World
Characters of the novel
Isla Wren
Fourteen, from Lantern Rock. She mends fog nets, owns one coat that is too big for her and no bindstone, until a small violet shard falls into her nets. She notices what people are about to do, which makes her dangerous on a bridge.
Hush
Isla’s Shardling, a Veilowl: a knee-high owl of violet crystal with two ear tufts and lamp-yellow eyes. Greedy, nosy and loyal. His name is Hush because he never is. In the card game the Veilowl is a Mist base Shardling.
Gran
Isla’s grandmother, keeper of the light on Lantern Rock. Dry, loving and with more history than she lets on.
Bo Tamsin
Son of the skipper of the supply skiff Marigold, always hungry and a good cook. He is bound to Twig, a Root Barkfawn.
Greta Holm
From the Anvil Heights, with brass goggles and a notebook full of notes on every opponent. Bound to Rivet, an Iron Hornshield.
Dax Corrin
The favourite, trained at the Cinder Academy since the age of eight. He has never lost a match. His Shardling is a Cinderlord, the Ember Legendary.
Odalys Quill
Concord referee for the Veil Isles. Knows the rulebook by heart, and knows which rules are missing from it.