“Which means he’s my brother,” she added, but more for her own benefit, he knew, than for his. She reached out to cup his cheek in her left hand, the one bruised by what she called her “ancient tattoo.”

The Prince-Imperial fluttered his lids as though overpowered by warmth and weariness. “But he has more power …” he whispered, pretending to fall asleep. He would open his eyes later, when her breathing slipped into the long trough of dreams.

Unseen rulers never slumbered, not truly.

Character and Faction Glossary

House Anasûrimbor

Kellhus, the Aspect-Emperor.

Maithanet, Shriah of the Thousand Temples, half-brother to Kellhus.

Esmenet, Empress of the Three Seas.

Mimara, Esmenet’s estranged daughter from her days as a prostitute.

Moënghus, son of Kellhus and his first wife, Serwë, eldest of the Prince-Imperials.

Kayûtas, eldest son of Kellhus and Esmenet, General of the Kidruhil.

Theliopa, eldest daughter of Kellhus and Esmenet.

Serwa, second daughter of Kellhus and Esmenet, Grandmistress of the Swayal Sisterhood.

Inrilatas, second son of Kellhus and Esmenet, insane and imprisoned on the Andiamine Heights.

Kelmomas, third son of Kellhus and Esmenet, twin of Samarmas.

Samarmas, fourth son of Kellhus and Esmenet, the idiot twin of Kelmomas.

The Cult of Yatwer

The traditional Cult of the slave and menial castes, taking as its primary scriptures The Chronicle of the Tusk, the Higarata, and the Sinyatwa. Yatwer is the Goddess of the earth and fertility.

Psatma Nannaferi, Mother-Supreme of the Cult, a position long outlawed by the Thousand Temples.

Hanamem Sharacinth, Matriarch of the Cult.

Sharhild, High-Priestess of the Cult.

Vethenestra, Chalfantic Oracle.

Eleva, High-Priestess of the Cult.

Maharta, High-Priestess of the Cult.

Phoracia, High-Priestess of the Cult.

Aethiola, High-Priestess of the Cult.

The Imperial Precincts

Biaxi Sankas, Patridomos of House Biaxi and an important member of the New Congregate.

Imhailas, Exalt-Captain of the Eöthic Guard.

Ngarau, eunuch Grand Seneschal from the days of the Ikurei Dynasty.

Phinersa, Holy Master of Spies.

Porsi, caste-slave nursemaid to Kelmomas and Samarmas.

Thopsis, eunuch Master of Imperial Protocol.

Vem-Mithriti, Grandmaster of the Imperial Saik and Vizier-in-Proxy.

Werjau, Prime-Nascenti and Judge-Absolute of the Ministrate.

The Great Ordeal

Varalt Sorweel, only son of Harweel.

Varalt Harweel, King of Sakarpus.

Captain Harnilias, commanding officer of the Scions.

Zsoronga ut Nganka’kull, Successor-Prince of Zeüm and hostage of the Aspect-Emperor.

Obetegwa, Senior Obligate of Zsoronga.

Porsparian, Shigeki slave given to Sorweel.

Thanteus Eskeles, Mandate Schoolman and tutor to Varalt Sorweel.

Nersei Proyas, King of Conriya and Exalt-General of the Great Ordeal.

Coithus Saubon, King of Caraskand and Exalt-General of the Great Ordeal.

The Scalpoi

Drusus Achamian, former Mandate Schoolman, lover of the Empress, teacher of the Aspect-Emperor, now the only Wizard in the Three Seas.

Idrusus Geraus, Achamian’s Galeoth slave.

Lord Kosoter, Captain of the Skin Eaters, Ainoni caste-noble, Veteran of the First Holy War.

Incariol, mysterious Nonman Erratic.

Sarl, Sergeant of the Skin Eaters, longtime companion of Lord Kosoter.

Kiampas, Sergeant of the Skin Eaters, former Nansur officer.