Analysis of Minor Characters #5: Balwer

By Linda

Sebban Balwer is an interesting character with surprising depths. While there’s definitely more to him than he lets on, let’s start with the surface.

In appearance he is narrow, pinched and dry. He is described as bird-like, or as unnoticeable as a lizard on a branch (Knife of Dreams, As If the World Were Fog). There is little physical aspect to him; he doesn’t do much except listen, remember and draw conclusions.

Balwer strikes me as a guy who realised he would physically never impress and therefore uses his unassuming appearance and peoples’ stereotypes or beliefs to advantage against people. Morgase, for instance, thought:

What help could this prissy little stick of a man offer?

- A Crown of Swords, The Irrevocable Words

This anonymity is a major reason why Niall employed Balwer:

A man no one would ever suspect, or credit if he was named to them.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

Valda completely fell for it and, always a good recommendation, believed Balwer useless.

Balwer’s dryness extends to his character; he is fussy and disapproving. Perrin thinks Balwer’s feelings lack passion. He can certainly hate or be suspicious, but in a cold manner. Perhaps Balwer shows most feeling when slighted: he doesn’t, or can’t, suppress his body language, although he can control his face:

His secretary's face remained as prim as ever, but he began dry-washing his hands the way he did when he felt insulted.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

On his own recommendation, Balwer possesses a good memory and writes elegantly, is adept at shaping himself to his employer’s needs and keeps secrets well. (In fact the word secret-ary originally meant keeper of secrets.) Perrin would add that Balwer has a sharp mind, and a sharp tongue with underlings or equals.

Balwer finds as many secrets as he can; he is always gathering information. He takes pride in his skill at it, and, like Moridin, doesn’t like to admit he has failed to find out something:

For a moment Balwer's mouth tightened as though drawstrings had been pulled shut. "I do not know yet, my Lord." Balwer never liked admitting there were any human secrets he could not ferret out.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

If you nearly always succeed, it’s hard to accept not doing so.

His reports are succinct and entirely verbal; he appears to writing nothing down, unlike, say Norry.

As well as shaping himself to his situation, Balwer has tried to shape his masters but has been less successful at that: neither Niall nor Perrin responded much. However, Balwer did teach Perrin the value of knowledge:

One thing he had learned from Balwer. Knowledge could be very useful, and you never knew which scrap would turn out worth more than gold.

- Knife of Dreams, A Manufactory

and evidence. Balwer does not believe anything without evidence:

Perrin could not prove Masema’s meetings with the Seanchan, and telling anyone how he had learned of them would only add to his present difficulties. That gave Balwer problems; he was a man who liked evidence.

- Crossroads of Twilight, The Forging of a Hammer

Niall…suspected the Tar Valon witches' sins were among the things Balwer did not believe in.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

Where Omerna believed everything, Balwer believed nothing, perhaps not even in Darkfriends, or the Dark One. If Balwer did believe in anything, it was looking over men's shoulders, listening to their whispers, rooting out their secrets. Of course, he would have served any master as well as he did Niall, but that was all to the good. What Balwer learned was never tainted by what he knew had to be true, or wanted to be true. Disbelieving everything, he always managed to root out truth.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

Disbelieving everything, he suspects everyone:

According to him, what your friends said and did could be as interesting as what your enemies planned, and that was when you were sure they were your friends.

- Crossroads of Twilight, When to Wear Jewels

and wants to know what they think and do. Even his boss Niall:

Balwer's eyes never left Niall's face by so much as a flicker, but Niall knew the tiny ball of paper on the floor would end up in the man's hands unless he burned it.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

This is what led him to spying.

Thanks to Perrin’s ta’veren effect, we learn a little about Balwer’s recruiting methods:

“The lady will do very well, my Lord,” Balwer said softly, watching Selande vanish into the darkness among the carts. This approval was a surprise; he had tried to talk Perrin out of using Selande and her friends on the grounds they were hotheaded and unreliable. “She has the necessary instincts. Cairhienin do, usually, and Tairens to some extent, at least the nobles, especially once—“He cut off abruptly, and eyed Perrin cautiously. If he were another man, Perrin would have believed he had said more than he intended, but he doubted Balwer slipped in that fashion.

