duel with him which results in the death of Kai's uncle. Kai, now the only surviving male in his family, takes his place as the Wakil of Dar Kush, while Aidan and his family leave to start a new life as freedmen and freedwomen. Characters Aidan O’Dere - Aidan is an Irish slave in New Djibouti. He grew up in the O’Dere crannog in Eire, was captured by Viking raiders when he was a boy, and was sold into slavery. Within his first year as a slave at the estate of Abu Ali, he befriends Kai and becomes his footboy. Nessa O’Dere – Nessa is Aidan's twin sister, separated from Aidan and their mother upon reaching the slave auction block in Bilalistan. Deirdre O’Dere – Deirdre is Aidan and Nessa's mother. Unlike her husband who is a Druid, Deirdre is a Christian. She suffers a miscarriage during the middle passage but convinces the slave auctioneers to keep Aidan with her by demonstrating her ability to write. Mahon O’Dere – Mahon is Aidan and Nessa's father, a fisherman, and the Chieftain of the O’Dere crannog. He is killed by Viking raiders when they come to capture slaves. Abu Ali Jallaleddin ibn Rashid al Kushi – Abu Ali is a Wakil in New Djibouti, immensely wealthy, and second only to the governor in power. Abu Ali is of Ethiopian descent, from the Aderi tribe of Harar. He owns a massive plantation, Dar Kush, as well as over 200 slaves. Ali ibn Jallaleddin ibn Rashid – Ali is the eldest son of Abu Ali, expected to inherit his father's plantation and senate seat, and is trained as a warrior. He is betrothed to Lamiya Mesgana, the niece of the Empress, in a political marriage. Kai ibn Jallaleddin ibn Rashid – Kai is the second son of Abu Ali, and more interested in books than in battle. He is the same age as Aidan and befriends him after Aidan takes the blame for a prank Kai devises, making him his footboy. Elenya bint Jallaleddin ibn Rashid – Elenya is the youngest of Abu Ali's three children, and a satranj prodigy from a young age (a game similar to chess). Malik ibn Rashid al Kushi – Malik is Abu Ali's younger brother, and a powerful warrior who earned himself the nickname of "Al Nasab" (The Lion). Shaka kaSenzangakhona (Shaka Zulu) – Shaka is the chief