Fredrik is a dronespook.
According to the Book of Nighthunting, a dronespook is “one of the only benevolent species of Ghost, afflicted with moderate to severe past-life amnesia, often used as a maid, servant, or footman, esp. in wealthy people’s homes.”
Though he died as a fully-grown man, Fredrik’s usual shape is that of an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy, as he has no memory of his adult life. He is the willing servant of Fletch (the Far-Seer and meta-theosophical poet), and helps him to care for his terminally ill daughter, Flara. This is an unusual situation, as Fletch is far from being rich, and dronespooks are often bought and sold and treated like slaves, because they are one of the Dead as well as being harmless, and humans have a deep-rooted fear and hatred of Ghosts and Witches.
Fredrik appears in the second book of the Nighthunter series. As one of the Grim (or the Dead) he is in thrall to the Lady with a Thousand Faces, an ancient enchantress who is a Witch, though he fears and hates Her. He also fears the other Ghosts, though they are his “cousins” and they come close to eating him on one occasion. This is when he leaves Fletch’s house in search of Flara’s soul, whom the Lady with a Thousand Faces has kidnapped in an attempt to lure the Nighthunter to Her.
Towards the end of the book it becomes apparent that Fredrik was once a powerful mage who loved the Lady and inadvertently sired both an insidious curse and a child named Ain. Only when he tricks Ain into handing over the stolen Corverus Stone, and puts an end to the curse, is Fredrik granted full access to his memories and allowed to ascend to the stars as an angel.
How did Fredrik come to be hired and given lodgings by Fletch? What circumstances convinced him to stay? Find out in later blog posts…
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Nightwalks 