Character Spotlight--Merek Flynn

Merek. . . oh yes, now we get to the bad guys! B-)
Merek and Kevin used to be good friends, but as they grew older, they also grew apart. Merek left Dublin when he turned twenty, and returned six years later. They events that happened when he returned created the backstory for The Silent Blade.  Merek now has a band of men and they await the day when they can get revenge on one of the O'Briens, Kevin. They will get revenge in any way possible.
Merek is tall, though not as tall as Kevin. He has broad shoulders and dark black hair. He is the same age as Kevin and can wield a sword with little difficulty, although he is not a master at the sport of swordsmanship. He is ruthless and will do anything to achieve his goal, but if he chooses can be quite charming and chivalrous.

The charming side of Merek. ;)

At that moment, a shadow entered the shop Eira looked up to see the two men standing in the doorway. They were of average build both being around five feet ten inches tall.One of them had a rugged look about him; his sandy hair was windblown and the stubble on his chin showed he was in need of a shave. The other had darker brown hair which was neatly combed into place and a beard that was neatly trimmed.

“Excuse us, but can you tell us where to find a doctor?” the dark-haired man asked.

The blacksmith looked up from his worked, but before he could answer, Eira spoke up.

“My Father is a doctor, sir. I could take you to him.”

The man nodded, “Thank you, lass. But It’s not for us. You see, we have a friend who is hurt out on our ship and he’s too bad to be moved.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’d come to him. What happened?”

“Well, we were on our way home from trading when a fierce storm came up. He was up in the rigging when a wave tossed the boat and caused him to lose his grip and he fell onto the deck. He’s got a large splinter in his arm and we’re afraid he might have broken his leg.”

“Sounds like ye have had quite a time of it,” the blacksmith remarked as he handed the sword back to Casimir.

“Aye, sir.” The man nodded.

Casimir stepped forward and extended his hand. “My name is Casimir and I’m a friend of Eira. We’ll be happy to take you to the doctor, he’s not to far from here.”

Their hands met in a firm handshake and the man spoke, “My name is Merek and this is my friend, Rowan.”

The blond-haired man nodded, but Eira noticed he kept glancing uneasily around the shop.

“Do you know how to use that sword, girl?”

Eira looked up at him in surprise. The man hadn’t spoken since they’d entered the shop. She glanced down at the sword that was partially hidden under her cape, “Yes, sir. I can use it a little.”

Casimir laughed, “A little? Why Eira can handle it almost as good as I can and better than most!” As they were talking, Casimir had led the way out of the blacksmiths shop and started through Dublin. In minutes they were walking up the small lane that led to the O’Brien house. 

The sinister side of Merek B-)

Merek narrowed his eyes as they followed the four that were quickly disappearing from sight. “His sister. He’ll come if we have his sister.”

Rowen drew back in surprise, “And how are we going to get her? She wears a sword and I don’t doubt she knows how to use it.”

“What’s that matter? We can have Henry and Stace to find her.”

“I still fail to see how this is easier than just getting the boy.”

“Let me put it this way; would you rather fight a young man who is well over six feet tall, or a girl who is slim and at most five feet seven?”

Rowen nodded, “Point taken. We need to leave today.”

“Alright, I’ll go and get Henry and Stace. They shouldn't have any trouble.”-- Excerpt from The Silent Blade.