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{{Royalnoble
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{{character
  
 
| image=
  
| image=
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| name=Dovasary Balitang
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| name=Dove
  ⚫
| universe=[[Tortallan Universe]]
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| bgcolor=maroon
  
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| fgcolor=gold
  
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| bgcolor2=#FF8080
  
⚫
| universe=Tortallan Universe
  
 
| nickname=Dove
  
| nickname=Dove
 
| aliases=
  
| aliases=
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| birth=Winter/Spring 450 [[HE]]
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| birth=Winter/Spring 450 [[Human Era|HE]]
 
| death=
  
| death=
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| race=half [[raka]], half [[luarin]]
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| race=Half [[Raka]]<br>Half [[Luarin]]
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| nationality=[[Copper Isles|Copper Islander]], [[Kyprish]]
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| nationality=[[Copper Isles|Copper Islander]]
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| title=Queen of the Copper Isles
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| title=Queen of the [[Copper Isles]]
 
| gender=Female
  
| gender=Female
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| weight=Thin
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| weight=
−
| height=Small
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| height=Short
 
| hair=Brown/black
  
| hair=Brown/black
 
| eyes=Brown
  
| eyes=Brown
 
| gift=
  
| gift=
 
| magic=
  
| magic=
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| ancestors=the [[Haiming Dynasty]], the [[Temaida family]], the [[Rittevon family]], the [[Balitang family]]
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| ancestors=[[Haiming Dynasty]]<br />[[Temaida|House Temaida]]<br />[[Rittevon family|House Rittevon]]<br />[[Balitang family|House Balitang]]
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| grandparents=Previous Duke Balitang & a Rittevon princess {{comment|paternal grandparents}}<br />
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| grandparents=
  
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| parents=[[Mequen Balitang]] † {{comment|father, deceased}}, [[Sarugani Temaida]] † {{comment|mother, deceased}}, [[Winnamine Balitang]] {{comment|adoptive mother}}
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| parents=[[Mequen Balitang]] † {{comment|father, deceased}}, [[Sarugani Temaida]] † {{comment|mother, deceased}}, [[Winnamine Balitang]] {{comment|stepmother}}
 
| wife=
  
| wife=
 
| siblings=[[Saraiyu Balitang]] {{comment|sister}}, [[Petranne Balitang]] {{comment|half-sister}}, [[Elsren Balitang]] † {{comment|half-brother, deceased}}
  
| siblings=[[Saraiyu Balitang]] {{comment|sister}}, [[Petranne Balitang]] {{comment|half-sister}}, [[Elsren Balitang]] † {{comment|half-brother, deceased}}
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| lover=
  
| lover=
 
| children=
  
| children=
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| descendants=Presumably the rulers of the Copper Isles
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| descendants=
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| other=[[Mequen Hetnim]] {{comment|nephew}}
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| other=[[Nuritin Balitang]] {{comment|great-aunt}}<br />[[Mequen Hetnim]] {{comment|nephew}}
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| rank=Royalty<br>[[Nobility]] {{comment|former}}
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| rank=Noble, royal
  
 
| teacher=
  
| teacher=
 
| student=
  
| student=
 
| position=
  
| position=
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| occupation=Ruler of a country
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| occupation=
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| affiliation=The [[raka conspiracy]], the [[luarin conspiracy]], [[Kyprioth]]
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| affiliation=[[Raka conspiracy]]<br>[[Luarin conspiracy]]<br>[[Copper Isles]]<br>[[Kyprioth]]
 
| mentioned=
  
| mentioned=
  +
| appeared=
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| appeared=[[Trickster's Choice]], [[Trickster's Queen]]
  
 
| last=
  
| last=
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| latest=Short story
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| latest=
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|othertrait = Thin|house = [[Balitang family]]|residence = [[Grey Palace]]|firstappeared = [[Trickster's Choice]]|latestappeared = [[Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales]]|subsidiary = |beginreign = Fall 463 [[Human Era|HE]]|coronation = January, 464 [[Human Era|HE]]|predecessor = [[Imajane Rittevon|Imajane]] and [[Rubinyan Jimajen|Rubinyan]]<br>{{comment|co-monarchs}}|titlenote = In Own Right}}
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}}
  
