Csevet Aisava

Csevet Aisava is Maia Drazhar's principal secretary, and formerly served as a courier for Lord Chancellor Uleris Chavar under Varenechibel IV.

Appearance
When Csevet first appeared at Edonomee, he looked "maybe a year or so older than Maia himself, but elegant even in his road-stained leathers. He was clearly full-blooded elvish . . . his hair was milkweed-pale, and his eyes the color of rain.” Csevet often appeared "immaculate and poised" in the course of his duties, and had a "warm beautiful smile" (according to Maia). He did not wear rings on his hands.

When Csevet was distressed, his ears twitched. They also twitched when he was angry/irritated. His face was often bland when he was handling politics.

Csevet was around age 25 in The Goblin Emperor.

Csevet carried a pocket watch.

Personality
Csevet was polite and respectful, with a sense of humor for those he trusted. He could also be manipulative when he needed to be, particularly with powerful politicians. When Maia was too impolite, Csevet would, as delicately as possible, typically indicate somehow, to deter him.

Life
Csevet became an imperial courier at age 13.

Nearly ten years prior to the events of The Goblin Emperor, when Csevet was 15, Csevet traveled to Eshoravee with a message for Duke Tethimel. When Csevet became lost, he was ignored, cursed at, and then ran into 20-year-old Eshevis Tethimar, who grabbed Csevet with the seeming intent of propositioning him. When Eshevis persisted, Csevet bit him. Eshevis then sicced the dogs and hunters on Csevet, and Csevet fled. Csevet caught a bronchine on the way to Pushvarno, and barely survived.

After the destruction of the Wisdom of Choharo, Uleris sent Csevet with a letter explaining the situation to Maia at Edonomee. Csevet read the letter in secret. Csevet traveled by airship on the Radiance of Cairado, and was the first to greet Maia as emperor of the Ethuveraz. Csevet answered all of Maia's questions.

When Csevet returned to the Untheileneise Court, Maia and Setheris Nelar joined him on the Radiance of Cairado. When the crew invited Maia to the cockpit to the view the sunrise, Maia invited Csevet to accompany him. At the Court, Maia requested that Csevet guide them. After Csevet brought Maia and Setheris to the Tortoise Room, Maia sent him to fetch Maia's house steward, Echelo Esaran, and then Uleris, which took some substantial effort. Afterward, Csevet went to fetch Hesero Nelaran for Setheris. After Maia's first nohecharei arrived, Csevet remained behind, and told Maia that Uleris would second him to Maia's service if Maia wished. Maia agreed and asked if Csevet would organize Maia's household.

Csevet worked on gathering Maia's correspondence and arranging his schedule. Csevet sat with Maia and peruse the correspondence, and answered Maia's questions about who was writing and why. After dealing with the letter from Eshevis about marriage negotiations for the hand of Vedero Drazhin, Csevet noted that Maia would need to consider his own marriage. Csevet agreed to gather information for him. He also replied to letters on Maia's behalf, using the Drazhadeise house seal in lieu of Maia's nonexistent signet.

The next day, Maia asked about getting imperial signet, and Csevet promised to look into it. While reviewing Maia's correspondence, including a letter from the ambassador from Barizhan, Vorzhis Gormened, when neither Csevet nor Maia knew how to deal with goblin knots, Maia fetched Oshet, one of Maia's gardeners. While reading the letter, which absolved Maia's government of obligation to the trade agreement Varenechibel IV was negotiating with Barizhan, Csevet suggested Maia respond in writing, to make it a matter of record, which became an important tenet of Maia's government.

When the widow empress Csoru Drazharan visited Maia for an audience, Csevet grew alarmed about Maia possibly granting her some authority, but Maia only had her take up the title of "Zhasanai" (widow empress), and confirm she wasn't pregnant. Afterward, Maia asked Csevet to write to Arbelan Drazharan to invite her to Maia's coronation.

When Maia wished to visit his mother's tomb, Csevet, Lieutenant Telimezh, and Dazhis Athmaza protested, noting he should not be seen to wander the halls of the Untheileneise Court while uncrowned and in full mourning. Csevet called in Maia's edocharei to consult, and they overruled Csevet, Telimezh, and Dazhis, supporting Maia's plans.

