Dramatis Personae
Aelys – Bellatrix. Formerly daughter of House Brionne. Now disowned.
Romik – Aelys’s warrior protector. Formerly a mercenary and arena slave known as “the Demon of the Arena” or “the Demon of Zandrine.”
Daen – Aelys’s forester protector. Formerly a member of the Imperial Foresters.
Vil – Aelys’s thief protector. Formerly known in some circles as “the Villain of Cievers.”
In Mageford
Sabetha – Wisewoman, midwife, and owner of a trading company. Aelys’s employer.
Gormren – Sabetha’s son-in-law and business partner.
Zavin – A groom working for Sabetha and Gormren.
Mistress Elva Barthon – A sick woman in a nearby village.
Kora – Mistress Barthon’s daughter.
Mistress Larrene – Mistress Barthon’s neighbor and friend.
Jenla – Mistress Larrene’s daughter and Kora’s best friend.
“Sir” Nuras – A fake noble.
Olf – A brigand for hire.
Gadren – A mysterious figure who’s put a bounty out for Aelys’s capture.
Brionne
Aerivinne – Bellatrix. Sanva of the Lyceum Belli. Aelys’s biological aunt.
Lysaera – Lady of Brionne. Aelys’s biological mother.
Corsin – Aerivinne’s Ageon.
Mindler – Brionne guards lieutenant.
Maudren – Brionne steward.
On the Road
Nerda – Wagonmaster running caravans from Mageford to Cievers for Sabetha.
Mell – Drover in Nerda’s train.
Orsanc – Nerda’s lead caravanner.
At The Lyceum
Myara – Bellatrix. Aelys’s former best friend and roommate. Currently away, training with the Battlemage Corps.
Halik – Myara’s Ageon. Aelys’s former lover. Currently away, training with the Battlemage Corps.
Besta – An undercook.
Sanva Erisa – Sanva of the Lyceum. Herbalism Instructor. Mother to Acten and Tyrus.
Sanvar Gilbain – Sanvar of the Lyceum. Combatives Instructor.
Aboard the Lady Seabird
Yonah – Captain of the merchant vessel Lady Seabird.
Acten – Bellator, Erisa’s son. Tyrus’s twin.
Tyrus – Acten’s Ageon. Sanva Erisa’s son. Acten’s twin.
Zandrine
Bryus Boracus – Romik’s former owner and stablemaster (deceased).
Caysilla Boracus – Bryus’s widow.
Daryus Boracus – Caysilla and Bryus’s son.
The Gray Arrow – Former arena archer turned chief of Zandrine’s thieves.
Lylo – The Gray Arrow’s lieutenant.
Sumner – Lieutenant of the Zandrine city guard.
Usuf – A city guardsman.
Moidre – Herbalist, owner of Moidre’s Remedies. Friend of Sanva Erisa.
Gia – Moidre’s former slave and companion. A midwife.
Vobri Hillorand – Friend of Daryus Boracus.
Kellus – Arena champion from Aresdii’s stable.
Salvanio Aresdii – Zandrine’s richest citizen. Member of the city council.
Arianela Aresdii – Salvanio’s daughter.
Friny – Recruiter for Aresdii’s stable.
Marom – One of Aresdii’s fighters.
Aurelie – Former “domascia” (housekeeper slave) at the Boracus estate.
Rullon – Former slave at the Boracus estate.
Tellenus – Former “medico” (medically trained slave) at the Boracus estate.
Cadian – Delegate from the Imperial Games Ministry. Friend of Acten and Tyrus.
Atus – Arena staff member and fighter escort.
Klergion – Former champion, Master of Fighters at the Zandrine Arena.