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Husk
Husk2
Birthplace: Mistmantle Island
Species: Squirrel
Gender: Male
Family: Spindrift (first wife)†
Brother Juniper (son)
Lady Aspen (second wife)†
Unnamed parents
Two unnamed brothers†
Weapon(s): Sword
Allegiance: King Brushen (formerly)†
Lady Aspen
Death: Fell into a pit in the Chamber of Candles
Appears in: Books:
And I come for Husk, Captain Husk, Lord Husk, Husk the Triumphant, King Husk. For the great King Husk and for Queen Aspen!
―Captain Husk answering Padra's challenge


Husk was a male squirrel, the husband of Lady Aspen, and the father of Juniper through his former relationship with Spindrift. He was a traitorous Captain of Mistmantle who died during his battle for possession of the Mistmantle throne. During and after his death, some animals referred to him as "Lord Husk".

Personality[]

Husk was an ambitious, cunning, and sly squirrel.

He was also shown to have some degree of mental instability, which was amplified after he killed Prince TumbleKing Brushen and Queen Spindle's son. This ultimately killed him during his flight from the tower:  as he was retreating to The Chamber of Candles, he believed that the stabbed, blood-covered prince was coming back to haunt him in the tunnel, failing to see that it was only Hope splattered with berry juice. The insanity was possibly fueled by his consistent interactions in the Chamber of Candles, where an evil spirit of sorts lurked, which slowly corrupted him.

At some point, Husk developed a crippling fear of helplessness. This seems to have manifested in a contempt for those he judged to be inferior, particularly those with physical disabilities or impairments. He took pleasure in killing such animals, to the point where it became addictive. He also considered himself superior to most if not all other animals on Mistmantle.

Husk also was possessed of megalomaniacal tendencies. He wanted to be king of Mistmantle badly enough to commit infanticide, and to frame Crispin for the crime. Even as he anticipated becoming king, he wished to expand his influence to other lands beyond the mists.

History[]

Early Life[]

Husk was born as the third son in a family. One of his brothers was so feeble that he had died at birth, and the second was left crippled due to a birth defect. Husk came to despise his brother, and tried to convince his parents of the older squirrel’s worthlessness. Husk’s parents didn’t share his contempt, and so Husk took it upon himself to murder his brother, which he did by pushing him off a cliff. This act and his true character went unknown, and Husk befriended future fellow captains Crispin and Padra.

At some point, he became involved with Spindrift, and together they had their son, Juniper. However, Husk later became enamored with Aspen, and sought to rid himself of his unwanted family. He killed Spindrift by pushing her off a cliff, just as he had his brother. Juniper, despite going over the cliff with her, survived, which lead to Husk's attempt to drown him. Juniper survived this as well, and was saved by Damson, unbeknownst to Husk.

Urchin and the Riding Stars[]

Urchin hadn’t often seen Captain Husk. He would have recognized him from his captain’s sword but, more than that, he had an air of real authority that proved him to be a captain. He’d know what to do. It was reassuring to know Captain Husk was in charge.
―Urchin's initial impression of Husk

Husk was a captain of Mistmantle, and the King's best friend and adviser. Unknowingly to most of the other animals, however, Captain Husk murdered Prince Tumble and framed Crispin for the crime. Due to this perceived act of villainy by Crispin, King Brushen sent Crispin into exile. With his chief opponent exiled, Husk began to take control of the island. After Crispin's exile, he was rarely seen away from King Brushen's side. He kept the King drunk with wine and isolated from others, making it easy for Husk to use him as a puppet and control the island. Through the king, Husk began food rationing, increased the work hours, and introduced the culling of "weak" babies and the old and frail. His fiancée and later wife, Aspen, also controlled the queen by isolation and constant "medication".

After the death of Queen Spindle, he became cross with Gleaner and was bad-tempered with everyone. Husk believed that Padra knew where the Old Palace was and had him, Arran, and Urchin watched. However, he did not have Padra executed, as he believed that the island would fall apart without the otter captain. Husk also secretly brought mole mercenaries to the island, feeding them with the rationed foods and paying them with jewels, enabling him to effectively fight those who opposed him.

When he and Lady Aspen were to be married, he commanded the moles to dig up jewels for the wedding. It was noted that he wore more jewels for his wedding than Captains usually would. The night of his wedding, he was drawn to The Chamber of Candles and followed by Urchin. He heard Urchin during his flight from the Chamber of Candles, but tried to convince himself otherwise, afraid of the repercussions that it could have over his reign on the island.

During the Spring Festival, Captain Padra made a rousing speech exposing Husk, turning the animals of the island against the villain. Husk decided to start the battle, during which he took control of the Tower, bringing King Brushen up with him and holding the king and Brother Fir hostage.

King Brushen tried to fight Husk, but was deterred by Lady Aspen. Both of them fell from the tower and Aspen died minutes later. Husk was furious to learn that Padra had survived the battle and that Granite had failed to finish him off. He and Padra were about to duel when Crispin arrived and asked Padra to leave Husk to him. Husk ran away from the duel to the ancient, abandoned dungeons beneath Mistmantle.

Husk's death

Husk's death

Husk rushed to the dungeons as they fed his hate and desire for power, but Urchin and Hope discovered him. When Husk saw Hope and Urchin, he went mad with terror, thinking that Hope was Prince Tumble coming for vengeance, just as it was in his nightmares. The treacherous squirrel started to back away from them, and fell backward into the gaping sacrificial pit, where he perished.

Urchin and the Heartstone[]

TVA

The Heir of Mistmantle[]

Yarrow, Hobb and Quill started a rumour that Husk was alive, causing distress among all who believed them. The rumour also strengthened Linty's fear of Husk harming Catkin and caused her to try and escape the island.

To prove that Husk was dead, Juniper, Urchin, and Needle found his skeleton at the bottom of the Chamber of Candles. King Crispin and Padra had Yarrow, Hobb, and Quill go down the sacrifice pit to see Husk's skeleton for themselves, which swiftly cleared up the rumours.

While Damson was dying, she revealed to Juniper that Husk was married to a young squirrel maid called Spindrift before Lady Aspen, and together they had a baby boy squirrel. After their baby was born, Husk murdered Spindrift, and attempted to drown the baby, but Damson saved the baby squirrel from drowning. That baby was none other than Juniper himself.

Urchin and the Rage Tide[]

Padra noted that Mossberry reminded him of Husk.

Gallery[]

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