Rhys a'Balaman
He had a lean face with gray-streaked mustaches waxed to spikes. His eyes were like stones and he had a thin-lipped smile that always seemed a leer.
Appearance
He had a lean face with gray-streaked mustaches waxed to spikes. His eyes were like stones and he had a thin-lipped smile that always seemed a leer.
History
His name, a'Balaman, was that of a Murandian noble, yet Elayne Trakand thought that this was not his real name.
He fought alongside Aldin Miheres, a mercenary employed by Arymilla Marne to attack the walls of Caemlyn, yet accounted him an acquaintance more than friend, having fought just as many times against him.
He adhered to a particular mercenary code of honor which meant that allowing another mercenary to flee the battlefield meant that he might return the favor another day. In his opinion, fleeing troops were out of the battle.
Activities
He was employed by Elayne to defend Caemlyn. He said he would much rather earn gold defending a city than attacking it.
He defended the city against mercenary forces led by Aldin Miheres, who was employed by Arymilla.
Reene Harfor reported that he had been approached by agents of Arymilla about switching sides.
Later, he, Aldred Gomaisen, and Evard Cordwyn turned coat and attacked the Far Madding gate. Elayne then signed his death warrant.
Trivia
Curiously, Rhys was originally the name chosen by Jordan as the name of the main character . If we parse the Old Tongue in the last name "bal" means "circle" and "Aman" means "Dragon". The A', with apostrophe added, is ambiguous, but could be "a" or a contraction of "al", which mean "of" or "of the". The name may be a coded message from Jordan referring to his original name meaning "Rhys, recycling/resurrection of the Dragon". Indeed, there is a hint in the text that this isn't a real name: "Rhys a'Balaman, as he called himself".