Meg – orphaned child from a village on the outskirts of Dun Crin’s marshes.

Pendathran – battlechief of King Brenin, injured during the fall of Dun Carreg. Held prisoner and tortured by Evnis. Escaped with the help of Cywen.

Rafe – young warrior belonging to Evnis’ hold. Childhood rival of Corban. Trained as a huntsman, and present during the escape of Edana from Domhain.

Vonn – warrior, son of Evnis. Escaped with Edana from the sack of Dun Carreg and remained with her during the fall and flight from Domhain.

CAMBREN

Braith – warrior and huntsman. One-time leader of the Darkwood outlaws, now huntsman of Queen Rhin.

Geraint – warrior, battlechief of Queen Rhin.

Morcant – warrior, once first-sword of Queen Rhin, defeated and replaced by Conall. Now one of Rhin’s battlechiefs, loaned to Evnis to assist in the suppression of resistance against Rhin in Ardan.

Rhin – once-Queen of Cambren, now Queen of the West, having conquered Narvon, Ardan and Domhain. Ally of Nathair. Servant of Asroth, Demon-Lord of the Fallen.

CARNUTAN

Belo – Baron of Tarba, a fortress in Carnutan. Uncle of Gundul. Hostile and suspicious of outside involvement in Carnutan.

Gundul – King of Carnutan and ally of Nathair’s. Son of Mandros, who was thought to have murdered King Aquilus of Tenebral and was in turn slain by Veradis.

DOMHAIN

Baird – one-eyed warrior of the Degad, Rath’s giantkillers. Now guide and protector of Edana.

Brogan – warrior of Domhain. Shieldman of Lorcan and Roisin, one of the survivors who fled with them and Edana.

Cian – warrior of Domhain, shieldman to Roisin and one of those who escaped the fall of Dun Taras and fled by ship with Edana.

Conall – warrior, bastard son of King Eremon. Brother of Halion and half-brother of Coralen. Sided with Evnis in the sack of Dun Carreg. Now the lord of Domhain, ruling in Queen Rhin’s name.

Coralen – warrior, companion of Rath. Bastard daughter of King Eremon, half-sister of Halion and Conall. Accompanied Corban north.

Halion – warrior, first-sword of Edana of Ardan. Bastard son of King Eremon, brother of Conall and half-brother of Coralen. Captured by Conall as he fought rearguard to enable Edana’s escape.

Lorcan – young fugitive King of Domhain, son of Eremon and Roisin. Escaped from Domhain by ship with Edana.

Roisin – Queen of Domhain, widowed wife of Eremon, mother of Lorcan. Fled by ship with Edana.

HELVETH

Lothar – once battlechief of Helveth, now its king. Murderer of previous king of Helveth, Braster. Ally to Nathair and Calidus.

ISILTIR

Dag – huntsman in the service of King Jael of Isiltir.

Fram – warrior of Isiltir. First-sword to King Jael.

Gramm – horse-trader and timber merchant, lord of a hold in the north of Isiltir. Father of Orgull and Wulf. Allied to Meical.

Haelan – fugitive child-King of Isiltir, fleeing Jael. In hiding at Gramm’s hold, in the far north of Isiltir.

Hild – woman of Gramm’s hold. Wife of Wulf, son of Gramm. Mother of Swain and Sif.