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'''Dovasary Haiming Temaida Balitang''', nicknamed '''Dove''', is the Queen of the [[Copper Isles]]. She succeeded [[Rubinyan Jimajen]] and [[Imajane Rittevon]] as reigning monarch in 463 [[HE]]<ref name="tl">[http://www.tamora-pierce.com/faq_timeline.html Tortallan timeline]</ref> after the [[raka rebellion]] was successful, thus fulfilling [[Kyprioth|Kyprioth's]] prophecy of a twice-royal queen with the [[luarin]] [[Rittevon family|Rittevon]] blood, and the [[raka]] [[Haiming Dynasty|Haiming]] blood. Her parents were the late [[Mequen Balitang]], a Rittevon duke, and the late [[Sarugani Temaida]], a descendent of the Haiming family, thus making her belong to both royal lines. She is the sister of [[Saraiyu Balitang|Saraiyu Hetnim]], [[Petranne Balitang]], and the late [[Elsren Balitang]]. She is an aunt of [[Mequen Hetnim]] and stepdaughter of [[Winnamine Balitang|Duchess Winnamine]].
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'''Dovasary Haiming Temaida Balitang''' ''([[Pronunciation|pronounced]] doe-vah-SAIR-ee HIGH-ming tehm-EYE-dah BAHL-ee-tahng)'', nicknamed '''Dove''' ''(duhv)'', is the Queen of the [[Copper Isles]]. She succeeded [[Imajane Rittevon]], her second cousin, and [[Rubinyan Jimajen]], Imajane's husband, as reigning monarch in 463 [[Human Era|HE]]<ref name="tl">[http://www.tamora-pierce.com/faq_timeline.html Tortallan timeline]</ref> after the [[raka rebellion]] was successful. Her accession to the throne fulfilled [[Kyprioth|Kyprioth's]] prophecy of a twice-royal queen with the [[luarin]] [[Rittevon family|Rittevon]] blood, and the [[raka]] [[Haiming Dynasty|Haiming]] blood. Her parents were the late [[Mequen Balitang]], a Rittevon duke, and the late [[Sarugani Temaida]], a descendent of the Haiming family, thus making her belong to both royal lines. She is the sister of [[Saraiyu Balitang|Saraiyu Hetnim]], [[Petranne Balitang]], and the late [[Elsren Balitang]]. She is an aunt of [[Mequen Hetnim]] and stepdaughter of [[Winnamine Balitang|Duchess Winnamine]].
   
 
==Biography==
  
==Biography==
 
===Early life===
  
===Early life===
−
Dove was born in the beginning of 450 [[HE]]<ref name="tl" /> as the second daughter of [[Mequen Balitang]] and Sarugani Balitang, former Temaida. Sarugani died years later in a riding accident when Dove would have been approximately four or five years old. Mequen would later remarry Winnamine Fonfala. In [[Rajmuat]], Dove exploited her stepmother's desire for acceptance by sneaking out of the Balitang household and into the city. Around the time the Balitangs were exiled to [[Tanair]], Winnamine was debating whether or not to put a stop to it.
 +
Dove was born in the beginning of 450 HE<ref name="tl" /> as the second daughter of [[Mequen Balitang]] and Sarugani Balitang, former Temaida. Sarugani died years later in a riding accident when Dove would have been approximately four or five years old. Mequen would later remarry Winnamine Fonfala. In [[Rajmuat]], Dove exploited her stepmother's desire for acceptance by sneaking out of the Balitang household and into the city. Around the time the Balitangs were exiled to [[Tanair]], Winnamine was debating whether or not to put a stop to it.
   
 
===Exile by the Rittevon King===
  
===Exile by the Rittevon King===
−
Shortly after [[Alianne of Pirate's Swoop|Aly]] was sold to the [[Balitang family]], [[Oron Rittevon|King Oron]] began to have unsettling thoughts of the family, driven by his paranoia. Oron invited them to prove their loyalty with expensive offerings. He later decided that he would feel far more at ease if the Balitangs temporarily vacated [[Rajmuat]]. This, as well as their depleted coffers from the gifts, drove Drove and her family to [[Tanair]], Sarugani's dowry.
 +
Shortly after [[Alianne Crow|Aly]] was sold to the [[Balitang family]], [[Oron Rittevon|King Oron]] began to have unsettling thoughts of the family, driven by his paranoia. Oron invited them to prove their loyalty with expensive offerings. He later decided that he would feel far more at ease if the Balitangs temporarily vacated [[Rajmuat]]. This, as well as their depleted coffers from the gifts, drove Dove and her family to [[Tanair]], Sarugani's dowry.
   
