Ses

Ses is a character in Meredith Ann Pierce's fantasy novels The Firebringer Trilogy. She is a unicorn originally from the Vale, affiliated with Halla's Ring of Warriors. Ses is the mother of Aljan, protagonist of the series, and plays an integral role in the story's plot.

History

Not much is known about Ses's early life prior to meeting Calydor. Her family is never mentioned.

Ses first appears in The Firebringer Trilogy as the mother of a young adult Aljan and pregnant with her second child. Mated to Korr, then prince of the unicorns, Ses gives the impression of a dutiful mate, mother and member of her community. She takes the side of her son on at least one occasion, arguing with Korr to allow Jan to join the ring of warriors. Ses seems difficult to shock, even with the revelation that her son is the prophecied "Firebringer." When confronted by her lack of surprise, Ses cites her vision on her own pilgrimage,

"On the night of my initiation, long ago, I saw myself give birth to a flit of flame. And I have never doubted for a day what that must mean."

By the close of Birth of the Firebringer, Ses has given birth to her second child: a daughter she names Lell (A'lell).

Ses's appearances in Dark Moon are relatively few and at a distance as the story focuses mostly on Aljan's journey in the land of the Firekeepers and Tek's persecution by Korr. Due to Korr's actions, Ses chooses to separate from her mate and takes her young daughter with her.

With a much more active role in The Son of Summer Stars, Ses reunites with long-lost love Calydor. Though initially refusing to leave with Calydor for reasons of duty and loyalty to her estranged mate Korr, after the Battle of Endingfire, Korr is revealed to Ses to be deceased. The story of how Ses and Calydor met comes to light, eventually revealing Calydor as Aljan's true sire. Ses chooses to leave the Ring, now settled in the Hallow Hills, and leaves with Calydor. She promises to visit her children and grandchildren, and according to Jah-lila's epilogue, she does hold true to this promise.

Appearance

In Birth of the Firebringer, Ses is described as,

"cream colored with a mane as amber as autumn grass."
"Her form was the color of beeswax, of flame."

In Dark Moon, Ses is referred to as "flame colored," and in The Son of Summer Stars, Calydor repeatedly refers to Ses as "poppy-maned,"

"I dreamt one summer under Alma's eyes of a mare: pale as cloud newly warmed by sunset's glow, with a mane and tail brilliant red-orange as the poppy flower."

Relatives

Ses is Aljan's mother, as well as the mother of Lell. She is the mate of Korr and presumably Calydor, although the books do not elaborate on this. Her grandchildren include Aljan's twin son and daughter, Dhattar and Aiony. No other known relatives exist.