The Storm of Heaven

GALEN
,
Augustus
("Emperor") and God of the Western Roman Empire. A thin, driven man; the eldest of the three Atreus brothers, sons of the Latin Roman governor of Narbonensis (southern France). Formerly a Legion commander on the German frontier, and Emperor of the West for seven years.

HERACLIUS
,
Avtokrator
("Emperor") of the Eastern Empire. A tall, blond man of Armenian descent, the young Emperor has fallen prey to a debilitating sickness which swells his limbs with fluid and has driven him into madness. Despite the efforts of his wife, Martina, and the captain of the Faithful Guard, Rufio, each day brings him closer to death.

AURELIAN
,
Caesar
("Prince") of the Western Empire. The middle Atreus brother, a cheerful, burly redheaded man with a talent for engineering, constructing mechanical toys and horse breeding. Galen's heir while the Emperor's son is still an infant.

MAXIAN
,
Caesar
("Prince") of the Western Empire. A priest of the Temple of Asklepius the Healer, youngest of the three Atreus brothers. Gifted with the rare ability to heal and an unexpected and dangerous talent for necromancy. Not yet grown into his full power as a thaumaturge, Maxian has lost his way. Everything he touches has turned to ash, veering into disaster.

THEODORE
, Great Prince of the Eastern Empire. Heraclius' younger brother, a proud, willful and aggressive man. Though he loves and obeys his elder brother, he cannot stand Empress Martina, his niece, or his brother's—in his view—incestuous and impious marriage.

HELENA
, wife of Galen, Empress of Rome. An inveterate writer and socialite, the sharp-tongued Empress is the last of an ancient house and a throwback to the Empire's days of glory. The sole person in the Empire feared by Emperor Galen—and for good reason! Confidante, co-conspirator and friend of the Duchess de'Orelio. Mother of Theodosius, Galen's infant son.

ANASTASIA DE'ORELIO
, Duchess of Parma, former minister of the Western Office of Barbarians. Widow of the elderly Duke of Parma, a semiretired spymaster for Emperor Galen, and secret priestess and agent of the forbidden cult of Artemis the Hunter. Orphaned as a child by Visigothic pirates and sold as a slave, Anastasia was taken in by the Thiran priestesses of Artemis and has risen high in their councils as "Queen of Day."

BETIA
, the Duchess' Maid. Young Gaulish novitiate of the cult of Artemis. Anastasia's eyes and ears in Rome.

KRISTA
, a former maid of the Duchess de'Orelio. One of the Duchess' heirs and agents, along with Thyatis, Krista was Prince Maxian's lover before choosing to stand with the Duchess and the Empire against him. Murdered by the Prince atop Vesuvius, her body is now in Maxian's possession.

THYATIS JULIA CLODIA
, agent of the Office of Barbarians. Adopted daughter of Duchess Anastasia, her heir, novitiate of the cult of Artemis and centurion in the Roman Legion. She served, for five years, as the Duchess' primary
sicarius
, or "assassin." The eldest daughter of the ancient and (sometimes) respected Clodian gens in Rome. A distant descendant of Mark Antony, via his marriage to the daughter of Clodius Pulcher, an enemy of Julius Caesar during the last days of the Republic.

NICHOLAS OF ROSKILDE
, agent of the Office of Barbarians. A Latin child purchased as a slave by the Stormlords of Dannmark, Nicholas returned to the Empire as a mercenary and freelance agent for the Eastern Empire's secret service. He now has his first command, leading a cohort of Roman engineers in the troublesome and desolate province of Judea.

VLADIMIR
, a wandering
K'shapâcara
(or "nightwalker"), agent of the Office of Barbarians. A cheerful barbarian exile from the Walach tribes in highland Carpathia, forced into the Empire by the vicious expansion of the Draculis tribes. Glad to have found good friends in Nicholas and Dwyrin, but disconsolate at being sent into the desert.

DWYRIN MACDONALD
, Hibernian-born thaumaturge in the service of Rome. A young, cheerful lad with little experience and tremendous potential as a firecaster. Despite many misadventures and thumps on the head, Dwyrin is glad to be back in the desert. He likes the heat.

GAIUS JULIUS CAESAR
, formerly dictator of Rome. Revivified by Maxian's power, the cunning, lecherous, brilliant ancient now serves as Prince Maxian's spymaster and adviser. Imbued with new life, he intends to take advantage of every grain of time passing through his fingers.

ALEXANDROS
, descendant of Zeus Thundershield, last of the Agead kings of Macedon. Like Gaius Julius, the youthful king has received new life from Maxian's hand. Though still brilliant, rash and headstrong by turns, the weight of centuries has taught the Conqueror a tiny fragment of caution. And now, there is a new Persia to defeat...

THE CAT-EYED QUEEN
, an ancient sorceress of uncertain antecedents. Mysterious ruler of the
K'shapâcara
tribes dwelling in the human cities of the Eastern Empire.

SHAHR-BARAZ
,
Shahanshah
("king of kings") of Persia. A former farmer, rebel and lately general of the armies of Persia. Known as the "Royal Boar" for his vigor, enormous mustaches and relentless headlong success on the battlefield. The Boar previously served Chrosoes Anushirwan, but with the great king's death, he has reluctantly taken the throne of Persia, declaring himself the protector of the Twin Radiances, Princesses Azarmidukht and Purandokht. In their name, he rules a weakened and divided Persia.