Fitchner au Barca
MajorA Gold man with an unfortunate pinched hatchet face, narrow brow, and yellow hair that sits messy and slicked back. His cat-like eyes appear tired and ringed despite any cosmetics, while his veiny thin hands often rest on a growing stomach paunch that strains his frame despite skinny arms. He moves with surprising speed and grace in golden gravBoots, a razor hilt always at hand, and is most often seen in a black tunic or uniform striped with gold bearing a two-headed wolf badge and a strange hand mark on the cuff, habitually chewing gum with a lazy smirk.
Fitchner au Barca begins as a seemingly slovenly Gold proctor at the Institute whose cat-like eyes and wolf badge conceal a razor-sharp mind and hidden allegiance to the Sons of Ares. Across the first two books, his double life as both the disheveled Fitchner and the legendary Ares is gradually revealed, transforming him from a peripheral authority figure into the ideological heart of the rising rebellion. His arc is defined by the painful collision of his roles as mentor, father, and revolutionary, culminating in sacrifices that permanently reshape Darrow’s path and the Sons of Ares’ strategy.
Physical Description
A Gold man with an unfortunate pinched hatchet face, narrow brow, and yellow hair that sits messy and slicked back. His cat-like eyes appear tired and ringed despite any cosmetics, while his veiny thin hands often rest on a growing stomach paunch that strains his frame despite skinny arms. He moves with surprising speed and grace in golden gravBoots, a razor hilt always at hand, and is most often seen in a black tunic or uniform striped with gold bearing a two-headed wolf badge and a strange hand mark on the cuff, habitually chewing gum with a lazy smirk. Fitchner au Barca cuts a gruff figure in his 40s, with slumped shoulders that speak of endured hardships. His rugged Gold features can seem repugnant to some, yet he moves with a jovial pace or trails thoughtfully behind. Often smiling sadly, his presence is watchful and grounded, clad in practical attire suited to a life in rebellion.
Gallery
Book 1: Red Rising
Evolution
Red Rising
A Gold man with an unfortunate pinched hatchet face, narrow brow, and yellow hair that sits messy and slicked back. His cat-like eyes appear tired and ringed despite any cosmetics, while his veiny thin hands often rest on a growing stomach paunch that strains his frame despite skinny arms. He moves with surprising speed and grace in golden gravBoots, a razor hilt always at hand, and is most often seen in a black tunic or uniform striped with gold bearing a two-headed wolf badge and a strange hand mark on the cuff, habitually chewing gum with a lazy smirk.
- Serves as Proctor of House Mars at the Institute, secretly carving Darrow and aiding his rise.
- Reveals his identity as Sevro’s father through subtle gestures and the two-headed wolf badge.
- Uses his gravBoots and razor to intervene in House Mars trials with surprising agility.
- Maintains his cover by chewing gum and feigning laziness while manipulating events behind the scenes.
Golden Son
Fitchner au Barca, known as Ares, the Bronzie Rage Knight, emerges as Darrow's mentor within the Sons of Ares, guiding him from raw recruit to revolutionary force with gruff wisdom and hidden vulnerabilities. His slumped, repugnant form belies a profound commitment to the lowColors' uprising, pacing jovially through shadows while harboring secrets that strain his bonds. In the end, his tragic sacrifices and revelations reshape Darrow's path, cementing Fitchner as the flawed heart of the rebellion.
- Emerges publicly as Ares, the Bronzie Rage Knight, leading the Sons of Ares.
- Mentors Darrow from raw recruit to revolutionary commander within the shadow organization.
- Reveals his true allegiance to Darrow, reshaping their mentor-protégé relationship.
- Suffers personal strain as Sevro learns the truth about his father’s double life.
- Makes tragic sacrifices that cement his status as the flawed heart of the rebellion.
Relationships
Begins as a covert ally while Proctor of House Mars, then becomes Darrow’s ideological mentor and co-conspirator as Ares; the relationship deepens from manipulation to mutual trust and shared revolutionary purpose.
Initially hidden as Sevro’s estranged father; evolves into a strained but fiercely loyal father-son bond once Sevro learns Fitchner is Ares, marked by both resentment and deep familial commitment.
Co-leaders of the Sons of Ares whose partnership is built on shared strategic vision and mutual respect, coordinating the lowColor uprising from the shadows.
Book Appearances
Red Rising
First appears Ch 13
Golden Son
First appears Ch 13