DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Lahmia—The City of the Dawn, strange and decadent

Lamashizzar: Priest King of Lahmia

Neferata: Queen of Lahmia

Khalida: a young noblewoman and ward of the royal household

Ubaid: Lamashizzar’s grand vizier

Tephret: most favoured handmaiden of the queen

Aaliyah: handmaiden of the queen

Abhorash: the king’s champion

Ankhat: a wealthy and powerful noble

Ushoran: a wealthy and powerful noble

Zurhas: a dissolute young noble and cousin to the king

Adio: a dissolute minor noble

Khenti: a dissolute minor noble

W’soran: a scholar, formerly of Mahrak

Prince Xian Ha Feng: emissary of the Eastern Empire

Rasetra—Former Khemri colony, now an independent city

Shepret: King of Rasetra

Lybaras—City of Scholars

Khepra: Priest King of Lybaras

Anhur: Prince of Lybaras

Quatar—The White Palace; Guardian of the Valley of Kings

Naeem: Priest King of Quatar

Numas—Breadbasket of the Kingdom

Amunet: Queen of Numas

Zandri—The City of the Waves

Teremun: Priest King of Zandri