Character Profile: Alexander Marsden

Alexander Marsden appears very early on in Exile, and remains a fixture throughout the series as one of the primary supporting characters. Like his elder half-brother, Andrew, Alexander was trained from a young age as a swordsman and a soldier. Though Alexander is a decade younger, the two become very close.

Alexander is the middle son of the king and queen in Novania, though his status has always been precarious. He was born with the Mark of the Magi, and under Novanian law, should have been executed at birth. The queen secretly disagreed with the laws, and took it upon herself to shield Alexander until he was old enough to hide the Mark on his own. Only his mother and Andrew knew of his secret, and while both do all in their power to ensure Alexander remains safe, he never made the job easy for either of them.

The Mark of the Magi is an indicator that the bearer has the potential of becoming a mage, though the journey is often perilous for those who undertake it, and some do not survive. As a prince of Novania, Alexander never had any ambition to fulfill this aspect of his life. He knew that he would be forced to leave Novania for the Southlands if he wished to attempt such a feat, but little else about the process. During the early parts of Exile, Alexander is content with his life, and sees no reason to change his plans.

Alexander has a tendency towards being reckless and impatient, with little regard for the consequences of his actions until after the fact. These characteristics cause arguments between himself and his older brother, Colin, which never proved problematic while they were growing up. However, after Colin is named as heir to the throne, he is no longer forced to rein in his anger, and during one heated argument, Alexander’s Mark is revealed. He suddenly finds himself awaiting execution at the hands of his own brother, with little hope of escape.

Read an excerpt from Exile here to learn more about the events surrounding Alexander’s planned execution, and his only means of escape.