Alaida :- Thuro's mother, daughter of Culain and Shaleat, murdered by Gorien.
Aurelius :- King of the Britains, father of Thuro, murdered by Eldared, King of the Brigantes during an alleged Stag Hunt. Threw his sword, the sword of Cunobellin (culains sword made from Silver Sipstrassi out across the lake where a ghostly hand draws it down into another world before he dies. Was allied to Eldared (who betrayed his brother) 20 years previously in order to gain the high king crown.
Cael :- One of Eldared's two sons. Delivered the death blow to Aurelius from behind. Is slain by Hengist on the news of his sons death along with his retainers. They were all blood-eagled.
Culain Lach Feragh :- Culain the Immortal, Ares, Lancelot, Cunobellin (king of the Trinovantes) the original Brittanorum Rex (the King of all Britain), Aneas (the man who killed Achilles.) Lance Lord, Lancelot. Due to his immortality and magic source Culain has held many identities throughout his long life, now chosing to age as a normal mortal and accept each grey hair as a gift. He was the father of Alaida, Thuro's mother and when he accidently rescues Thuro he teaches him to fight with a sword as well as make his body stronger through exercises. He also has loved Gorien for over 1000 years.
Eldared :- The Lord of Deicester and Brigante King who betrayed Cascioc (his brother) and allied with Aurelius in order to gain more power over 20 years previously. Now having killed Aurelius he seeks to make himself king of all britain with an alliance with Hengist. Is captured and put to death in the epilogue.
Gian Avur :- Fawn of the Forest (the name Culain gave her), Laitha. She is Culains ward and rescuer of Thuro when he became lost during the stag hunt. A woman skilled with a bow and also the one who returns Cunobellins sword to Thuro. It is her hand that is seen drawing the sword beneath the lake. A mystery of Pendarric's.
Gilgamesh :- The Lord of Battle whos only ambition is to slay Culain in order to be the best swordsman in the world. Also is Culains and Goroien's son (as well as Goroien's lover) who she raises from the dead.
Goroien :- The witch queen and magical mist power who aids Eldared against Aurelius Maximus for her own means. She wants Thuro dead as she murdered his mother and her mother before her. For Thuro is Culains Grandson. Yet Goroein is of the mist as is Culain and so is immortal as well. However due to her need to keep Gilgamesh alive she is re-enacting Pendarrics error of the Bloodstone and becoming a queen of bloodshed and is also infected with Gilgamesh's illness. Now requiring blood sacrifice it is up to Culain to stop her before Pendarric destroys her world. Also know as Athena and Freya. Her name means Light into Life.
Gwalchmai :- The Kings Hound, retainer and Cantii tribesman. It is Gwalchmai who tells Victorinus about the mist magic and atrolls.
Hengist :- Saxon king, father to Horsa, the warlord (Horsa is slain by Thuro in personal combat at the end of the battle.
Korrin Roguer :- Woodsman and leader of the Pinrae resistance against Goroien. His brother Pallin is changed by Goroien's magic shaping him into a man beast who kills many of her Vores when they enter the forest to kill the resistance. It is he who orders the Legio IX to slay Goroiens army against Thuro's wishes. He is then slain by Thuro for his treachery.
Maedhlyn :- Lord Enchanter to Aurelius, tutor to Thuro. Also of the mist. Known as Talisan, Loki, Zeus and Aristotle. Some of his achievements include the building of Troy, the Rise of Alexander (see Lion of Macedon and Dark Prince). Some of his mistakes include tutoring Caligula.
Moret :- Son of Eldared and married to Hengist's daughter. It is he who tells Culain about how they contact Goroien and then seeks to protect his wife believing that Culain is an assassin. Culain allows him to live and he becomes the Brigante overlord.
Pendarric :- Former King of Atlantis, he seeks to keep himself to himself although he does show himself from time to time to certain mortals (Shannow, Thuro, Parmenion, Laitha, Galahad)
Prasamaccus :- Brigante tribesman and hunter, aids Gwalchmai and Victorinus against the Atrolls and then aids Thuro when Maedlyn sends him through the gates to guide him home.
Severinus Albinus :- Leader and legate of the legio IX (the ninth legion) who culain sent into the mist during his battles alongside Bodicca. Thuro rescues them from the mist and returns them to Britain.
Thuro :- Initially the weakling son of the High king Aurelius Maximus and Culain's daughter, Alaida. When his father is slain by treachery he is taken in by Culain and taught the physical skills that he would need to find his fathers sword. He later takes the name Uther Pendragon and is crowned High King after a battle against Eldared and his allies.
Victorinus :- The Kings roman retainer and first centurion. Fought a retreat back to home along with Gwalchmai to report the kings death. It is also he who manages along with Prasamaccus who relieves a great amount of tension on the remains of Aurelius' army by placating them with an offer of coin for the men who remain.
My Views
The world in which perhaps Arthur should have been. This novel has not only been cleverly thought out plot wise but also cleverly blended together with the use of military history, authors artistic license and a little magic.
Centering around a young Uther we get to see him build from frail frightened Princeling through to tough, warlord warrior king, leading his legions across time and worlds in the pursuit of home. Which perhaps is one of the best things about Gemmells work, his exploritory insight into the characters showing thier strengths but perhaps more importantly thier weaknesses and how they over come them.
Others Views
