Tros - would build a ship to circle the globe; he would, of course, his allies knew, sail straight over the edge into perdition.

Orwic - nephew to Caswallon the King, knew as well as any sane man the earth's flatness - but if mad Tros would sail over the edge, Orwic would calmly descend with him.

Rhys - jealous and treacherous vassal to Caswallon, and an implacable foe of Tros.

Simon Ben Tobias - victim of the Emperor's avarice, Simon can - if he will - assist Tros in outwitting his enemies.

Chloe - slave or princess? She fears Tros, but not Orwic. And Orwic, to his own annoyance, can think of little else but her beauty.

...and unholy Caesar - who shows once again his boldness, his shrewdness, his utter cruelty and consummate, superhuman wickedness.