by Eric Flint
Cast of Characters
The Mission
John Dexter Ennis USE TacRail veteran and titular leader of the Mission. Technology specialist for the Mission.
Rodney Totman NUS Army Medic, former college football player. Medical expert for the Mission.
Priscilla Totman Paramedic, married to Rodney. Medical expert for the Mission.
Bobby Owen Maddox Up-timer and USE 2nd Lt of TacRail Unit, security specialist for the Mission.
Ricky Wiley Up-timer and USE 2nd Lt of TacRail Unit, security specialist for the Mission.
Ilsa Ennis Down-timer, married to John Dexter.
Gervais Vieuxpont Down-timer and onetime con man, skilled linguist and father of Monique. Disgraced physician.
Monique Vieuxpont Down-timer and onetime con woman, skilled linguist and daughter of Gervais.
Bertram Weimar Down-timer, spy for the USE, and distant relation to Don Nasi.
Lønsom Vind Crew
Captain Rune Strand Danish captain with experience at the Dutch trade in the Far East.
Mate Loke Long-service Danish sailor, Rune’s second.
The Mughal Royal Family
Nur Jahan Widow of Jahangir, former emperor and Shah Jahan’s father.
Jahanara Begum Eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
Dara Shikoh Eldest son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
Shah Shuja Second son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
Aurangzeb Third son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
Roshanara Second daughter of Shah Jahan.
Murad Fourth son of Shah Jahan, child.
Guajara Third daughter of Shah Jahan, toddler.
Umara and Other Notables
Asaf Khan Great-Uncle of the emperors, governor general of Bengal.
Shaista Khan Son of Asaf Khan, brother-in-law to Shah Jahan, and uncle to the emperors.
Dara Shikoh’s Camp
Nadira Begum Dara’s wife and cousin.
Suleiman Dara’s infant son.
Amir Salim Gadh Visa Yilmaz Afghan adventurer, student of Mian Mir, and general.
Talawat Gunsmith, part of Dara Shikoh’s princely establishment.
Firoz Khan Chief harem eunuch.
Kwaja Magul Eunuch advisor employed by the emperor to serve Dara.
Mohammed Captain of Dara’s personal guard, appointed by Shah Jahan.
Smidha Jahanara’s eldest and most trusted advisor.
Atisheh Chief among the female harem guards.
Prasad Eunuch, harem slave entrusted with Jahanara’s personal messages.
Sahana Harem slave purchased by the court from Jadu Das to serve as translator.
Gopal Jahanara’s Mahout.
Sabah Turkic warrior woman placed as guard over Roshanara.
Damla Cousin of Atisheh.
Yonca Warrior woman of the court.
Iqtadar Yilmaz Afghan cousins of Salim and his lieutenant.
Tariq Yilmaz Afghan kinsman of Salim and his lieutenant.
Angelo Gradenigo Venetian con man, doctor, and now servant to the court.
Jadu Das Hindu merchant in Agra, old ally of Salim.
Dhanji Das Hindu merchant in Surat, sibling of Jadu.
Sunil Gujarati Lieutenant to Salim.
Aurangzeb’s Camp
Mahabat Khan A captain of cavalry troop.
Carvalho Portuguese artillery captain and mercenary.
Samarjit Khan Rajput commander and zamindar.
Ghulam Khan Persian umara, made diwan of the imperial mint.
Nur Jahan Great aunt of the Emperors and princesses of the various courts.
Tara Chief advisor to Nur Jahan and onetime bodyguard.
Shahaji Bhonsle Maratha chieftain and umara, commander of contingent of Aurangzeb’s light cavalry.
Koyaji Maratha chieftain.
Dattaji Maratha subordinate to Shahaji, member of the Bhonsle clan.
Sidhi Miftah Habash Khan Habshi chieftan and leader of light cavalry for Aurangzeb, former enslaved person.
Sikhs
Hargobind Singh Sixth Guru of the Sikh religion.
Bhidi Chand Disciple of Sixth Guru.
Portuguese Goa
Conde do Linhares, Migeul de Noronha Viceroy of Goa and the East.
Archbishop Francisco dos Martires Franciscan priest in Goa.
Father Christovao De Jesus Franciscan priest sent to Aurangzeb in the Deccan on behalf of the Archbishop and Count.
William Methwold Erstwhile President of the English Company Factory at Surat, now at large in Goa.
