Character guide

Ramon Alonzo

major

Also known as Ramon Alonzo Matthew, Mark, Luke, Ramon, Alonzo, IV Ramon Alonzo, Don Ramon Alonzo, XIII Ramon Alonzo

A young swordsman who trades his father's tower for the House in the Wood, where he learns alchemy and swears to win back a charwoman's stolen shadow.

Father Joseph

major

Also known as Mirandola, Donna Mirandola, Father Joseph Mirandola, Father

A priest and alchemist whose patient teaching steadies Ramon Alonzo's hand, though his own purposes in the House in the Wood stay carefully unspoken.

The Charwoman

major

Also known as III The Charwoman

Once the beauty of Aragona, now a withered drudge scrubbing stone floors, she has lost her shadow to the Master and waits for someone bold enough to steal it back.

Gulvarez

supporting

Also known as Señor Gulvarez, Downstairs Gulvarez

A small squire of meagre lands and noted pigs, whose sudden fortune in hosting the Duke of Shadow Valley sets every neighboring household scheming about marriage.

Anemone

supporting

A maiden of Aragona whose name the charwoman answers to, she knows the shadow-box is long and thin and has long since stopped believing anyone will find it.

The Master

supporting

Also known as Master, the master, The master, Master of the Art, the Master of the Art

The venerable magician of the House in the Wood, who buys a girl from her parents with a flute-note and a handful of uncounted gold, and keeps what he takes.

Gonsalvo

supporting

Also known as the Pen Gonsalvo

Gonsalvo moves between the bright world of Provence's newest verses and the shadow-haunted house where the Master works, a young man whose charm and generosity outrun his judgment. He begs the magician to fashion a shadow for the charwoman, invoking his grandfather's name to win the favor, then watches his own sleek grey shadow—already traded away—reduce her to weeping instead of joy. His well-meant errand sets the story's central bargain in motion and reveals how casually the young spend what the old cannot replace.

Peter

minor

A character mentioned in the narrative, possibly a servant or associate.

Hope

minor

A personified or named figure, possibly a maiden or allegorical character.

Aragona

minor

A location or person associated with the maidens and the faith strike.

The Duke

minor

Also known as The Duke

A nobleman referenced in the story, possibly a local ruler.

Lolun

minor

A named character with limited appearances in the narrative.

Ariona

minor

A character mentioned among the maidens or folk of Aragona.

Young Master

minor

Also known as young master

A title used for Ramon Alonzo or another youthful character.

Dockweed

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or local figure.

Brother Aloysius

minor

Also known as Aloysius

A religious brother mentioned in the story.

Ting Yung

minor

Also known as Ting, Ting Yung Ab, Yung

A named character of possible Eastern origin, briefly appearing.

Tang

minor

A minor character with a few mentions in the text.