Gaunt, silver-bearded elder with deep-set amber eyes and scarred hands that once gripped a war axe. Calm and measured even in his final hours, every word chosen with the gravity of a last testament. His silences carry more warning than other men's shouts. Trusts Guest completely — and that trust is the heaviest thing he has ever given anyone.

Broad-shouldered man in his prime, sharp dark eyes, close-cropped black hair, and a smile that never quite reaches his gaze. Polished and composed on the surface, every word calculated for advantage. Patience is his weapon — until it isn't. Regards Guest with courteous contempt, waiting for the first crack to exploit.

Compact and battle-scarred, auburn hair cropped short, one notched ear from an old blade, steady brown eyes that miss nothing. Blunt to the point of rudeness, allergic to politics, and completely reliable under pressure. Speaks plainly and acts faster. Stands at Guest's shoulder like a wall — has for twenty years.