Csevet witnessed Maia answering questions from Uleris as part of Maia's coronation.

Csevet sometimes took meals with Maia, including when Maia started giving audiences after his coronation. When Csevet presented another letter from Setheris requesting an audience from Maia, Maia spoke to Csevet, Dazhis, and Telimezh in private, about how he hated Setheris, and did not wish to see him or keep receiving letters from him, nor to see "him unhappy or ill-used. Merely away." Csevet noted this was Uleris' concern, and Maia ordered Csevet to have Uleris deal with it.

During Maia's meeting with Uleris after the report for the Witnesses for the Wisdom of Choharo, Maia asked about how they went about discovering who placed the bomb on the airship, and whose jurisdiction dominated in terms of who to request investigative Witnesses for. When Uleris failed to be helpful in this matter, Csevet suggested they use more than one Witness, which Uleris greatly liked and ran with, turning the investigation even grander. When Maia inquired afterward if Csevet had intended that, Csevet noted he predicted his suggestion might be somewhat to Uleris' liking, but also noted that Uleris only focused on judicial Witnesses, when he could also reach out to clerical Witnesses. When Maia was curious, Csevet suggested Maia consult with Thara Celehar.

After Thara accepted an appointment as Maia's investigator, Csevet, Dazhis, and Telimezh accompanied Maia and Thara to the Untheileneise'mere so that Thara could Witness for Varenechibel IV, Nemolis Drazhar, Nazhira Drazhar, and Ciris Drazhar. When Canon Orseva made a fuss about Thara's actions, given preparations for the approaching funeral and the previous investigation of Uleris' Witnesses, Csevet told Orseva that Maia "would like a few minutes alone with the bodies of his family."

Csevet attended Maia's first meeting with the Corazhas, "positioned at his elbow", and took "frenetic and copious notes." Afterward, as Maia left the meeting with Cala Athmaza and Deret Beshelar, Maia was ambushed by Setheris. Csevet "emerged into the hall" as Setheris was speaking and "moved at once to interpose himself between Maia and Setheris." Maia asked Csevet to arrange an audience for Setheris, and then fled. Afterward, Csevet brought up the matter of Vedero's marriage, and how Count Bazhevel inquired about the future of his daughter, Stano Bazhevin (former fiance of Ciris), and suggested Maia marry Stano. At Maia's shock, Csevet noted that he did not believe Bazhevel was genuine, and was merely using the suggestion as a feint to suggest Vedero marry Bazhevel's nephew, Dalera Bazhevar.

After Maia met with Vedero to discuss prior marriage negotiations, Csevet suggested they discuss Maia's marriage while on their way to see Dachensol Habrobar about Maia's signet. Csevet talked about the potential empresses, and Maia noted that Csevet did not seem to care for Eshevis. Csevet apologized, and was embarassed to note he bore a grudge against Eshevis. Maia noted he would remember, and that age 14, the age of Eshevis' eldest unmarried sister, Paru Tethimin, was "very young to be married."

Csevet worked with Uleris' office to find a position for Setheris: a liaison with the city of Cetho, which would entail paperwork and would keep him away from Maia. During Maia's meeting with Setheris, Csevet explained it was an honorable position, and Setheris seemingly ignored him.

Later, when Maia discussed Vedero's potential suitors, he asked Csevet to write to Tethimel and Bazhevel and tell them that due to the Drazhada being in mourning, no marriage negotiations would be considered for Vedero for at least a year. When Uleris berated Maia for the decision, Csevet grew increasingly angry, and Maia interceded, telling Uleris, "Lord Chavar, enough!"

Csevet was later involved in persuading Uleris to attend a meal with Vorzhis about the upcoming visit of Maru Sevraseched, the Great Avar of Barizhan.

The evening before Vorzhis' dinner, Csevet noted that he located Aro Danivaran, the woman who looked after Maia during Chenelo Drazharan's funeral.