 
On Tanair, Dove took to listening at keyholes, eavesdropping on conversations held by her parents, and probably others as well. She occasionally visited with Aly as the other girl tended her goat herd, having taken to reading there to avoid her hotheaded sister and [[Bronau Jimajen|Prince Bronau]], an arrogant luarin prince.
  
On Tanair, Dove took to listening at keyholes, eavesdropping on conversations held by her parents, and probably others as well. She occasionally visited with Aly as the other girl tended her goat herd, having taken to reading there to avoid her hotheaded sister and [[Bronau Jimajen|Prince Bronau]], an arrogant luarin prince.
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Post-elopement, Dove won over the conspiracy group while the god [[Kyprioth]] kept Aly for three days, reminding them that Sarai wasn't the only twice-royal, and proving both her political prowess and practicality as she kept up with Aly's spy work in her absence. As the regents, even though they were greatly offended that Sarai would elope after they offered her a marriage to [[Dunevon Rittevon|King Dunevon]], continued to invite the Balitangs to social events, Dove proved that she could wade through even the most charged conversations. When Princess Imajane made a subtle suggestion that Winnamine was not able to keep an eye on her stepdaughters and children, Dove steered her away from that line of questioning. This was good, as that suggestion could have been enough to have Elsren dismissed from the king's entourage.
 
Post-elopement, Dove won over the conspiracy group while the god [[Kyprioth]] kept Aly for three days, reminding them that Sarai wasn't the only twice-royal, and proving both her political prowess and practicality as she kept up with Aly's spy work in her absence. As the regents, even though they were greatly offended that Sarai would elope after they offered her a marriage to [[Dunevon Rittevon|King Dunevon]], continued to invite the Balitangs to social events, Dove proved that she could wade through even the most charged conversations. When Princess Imajane made a subtle suggestion that Winnamine was not able to keep an eye on her stepdaughters and children, Dove steered her away from that line of questioning. This was good, as that suggestion could have been enough to have Elsren dismissed from the king's entourage.
   
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Supplied with a new candidate, the rebellion was renewed with vigor. The regents kept a careful eye on the Balitangs, and in one instance they hired assassins in order to kill Dove during a riot. Aly successfully protected her charge, even though the riot was large and scale, as the raka were killing men of the Watch in protest for the near assassination of their queen candidate. A horse-sized [[Winged Horse|kudurung]] came to rescue Dove without any urging from the humans, and flew Dove to the safety of Balitang House. As most everyone recognize the true ruler to be the one who controls the kudurung, all of Dove's staff knelt before her, even Winnamine and Petranne.
+
Supplied with a new candidate, the rebellion was renewed with vigor. The regents kept a careful eye on the Balitangs, and in one instance they hired assassins in order to kill Dove during a riot. Aly successfully protected her charge, even though the riot was large and scale, as the raka were killing men of the Watch in protest for the near assassination of their queen candidate. A horse-sized [[Kudarung|kudurung]] came to rescue Dove without any urging from the humans, and flew Dove to the safety of Balitang House. As most everyone recognize the true ruler to be the one who controls the kudurung, all of Dove's staff knelt before her, even Winnamine and Petranne.
   
 
[[Ulasim Dodeka]] ordered that the raka conspirators attack the Grey Palace at dawn. Aly gave Dove [[Secret]], a creature known as a [[darking]]. Dove and Secret became inseparable throughout the battle. To show support for the people fighting for her and the cause, Dove rode the kudurung above the battle, and just out of reach of the arrows. Ulasim proclaimed her to be glorious and the bright future before he died.
 
[[Ulasim Dodeka]] ordered that the raka conspirators attack the Grey Palace at dawn. Aly gave Dove [[Secret]], a creature known as a [[darking]]. Dove and Secret became inseparable throughout the battle. To show support for the people fighting for her and the cause, Dove rode the kudurung above the battle, and just out of reach of the arrows. Ulasim proclaimed her to be glorious and the bright future before he died.
   
