Attes: The Primal of Accord and War in Born of Blood and Ash

Overview

Attes, the Primal of Accord and War, is a pivotal figure in Born of Blood and Ash, the final book of the Flesh and Fire series. He embodies the tension between justice and vengeance, loyalty to family and duty to the greater good. As the brother of Kyn and a longtime ally of Nyktos, Attes walks a razor's edge between his love for Sotoria (the woman his brother Kolis killed) and his hope to redeem Kyn. Over the course of the novel, he moves from a cautious, conflicted supporter to a broken warrior who sacrifices everything—including his brother—to end Kolis’s tyranny. His arc is one of selfless love, hard choices, and the cost of war.

Plot Role in Born of Blood and Ash

Attes first appears after Sera’s Ascension when Ash travels to Vathi to summon him. He arrives with a black eye from Ash’s fists, having been beaten for his earlier role in the events at Dalos, yet he bears no grudge. He provides critical intelligence: Ancient bones are needed to entomb Kolis, and he offers his spear and knowledge. When Kyn invokes an eirini (a truce) based on the deal Sera offered Kolis, Attes helps interpret the rules and warns of the consequences.

During the war council, Attes becomes a voice of measured strategy. He supports Sera’s plan to entomb Kolis rather than sacrifice Sotoria’s soul, and he recommends Lailah as Kyn’s successor. In the final battle, Attes faces Kyn directly. He shatters Kyn’s armor with a punch but does not kill him; instead, he orders Sera to ascend Lailah and then screams in grief as he realizes what he must lose. After the war, he struggles with survivor’s guilt and eventually decides it is time to rest—either passing into Arcadia or descending into a long sleep.

Motivations and Key Traits

Attes is driven by a core desire for peace—true, lasting peace, not just the absence of war. His speech about war distinguishes between “bloody, brutal” conflict that never ends and the “cunning and precise actions” that end conflicts permanently. This philosophy separates him from both Kolis’s brutality and the vengeful impulses of others.

He is deeply loyal. He swears an oath to Sera before her Ascension, knowing it may cost him his relationship with Kyn. He also loves Sotoria with a pure, selfless love: “All I’ve ever wanted was for her to have peace,” he admits, and he cries with relief when Sera promises not to use her soul. He is also brutally honest, calling Kyn “violent, aggressive, bitter, demeaning” to his face.

His scar—earned trying to stop Kolis from killing his children—marks him as someone who has already paid a high price for opposing evil. He carries guilt, regret, and a heavy sense of responsibility.

Chronological Arc

1. Early story: Attes is already allied with Nyktos but conflicted. He helps Sera in Dalos by revealing her identity is not Sotoria’s, preventing her from making a fatal mistake.
2. Mid-narrative: He brings Thierran, the oneirou god of dreams, to the Shadowlands. He participates in the war council, advocating for precision over brutality. He learns that Eythos killed Sotoria at her request, which deepens his understanding of sacrifice.
3. Climax: Attes confronts Kyn in the final battle. He has the chance to kill his brother but chooses not to. Instead, he disables Kyn and orders Lailah’s ascension, then screams—a sound of “a wild, broken animal full of sorrow and rage.”
4. Post-war: Attes retreats into himself. He is seen drinking alone, watching Lailah dance, admitting he is “a worse jackass.” He tells Sera he thinks “it’s time” to rest, indicating his decision to step away from his role.

Relationships

Sotoria

Attes’s love for Sotoria is the emotional anchor of his character. It is entirely unrequited and selfless. He knows she could have killed two Primals if given the chance, and he accepts that she will never be his. His sole wish is for her peace, and he thanks Sera with tears when she promises not to force Sotoria to be reborn.

Kyn

Kyn is Attes’s brother and his greatest failure. Attes tried for centuries to reason with Kyn, believing he was corrupted by Kolis. Their final confrontation shows Attes still hoping to save him, but Kyn refuses. Attes’s decision not to kill Kyn directly—ordering Lailah’s ascension instead—is both merciful and agonizing. The loss haunts him.

Sera and Nyktos

Attes respects Sera as the true Primal of Life and Nyktos as King. He forms a bond of mutual trust, even enduring Ash’s punches with good humor. He gives Sera vital information about the prophecy and the Ancients. In the end, Sera is the one who comes to him in grief, showing their friendship.

Lailah

Lailah is a goddess Attes clearly admires. He recommends her as Kyn’s successor because she has “the temperament.” In the epilogue, he watches her dance with another man, calling the partner a “jackass” but not interfering. His feelings appear to be protective and possibly romantic, though he holds back, perhaps due to his own brokenness.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Thematic Connections

• Justice vs. Vengeance: Attes’s war speech directly contrasts “brutal” vengeance with “cunning” justice. He believes Sera’s plan to entomb Kolis is the moral path, not the one that seeks blood.
• Power and Responsibility: As Primal of Accord and War, Attes uses his power to negotiate and advise, not dominate. He urges careful use of authority.
• Love and Sacrifice: His love for Sotoria exemplifies pure sacrifice—he never asks for anything in return.
• Prophecy and Fate: Attes helps Sera understand Eythos’s actions regarding Sotoria, revealing how the prophecy shaped events.
• Trauma and Healing: Attes’s grief after losing his brother mirrors Sera’s own trauma; the novel shows both characters learning to live with loss.

Questions and Answers

1. What is Attes’s relationship with Sotoria?
   Attes loves Sotoria selflessly. He admits she could have killed two Primals and that he always knew she would never be his. His only desire is for her peace. Learn more about love and sacrifice.

2. Why does Attes ultimately side with Nyktos and Sera instead of his brother Kyn?
   Attes believes Kyn has been corrupted by Kolis. He sees that Kolis’s actions have made Kyn “violent, aggressive, bitter, demeaning.” Attes wants to prevent the kind of endless war Kolis would wage, and he recognizes Sera and Nyktos as the rightful rulers. Explore justice vs. vengeance.

3. What is Attes’s most crucial decision during the final battle?
   When facing Kyn, Attes chooses not to deliver a killing blow. Instead, he disables his brother and orders Sera to ascend Lailah. His resulting scream reveals the depth of his pain. Read the ending explained.

4. How does Attes define a wise war versus a brutal one?
   In his speech, Attes says a wise war is fought with “cunning and precise actions before a single piece of armor is pierced,” while brutal war begets endless cycles of violence and never truly ends. This philosophy guides his support for entombing Kolis. Connect to power and responsibility.

5. What happens to Attes after the war?
   Attes plans to rest. He tells Sera “it’s time,” implying he will either enter Arcadia or a long sleep. He remains in the Shadowlands a while longer to assist in the transition, but his spirit is wounded by the loss of his brother. See questions and answers.