- Crossroads of Twilight, The Forging of a Hammer

It sounds like Balwer puts pressure on people in some way to spy, or at least pulls the nobles into line. He has no qualms about ordering nobles to report (Crossroads of Twilight, The Forging of a Hammer).

Amusingly Balwer judged Cha Faile on first impressions, until he discovered that they were already a spy ring.

More than once Perrin remarks that Balwer can look after himself. Balwer is never afraid either, even though the rest of Morgase’s group are. Can or does he use weapons? Or does he rely solely on his admittedly effective camouflage? Perhaps focussing on gathering information prevents fear.

Perrin remarks on how quietly Balwer moves as well as how easily he can be disregarded, so presumably he gathers some information by lurking.

Perrin has not figured out why Balwer gives his reports privately. One reason is that it’s Perrin’s responsibility who is told what and the consequences of this (eg Aram passing info on to Masema). It’s not Balwer’s fault if Perrin is indiscreet or tells someone who is indiscreet. Moreover, Balwer of all people knows how information can change just in one telling, whether deliberately or accidentally.

Is Balwer’s pretence that he isn’t a spymaster harmless, as Perrin thinks? Obviously the more people who know what Balwer does, the more they are on their guard and the harder his job is.

When he worked for Niall, Balwer didn’t just collect information, he spread propaganda and arranged rebellions and deals:

• Balwer learned that King Mattin Stepaneos, despite pretending to accept Niall’s proposal, agreed to something with the White Tower, though he didn’t learn what (Lord of Chaos, Plans). (This was to go to the Tower.)


• He was told that Davram Bashere is in Caemlyn with thirty thousand light horse, but thought more likely half that or less. (Actually it was less than one third).


• He also knew the Borderlanders were fighting over whether Rand was the Dragon Born and they hadn’t resolves this as of Lord of Chaos.



• In Tear, Balwer's agents had convinced Tedosian and Estanda to join Darlin, turning a show of defiance into real rebellion, and the man was confident the same could be done in Cairhien, and in Andor.
  
  - Lord of Chaos, Plans
  
  

More recently, after Malden, Balwer wanted to interrogate the Shaido Wise Ones, and did obtain information from the Shaido and Brotherless captives:

"Well, my Lord, there is much of great interest to learn. For instance, it appears that many of the Shaido are ashamed of their clan's behavior. The Wise Ones themselves were at odds. Also, they have had dealings with some very curious individuals who offered them objects of power from the Age of Legends. Whoever they were, they could make gateways...The 'objects' the Shaido were given are very suspect, by my estimation. The Aiel were duped, though for what reason, I cannot yet fathom. However, if we had more time to search the city. ..."

- The Gathering Storm, Leaving Malden

He openly regretted that Perrin allowed the Seanchan to take the Shaido damane and suggested questions for the Wise Ones be sent to the Seanchan. He anticipates no trouble getting information out of the Aiel.

Niall thinks Balwer has the suspicious nature of an Amadician, but lacks the manipulative or strategic skill of a Cairhienin:

"Enough, Balwer." Niall sighed. Sometimes he wished Balwer were not an Amadician, but a Cairhienin who had taken in the Game of Houses with his mother's milk. "Morgase is more committed to me every day, whatever she believes.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

Considering that Perrin saw through Balwer, Niall was probably right.

With his empirical, pragmatic beliefs and his preparedness to disregard rank, Balwer is more modern than many of the other characters – post the Age of Enlightenment in outlook. In the Wheel of Time society it is unusual for a commoner to command nobles. He does allow them to make their reports to Perrin personally. Is this a sop to their honour? Or morale? Or to make sure Perrin listens?

Balwer accepts the rules and structure of society. However he is not ideologically or emotionally tied to any employer as say, Thom and Norry are. Nor is he after personal recognition:

Omerna he put up with, knowing the man a fool, much preferring to remain hidden himself, but he did not like Niall receiving reports that bypassed him, from men he did not know.

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

And probably not material gain, since Perrin never thinks of how much he’s paying Balwer.

His motivation appears to be job satisfaction in solving puzzles or knowing what’s really happening, personal achievement, and influence over important people. Like a Seeker, Balwer must know all.

That explains why he is a spymaster, but why did he free Morgase?

