Maliir'kha Vloz'ress
From The Orthorbbae Library
Maliir'kha is a headmaster in the legs of Ortorbbae, the boys' precinct of the noble boarding school, although exactly which tower he presides over isn't specified. He demonstrates the ability to tap the same reserve of aggression common to the Vel'Vloz'ress clan, and it appears to be channeled into a resentment of the convolutions of unnecessary bureaucracy and a wish for the gears of business to be well-oiled and slide with the minimum of fuss. This is illustrated by the fact that Kelnoz Val'Sarghress is late to an assembly of the Orthorbbae headmasters (incidentally the same meeting where Kelnoz later announces the hidden sex of Ariel) severely rankles Maliir'kha, to the point where he actually pounds the meeting table to register his displeasure at the delay of other matters.
One imagines that using "The Tikk'tikki ate it" as an excuse for late homework won't secure much kudos in his classroom.
Notable characteristics of Maliir'kha include the fact that he wears an intricate pattern of white tattooing instead of the clan's traditional broad strokes of red. Also, although his eyes shine orange in the right light, they're actually the red eyes of a ver'drowendar.
During the vote in the aforementioned meeting to determine whether Ariel should be allowed to remain as a pupil in the Legs of the Orthorbbae, Maliir'kha is the only clear and persistent objector to her presence (the other two dissenters, Naubol'oth Val'Beldrobbaen and Teji'tsuke Val'Kyorl'solenurn, are more noncommittal abstentions than active opponents). He is perhaps mindful of the bloody circumstances in which the present regime in his own clan came to power, as he invokes the spectre of Vel'Sharen ambition and how Headmistress Snadhya'runes would use the breach of the Orthorbbae's rules that Ariel represents as a pretext to 'reform' the education system. Maliir'kha bluntly describes it as "wipe us out".
Quote:
"Since Kel'noz came late, he may as well begin by telling us about these urgent matters that kept him so busy!"
-Whilst slamming his fists on the meeting table at the headmasters' assembly.
First Appearance: Chapter 2, Page 66.
Appears in chapter(s): 2
Concept Art