 
===Queen of the Copper Isles===
  
===Queen of the Copper Isles===
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Dove was crowned queen later that year, and forced all of the old Rittevon supporters and soldiers to swear to her by use of a blood oath. She did not have [[Taybur Sibigat]], the former Captain of the King's Guard, swear, as she knew that he would be loyal to her and not the Rittevons who had Dunevon killed.
+
Dove crowned herself queen later that year in the style of the old [[Haiming Dynasty|Haiming]] queens, and forced all of the old Rittevon supporters and soldiers to swear to her by use of a blood oath. She did not have [[Taybur Sibigat]], the former Captain of the King's Guard, swear, as she knew that he would be loyal to her and not the Rittevons who had Dunevon killed.
   
−
Dove recruited Aly as her spymaster and Taybur Sibigat as the captain of the Queen's Guard. The coronation occurred shortly after Midwinter, the prophecy fulfilled.
 +
Dove recruited Aly as her spymaster and Taybur Sibigat as the captain of the Queen's Guard. The coronation occurred shortly after Midwinter, thus fulfilling the [[Kyprish Prophecy]] after more than two centuries.
   
 
Dovasary's reign was accepted by the other countries surrounding the Copper Isles, including [[Tortall]], her spymaster's country of birth. She met Aly's family while they were welcoming her as ambassadors, but knew of their connection to Aly. Dove was probably the one who arranged their private dinner before the Tortallan embassy had to leave, understanding that Aly needed to say goodbye to her family.
  
Dovasary's reign was accepted by the other countries surrounding the Copper Isles, including [[Tortall]], her spymaster's country of birth. She met Aly's family while they were welcoming her as ambassadors, but knew of their connection to Aly. Dove was probably the one who arranged their private dinner before the Tortallan embassy had to leave, understanding that Aly needed to say goodbye to her family.
   
 
When Aly gave birth to triplets with [[Nawat Crow]], Dove became one of their godsmothers. [[Taybur Sibigat]] is one of their godsfathers. Dove became annoyed when she heard that Nawat had been letting his children relieve themselves out of the window, allowing feces and urine to spray the path and the gardens. In one instance, some dung nearly hit a very important ambassador.
 
When Aly gave birth to triplets with [[Nawat Crow]], Dove became one of their godsmothers. [[Taybur Sibigat]] is one of their godsfathers. Dove became annoyed when she heard that Nawat had been letting his children relieve themselves out of the window, allowing feces and urine to spray the path and the gardens. In one instance, some dung nearly hit a very important ambassador.
  +
[[File:Dove Formal-DollDivine.jpg|thumb|left|330x330px]]
−  
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==Physical appearance==
 +
==Physical description==
 
At thirteen, Dove is described as looking a bit like her sister Sarai, with creamy-gold skin and long black hair. She is also said to have "observant black eyes" and is small-boned. She is considered plainer than her sister, and considerably more inconspicuous, a trait she uses to go unnoticed, collecting gossip and news. As a half-raka noble, she has mastered a polite political face, showing nothing but pleasant interest.
  
At thirteen, Dove is described as looking a bit like her sister Sarai, with creamy-gold skin and long black hair. She is also said to have "observant black eyes" and is small-boned. She is considered plainer than her sister, and considerably more inconspicuous, a trait she uses to go unnoticed, collecting gossip and news. As a half-raka noble, she has mastered a polite political face, showing nothing but pleasant interest.
   
 
==Personality and traits==
  
==Personality and traits==
−
Dove is the rational side to her sister's impulsiveness. Logical and intelligent, Dove prefers books and chess to jewelry and fancy dinners. Instead of making friends with nobles her age, she prefers the experienced older men of the court and merchants. She's interested in what goes on in the local markets, things like whether the price of fish is up or if the glass-maker is making a new type of bowl. She also is interested in the merchants' lives, hearing stories about their children and pasts. She is not as admired by the higher classes as her sister is, but has made her mark among the common folk. She has a temper, but less so than her sister, and thinks things through before she speaks.
 +
Dove is the rational side to her sister's impulsiveness. Logical and intelligent, Dove prefers books and chess to jewelry and fancy dinners. Instead of making friends with nobles her age, she prefers the experienced older people of the court and merchants—people she can learn from. She's interested in what goes on in the local markets, things like whether the price of fish is up or if the glass-maker is making a new type of bowl. She also is interested in the merchants' lives, hearing stories about their children and pasts. She is not as admired by the higher classes as her sister is, but has made her mark among the common folk and the scholarly classes.
   
