Important Characters

The following are characters who are mentioned several times throughout the story, and whose unique personality traits help guide the narrative. Full, formal names are given, although in informal situations, they will not take these names.

Andrew Masdilt, Count of Iszmon--The narrator of the story, Andrew is the fourth of five children, is a count, and spends most of the first half of his life at his elder brother's court, at Appero Palace. He is slightly insecure, perhaps overly-concerned with the opinions of others, and frequently feels outsmarted by those around him. Andrew is married to Nathia Fournet and has one child, a boy named Matthew, born in 1492.

Ariane Masdilt of Allonia--The youngest of the Masdilt children, and the story's protagonist, Ariane is free-spirited and strong-willed. Ariane spends the her younger years at the Appero, but has a bit of a wander lust. During the story, she marries Ferand Bournin, and has two children: Ferand-Matthieu, born 1490, and Arienne, born 1493.

Davidt Masdilt, Grand Duke of Allonia--Davidt is the second and eldest son of the Masdilts. He is the head of the family by virtue of his title, Grand Duke of Allonia. In his early adulthood, Allonia is an independent state, but during the course of the novel, Allonia submits to Acrola, and Davidt becomes a vassal of the new Emperor Rafael. Davidt is brave, wise and stoic, and Andrew frequently seeks out Davidt for advice. He is married to Kate de Platir, and they have two sons: Davidt (who is Count of Enelt during the early part of the story, and later becomes Grand Duke of Allonia after his father's death), and John, Count of Brimia.

Alix Masdilt of Allonia--Alix is the eldest of the Masdilts, and serves as the matriarch of the family following their mother's death. Alix is protective of her siblings, but also quite gentle. She is universally admired, as she and her husband are cultural heroes. She is married to Roebart Perfidt, the Count of Tillenrow. She has been pregnant 12 times, but only six of those children lived past the age of 10: Katharine and two others who do not play active roles in the story, Roebard (Lord Green, later Count Green, and lastly Count of Tillenrow after his father's death), Andrew and Jane.

Kate Masdilt of Allonia--The middle child, Kate is quite and often keeps to herself, but is also known for her quirks. She is among the most even-tempered of the Masdilts, and might even be the most clever, but is often in her own head and has very little time for the thoughts of those around her. She is married to Adam Tarshaber and has two sons, who do not figure prominently in the story.

Ferand Bournin--Ariane's husband, Ferand grew up in the Auveyr which, while part of Allonia, is distant and obscure. When Ariane first brings Ferand to the Appero, the others marvel at how different he is. Ferand continues to weather this awe everywhere he goes, but handles it with charm and goofy humor. Ferand briefly takes the role of Grand Chamberlain of Acrola, but is relieved of it quickly when he proves to be ineffective. Ferand remains firmly at his wife's side, and is seen supporting her and her family unconditionally.

Nathia Fournet--Andrew's wife, Nathia comes from a modest background, but is extremely ambitious, not satisfied with being a middling countess. She is extremely conservative, often horrified by Ariane's and Ferand's antics, and later aligns herself with interests that are against those of the Masdilt family. Nathia is emotionally unstable, perhaps as a result of losing several children in their infancy.

Roebard Perfidt, Count of Tillenrow--Alix's husband, known universally just as Tillenrow, is an international hero, having faced great adversity in his youth. He was orphaned as an infant, then imprisoned for political reasons, before being freed and left in a constantly-changing exile. Eventually, he settled down at the Appero when court was still being held by the Masdilts' parents, and he in fact met his future wife Alix within hours of her birth. Tillenrow spent much of his formative years at the Appero and thus is extremely close to his wife's family. Eventually, his former foes (those who imprisoned and exiled him) are vanquished, and Tillenrow becomes redeemed, seen as an unassailable figure. Despite some unsavory characteristics, Tillenrow is by the time of the story wise, good-humored and generous, and the Masdilts think extremely highly of him.

Meline Witteroud of Aslylya--the sister of one lord and the wife of another, Meline first comes into contact with the Masdilts at the Emperor's court in Acrola. She is extremely ambitious and conservative, like Nathia, and becomes something of a mentor to the woman. She enjoys gossiping for sport, and because it seems to benefit her faction at court, the Lords' Detractor. Early on, Meline is seen as the primary antagonist.

Rafael, Emperor of Acrola--Rafael appears in very few scenes, but his existence makes him vital to the story. He is born as the son of a count, is later recruited to become King of Acrola (which he is able to do in large part because of Masdilt support), then takes on the title of Emperor, through which he becomes overlord of the Masdilts. He passes the Clives Act, by which all nobles must attend his winter court. The Emperor's actions and inaction often determines how certain characters will treat others, especially the Masdilts.

Roebard Perfidt, Count Green--variously Lord Green, Count Green and lastly Count of Tillenrow (although often just called Green), he is the eldest surviving son of the older Tillenrow, and Andrew's favorite nephew. Soft-spoken and quite, Green is the frequent companion of his cousin, the later Grand Duke of Allonia, and often serves to temper that young man's hotheadedness. Green is also known at the imperial court for being amongst the most attractive men, and is known at the Appero for being homosexual, despite him being married to a woman.

Davidt Masdilt, Grand Duke of Allonia--the elder son and namesake of the older Grand Duke, Davidt is first Count of Enelt, but takes on the greater title after his father's death. He is a young man and is known for his bold, rash behavior. He is aggressive and often must be calmed by those around him. However, despite his spontaneity, he is beloved by his relatives, who seek to protect him from rushing into dangerous situations headlong.