King Gerard Montaigne

Montaigne is Jarat's predecessor and the man whose death clears the way for Jarat's coronation; Marina refers to Montaigne as a pretender in relation to her son.

Montaigne expects Marina to appear beside him at court despite her poor health and speaks to her abusively. She nevertheless fulfills her public role as queen.

Destin serves the king in the clandestine service and reports directly to him. Gerard assigns him sensitive missions, including finding Jenna Bandelow, while Destin fears the consequences of failing the king.

Celestine offers Montaigne gifts and a proposed exchange for Jenna, along with the prospect of an army. Montaigne is wary but considers the deal increasingly useful.

Lila negotiates with the king to procure magical collars and other flashcraft. The arrangement is coercive and dangerous, as the king’s regime expects her to deliver a large supply.

Fosnaught, head of the Church of Malthus, advises Montaigne and urges him to have Adrian examined as a possible sorcerer; the king rejects his recommendation.

Botetort serves as a political adviser in the negotiations and urges Montaigne to accept the dragon, imagining it could help destroy the Fells.

General Karn serves Montaigne’s war effort, but the king blames him for the kingdom’s failures and rebukes him in council.

Botetort is a reliable ally of the king and supports hearing Celestine’s emissary, arguing that the kingdom has much to gain.

Adam is secretly plotting to kill Montaigne, whom he holds responsible for waging war on the Fells after his mother refused to marry him.

Adrian regards Montaigne as the ruler responsible for killing members of the Gray Wolf line and considers assassinating him, while Montaigne has marked that line for destruction.

Evan despises Montaigne and doubts the rumor that the king killed himself, though he welcomes his death and raises a toast to it.

Jenna attacks Gerard after he murders Maggi and threatens the miners. Gerard nearly strangles her, then orders the violence that leaves Riley dead; Jenna resolves to fight against his rule.

Han is the High Wizard and a strategist opposing Gerard in the long war. He suspects the king targeted Hana and regrets not killing him when he had the chance.

Gerard’s forces capture and kill Hana, the Gray Wolf heir; his general Marin Karn carries her severed head to him, and Gerard has it displayed before it is returned to Raisa.

Gerard’s longstanding grudge against Raisa began when she publicly rejected his demand that she surrender her queendom in marriage. He wages war against her kingdom and targets her family.

Riley falsely claims responsibility for throwing dung at Gerard to protect Jenna and the real culprit. Gerard brutally stabs him, and an arrow finishes him.

Matelon challenges Montaigne’s conduct of the war and refuses to submit to detention. Montaigne has secretly sequestered the families of council members, including Matelon’s wife.