MAJOR CHARACTERS
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Vor Torleiksdottir:
Protagonist. Second daughter of Torleik Sorensson and Eilidh MacAoidh (Book II). All Vor has ever wanted was to be chosen by the Goddess of the Moon, to serve as her ancestors did, and carry forward ancient Druid knowledge. An ancient prophecy has come to her attention, one that will help women do more for their families and themselves by learning to read. Vor wants to be a part of that, but how far must she go in order to do so? -
Aila Torleiksdottir:
Ally. Vor’s elder sister, and she’s about to be married to the Frenchman, Armand LaVelle. A modern medieval woman, Aila refuses to accept a Goddess charge, and wants to focus on her marriage to Armand … and a new life living in a French chateau. -
Gabriel de Maci:
Antagonist/Villain. Catholic priest, originally from the Flemish port of Calais. He secretly became the King of France’s Executioner, and Vivi’s Guardian after her parents died when she was five. He has an obsession with Torleik’s horse breeding business, and has made ruining Torleik and his family any way he can a priority. -
Vivienne (Vivi) Le Clerc:
Antagonist. Raised by a sociopath (Gabriel), she has gotten away with irreverent, irascible behavior. Her one saving grace: she’s an excellent horsewoman. She, along with Vor, is invited to participate in the King’s Race in France, and she plans to come home with that generous purse of prize money. But then, she realizes someone is trying to poison her, and she begins to have her doubts about Gabriel. -
Luc Frontier:
Ally and love interest for Vor. He was hired by Gabriel to serve as trainer/exerciser for Ivor, the cream-colored thoroughbred selected to run against Vor on Fillian. But between Vivi’s poisoning and Gabriel’s odd behavior, he finds himself wanting to spend more time with Vor’s family.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS
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Torleik Sorrenson:
Father to Vor and Aila, as well as Atli, Erik, Fionne, and Graham. He’s worried someone overheard Aila and Vor talking about his financial problems, and is out to cause him major grief. -
Eilidh MacAoidh:
Torleik’s wife and mother to six children. She learned how to be a healer and midwife from Marsaili while she was still alive. She knows some magic, and wields a sword with her brothers’ attention to details. -
Armand LaVelle:
Aila’s fiancé in an arranged marriage. He’s handsome and French, and Aila doesn’t trust him. He’ll have to do something besides flash that dimple in his chin to prove himself in her eyes.
MINOR CHARACTERS:
Atli Torleiksson:
Torleik’s son with his late first wife, Ulla. Half-brother to Vor and siblings. He emigrated with his father when he was two, from Norway to Orkney to find warmer land to till, and a place to build his horse breeding business from the ground up. Now 22, Atli is a major part of that business.
Gemma:
Only biological child of Astrid and Hallkel, Torleik’s best friend and rune carver. Since her father died from a fever, Gemma doesn’t like not knowing everything that’s happening at Torleik’s Farm.
Dalla:
Eldest daughter of Gregor and Ashilde. Also, Vor’s best friend and twin to Cameron.
Graham:
Vor’s youngest (8) and favorite brother. He finds the first aventurine stone, and knows it has special powers.
Izora:
A former slave, she was taken from a wealthy family in northern Africa and placed in harams on the Mediterranean Sea. After working for Armand’s mother, Genevieve, for six years, Genevieve gave her her freedom papers. Izora now helps with an underground faction of slaves trying to return home.
Sister Marie Claudette:
A Carmelite nun who hitches a ride in a wagon with Vor and co. to her new assignment, the Basilica at St. Denis. She becomes a long-time friend of the family.
Trinette (Trini):
Young multi-racial girl (13) who is being groomed to take Vivi’s place on the riding circuit.
Marcel Durand:
The Debt Collector for the King of France.
Xavier LaVelle:
Armand’s father, and part-owner of the cream horse, Ivor.