T.J. Laverne
author of supernatural historical fiction
Original Characters of the Puddle Jumper Trilogy
England, 500
Leena
As a child, she is banished from her parents’ home after her brother is killed in front of her by a Saxon. As an adult, she lives in the woods with a clan of other Celts who have escaped Saxon rule, is a female version of Robin Hood, awesome with a bow and arrow, and a better fighter than most of the men. Her eyes are brown, and her yellow hair is often quite messy. She tries hard to be a part of the people in her clan, but they often push her away.
Arthur
The basis for the legendary King Arthur, he has established a safe haven for his fellow Britons from the oppressive Saxon rule. Though he is fairly small, he has a powerful presence that everyone immediately respects, though he never uses it to his own advantage. He is strong and serious, with a jutting brow and piercing dark eyes, but his manners are strangely soothing and calming.
Genevieve
Based upon the Guinivere of legend, she has long, fiery red hair and a serious, beautiful face, as well as a powerfully commanding presence. Generally perceived as a more delicate lady, she strives to make a name for herself and fight for her clan like Leena.
Llewelyn
Admittedly charming and easy on the eyes, he has a chiseled face and thick, curly hair down to his shoulders. He and Arthur share the same mother, but Llewelyn’s father is suspected to be Saxon, though he grew up with Arthur and his mother. Like Lancelot, upon whom he is based, he has an unfortunate attraction to Genevieve, though she is spoken for by Arthur.
Myrddin
A powerful druid based upon Merlin, he came to England from Ireland long ago and had the ancient hill fort on Badon Hill blessed by the Morrigan. He helped raise and frequently advises Arthur, and is blessed with foresight, though most people think he’s mad, not helped by his rather eccentric appearance.
Baird
A rather squinty and wiry man, he is not accustomed to fighting or suited for life in the woods. Though he is brilliant, he doesn’t know how to talk to people, particularly women, and particularly Leena. He may very well be the only one in the clan who knows how to read or write, though he rarely puts his skills to good use.
Perth
A warrior in Arthur’s clan, he frequently taunts Leena to the point of driving her away. He is short and muscular with always the hint of a sneer on his face, and seems to like to make up for his small size with a great deal of attitude.
Tucson, Az, 1886
Vincent
Son of a drunken father and a runaway mother, he has blue eyes and brown hair that is carefully combed to one side and held in place with his favorite coconut oil. As an adult, he smokes and drinks far too much, and secretly paints in a style similar to Vincent Van Gogh. He is rather grumpy and battles a hatred for his hometown, as well as depression, often fearing that he will one day go insane.
Felix
A meek, unassuming man, he has a rather haunted, faraway look in his dark eyes, beneath tidily oiled hair. He is a Captain in the U.S. Army in charge of Troop D of the 4th Cavalry, stationed at Fort Lowell beside Tucson. Though he is charged with “controlling” the Apache, he loathes the task and is riddled with guilt, defending them at every turn. Kind to a fault, he is everyone’s friend.
Basil
Owner of the Exploding Clock Shop, he is nothing short of brilliant, inventing the most miraculous things anyone in the modern world has ever seen, including the Atmospheric Advertisements. Though he doesn’t like to speak with other human beings during the day, at night he likes to frequent saloons and has a much different personality when he drinks—a personality he doesn’t like to own up to.
Ester
A prostitute at Missie’s on Maiden Lane, she has large, brown eyes, and auburn curls. She dreams of a better life away from men and hopes to one day escape, though she is baffled by Felix, who loves her and is kinder to her than anyone else.
Green
Tall, strapping, handsome, and arrogant, women can spot his black hair, green eyes and disarming smile from a mile away. He’s the First Lieutenant of Troop D under Felix, his half-brother, and is son of the callous General Gordon. He frequents brothels and saloons, behaving wildly, though Felix tries to steer him in the right direction.
Paul
A rowdy drunk with a missing tooth, he is Second Lieutenant of Troop D under Felix. He is notorious for visiting Maiden Lane several times a day, though Vincent doubts that such frequent visits are physically possible and suspects he puts on a show.
Marshal Hershel/Constance
An odd, potbellied and vaguely weak-looking man, he is easily bullied and manipulated—not someone you’d expect to successfully corral law and order in a town full of people not inclined to abide by it. He dreams of being heroic and taking down the bad guys, but isn’t quite successful. His wife, Constance, is the perfect, meek housewife, who also, secretly, dreams of taking down the bad guys.