Richard St. Vier
Richard is the novel's protagonist and a well-known sword killer for hire in town. Many prominent people who want to eliminate their rivals come to Richard for help. Most of the time, Richard does his job perfectly, increasing the number of potential customers in the business. Lord Horn is one of his leading clients. For instance, Lord Horn approaches him to kill his two rivals, and Richards accomplishes his assignment but, unfortunately, accidentally kills an extra person.
When Michael approaches Richard to request training as a professional killer, Richard denies him an opportunity, and he instead goes to a different teacher. Later Ferris approaches Richard and pays him to kill Basil so he can become a Crescent Chancellor. Towards the end of the story, Lord Horn kidnaps Richard's girlfriend because he refuses to kill Michael. However, Richard kills Horn, and nothing is done to him after the trial sets him free.
Lord Horn
Lord Horn is a prominent town man who does not love competitions. Lord Horn hires Richard to kill his rivals. When Horn discovers that Michael is becoming a threat, he requests Richard to kill him. However, Richard refuses. Horn kidnaps his girlfriend to compel him to finish the assignment.
Richard agrees to kill Michael, but his teacher Applethorpe takes Michael's place. Richard kills Applethorpe and Horn has no option but to release Alec. However, Richard doe like such attempts to kidnap his girlfriends in the future, and to minimize those chances, he kills Horn.
Michael
Michael is interested in learning sword-killing skills, and he approaches Richard for training. However, Richard is not interested in teaching Michael. Instead, Michael goes to Applethorpe, who offers to train him. When Richard meets Ferris, who wants his rival killed, he takes him to Richard, who could accomplish the task more effectively.
Vincent Applethorpe
Vincent Applethorpe is a swordsman like Richard, and he agrees to train Michael. He trains Michael until he gains the skills. However, Michael and Horn are not on good terms. Horn pays Richard to kill Michael. When the fight is arranged, Applethorpe takes Michael's place because he thinks he can kill Richard. Unfortunately, Richard kills Applethorpe and Michael runs away.
Chancellor Ferris
Chancellor Ferris is a greedy man who wants to use all means to become a crescent chancellor. However, to get the rank, he must kill the current crescent chancellor, Basil Halliday. Ferris pays Richard to kill Basil. Since Richard’s work is to kill for payment, he kills Basil.
Crescent Chancellor Basil Halliday
Basil Halliday is the current Crescent Chancellor, but Ferris wants his position. Basil is not aware that Ferris has an ill motive against him. Later, Richard kills Basil after being paid by Ferris to accomplish the assignment.
Alec
Alec is an innocent character that finds herself in the conflict between Richard and Horn. Horn sends his men to kidnap Alec to compel Richard to Michael. Alec is Richard's girlfriend, and the only way he can get her back is to accept to kill Michael as Horn demands.
