Benjamin "Ben" Graves

Alden refuses to train him — tied up in Ashfall, Bran's death, and Malachar. Leaves at 18 to find another teacher; estranged until Alden's illness draws him home. Name arc: Benjamin (formal) to Ben (self-chosen) to Benny (Alden's name for him, family and love) — resolved when Benjamin stops correcting "Benny."

Grows up wanting to be a swordsman like "the hero Alden Graves" — not knowing his own father is that hero. Idolizes the legend of the Defenders without ever having known his father as a person.