"Why? Master Balwer, I'll not shun any true offer of help, but why would you risk yourself? These Seanchan will make you regret it, should they find out."
"I laid my plans before they came," he said carefully. "It seemed... imprudent... to leave the Queen of Andor in Valda's hands. Consider it my way of repaying him. I know I am not much to look at, Majesty..." [appearances again]He hid a self-deprecating cough behind his hand. "... but the plan will work.

- A Crown of Swords, The Irrevocable Words

Spite? Justice for their murder of Niall? Like Teslyn with Elaida, part of his motivation is to do harm to Valda and Asunawa:

Valda is a dangerous man, and Rhadam Asunawa, the Grand Inquisitor, makes Valda seem pleasant. And I fear neither has any love for your own Lord. Forgive me." He bowed again, hesitated, then went on smoothly. "If I may say so, my Lord's display of Manetheren's banner is inspired. My Lord will be more than a match for Valda and Asunawa, if he takes care."
Watching him bow himself away, Perrin thought he knew part of Balwer's story now. Clearly, he also had run afoul of the Whitecloaks. That could take no more than being on the same street with them, a frown at the wrong time, but it seemed Balwer had a grudge.

- The Path of Daggers, Tangles

He attached himself to Perrin for the same reason: to help someone who could keep the Whitecloaks away and do harm to them.

Perrin might be the first employer Balwer could trust and feel attached to:

The man appreciated it when Perrin saw the value of what he reported.

- Winter’s Heart, Leaving the Prophet

But, Master Balwer, you’ve been trying to . . . guide . . . me to this since Selande left us. From now on, if you have a suggestion to make, make it. Even if I say no to nine in a row, I’ll always listen to a tenth. I’m not a clever man, but I’m willing to listen to people who are, and I think you are. Just don’t try poking me in the direction you want me to go. I don’t like that, Master Balwer.” Balwer blinked, then of all things, bowed with his hands folded at his waist. He smelled surprised. And gratified. Gratified? “As you say, my Lord. My previous employer disliked me suggesting actions unless I was asked. I won’t make the same mistake again, I assure you.” Eyeing Perrin, he seemed to reach a decision. “If I may say so,” he said carefully,“I have found serving you . . . pleasant . . . in ways I did not expect. You are what you seem, my Lord, with no poisoned needles hidden away to catch the unwary. My previous employer was known widely for cleverness, but I believe you are equally clever, in a different way. I believe I would regret leaving your service. Any man might say these things to keep his place, but I mean them.”...
“I see no reason for you to leave my employ. Just tell me what you want to do and let me decide, don’t try to prod. And forget the flattery.”
The little man bowed once more. He had never been this formal before.

- Crossroads of Twilight, The Forging of a Hammer

After this exchange, Balwer respects Perrin and also feels gratified to be valued by him as more than a tool.

Balwer believed what Perrin said, and noticeably speaks up after this:

"However, I grew curious. Did you have to let the Seanchan take all of the captive Shaido channelers with them?"

- The Gathering Storm, Leaving Malden

“I won't deny I would enjoy a chance to strike a blow at the Whitecloaks," Balwer said in that dry-as-dust voice, "but in truth I feel I owe this Galad Damodred a debt of gratitude." Perhaps his grudge was against this Valda personally. "In any case, you have no need of my advice here. Events are in motion in Malden, and if they weren't, I doubt you'd hold back even a day. Nor would I have advised it, my Lord. If I may be so bold, I am quite fond of the Lady Faile."

- Knife of Dreams, As If the World Were Fog

He speaks up about his feelings for Faile and Valda and is perhaps emotionally involved in employers for perhaps first time. He would never have said anything like this earlier in the books.

What does the future hold for Balwer? He feels like he owes Galad a debt of gratitude, so does he pay that debt? He probably would like working for Galad: a Cairhienin who is both just and predictable.

And then there is his disbelief in the Horn:

"Do you believe the Horn of Valere will call dead heroes back to save us, Balwer?"
"Perhaps, my Lord," Balwer said, folding his hands fussily. "Perhaps not. I would not count on it, myself."

- Lord of Chaos, Plans

Does he get to witness this event? He might well if he stays close to Perrin the Bannerman.

And finally there’s Perrin’s observation that

Balwer’s thin voice was dry and precise, just like its owner. He would sound the same with his neck on a headsman’s block.

- Crossroads of Twilight, The Forging of a Hammer

which sounds like Foreshadowing.