Picts – Indigenous people of southern Scotland, before the arrival of the Scots. Thought to have been a Caledonian, Gaelic-speaking people.
Phil Sorensen – Human, leading medical technician at Munro research Labs, Rozelle. Mid forties, married.
Prefectus Equituum – Latin term meaning, Cavalry Commander. Literally, ‘Master of Horse.’
Princeps – Latin term for First Citizen and the origin of the English word for Prince.
Pudens – Vampire, Roman soldier in the First Frisian Cohort Cavalry Regiment stationed at Vindobala (Rudchester). Cursed into vampire form by the Pictish witch, Eithne. Took his own life by walking out into the sun.
Robert D’Antonville – Human and twenty-sixth Ingenii. Survived the Second Rebellion in 1612. Well-known swordsman.
Russell Randt - Vampire. Together with Maris, leader of the Third Rebellion to eliminate the Principate. Killed by Jean-Philippe. Formerly a Hollywood producer.
Sam – Sempronius – Vampire, Roman soldier, First Frisian Cavalry Regiment. Stationed at Vindobala (Rudchester), northern Britain. Cursed by a Pictish witch into vampire form. Bodyguard to the Ingenii. Friend to Alec Munro. Former lover and sire of Maris Quesnel. Techno wiz and responsible for security.
Serpent Ring – Ancient artefact created by Marcus Antonius Pulcher on the instructions of the Pictish witch, Eithne. It’s a rectangular gold ring in the shape of a Roman shield with the image of a serpent with blazing red eyes – symbol of Melusine, Caledonian goddess of vengeance. It renders the wearer invisible to vampire senses as well as burning the fingers of impostors, and shooting fire from the serpents’ eyes, destroying those who physically threaten either Princeps or Ingenii. In times of danger, the eyes turn black. Every fifty years the ring is passed down to the next Ingenii.
Terens – Sextus Terentius – Vampire, Tribune attached to the First Frisian Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Vindobala (Rudchester), northern Britain. Cursed by a Pictish witch into vampire form. Bodyguard to the Ingenii. One of Alec’s friends and part of Lucien’s cohort.
Villa Antonii - Marcus Antonius Pulcher’s villa/estate in southern France. The family were known as the Antonii. The later Gallic (French) corruption was ‘D’Antonville; lit. ‘of the House of Antonius.’
Vindobala – One of a string of military forts along Hadrian’s Wall. Now known as Rudchester, it was abandoned in the second half of the third century. As yet, no explanation has been found. I gave my own reason as to why!
William Allerdyce – Human, shonky business dealer, moneylender and blackmailer. Forced Owen Dantonville into giving him his beautiful daughter, Judith, as a business arrangement.
Zhao – One of the Elders. Ancient Chinese warlord turned philosopher. His sire is unknown.
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