  +
She has a temper, but less so than her sister, and thinks things through before she speaks. When she does wish to insult somebody, she is able to do so subtly (as shown when she pointed out [[Lady Uniunu]]'s ignorance through seemingly innocent questions).
⚫
Because of her interest in the people, political matters, economic matters, and spy matters, Dove is far more suited than her sister to rule a country. Although younger, she is far more realistic than Sarai, and understands the world much more than her sister does.
  
   
  ⚫
Because of her interest in the people, political matters, economic matters, and spy matters, Dove is far more suited than her sister to rule a country. Although younger, she is far more realistic than Sarai, and understands the world much more than her sister does. Aly says that Sarai might take the Isles, but Dove would keep the Isles. Dove often thought that Sarai spoke without thinking, especially during the uprisings of 463 HE.
⚫
She is also extremely intelligent and bright, and an avid and proficient chess player. Before her family's exile, she played chess often with [[Vurquan Nomru|Duke Nomru]] and [[Engan|Baron Engan]].
 
  +
  ⚫
She is also extremely intelligent and bright, and an avid and proficient chess player. Before her family's exile, she played chess often with [[Vurquan Nomru|Duke Nomru]] and [[Qovold Engan|Baron Engan]]. Despite her rather reserved demeanor, at the age of twelve she is confident enough in herself to convince the conspiracy leaders to make her queen.
   
 
==Relationships==
  
==Relationships==
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When Dove first meets Aly, she is distant, as she thinks Aly is just another slave. However, she soon grows to trust Aly greatly for the other girl's services to her family. After the death of her father, the family returns to Rajmuat, bringing Aly. Dove and Aly form a very tight-knit friendship, as Dove is very more interested and intelligent in the ways that a state runs, and how people work—unlike her sister, who is more headstrong and idealistic. After Sarai runs away, Aly backs Dove in her new placement as the twice-royal heir. Dove offers Aly a position as spymaster under her, and is pleased when the other girl accepts—as she sees Aly as more than just a servant, a friend.
  
When Dove first meets Aly, she is distant, as she thinks Aly is just another slave. However, she soon grows to trust Aly greatly for the other girl's services to her family. After the death of her father, the family returns to Rajmuat, bringing Aly. Dove and Aly form a very tight-knit friendship, as Dove is very more interested and intelligent in the ways that a state runs, and how people work—unlike her sister, who is more headstrong and idealistic. After Sarai runs away, Aly backs Dove in her new placement as the twice-royal heir. Dove offers Aly a position as spymaster under her, and is pleased when the other girl accepts—as she sees Aly as more than just a servant, a friend.
   
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==Family==
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==Family tree==
 
{{Balitang family}}
  
{{Balitang family}}
   
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[[Tamora Pierce]] included some traits of [[wikipedia:Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I of England]] in the character of Dovasary Balitang.<ref>[http://www.randombuzzers.com/the-buzz/boards/topic/250/91422/ Random Buzz; "Famous Women"; April 23, 2009]</ref>
  
[[Tamora Pierce]] included some traits of [[wikipedia:Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I of England]] in the character of Dovasary Balitang.<ref>[http://www.randombuzzers.com/the-buzz/boards/topic/250/91422/ Random Buzz; "Famous Women"; April 23, 2009]</ref>
   
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==References==
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==Appearances==
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Dove is a main character in the '''''Daughter of the Lioness''''' duology. She appears as a more minor character in [[Tamora Pierce|Tamora Pierce's]] book of short stories.
−
<references />
  
  +
  +
*'''''[[Trickster Series]]'''''
  ⚫
**''[[Trickster's Choice]]''
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**''[[Trickster's Queen]]''
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*'''''[[Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales]]'''''
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**Appears in the short story ''Nawat''
  +
  +
==Notes and references==
  +
{{reflist|colwidth=20em}}
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
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{{Nav-SeriesDaughter}}
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{{Nav-SeriesDaughter}}{{Nav-TortallOtherLands}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Balitang, Dovsary}}
  
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[[Category:Characters of the 5th century HE|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Balitang, Dovasary}}
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[[Category:Nobility of the Tortallan Universe|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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[[Category:Characters in Trickster's Choice]]
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[[Category:Females of the Tortallan Universe|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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[[Category:Characters in Trickster's Queen]]
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[[Category:Rulers in the Tortallan Universe|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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[[Category:Characters in Tortall and Other Lands]]
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[[Category:Characters from the Copper Isles|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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[[Category:Characters of the 5th century HE]]
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[[Category:Citizens of the Copper Isles|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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[[Category:Females of the Tortallan Universe]]
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[[Category:Characters in Trickster's Choice|Balitang, Dovasary]]
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[[Category:Nobility of the Tortallan Universe]]
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[[Category:Characters in Trickster's Queen|Balitang, Dovasary]]
  
