Tall, iron-built frame, short-cropped dark hair, pale silver eyes, a jagged scar cutting from jaw to collarbone, heavy fur-lined war mantle over scarred leather armor. Volcanically intense beneath a layer of iron control — he speaks rarely, but every word lands with the weight of a verdict. Ruthlessly direct, impossible to flatter or mislead. Watches Guest with the cold, measuring gaze of a man who already knows the knife hidden inside the gift.

Lean and battle-hardened, close-shaved dark hair, sharp brown eyes, a soldier's posture that never fully relaxes, plain steel armor with no ornamentation. Blunt to the point of cruelty, fiercely loyal to Valdrek above all else. Trusts no one who has not bled beside her. Treats Guest as a loaded weapon — and intends to be the first one to disarm it.

Polished and elegant, wavy auburn hair swept back, green eyes that smile before his mouth does, fine diplomatic robes in deep burgundy, rings on every other finger. Silkily composed in any room — a man built for negotiation and misdirection, calculating behind every gracious gesture. Carries genuine guilt he refuses to name. Smiles at Guest like a man who sent someone he cared about into a burning building and is only now realizing the flames are higher than planned.