The next day, a courier who was Csevet's friend delivered Maia's signet, and Maia gave them some time alone while he tried on his signet. At the meeting with the Corazhas, Maia turned the matter of his future empress over to Csevet, who declared, "His Serenity feels that there are three candidates worthy of your consideration: Dach’osmin Paru Tethimin, Dach’osmin Csethiro Ceredin, and Osmin Loran Duchenin.” After the Corazhas had argued to a standstill, Csevet stepped in and noted, “We think there can be no objections to Dach’osmin Ceredin.” The Corazhas fell in line after that, and Csethiro was set as Maia's empress. Csevet was also shocked at the idea of bridging the Istandaärtha after the presentation by the Trade Association of the Western Ethuveraz.

The next day, when Maia had an audience with Witness for the Treasury Eiru Berenar, Eiru chatted with Csevet before Maia came down for the morning. Csevet arranged a meeting schedule between Maia and Eiru so that Eiru could help educate Maia on the government.

Csevet continued organizing schedules and mail on Maia's behalf, and helping Maia with various issues. “Csevet and Chavar’s secretaries had worked out an elaborate system to ensure that the emperor and the Lord Chancellor spoke to each other directly as little as possible, and that made it, if not comfortable, then at least bearable for the two of them to work together."

After Maia met with members of the Clocksmiths' Guild of Zhaö, Csevet asked where the documents from the Guild came from. When Maia explained, Csevet was shocked, and asked if Maia was mad, then prostrated himself in apology. Maia told him to get up and that he'd done nothing wrong, and when Csevet attempted to get Maia to promise not to do it again, Maia refused, so Csevet asked if he would at least in future go to Csevet first and give him a chance to do his job, which Maia agreed to.

When Maia sought Csevet's advice on how to present the idea to listen to the Clocksmiths' Guild's idea to the Corazhas without it being shot down, Csevet supported Maia's conclusions, gave background for the positions of various Corazhas members, and was surprised when Maia noted that the nobility were not those who needed Maia's help. When Maia noted, “it does not change that we must do what we think right", Csevet replied, affectionately, that they would call Maia, "Edrehasivar the Obstinate".

Sheveän Drazharan and Uleris used Dazhis to knock out Telimezh and Maia's edocharei, and Nemer awoke to go to the pneumatic station, where a girl there sent a message to the Untheileneise Guard and then roused the Alcethmeret. Csevet was the one who asked where Sheveän "was and what company she was keeping", and from there the Guard found and rescued Maia. Cala, Deret, and Csevet were the first of Maia's household to reach him afterward.

When Maia failed to sleep, he went down and met with Csevet, who informed him that there was evidence that Stano, who had joined Sheveän's household earlier, knew all along about the plot and said nothing. Csevet then discussed how much of Maia's government had been detained for complicity, including much of Uleris' staff (including Setheris), and the Witness for the Prelacy. Csevet unhappily attempted to affirm his own loyalty, given his past work for Uleris, and noted that if Maia wished, he would resign. Maia said he "could not ask for a better secretary", and that had Csevet been involved in the plot, "it would have been much better executed." Reassured, Csevet brought up the matter of Maia's nieces and nephew, now that their mother was imprisoned (and their father deceased).

While reviewing the letters Maia received after the coup, Csevet was visibly repulsed by the one from Eshevis. When Maia asked after the reaction, eventually Csevet explained about his experience at Eshoravee.

Csevet was present during Hesero's audience with Maia, where she requested clemency for Setheris. After Maia revealed his scars from Setheris' abuse, and Maia discussed matters with Hesero, Maia had Csevet summon Setheris for an audience, which Csevet did not seem pleased by. After Setheris was handled, Csevet presented the problem of picking a new Lord Chancellor. Maia said, “We would choose you in a heartbeat. . . except that we would be lost without you.” Csevet was greatly flattered, and noted that he was far too young. Maia suggested Eiru instead.

During the meal to celebrate Maru's arrival, Csevet brought a letter from Thara about his findings in Amalo, where Thara revealed a potential link between the Curneisei conspirators who placed the bomb on the Wisdom of Choharo and the Tethimada.

