# The Zarno — Short Fiction character guide

> The Zarno in Short Fiction by Henry Kuttner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Zarno, Two Zarno, the superstitious Zarno, A Zarno

**First appearance:** 0000-the-secret-of-kralitz

## Snapshot

A superstitious race said to speak the Ancient Tongue and guard the Black Forest's secrets, the obstacle every expedition must palaver with or die.

## Who they are

The Zarno are the rumor that shapes the whole expedition: Garth's value as a guide rests on his ability to speak their language, and Benson's fear of the Black Forest rests on what happens to those who meet them. They hover at the edge of the story as a test of nerve and translation, the unknown the Ancients' power-source lies behind. Whether they are gods, monsters, or simply people, the early arc treats them as the line between a salvage job and a suicide run.

## Relationships

### [Ed Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/ed_garth)

_rivalry_

Ed Garth is a relentless adversary of the Zarno, a hostile alien species threatening humanity.

### [Ed Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/ed_garth)

_rivalry_

Ed Garth is a relentless adversary of the Zarno, a hostile alien species threatening humanity.

### [Ed Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/ed_garth)

_rivalry_

Ed Garth is a relentless adversary of the Zarno, a hostile alien species threatening humanity.

## In the story

### [Thunder in the Void](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/thunder-in-the-void)

Present as a key alien figure in the conflict.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/the_zarno
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters