Character Analysis
With Sabriel's dad missing in action for most of the book, Colonel Horyse steps up as a fatherly figure when Sabriel visits the Wall. He's a well-respected commanding officer who interrogates Sabriel when she first arrives, and later leads a troop of soldiers to accompany Sabriel on her quest to find and destroy Kerrigor's body.
Horyse proves to be kind and sympathetic, commenting that he has a daughter Sabriel's age (3.26). Because of this, he's reluctant to let Sabriel cross the Wall at first, but Sabriel proves herself to be mature beyond her years.
A powerful Charter Mage in his own right, Horyse unhesitatingly chooses to lead the troops to destroy Kerrigor's body when Sabriel and Touchstone return to the Wall. It's hinted that Horyse has Sight—the ability to see into the future—and foresees his own death when he leaves the Wall with Sabriel (26.8). Sure enough, he dies in the final battle with Kerrigor at Wyverley College.