Jael – self-proclaimed King of Isiltir. Allied to Nathair of Tenebral.

Kalf – man of Gramm’s hold. Overseer of Gramm’s river trade and boatwright.

Maquin – warrior of Isiltir and the elite Gadrai. Taken captive during the fall of Dun Kellen by Lykos of the Vin Thalun. Enslaved and thrown into the fighting-pits, where he fought his way almost to freedom. Escaped Lykos during rioting at Jerolin, capital of Tenebral, on Lykos’ wedding day. Now a fugitive on the run with Fidele of Tenebral, once-regent of Tenebral and recently wedded to Lykos.

Sif – child of Gramm’s hold. Daughter of Wulf and Hild, sister of Swain.

Swain – child of Gramm’s hold. Son of Wulf and Hild, brother of Sif.

Tahir – warrior of Isiltir and the elite Gadrai. Protector to Haelan, child-King of Isiltir.

Trigg – orphaned child raised at Gramm’s hold. She is a half-breed, part giant.

Ulfilas – warrior, shieldman of Jael. Captain of Jael’s honour guard.

Wulf – warrior, son of Gramm and brother of Orgull. Wed to Hild. Father of Sif and Swain.

Yalric – warrior of Gramm’s Hold.

NARVON

Camlin – outlaw of the Darkwood. Now companion to Edana. Fled with her from Domhain, fought in the rearguard to protect Edana as she boarded a ship and fought Braith before escaping on the ship.

Drust – warrior, shieldman of Owain. Escaped the defeat of Owain and his warband, aided by Cywen.

Gorsedd – villager who joins Corban’s warband.

Owain – King of Narvon. Conqueror of Ardan, with the aid of Nathair, King of Tenebral. Executed after his warband was defeated on Queen Rhin’s order.

Teca – woman from a northern village of Narvon, joins Corban’s warband as she flees Nathair and the Kadoshim.

Uthan – Prince of Narvon, Owain’s son. Murdered by Evnis on Rhin’s orders.

TARBESH

Akar – captain of the Jehar holy warrior order travelling with Veradis.

Enkara – warrior of the Jehar holy order. One of the Hundred travelling with Tukul.

Hamil – captain of the ten Jehar left by Tukul to guard Drassil and Skald’s spear.

Javed – slave and pit-fighter of the Vin Thalun.

Kulla – warrior of the Jehar, part of Akar’s company that joins Corban.

Sumur – lord of the Jehar holy warrior order.

Tukul – warrior of the Jehar holy order, leader of the Hundred.

TENEBRAL

Alben – swordsmaster and healer of Ripa.

Atilius – warrior of Tenebral. Fought with Peritus against the Vin Thalun during the uprising. Captured, enslaved and put to work on a Vin Thalun oar-bench.

Caesus – warrior of the eagle-guard, captain of the shield wall.

Ektor – son of Lamar of Ripa and brother of Krelis and Veradis. A scholar where his brothers are warriors.

Fidele – widow of Aquilus, mother of Nathair. For a time Queen Regent of Tenebral. Lykos uses dark magic to bewitch and control Fidele, eventually marrying her. Riots break out in their wedding celebrations, during which the spell controlling her is broken. She stabs Lykos and with Maquin’s help flees in the confusion.