Sage is a fifteen-year-old orphan known for his sharp tongue, defiance, and quick thinking. He claims his father was a musician and relies on theft and resourcefulness to survive life on the streets. When Bevin Conner forces him into a treasonous scheme to impersonate the missing Prince Jaron, Sage fiercely resists authority but quickly realizes he must rely on his wits to survive the lethal competition.

Bevin Conner is a wealthy, powerful regent in King Eckbert's court who claims to act in the best interests of Carthya. He plots to groom an orphan to impersonate the missing Prince Jaron to prevent a civil war over the throne. He is calculating and willing to cross any moral boundary to achieve his political goals.

Roden is a strong, tanned, and athletic orphan collected from an orphanage in Benton. Lacking formal education, he compensates with natural physical prowess and dedication to learning swordplay. He is deeply ambitious and fully commits to Conner's plan, seeing it as his only chance for a better life.

Tobias is a tall, thin orphan boy who stands out due to his childhood education. Raised by his grandmother before she died, he reads extensively and considers himself the most intellectually qualified to play the role of the prince. He approaches the competition with serious calculation and treats the other boys with disdain.

Imogen is a servant girl at Conner's estate who pretends to be mute to avoid unwanted attention. She works at Farthenwood to pay off a debt her family owes to Conner. Despite her lowly status, she possesses a strong sense of dignity and quietly begins looking out for Sage.

Princess Amarinda of Bultain is a beautiful, observant royal who was betrothed at birth to Crown Prince Darius. She genuinely cares for Darius rather than simply desiring the political power the marriage represents. She expects honesty from those around her and quickly notices when people attempt to deceive her.

Mott is one of Conner's primary vigils, distinguished by his tall stature, dark skin, and shaved head. While he enforces Conner's strict rules, he operates with a personal moral boundary and shows unexpected fairness. He recognizes Sage's potential and tries to mentor him through the brutal competition.

Cregan is a short, pale vigil employed by Conner to keep the orphans in line. He is casually cruel, quick to anger, and enjoys exerting physical dominance over the boys. He holds a specific grudge against Sage and looks for excuses to cause him pain.

Latamer is a pale, sickly boy taken from an orphanage by Conner. Recognizing his physical limitations, he expresses doubt about his ability to survive the rigors of Conner's secret competition and asks to leave.

Mrs. Turbeldy runs the Orphanage for Disadvantaged Boys in Carchar. She manages her wards with a harsh hand, accepts stolen money for favors, and gladly sells Sage to Bevin Conner.

Santhias Veldergrath is a prime regent in the Carthyan court. He is highly ambitious, ruthless, and aggressively positions himself to claim the throne should the royal family fall. He views Conner with deep suspicion and arrives at Farthenwood to intimidate him.

King Eckbert is the reigning monarch of Carthya. Rumors circulate throughout the kingdom regarding his status and safety, creating a vacuum of power that ambitious regents scheme to fill.

Queen Erin is the wife of King Eckbert. Originally a barmaid before marrying into royalty, she possesses sharp instincts and a deep love for her family.

Prince Darius is the eldest son of King Eckbert and the direct heir to the throne. He is betrothed to Princess Amarinda, a union designed to maintain peace across borders.

Lord Joth Kerwyn is the high chamberlain of Carthya. Having served the king his entire life, he is known for his unwavering loyalty to the royal family and his deep dedication to the nation.

Errol is a servant at Farthenwood tasked with attending to Sage. He helps dress and bathe the boy, often finding himself exasperated by Sage's rebellious behavior.

Master Graves is a tutor hired by Conner to teach the orphan boys basic reading and comprehension skills to prepare them for court.

Mistress Havala is an excellent history tutor at Farthenwood. She provides the orphan boys with critical knowledge about Carthya's cities, governance, and past.