in their armor. Pavel, Artesia's cavalry commander. She frequently trusts him with independent missions. When he arrived to join her rebellion, she caressed his cheek, as he is one of her lovers. When Beric, Lord Hus, brags to others about sleeping with Artesia, Pavel is offended and intends to discuss the matter with him. Yerwin - The Chief of Scouts, Yerwin wears no steel armor, only a brown leather jerkin and has a grey goatee. Artesia refers to him as Hawkeye. Hymachus - A blacksmith and armorer, his skill is highly regarded by everyone. He adapts Bran's Wyrm Scale armor into a suit of armor for Artesia, infusing it with his own arsenal magic. Bela and Borna - Twin brothers who are also master trackers. They each captured one of the towers of the Citadel of Dara Dess when it was stormed. Moromir - A steady old soldier, Moromir has a sense of gallows humor. Artesia teases him about his drinking, but it is unclear whether he is a drinker or a teetotaler. He is completely bald. Uros - A member of King Bran's guard, he, along with all the others, switched sides and became Artesia's bodyguard. He is bound by oath and magic to protect her but is not trusted by Sava. Sava accuses him of being a rapist and murderer for participating in the murders of King Bran's concubines, a charge he does not deny. Sava has promised to kill him should he outlive Artesia. He is considered the most dangerous swordsman in the Daradjan Highlands. Sav, who acts as Artesia's chamberlain in spite of the fact that she is an excellent swordsman. She commanded the camp and lost her left arm at the battle of Collwyn. She hates Uros and has sworn to kill him for his complicity in the murder of King Bran's concubines. She is also training the girl Erce to be a page for Artesia. Daemander. He is the captain of a unit of Palatian mercenaries hired by Artesia. He is assisted by three other officers, Samaia, Irgrath (both females), and Tyrius. The Palatian mercenaries are very skilled fighters, but their true motives are unknown. Dahlia – Dahlia is described as a camp follower and a courtesan. In actuality, she is Artesia's spy in the camp of the Palatian mercenaries. Unbeknown to them, she speaks the Palatian language and beds their officers to ascertain