Val

Val is one of Eryk’s fellow Hound trainees. His spell form can locate objects he has touched, a useful skill that does not extend to living targets. During the trainees’ tracking exercise, Val’s confidence in that ability leads him to follow a decoy and get caught. (Chapters 218–225)

Biography

A useful but limited ability

Val is introduced among the Hound trainees as someone whose spell form can divine the direction of an object he has touched. The ability makes him useful for tracking equipment and other items, but it does not identify or follow people. That limit shapes how the trainers use him during the group’s field exercises. (Chapters 218–220)

The tracking exercise

When the trainees are assigned to track one another, Val is eager to take part. He follows what he believes is a target, but the trail proves to be a decoy. City guards bring him back to the barracks in manacles, and he explains that he was caught following the false lead. The exercise demonstrates both the value of his spell form and the need to verify what it reveals. (Chapters 223–225)

Appearance and personality

The text gives little physical description of Val. He is eager to use his ability and confident in its usefulness, but the decoy exercise exposes the difference between tracking an object and identifying a person’s trail. (Chapters 218, 223–225)

Magic and abilities

Val can sense the direction of an object he has previously touched. The ability does not work on people, which limits its use in Hound field work. No other spell form is described. (Chapters 218–220, 223)

Relationships

• Jansen: Hound trainer who supervises Val’s tracking exercise. (Chapters 220–224)
• Eryk Marko: Fellow trainee and target during the Hounds’ tracking exercise. (Chapters 218–225)