Sonie
asked
Elise Kova:
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[You know that I really love The Air Awakens series and I just finished Water's Wrath. Just so you knkw, and be a simpering fool, I loved it. My question is does Baldair really have to die? Was he really meant to die or it was just a recent plan? I really love him and want more time knowing him. And yeah, I cried when he did die. I should hate you but I don't. Can't wait for Crystal Crowned. (hide spoiler)]
Elise Kova
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Firstly, obviously, THIS ANSWER IS REALLY SPOILERY.
Like. HARDCORE SPOILERS.
Spoilers if you haven't finished the 4th book.
(Have I scared enough people away yet?)
ALL THE SPOILERS ARE ABOUT TO BE DROPPED.
.... okay, I think it's just us now....
Foremost, everyone who dies in the published versions of Air Awakens died in the original drafts that were completed two years ago. I THOUGHT about changing the deaths, especially this one, given how people have resonated with Baldair. But, I decided that to change my story so fundamentally based solely on the thoughts of readers would be dishonest to myself and my integrity as an author.
Short answer to the first part: Yes. I planned on him dying in book 4 since the first page of book 1.
So... onto "why he was meant to die"...
We'll start with Aldrik. In some ways, Baldair was Aldrik's equivalent to Vhalla's Larel. He was a consistent that, despite their tumultuous relationship, was there and he could depend on. Baldair's death pulled that from him, and it also was the final catalyst he needed to begin moving forward in earnest. He never told his brother the truths that he kept so hidden. It was an awakening to the fragility of those around him, even the people he views the strongest.
For Vhalla, she noted the fact herself, but Baldair presented a strange sort of symmetry as she had been in nearly an identical position before. A symmetry that I've intentionally written throughout the series and is highlighted in the final book... So I won't talk too much more on this since it's essential to one of the master plot points that's been building all along.
For both of them, it completely removed the possibility of a "simple solution" with Sehra. Baldair couldn't take the throne, that was off the table from then on.
For Baldair, it was the ultimate sin and I wanted it to represent that death isn't fair. That's a reoccurring theme as well - Sareem died because Vhalla hadn't been fair to him. Larel died far from the battlefield without having the chance to defend herself, despite being a competent fighter. Baldair, a master warrior, was fell by an illness, something he couldn't fight. The Emperor dies at the end "off screen" taking away Vhalla's satisfaction. All of the major character deaths in Air Awakens have been unfair in some respect.
Finally, I actually did it (even originally) as a kindness to the readers... He would've died at the end anyway alongside his parents. There's no possibility of "getting out" of the situation Vhalla and specifically Aldrik find themselves in. Aldrik is the last of his line now. So if Baldair didn't die earlier, he would've had only a mentioned "off screen" death like the Emperor. And I thought the readers deserved more than that for the Golden prince.
And, there're some other reasons.... but those are the main ones. (hide spoiler)]
Like. HARDCORE SPOILERS.
Spoilers if you haven't finished the 4th book.
(Have I scared enough people away yet?)
ALL THE SPOILERS ARE ABOUT TO BE DROPPED.
.... okay, I think it's just us now....
Foremost, everyone who dies in the published versions of Air Awakens died in the original drafts that were completed two years ago. I THOUGHT about changing the deaths, especially this one, given how people have resonated with Baldair. But, I decided that to change my story so fundamentally based solely on the thoughts of readers would be dishonest to myself and my integrity as an author.
Short answer to the first part: Yes. I planned on him dying in book 4 since the first page of book 1.
So... onto "why he was meant to die"...
We'll start with Aldrik. In some ways, Baldair was Aldrik's equivalent to Vhalla's Larel. He was a consistent that, despite their tumultuous relationship, was there and he could depend on. Baldair's death pulled that from him, and it also was the final catalyst he needed to begin moving forward in earnest. He never told his brother the truths that he kept so hidden. It was an awakening to the fragility of those around him, even the people he views the strongest.
For Vhalla, she noted the fact herself, but Baldair presented a strange sort of symmetry as she had been in nearly an identical position before. A symmetry that I've intentionally written throughout the series and is highlighted in the final book... So I won't talk too much more on this since it's essential to one of the master plot points that's been building all along.
For both of them, it completely removed the possibility of a "simple solution" with Sehra. Baldair couldn't take the throne, that was off the table from then on.
For Baldair, it was the ultimate sin and I wanted it to represent that death isn't fair. That's a reoccurring theme as well - Sareem died because Vhalla hadn't been fair to him. Larel died far from the battlefield without having the chance to defend herself, despite being a competent fighter. Baldair, a master warrior, was fell by an illness, something he couldn't fight. The Emperor dies at the end "off screen" taking away Vhalla's satisfaction. All of the major character deaths in Air Awakens have been unfair in some respect.
Finally, I actually did it (even originally) as a kindness to the readers... He would've died at the end anyway alongside his parents. There's no possibility of "getting out" of the situation Vhalla and specifically Aldrik find themselves in. Aldrik is the last of his line now. So if Baldair didn't die earlier, he would've had only a mentioned "off screen" death like the Emperor. And I thought the readers deserved more than that for the Golden prince.
And, there're some other reasons.... but those are the main ones. (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Nastassja
asked
Elise Kova:
Hi, it really helped that you explained how to pronounce Vhalla's name but I am also curious about Baldair. I was trying to find the etymology of this name in the internet but failed. Is Baldair a real name or a fictional one? And what is the meaning of it? Or maybe there's no special meaning. Just curious if there's. Thank you))
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