# Asir — Short Fiction character guide

> Asir in Short Fiction by Walter M. Miller Jr..

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Asir of Franic

**First appearance:** 0000-conditionally-human

## Snapshot

A branded thief who trades stolen knowledge of a dying world for a hearing he will never get, pleading with elders who spit at his shadow.

## Who they are

Asir of Franic survives execution only to be scarred as an outcast and banished from the plains, his hands still leaking through bandages as he staggers to Welkir's door. What he carries is worse than the wound: thief's wisdom that the air is boiling away into the sky, and that the vaults hold the key to rekindling the Blaze of the Winds. The council will not hear him, the vaults are guarded by a sleeper called Big Joe, and dawn will find him in the hills — yet he keeps talking, because the alternative is a world that strangles its own children.

## Relationships

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Asir is deeply infatuated with the girl, pursuing her with intense devotion and longing.

### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/mara)

_family_

Asir and Mara are siblings, with Mara often acting as a protective and exasperated older sister.

### [Big Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/big_joe)

_friendship_

Asir and Big Joe are loyal companions who often get into trouble together, with Big Joe acting as a gruff protector.

### [the man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/the_man)

_psychological_

Asir is obsessed with the man, viewing him as a mysterious mentor figure who holds secrets to his past.

### [Tokra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/tokra)

_friendship_

Asir and Tokra are childhood friends who share a mischievous bond, often covering for each other's escapades.

### [the man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/the_man)

_psychological_

Asir is obsessed with the man, viewing him as a mysterious mentor figure who holds secrets to his past.

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Asir is deeply infatuated with the girl, pursuing her with intense devotion and longing.

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Asir is deeply infatuated with the girl, pursuing her with intense devotion and longing.

### [Tokra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/tokra)

_friendship_

Asir and Tokra are childhood friends who share a mischievous bond, often covering for each other's escapades.

### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/mara)

_family_

Asir and Mara are siblings, with Mara often acting as a protective and exasperated older sister.

### [Big Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/big_joe)

_friendship_

Asir and Big Joe are loyal companions who often get into trouble together, with Big Joe acting as a gruff protector.

### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/mara)

_family_

Asir and Mara are siblings, with Mara often acting as a protective and exasperated older sister.

## In the story

### [It Takes a Thief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/it-takes-a-thief)

The young thief hung by his wrists for stealing ritual phrases; endures pain and eventually calls for punishment, leading to a confrontation in the ancient vaults.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/asir
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters