show him favor. Nor do I think it just that he demands it of me.”

Hesero was stricken, and Maia told her to sit. She was confused about how they were discussing the same person. When Maia tried to brush aside Setheris' actions, Hesero again asked Maia to see him, and noted that he was innocent of treason, and that if Maia would condemn Setheris, he should do it himself.

Maia later met with Setheris and freed him from the Esthoramire.

Maia Drazhar
Maia was initially enchanted by Hesero, but adjusted to beautifully dressed women as he resided at Court.

Setheris Nelar
Hesero seemed to care greatly for Setheris, and he seemed to care greatly for her.

Varenechibel IV
Varenechibel IV suspected Hesero of driving Setheris' actions.