Attes: The Primal of War and Accord in The Primal of Blood and Bone

Overview

Attes is the ancient Primal of War and Accord, a god who abdicated his primal seat to Theon and spent centuries in stasis. He first appears in The Primal of Blood and Bone when Reaver sends him to aid Casteel and Kieran in breaking Kolis's hold on Poppy. As a former friend of Sotoria—whose soul was reborn in Poppy—Attes carries a weight of history, guilt, and unresolved attachment. His actions throughout the novel reveal a being shaped by old loyalties, a capacity for sacrifice, and a fierce determination to destroy Kolis.

Plot Role

Attes enters the story when Poppy is possessed by Kolis, trapped in a cell while the ancient primal whispers through her mind. Attes arrives in Chapter 5, sent by Reaver, and immediately clashes with Casteel. He explains that Kolis connects through blood—Poppy likely bears Kolis's mark—and offers a vial of Nektas's draken blood to sever the link. In Chapter 6, Attes performs the ritual: he burns out Kolis's influence using draken blood, enduring immense pain himself (his hand is burned off and regenerates). During the process, Kolis taunts Attes through Poppy, threatening his bloodline. Later, Attes becomes a key strategist: he reveals Kolis's weaknesses (Nyktos, Callum, his obsession with Poppy), describes Naberius (Kolis's dragon-essence vellám), and accompanies Poppy to Pensdurth for the final confrontation. He also admits to having guarded Sotoria in the past, and at the climax attempts to pull Poppy to Iliseeum to save her, but she resists. His presence is crucial in both severing the possession and providing tactical insight against Kolis.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Attes is motivated by a mix of revenge, duty, and lingering guilt. He explicitly states he would do anything to "fuck over Kolis" (evidence from Chapter 6). His past as the Primal of War and Accord suggests a being who once valued balance and peace, but his temper—he admits to leveling entire cities in anger—shows a deep capacity for destruction. He warns Casteel about the danger of uncontrolled rage, speaking from experience. When he performs the ritual to free Poppy, he does not hesitate to sacrifice his own hand, demonstrating selflessness. However, he also shows a protective, almost possessive interest in Poppy, which Casteel interprets as romantic attachment. Attes denies this, claiming it is because she looks like Sotoria, but his lingering looks and softness when speaking of her suggest unresolved emotions. He is pragmatic, cunning, and willing to make hard choices, but his past with Sotoria makes him vulnerable to Kolis's taunts.

Chronological Arc

Attes's arc spans from his arrival in Chapter 5 to his presence in the finale. His first act is to sever Kolis's possession, which establishes his competence and willingness to endure pain. In Chapter 30, Kieran reveals Attes abdicated and spent centuries in stasis—implying he was avoiding something (likely grief over Sotoria or guilt over his twin Kyn's betrayal). In Chapter 48, Attes physically intervenes when Poppy confronts a Kolis-possessed Revenant on the Cliffs of Sorrow, helping subdue it. In Chapter 55 (climax), he accompanies Poppy to Pensdurth, where he tries to pull her through a tear to Iliseeum to save her from Kolis, but she refuses. Later, during the war council in Chapter 60, Attes shares intelligence on Kolis's weaknesses, positioning himself as a critical ally. His arc ends with him still alive and fighting, having honored his promise to Seraphena to protect Poppy.

Relationships

• Poppy / Sotoria: Attes knew Sotoria personally—he once guarded her, and Seraphena made him promise to protect Poppy. He reacts with shock when seeing Poppy's resemblance to the Queen of the Gods. Poppy senses an odd familiarity with him, and he admits to having watched her from stasis. Their relationship is fraught with tension; Attes sees Sotoria in her, but Poppy insists she is her own person. Casteel accuses Attes of being in love with her, but the text leaves ambiguity.
• Casteel: Initially antagonistic, Casteel distrusts Attes's motives and his lingering looks. They clash in Chapter 5 and again in Chapter 59 when Casteel questions why Attes arrived at the Cliffs. Despite this, Attes offers genuine advice—warning Casteel about his temper and that he is Poppy's "fatal flaw." Their dynamic is that of two powerful, prideful males bound by a shared goal.
• Kieran: Attes works with Kieran calmly, and Kieran does not show the same suspicion as Casteel. During the ritual, Kieran calms Casteel, and Attes accepts Kieran's presence without issue.
• Kolis: Former friend turned bitter enemy. Kolis taunts Attes about his feelings for Sotoria and threatens his bloodline. Attes's hatred for Kolis is visceral; he burned off his own hand to sever the possession and shows no mercy.
• Seraphena: Attes seems to have a pact with Seraphena (the true Primal of Life). She mentioned Attes would aid them, and he fulfills that promise. He also reveals that Seraphena helped entomb Malec to prevent Kolis's return.
• Valyn and Elian: It is revealed that Elian, son of Attes, is Valyn's father, making Attes the direct ancestor of Casteel. This bloodline connection adds familial tension and explains why Attes may feel responsible for guiding Casteel.

