THE THIEF: The most powerful advisor to the King of Sounis is the magus. He’s not a wizard, he’s a scholar, an ageing solider, not a thief. When he needs something stolen, he pulls a young thief from the King's prison to do the job for him.The magus has plans for his King and his country. Gen has plans of his own.

THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA: War breaks out among three Balkanesque countries, engendering a series of crafty maneuvers and terrifying, high-stakes gambles.

THE KING OF ATTOLIA: Eugenides, no stranger to desperate circumstances, has gotten himself into difficulties he can’t get out of. Used to being treated with a certain measure of wariness, if not respect, he suffers the pranks, insults, and intrigue of the Attolian court with dwindling patience.