Lescari Revolution 03: Banners In The Wind (55 page)

Ducal mercenary companies turned renegade:

The Bonebreakers

The Swallowtails

Reskin's Prowlers

The Boot Snakes

The Triple Knot

OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

INDEPENDENT MERCENARIES

The Pine Martens: Based in the Carifate and commanded by Ekarre Amber-Eyes and his formidable female lieutenant Verista

The Shady Moths: Based in the Carifate.

The Knotted Staves: Based in the Carifate

The Firebrands: Based in Relshaz and commanded by Captain Shanish.

TOREMAL

Tadriol the Provident: Emperor of Tormalin, Third of that Name.

Yadres, Esquire Den Dalderin: Equerry to Tadriol, representing his uncle, the Prince of that House.

Eofin, Sieur Den Daldern: The emperor's trusted advisor and intelligencer.

The Sieur Den Breche: An influential prince and ally of Ferdain of Marlier.

The Sieur D'Orsetis: An influential prince and ally of Iruvain of Triolle.

THE WIZARD CITY OF HADRUMAL

Planir the Black: Archmage.

Jilseth Disimonea: Magewoman and enquiry agent.

RELSHAZ

Mellitha Esterlin: Magewoman and tax-collector.

Egil the Toad: Information broker.

Downy Scardin: Introductions agent, now inconveniently dead.

CALADHRIA

Baron Dacren: An elderly nobleman with interests along the river Rel, highly respected in the Caladhrian Parliament.

Master Cardel: A senior guildsman of Abray.

SOLURA

King Solquen IV

Juliet E McKenna
has been interested in fantasy stories since childhood, from
Winnie the Pooh
to
The Iliad
. An abiding fascination with other worlds and their peoples played its part in her subsequently reading Classics at St. Hilda's College, Oxford. After combining bookselling and motherhood for a couple of years, she now fits in her writing around her family and vice versa. She lives with her husband and children in West Oxfordshire, England.

Acknowledgements

This is my twelfth novel and Lisa has been involved in all of them; first introducing me to the mysteries of book production as The Thief's Gamble moved from draft to print. Ever since, she's kept a keen eye on my work, to catch those slips and idiocies that every writer is prey to. I have learned an incalculable amount as her input has invariably improved my writing.

So, Lisa, my heartfelt thanks for your generous friendship and professionalism, including but not limited to your saving one hero from grabbing a sword and heading out to battle without first putting on any clothes...

Closer to home, the regular support network continues to do sterling service. Steve, all my love and thanks. I could not do this without you, for so many reasons.

Mike and Sue, Rachel, Gill; having you all to share the myriad ups and downs of work and family life lightens the load beyond measure. Thanks once again.

Sam, thanks for everything thus far and here's looking onwards and upwards. Jon and the team at Osney Mead; I look forward with keen interest to working together on new projects.

Among so many writerly friends and allies, my thanks to Chaz, Sarah, Jess, Deb, Kari, Ian, Stan and Anne, Mark, Kate, Catie, Charlie, Paul, Guy, and Sarah P.

Last but in no sense least, my sincere thanks to all of you who read these books and enjoy them and take the time to let me know. Never doubt how much that inspires me.

More than that, you share your enthusiasm; on the Net through 'zines and fansites, by telling your friends, family, and even chance acquaintances on trains and buses and those hotel receptionists you notice with a book to hand. (I shan't name names, to protect the guilty and the innocent, but you know who you are...)

In these days of so much uncertainty and change in the book trade, word-of-mouth recommendation remains the writer's truest friend. Fans like you are invaluable.