Rustem
The new character in this book is Dr. Rustem, who has traveled from the east to Bassani to treat a dangerous patient. After completing his primary task, the king assigns Dr. Rusten a new role. The king reminds Dr. Rustem that no one refuses his requests.
The king wants Rustem to be a spy for Bassani in the city of Sarantine. The king suspects that war is looming, and he wants to have first-hand information to prepare adequately. When Rustem is asked to perform this extra service for the king, he bids farewell to his family and heads to Sarantine to perform the king’s orders.
Caius Crispin
Crispin is the central character in the novel. Crispin is grieving the loss of his wife and daughters, who died in the plague two years ago. Crispin is a heartbroken widower, and the only encouragement he has is doing his craftwork. Crispin works with his mentor, Martinius, who encourages him to move on. While decorating the local church, Martinius and Crispin are interrupted by an imperial courier. The imperial courier notifies Martinius that the emperor has invited him to go to the capital to decorate the Great Sanctuary.
However, Martinius turns down the invitation and asks Crispin to go instead. The opportunity to travel to the golden city gives Crispin hope to start a new life. Crispin looks forward to meeting new people to help him forget his loss. Before Crispin starts his journey, the Queen of Batiara kidnaps him and gives him a threatening letter to deliver to the emperor.
Martinius
Martinius is Crispin's mentor who trained him to do a perfect mosaic craft. The emperor invites Martinius to the Sarantium capital to decorate the Great Sanctuary. However, he sends his partner, Crispin, to take that opportunity and accomplish that great task. Martinius is concerned about Crispin's well-being and thinks that allowing him to travel far will help him refresh and start life again.
Petrus
Petrus is Valerius’s uncle who becomes emperor when the Sarantine emperor dies. The Sarantine emperor has no heir to take after him. Through manipulation and assassinations, Valerius manages to capture the throne and hands it over to his uncle, Petrus of Trakesia, to become the new emperor. In later years, Valerius II became the new emperor and succeeded Petrus.
Valerius II
Valerius II is the nephew of Petrus. After becoming the new emperor, Valerius II’s first objective is to decorate the Great Sanctuary and rebuild his kingdom by capturing the neighboring kingdoms to enlarge his territory. However, he later realizes that it is not an easy task to reunite the Rhodian Empire, but he remains determined.
Queen Gisel
Queen Gisel of Batiara is looking for a political strategy to save her life and that of her entire empire. When Gisel learns that Crispin will see Emperor Valerius II, she kidnaps him; she gives him a message to deliver to the emperor. The message is dangerous because it is a marriage offer.
Zoticus
Zoticus is the alchemist who offered to help Crispin with a bird called Linon to help him avoid dangers on his way to the golden city. The bird keeps human souls and warns Crispin of any danger ahead of him.
Kasia
Kasia is a slave woman that Crispin meets at an inn. Kasia is in danger because she is about to be sacrificed by the pagan gods on the Day of the Dead. Kasia asks Crispin to rescue her, and he accepts despite it being one of the dangerous tasks that he has to accomplish.
Vargos
Vargos is the servant of Crispin. Vargos is happy with Crispin’s courage, especially when he rescues Kasia. However, He warns Crispin to be careful because the townspeople will come for him to take back Kasia.
