Avery's Links
As a child, Avery envied Curtis. He was always far more capable and charismatic, and so Avery acted apathetic towards him. Though deep down, Avery wishes nothing more than to live in harmony with his brother, he feels a strong sense of betrayal and abandonment. If the two are to reconcile, Curtis must make it clear why they could not rule together. Avery is resolved to face the truth, even if it is not what he wants to hear.
Curtis loves his brother, though he is riddled with envy. Curtis has successfully deluded himself everything he does is for Avery while acting completely selfishly. Avery is often an afterthought in his ambitions. There is something separating the brothers, and it is deeper than distance.
Avery initially warms up to Rhine quickly, though as Avery sees Rhine's influence on his brother, Avery starts to detest him. Avery blames Rhine for the way Curtis is behaving.
At first, as is popular narrative, Rhine thinks Avery is a pathetic pushover. Though, as the two become more familiar, Rhine recognizes Avery as one of the strongest characters in the story. He has profound respect for the young boy, and sees himself in him at times.
At first, Elliot is a considerate brute. An odd juxtaposition, he is relentless and sadistic, though sometimes purely selfless. Although originally diametrically opposed in philosophy and personality, Avery grows to understand and care for Elliot. Elliot introduces Avery to a whole new perspective, something he was desperately lacking. It was an unlikely union, but providence had brought them together, and Avery was a believer. Though, the very nature of their relationship was finite, and so it was destined to end in a melancholic departure. In their time together, Avery is motivated by an inexplicable obligation to protect Elliot by further endangering himself. His explanation is such: "Elliot is a wanted criminal, I am a fugitive king. So long as I am with him, I can spare him from the terrible fate that awaits. Even now, in the event of capture, my judicial authority remains, so long as I am captured by one who still believes in law." Avery tries to justify this strange self sacrificial relationship, but the reality is much more simple. Avery was tired of ruling, Elliot offered him a temporary escape. In doing so, Elliot became his greatest friend.
Elliot kidnapped Avery in a selfish coup to attain purpose and meaning in his life from the one man with the most. Avery is a proxy for Elliot's internal strife. Looking for answers, he takes the opportunity to interview the king personally. A bit of a brawn, he asks the hard hitting questions, such as: "Avery, do you think girls like small wrists? I don't know man, I don't think they would." In doing so, Elliot successfully humanizes the 'divinely ordained king'. But not to himself, he already knew Avery was no more than a boy. Sometimes it just takes someone who is much more stupider than you to show you you are also really stupid in ways you didn't even realize which makes you not even self aware which is like step one of smart so maybe you're the stupid one, huh?
Avery was very close to his mother growing up. Luckily for him, she didn't enjoy the typical palace activities and skipped them whenever possible. He spent a lot of time with her when he was very young, but lost her too soon.
Adeline is especially fond of Avery. Like in Curits, she recognizes early on that her children are unique, and that they will require special care throughout their youth. She sees a young version of herself in Avery. He is very similar to her, the two get along well.
Avery does not know of Pottok's existence. They have never, nor will they ever meet. Pottok is a farmer and Avery is a king.
Pottok believes that Avery is the true king. His rational is based on none of the arguments heard in the courts, nor those professed by the press. Pottok is not even aware of the politics of the matter. Pottok believes simply because Avery has the support of his local bishop, and he is hated by the bishops of the city.