# Kery son of Rhiach — Short Fiction character guide

> Kery son of Rhiach in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Kery, Rhiach, Rhiach the warlock

**First appearance:** 0000-star-ship

## Snapshot

A young warlock's son caught between human kin and Khazaki comrades when rebellion shatters his family and his city in a single night.

## Who they are

Kery belongs to a mixed world where Terrestrial settlers and golden-furred Khazaki fight and feast side by side, and his closest bonds cross that line. When rebels kill his father and brother and his sister vanishes, he must swallow grief fast enough to lead the survivors hiding in a cellar. His divided loyalties and raw resolve drive the early scramble to understand what has happened in Krakenau.

## In the story

### [Swordsman of Lost Terra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/swordsman-of-lost-terra)

Kery is angered during the events of the chapter.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/i)

Young warrior of Clan Broina, son of the warlock Rhiach, skilled with weapons and music, dreams of home and a girl named Morna.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ii)

Fights in the battle, inherits the god-pipes and the title of Broina after his father Rhiach's death.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ii)

Kery's father, the warlock and Piper of Killorn, dies from an arrow wound after playing the god-pipes.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iii)

Newly made chief of the Broina clan after his father Rhiach's death; negotiates with General Jonan.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/v)

Broina clan leader, struggles with the silent god-pipe and his feelings for Sathi; attacked and captured by Jonan's men.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vi)

Captured and bound, he is taken eastward by Mongku and Jonan; he worries about the pipe and Sathi's fate.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vii)

Protagonist infiltrating Ganasth to rescue Sathi and secure a weapon.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/viii)

Infiltrates the palace, fights Jonan, retrieves the Pipe of Killorn, and uses it to destroy the palace and escape.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ix)

Stands alone in the gardens, brooding on the war's toll and his desire to return to Killorn despite Sathi's pleas.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/kery_son_of_rhiach
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters