The Time Traders · Character

Lal

A talkative, self-aware tribesman who admits his own tongue wags too freely, Lal trades information and silence for a white wolf skin and a chance to disappear into the marsh.

supporting

Also known as Apparently Lal

First appearance: ii

See Lal in ii Book page

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Lal is a small man caught between great powers, frightened of Lurgha yet shrewd enough to know that quarrels of gods are not for him. When Ashe stages a fiery display and offers the rare wolf skin for the Mother's shrine, Lal accepts the bargain and promptly removes himself from the village so he cannot be asked questions. His cheerful cowardice and practical cunning make him both a liability and an asset—and a window into how the past's ordinary people survive the agents' war.

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The fuller portrait of Lal sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lal in ii

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Lal sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Ancient World Natives
Time Project Core Team
Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Ross reaches an emotional and psychological peak by consciously re…

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Relationships

Lurgha
family · positive
Ashe
friendship · positive
Nodren
friendship · positive
Assha
friendship · positive
Ashe
friendship · positive
Lurgha
family · positive
Nodren
friendship · positive
Assha
friendship · positive

Lurgha
Lal and Lurgha are siblings, with Lal often protective of his sister in the harsh tribal environment.
Ashe
Ashe forms a bond of trust with Lal, a native leader, to secure cooperation for the mission.
Nodren
Lal and Nodren are fellow tribesmen who cooperate in defending their people against threats.
Assha
Assha and Lal share a bond of mutual respect and cooperation within their tribal community.
Ashe
Ashe forms a bond of trust with Lal, a native leader, to secure cooperation for the mission.
Lurgha
Lal and Lurgha are siblings, with Lal often protective of his sister in the harsh tribal environment.
Nodren
Lal and Nodren are fellow tribesmen who cooperate in defending their people against threats.
Assha
Assha and Lal share a bond of mutual respect and cooperation within their tribal community.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lal in ii

In the story

Lal appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lal unlock in the free preview.

See Lal in ii