Marik

Marik's small gesture of affection shows the fracture between care for Eira and fear of public association.

In The Highlander

Marik is Eira's cousin in Clan Ironvale. As she walked to give her oath before Branok he squeezed her hand and let go quickly, as if affection might become evidence. Afterwards he argued that Branok had left the clan a dignified path south, and when she departed he insisted Ironvale understood while asking twice whether Luna's recognition might still be won. He rode south as one of her two Ironvale escorts, protesting that they had no time to free a caravan from a shardback at Rusk Ford, and was woken by Sable throwing a cup at his head when Varkhul came.

After the books

A continuing Ironvale relation whose earlier caution remains part of the record. He represents family bonds that survive but do not escape accountability. Eira is his cousin.