Coram Smythesson
Origin: Tamora Pierce - Tortall
Hair:
Eyes: Dark
Height:
Occupation: Weapons' trainer.
Residence: Lackey Street 11 (25-26)
Birthday:
Wife: Rispah Cooper
Children: Jonthair, Alinna, Thomsen, Mylec, Daran, Liam, Thayine, Rose Elenna, Buran
Import Date: Year 15.
Coram is described as burly and strong with a fine figure for a man.
Coram hated magic, because it made him nervous, which was why Alanna could persuade him to let her go to the palace with the threat of making him see things.[3] He was a soldier in his heart and could be quite rough sometimes, but normally he was a kind person and he was good in caring for children.[9]. He was a faithful servant and friend to Alanna, keeping the estates in order while no-one else is available to do it.
Coram's ancestors had worked for the Trebond family for generations, and he took up that mantle after soldiering. He trained as a blacksmith, but worked as a soldier in the king's army and was very good at what he did. As a soldier, when he was still "but a lad", Coram fought in the Battle of Joyous Forest, where he saved the life of Duke Gareth, earning the other man's trust and favor[2]. He later retired and returned to Trebond, working as a sergeant-at-arms for Lord Alan and teaching Thom of Trebond basic fighting skills. As Alanna was Thom's twin, Coram couldn't escape teaching her, too, which he did gladly because she was more adept at it than her brother. He feared the task of having to take Thom to the palace because he knew that Thom would make a fool of himself as well as of Coram, who was supposed to teach the boy the basic fighting skills[3].
Originally intended to accompany her brother Thom to his training as a knight at the palace, Coram was tricked into taking Alanna instead because she threatened to make him see things with magic. He stayed with Alanna in Corus, acting as her manservant and living in the same quarters with her. In his free time he served in the palace guard[4]. Coram became Alanna's faithful friend and companion on her path to knighthood. When Alanna was a squire, Coram went back to Trebond and ran the fief. He looked briefly for a suitable man to continue his work for him when he would accompany her in her travels when she would become a knight.
Once Alanna became a knight, Coram went with her on her unofficial exile. They first went to the Great Southern Desert and happened across the Bloody Hawk, a Bazhir tribe that was hostile to Tortallans. Alanna fought and was adopted into the tribe. She defeated Akhnan ibn Nazzir, the shaman and became the shaman upon his death. Coram was accepted into the tribe as well and was present when Myles of Olau adopted her as his daughter. They left the Desert when Alanna had a large fight with Prince Jonathan who expected her to marry him.
Coram at first disapproved of staying at House Azik in Port Caynn, since it was owned by George Cooper, the Rogue. He immediately changed his mind about the crime organization upon meeting Rispah Cooper, George's cousin, who was Queen of the Ladies of the Rogue. They began a small and hesitant romance.
Coram went with Alanna when she left Tortall to see other lands. They heard about the Dominion Jewel, an artifact of ancient power, and Alanna wanted to find it and claim it for Tortall and Jonathan. They met Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon. While staying at an inn in Maren, Coram got drunk one night and starting singing the verses of the Tireless Beggar, a tavern song. After leaving the inn, the company happened across Princess Thayet, the beautiful daughter of Sarain's assassinated warlord Adigun jin Wilima. The princess and her family servant Buriram Tourakom accompanied them to the Roof of the World to claim that Jewel from Chitral.
Upon returning to Corus, Coram was delighted to be reunited with Rispah in the flesh, even though Alanna used her magic so Coram could see her in the fire each night—Rispah agreed to this in writing. Jonathan, who was now King of Tortall, was glad to receive the Dominion Jewel and named Alanna his King's Champion much to her chagrin.
Coram fought in the Coronation Day Battle against Roger of Conté and his minions. They were victorious, but there were still grave losses on their side.
Coram married Rispah and Jonathan bequeathed Fief Trebond to them after it was annexed into the Crown.
Coram and Rispah had ten children: Jonthair, Alinna, Thomsen, Mylec, Daran, Liam, Thayine, Rose, Elenna, and Buran.
By the time the Scanran War broke out Coram was too old to do fighting or scouting work. Instead he helped by coordinating the supplies and housing soldiers passing through.[7]
Many of his sons also participated in the fighting.