When Maia explained he did not want festivities for his birthday, Csevet “stared at him in horror and said, “You are the emperor. Your birthday will be—and should be—celebrated in every corner of the Elflands. You cannot ask people not to celebrate, Serenity.” During the ball to welcome Maru, Csevet interrupted to let Maia know that Thiriän Danivin thought that since her mother, Aro, was dying, Maia might wish to come.

The morning of Maia's birthday, Csevet worked with Echelo, Isheian, and two other servants to seemingly organize Maia's birthday presents and keep tallies so that letters of thanks could be written. When Maia was confused about what the gift givers wanted, Csevet frowned and said that they wanted Maia "to have a happy birthday." Csevet also suggested Maia have breakfast with his nieces and nephew.

At Maia's questions about the Courier General's office and who commanded them in lieu of Orimar's leadership, Csevet suggested Captain Volsharezh, who was doing Orimar's actual work for years, and kept the courier system honest. Maia requested he send Volsharezh's name to Eiru, so as not to get rid of the good with the bad while Eiru cleaned up Uleris' office.

Csevet attended the Winternight Ball and danced with Arbelan. After Eshevis attempted to assassinate Maia, and Cala killed him, Csevet scramed up the dais to Maia. Csevet and Eiru worked together to restore order. When Maia stayed in the lavatory and could not leave, Csevet had Kiru Athmaza fetched. Csevet later worked with Eiru to keep the number of persons in the Verven'theileian down. Csevet was with the final small group: Maia, Csevet, Airu, Maia's nohecharei, Captain Verer Orthema of the Untheileneise Guard, and Captain Vizhenka of the Hezhethoreise Guard representing Maru. After Vizhenka explained that he had observed Eshevis speaking to a number of men as he made his way to the dais where Maia was, Csevet noted all the named men were related to the Tethimada either through marriage or their mother's line.

Csevet was present for the questioning of Pazhis Nethenel, Mer Reshema, and Odris Ubezhar. When Ubezhar attempted to escape after arriving in the Verven'theileian, Csevet punched him in the nose.

Csevet informed Maia that Thara had returned to the Untheileneise Court and wished for an audience with Maia, and that Thara's kinswoman, Csoru, had kicked him out of her household. Maia had Csevet show Thara to a room to sleep.

Csevet was among those who attempted to dissuade Maia from visiting the Curneisei Tethimadeise conspirators in the Nevennamire.

Csevet helped Maia draft a list of all the Drazhadeise estates to consider where to relegate Sheveän.

After Maia used his vote to decide the tie in support of the Wisdom Bridge, Csevet noted, "they will start calling you Edrehasivar the Bridge-Builder."

Skills
Csevet knows a great deal of court history and gossip, and the many interconnected relationships of the court. He is also skilled at convincing Maia and other politicians to do things. “Csevet organized his emperor as if he had been born to the task.”

Csevet is skilled at opening letters clandestinely.

Echelo Esaran
Echelo and Csevet are friends.

Eshevis Tethimar
Csevet was afraid of and intensely detested Eshevis.

Maia Drazhar
Maia considers Csevet a friend, or at least one of his closest allies. They have a fondness for each other. Maia “trusted Csevet, unlike the Corazhas, not to hold—or use—his stupidity against him.”

Osmer Orimar
Csevet noted that Orimar was a puppet of Uleris. Csevet also had a low opinion of Orimar's intelligence.

Setheris Nelar
Setheris has a low opinion of Csevet.

Uleris Chavar
Csevet learned how to manage Uleris.

Quotations

 * "We were perhaps naive," Maia said, and Csevet murmured, "Serenity!" in mock horror.
 * "Serenity, it is our job, and we are very happy with it."
 * “We assure you, Serenity, we have sufficient privacy for our, ah, needs.”
 * “Serenity, we do not doubt either your ethics or your concern, but there are reasons it is difficult to gain an audience with the emperor. And it does no one any good for you to decide those reasons do not matter.”
 * To Maia: “we know that when you chose us as your secretary, you chose between us and Osmer Nelar. We do not wish you to feel that you are stuck with—”