Brandon Alester

Brandon Alester is tall and frighteningly gaunt, with hazel eyes and thinning black hair. He is said to be totally duty-bound and humourless, and is widely seen as grim, uncompromising and dour.

Brandon learnt swordplay from his father and the Alesfort's master-at-arms from an early age, rapidly becoming an adept horseman, warrior and strategist. He disdained the lessons of the maester for more martial pursuits, and insisted on serving in the Alester Vanguard for several years before joining the Shore Scouts. He returned to the Vanguard and served in Robert's Rebellion. After Leran Alester's disastorous 'defense' of Hillwatch Brandon essentially assumed control of the houses's defense. There he has prospered, and his father has become increasingly withdrawn and irrelevant.

After returning from Robert's Rebellion Brandon married Serra Mansford. The marriage was largely one of convenience - the Mansfords and Alesters served alongside one another in the Rebellion and both had unmarried children. The two have produced only one child, a sickly boy who died less than a year after his birth. The marriage is reputedly unhappy, with Brandon more interested in defending the Rills than his wife.