Key Decisions and Consequences

1. Abdicating his primal seat: Attes gave up being the Primal of War and Accord to Theon and entered stasis. This decision removed him from active involvement for centuries, allowing Kolis to grow unchecked. The consequence is that he returns to a world where Kolis has nearly won.
2. Burning his hand to sever Kolis's mark: He endures immense pain to use draken blood, successfully freeing Poppy. This establishes his trustworthiness and sacrifices his own comfort for the cause.
3. Attempting to pull Poppy out of Pensdurth: In Chapter 55, he tries to take her to Iliseeum where Kolis cannot follow. Poppy refuses, and the realm explodes. This decision shows his protective instinct but also his underestimation of Poppy's resolve.
4. Sharing Kolis's weaknesses: He provides crucial intelligence about Naberius and Kolis's obsession with Poppy, enabling the war council to plan the assault. This decision helps stack the odds in the protagonists' favor.

Theme and Symbol Connections

• Identity and Transformation: Attes represents a figure who has changed—from a hot-tempered Primal who leveled cities to a more measured (though still proud) ally. His stasis is a form of transformation, and his return forces him to confront who he was versus who he has become.
• Love and Sacrifice: His sacrifice of his hand symbolizes the idea that love (for Sotoria/poppy) demands pain. His promise to Seraphena to protect Poppy is a sacrificial vow.
• Power and Corruption: Attes acknowledges his own past corruption by power and temper. He warns Casteel against the same, linking the theme directly.
• Prophecy and Fate: Attes is part of the prophecy's fulfillment—he aids the Harbinger and the Bringer. His actions are directed by Fate, but he exercises free will in his choices.
• Trust and Betrayal: Attes was betrayed by his twin Kyn, who sided with Kolis. This shapes his distrust and his fierce loyalty to those who prove themselves. His relationship with Casteel is built on reluctant trust.

5 Book-Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Attes react with shock when he first sees Poppy?
   He is startled because Poppy is the spitting image of the Queen of the Gods, Penellaphe, whom he knew from ancient times. This resemblance hits him with memories of Sotoria, who was reborn in Poppy.

2. What does Attes sacrifice to sever Kolis's possession of Poppy?
   He uses a vial of Nektas's draken blood and performs a ritual that causes his own hand to burn off completely (it later regenerates). This painful act burns the serpent-like essence of Kolis's will out of Poppy.

3. How does Casteel react to Attes's presence and lingering looks at Poppy?
   Casteel becomes suspicious and confrontational, accusing Attes of being in love with Poppy. He points out that Attes watches her more in one day than Casteel does in a week, and he notes the dimple in Attes's cheek when he smiles at her.

4. What critical information about Kolis does Attes reveal during the war council?
   He explains that Kolis's weaknesses are his brother Nyktos, his first Revenant Callum, and his obsessive infatuation with Poppy. He also warns about Naberius, Kolis's dragon-essence vellám, which only a powerful Primal can harm.

5. What does Attes admit about his past with Sotoria, and how does Poppy respond?
   Attes admits that he once guarded Sotoria and promised Seraphena to protect Poppy. Poppy, however, insists on being called Poppy, not Sotoria, and is disturbed by the implication that Attes may have romantic feelings for her based on her past life.

For more on Attes's role in the prophecy, see the themes of prophecy and fate. To understand how his sacrifice relates to love and sacrifice, visit love and sacrifice theme. For a full overview of the book, return to the main book page.