 
[[Category:Royalty of the Tortallan Universe]]
  
[[Category:Royalty of the Tortallan Universe]]
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[[Category:Luarin Conspiracy]]
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[[Category:Rulers in the Tortallan Universe]]
  ⚫
[[Category:Characters from the Copper Isles]]
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[[Category:Citizens of the Copper Isles]]
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[[Category:Copper Isles Nobility]]
 
[[Category:Luarin nobility]]
  
[[Category:Luarin nobility]]
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[[Category:Raka nobility]]
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[[Category:Luarin Conspiracy]]
 
[[Category:Raka Conspiracy]]
  
[[Category:Raka Conspiracy]]
 
[[Category:Raka rebellion]]
  
[[Category:Raka rebellion]]
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[[Category:Raka nobility]]
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[[Category:Protagonists]]
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[[Category:Characters in Tortall and Other Lands (book of short stories)]]
  

Revision as of 21:45, 5 January 2020

Dovasary Haiming Temaida Balitang (pronounced doe-vah-SAIR-ee HIGH-ming tehm-EYE-dah BAHL-ee-tahng), nicknamed Dove (duhv), is the Queen of the Copper Isles. She succeeded Imajane Rittevon, her second cousin, and Rubinyan Jimajen, Imajane's husband, as reigning monarch in 463 HE[1] after the raka rebellion was successful. Her accession to the throne fulfilled Kyprioth's prophecy of a twice-royal queen with the luarin Rittevon blood, and the raka Haiming blood. Her parents were the late Mequen Balitang, a Rittevon duke, and the late Sarugani Temaida, a descendent of the Haiming family, thus making her belong to both royal lines. She is the sister of Saraiyu Hetnim, Petranne Balitang, and the late Elsren Balitang. She is an aunt of Mequen Hetnim and stepdaughter of Duchess Winnamine.

Biography

Early life

Dove was born in the beginning of 450 HE[1] as the second daughter of Mequen Balitang and Sarugani Balitang, former Temaida. Sarugani died years later in a riding accident when Dove would have been approximately four or five years old. Mequen would later remarry Winnamine Fonfala. In Rajmuat, Dove exploited her stepmother's desire for acceptance by sneaking out of the Balitang household and into the city. Around the time the Balitangs were exiled to Tanair, Winnamine was debating whether or not to put a stop to it.

Exile by the Rittevon King

Shortly after Aly was sold to the Balitang family, King Oron began to have unsettling thoughts of the family, driven by his paranoia. Oron invited them to prove their loyalty with expensive offerings. He later decided that he would feel far more at ease if the Balitangs temporarily vacated Rajmuat. This, as well as their depleted coffers from the gifts, drove Dove and her family to Tanair, Sarugani's dowry.

On Tanair, Dove took to listening at keyholes, eavesdropping on conversations held by her parents, and probably others as well. She occasionally visited with Aly as the other girl tended her goat herd, having taken to reading there to avoid her hotheaded sister and Prince Bronau, an arrogant luarin prince.

Towards the end of the stay at Tanair, Dove and her family are confined to one room during a battle not dissimilar to a siege, in which Bronau attempted to force Sarai's hand in marriage in a play for the throne of the Copper Isles. A skirmish that led to the death of Mequen Balitang occurred. Dove, as well as the rest of her family, was in a state of mourning, but Dove still kept her head in light of the circumstances.

Rubinyan Jimajen, Bronau's older brother, visited them at Tanair. He and his wife, Princess Imajane were then regents to Dunevon Rittevon, the new boy king of the Isles. He apologized to Winnamine Balitang for his brother's actions and said he was sorry for the death of Mequen, as they had been close friends. Aly could see he wasn't lying, and that he was actually mourning for the Duke. He invited the Balitang family back to Rajmuat, and Winnamine said that they would arrive in due time, but that she also needed time to grieve. Rubinyan understood, and left.

Dove and her family did meet Aly's father. He had tracked Aly from Rajmuat to Tanair, disguising himself as a slave trader. He offered to buy her, and Winnamine saw through him after a while.

Return to Rajmuat

They returned to Rajmuat by ship after staying at Tanair to grieve for Duke Mequen. Dove, Winna, and Sarai, noticed two luarin Examples on the harbormouth and were shocked when they discovered that they were members of the Ibadun family. Dove mentioned that Topabaw was the reason that Hunod and Dravinna Ibadun were dead. Topabaw would later become the main target of Aly and her pack of spies. They were greeted at Balitang House by Lady Nuritin, Mequen's aunt and the matriarch of the Balitang family. She informed the four other Balitangs that Princess Imajane had decreed mourning dress to be an insult to the Black God and had decreed that the Balitang family be presented at Court the following day. Lady Nuritin recognized this as an attempt to humiliate the Balitangs and their fashions by summoning them so soon after they returned. Nuritin had already ordered gowns made for the ladies and fancy boy's clothes made for Elsren.

While the family settled back into their former life, Dove was introduced to the conspiracy to fulfill a prophecy by putting Sarai on the throne. She visited with her old friends—merchants, beggars, fishermen, glassblowers, pottery-makers, etc. She carefully observed the nobles around her even as she played chess and discussed philosophy and astronomy with some of the greatest minds in the Copper Isles: Vurquan Nomru and Qovold Engan. Despite her watchful eye, she was as surprised as everyone when Sarai eloped with Zaimid Hetnim, one of Emperor Kaddar's most trusted healers and friends.

Post-elopement, Dove won over the conspiracy group while the god Kyprioth kept Aly for three days, reminding them that Sarai wasn't the only twice-royal, and proving both her political prowess and practicality as she kept up with Aly's spy work in her absence. As the regents, even though they were greatly offended that Sarai would elope after they offered her a marriage to King Dunevon, continued to invite the Balitangs to social events, Dove proved that she could wade through even the most charged conversations. When Princess Imajane made a subtle suggestion that Winnamine was not able to keep an eye on her stepdaughters and children, Dove steered her away from that line of questioning. This was good, as that suggestion could have been enough to have Elsren dismissed from the king's entourage.

Supplied with a new candidate, the rebellion was renewed with vigor. The regents kept a careful eye on the Balitangs, and in one instance they hired assassins in order to kill Dove during a riot. Aly successfully protected her charge, even though the riot was large and scale, as the raka were killing men of the Watch in protest for the near assassination of their queen candidate. A horse-sized kudurung came to rescue Dove without any urging from the humans, and flew Dove to the safety of Balitang House. As most everyone recognize the true ruler to be the one who controls the kudurung, all of Dove's staff knelt before her, even Winnamine and Petranne.

Ulasim Dodeka ordered that the raka conspirators attack the Grey Palace at dawn. Aly gave Dove Secret, a creature known as a darking. Dove and Secret became inseparable throughout the battle. To show support for the people fighting for her and the cause, Dove rode the kudurung above the battle, and just out of reach of the arrows. Ulasim proclaimed her to be glorious and the bright future before he died.

Queen of the Copper Isles

Dove crowned herself queen later that year in the style of the old Haiming queens, and forced all of the old Rittevon supporters and soldiers to swear to her by use of a blood oath. She did not have Taybur Sibigat, the former Captain of the King's Guard, swear, as she knew that he would be loyal to her and not the Rittevons who had Dunevon killed.

Dove recruited Aly as her spymaster and Taybur Sibigat as the captain of the Queen's Guard. The coronation occurred shortly after Midwinter, thus fulfilling the Kyprish Prophecy after more than two centuries.

Dovasary's reign was accepted by the other countries surrounding the Copper Isles, including Tortall, her spymaster's country of birth. She met Aly's family while they were welcoming her as ambassadors, but knew of their connection to Aly. Dove was probably the one who arranged their private dinner before the Tortallan embassy had to leave, understanding that Aly needed to say goodbye to her family.

When Aly gave birth to triplets with Nawat Crow, Dove became one of their godsmothers. Taybur Sibigat is one of their godsfathers. Dove became annoyed when she heard that Nawat had been letting his children relieve themselves out of the window, allowing feces and urine to spray the path and the gardens. In one instance, some dung nearly hit a very important ambassador.

File:Dove Formal-DollDivine.jpg

Physical description

At thirteen, Dove is described as looking a bit like her sister Sarai, with creamy-gold skin and long black hair. She is also said to have "observant black eyes" and is small-boned. She is considered plainer than her sister, and considerably more inconspicuous, a trait she uses to go unnoticed, collecting gossip and news. As a half-raka noble, she has mastered a polite political face, showing nothing but pleasant interest.

Personality and traits

Dove is the rational side to her sister's impulsiveness. Logical and intelligent, Dove prefers books and chess to jewelry and fancy dinners. Instead of making friends with nobles her age, she prefers the experienced older people of the court and merchants—people she can learn from. She's interested in what goes on in the local markets, things like whether the price of fish is up or if the glass-maker is making a new type of bowl. She also is interested in the merchants' lives, hearing stories about their children and pasts. She is not as admired by the higher classes as her sister is, but has made her mark among the common folk and the scholarly classes.

She has a temper, but less so than her sister, and thinks things through before she speaks. When she does wish to insult somebody, she is able to do so subtly (as shown when she pointed out Lady Uniunu's ignorance through seemingly innocent questions).

Because of her interest in the people, political matters, economic matters, and spy matters, Dove is far more suited than her sister to rule a country. Although younger, she is far more realistic than Sarai, and understands the world much more than her sister does. Aly says that Sarai might take the Isles, but Dove would keep the Isles. Dove often thought that Sarai spoke without thinking, especially during the uprisings of 463 HE.

She is also extremely intelligent and bright, and an avid and proficient chess player. Before her family's exile, she played chess often with Duke Nomru and Baron Engan. Despite her rather reserved demeanor, at the age of twelve she is confident enough in herself to convince the conspiracy leaders to make her queen.

Relationships

Saraiyu Balitang

Dove had a fairly stable relationship with her older sister. She did think that Sarai was far too hotheaded, and often hid from her. She knew that Sarai was very fluttery, and loved her, but recognized that she was not a good fit for leading.

Winnamine Balitang

Dove's relationship with her stepmother is far better than her sister's was. Dove and Winnamine understand the danger while in Rajmuat, and the two develop a very close friendship. Winnamine became a mother to her.

Alianne of Pirate's Swoop

When Dove first meets Aly, she is distant, as she thinks Aly is just another slave. However, she soon grows to trust Aly greatly for the other girl's services to her family. After the death of her father, the family returns to Rajmuat, bringing Aly. Dove and Aly form a very tight-knit friendship, as Dove is very more interested and intelligent in the ways that a state runs, and how people work—unlike her sister, who is more headstrong and idealistic. After Sarai runs away, Aly backs Dove in her new placement as the twice-royal heir. Dove offers Aly a position as spymaster under her, and is pleased when the other girl accepts—as she sees Aly as more than just a servant, a friend.

Family tree

Balitang Family Tree

Balitang family
Balitangs[2]See Rittevon[2]
Nuritin Balitang[3]See Temaida[3]Balitang man[2]Rittevon woman[4]See Fonfala[5]
Sarugani Temaida[2]Mequen Balitang[2]Winnamine Fonfala[2]
Zaimid Hetnim[6]Saraiyu Balitang[2]Dovasary Balitang[2]Petranne Balitang[2]Elsren Balitang[2]
Mequen Hetnim[7]

Trivia

Tamora Pierce included some traits of Elizabeth I of England in the character of Dovasary Balitang.[8]

Appearances

Dove is a main character in the Daughter of the Lioness duology. She appears as a more minor character in Tamora Pierce's book of short stories.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tortallan timeline
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Trickster's Choice (electronic edition), Ch. 2.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Trickster's Choice (electronic edition), Ch. 3.
  4. ↑ Given that Saraiyu and Dunevon Rittevon were second cousins (Trickster's Queen (electronic edition), Ch. 12), this was the logical point for the marriage. The Rittevon woman must have been Oron Rittevon's aunt.
  5. ↑ Trickster's Queen (electronic edition), Ch. 2.
  6. ↑ Zaimid was a distant cousin of the Carthaki emperor, Kaddar Iliniat. Trickster's Queen (electronic edition), Ch. 4.
  7. ↑ Zaimid and Saraiyu planned to name the child with whom she was pregnant in Trickster's Queen Mequen if the child were a boy, but it was not confirmed whether the baby was liveborn and male or not. Trickster's Queen (electronic edition), Ch. 12 and Ch. 21.
  8. ↑ Random Buzz; "Famous Women"; April 23, 2009

See also

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