Selucia

"For the city, see Seleucia"

Selucia is a fictional character in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Selucia was given to the Empress of Seanchan as a baby, and spent the first twenty-five years of her life training for the job of nursemaid and guardian to the Empress' child, who turned out to be Tuon. She also secretly trained in fighting and defence, to be a bodyguard that no one knew about and no one would suspect. She is described as bosomy and creamy-cheeked, with blonde hair, and of average height.

For the first sixteen years of Tuon's life, Selucia acted as a guardian. When Tuon reached adulthood, Selucia was presented with two traditional gifts - a sack of gold for every time she'd had to punish Tuon, and her choice of her next placement. It isn't clarified if this means another service post, or if Selucia could theoretically have been freed and even given high status. In any case she chose to stay with Tuon, acting as her chief maid. Tuon was delighted, and made Selucia her "so'jhin".

As a mark of her status Selucia has the left side of her head shaved, and her remaining hair twisted into a braid. She has a keen sense of propriety and is horrified by the thought of overstepping her station. But as "so'jhin" to the Daughter of the Nine Moons, Selucia is superior in status to the Low Blood, and possibly equal to the High Blood. She is no common da'covale. Selucia is wholeheartedly devoted to Tuon, is often found with her Mistress, at least in public, and when Tuon is kidnapped from the Tarasin Palace, Selucia interferes and manages to accompany her.

When Mat tries to woo Tuon, he plays an elaborate game by bringing beautiful silk flowers to Selucia, who is startled and suspicious. When they are attacked by darkfriends in Maderin Selucia defends Tuon, revealing her second, secret, task to Thom, who cryptically promises not to tell anyone.

The relationship between Selucia and Tuon is close, but they are still mistress and servant. Tuon doesn't share everything with Selucia, nor does Selucia seem to expect her to. In part this may be to protect Selucia - Tuon deliberately doesn't tell her about Lydia's foretelling because she suspects Selucia would take her back to Ebou Dar by force. Selucia would do anything to protect her mistress, even if it ended in her certain execution.

Being devoted to Tuon doesn't mean she always agrees with her; when Tuon publicly asks Mat to kiss her, Selucia is furious, to the point where she lets it show on her face. We don't know if her feelings change at all after the marriage ceremony is completed.

External links

*http://www.encyclopaedia-wot.org