*hurls rotten tomatoes and boos appreciatively from the back of the auditorium* Welcome back, Lal
Now we could always kill Renedwen's son and have Gilly survive...wow, survey that twist of bitter fate...*evil* But otherwise, besides Alak's character, there are always various minor characters who have been merely mentioned throughout - soldiers and the like, carry-alongs whose deaths would seem a little less unimportant than 'anonymous two-leggeds', whilst at the same time really making very little difference. For example
Nevhith, a fourteen year old soldier introduced by Saurreg, although maybe he could be kept for comedy value;
Serrane, an older, experienced soldier and colleague and friend of Carthor who I briefly introduced in post #166 - I had a few vague plans for him, but nothing I'm too attached to. *shrugs* Just a thought...