Will is a small, agile 15-year-old orphan raised at Castle Redmont. He desperately wants to attend Battleschool to honor the father he believes died as a knight in battle. Due to his slight build, he is rejected by the military academy but is chosen instead to apprentice under the secretive Ranger Halt. He possesses natural stealth and uses his physical coordination to climb vertical surfaces.

Halt is the grim, taciturn leader of the Rangers at Redmont Fief. He is a short man with gray-flecked hair who uses a longbow and wears a mottled gray-and-green cloak for camouflage. He employs a strict teaching style with his new apprentice, assigning heavy amounts of housework to build discipline before teaching actual tracking and combat skills.

Baron Arald is the large, big-hearted lord of Redmont Fief. He has a deep voice and a dark beard, and is known for his healthy appetite. He raised the local orphans in honor of their parents who died in his service. He takes a personal interest in his subjects' well-being and maintains a cooperative relationship with the local Rangers.

Horace is a tall, athletic 15-year-old orphan raised alongside Will at Castle Redmont. Selected for Battleschool, he learns complex sword sequences rapidly. Despite his physical advantages, his life at the academy is made miserable by severe hazing from older cadets, fueling his early resentment toward others.

Morgarath is an exiled baron who attempted a coup against the king fifteen years ago. Defeated by a surprise cavalry charge, he lost his fertile lands and retreated into the mountains. He commands an army of creatures and plans a new invasion to claim the kingdom.

Tug is a sturdy, shaggy pony assigned to Will for his Ranger training. While much smaller than a traditional battle steed, he possesses immense stamina and intelligence. He is trained to accept only authorized riders using a specific password and bonds closely with Will.

Sir Rodney is the tall, powerfully built master of Redmont's Battleschool. A seasoned warrior with a keen eye for talent, he identifies Horace's instinctive skill with a broadsword. He takes quiet measures to monitor his students' progress and enforce academy honor.

Gilan is the Ranger assigned to Meric Fief and a former apprentice under Halt. Unlike other Rangers, he is unusually tall and carries a sword, a weapon he learned to master because his father is a knight. He treats Will with immediate respect and friendship upon meeting him.

The Kalkara are assassins resembling a cross between an ape and a bear. They are covered in thick, matted hair that protects them from arrows. They act as relentless bounty hunters who freeze their targets with a hypnotic stare from their glowing red eyes.

Wargals are brutish foot soldiers making up Morgarath's army. They possess semi-human bodies topped with dog-like muzzles and sharp fangs. Because they possess very simple brains, Morgarath controls them entirely through telepathy.

Alyss is a tall, graceful 15-year-old orphan raised at Castle Redmont. She possesses a naturally calm and tactful demeanor, making her an ideal candidate for Lady Pauline's diplomatic service. She maintains a close, supportive friendship with Will as they both begin their distinct careers.

Jenny is a cheerful, slightly plump 15-year-old orphan at Castle Redmont. She has a deep passion for food and eagerly accepts an apprenticeship under Master Chubb in the castle kitchens, where she quickly masters baking.

George is a studious, talkative 15-year-old orphan raised at Castle Redmont. Though he suffers from public stage fright that causes him to stammer, his meticulous paperwork earns him a place at Scribeschool under Master Nigel.

Lady Pauline oversees the fiefdom's diplomatic service. She is a refined, perceptive noblewoman who recognizes Alyss's natural tact and accepts the young girl as her diplomatic apprentice.

Scribemaster Nigel runs the castle's Scribeschool, managing the legal documents and communications for Redmont Fief. He overlooks George's severe stammer because he recognizes the boy's sharp intellect and excellent handwriting.

Master Chubb commands the bustling castle kitchens. He is a strict but fair master who judges his apprentices by their appetite and their detailed knowledge of food preparation, happily taking Jenny under his wing.

Alda is a second-year cadet at Battleschool who takes pleasure in tormenting first-year students. He acts as the ringleader of a small group of bullies, using his seniority and sword skills to enforce a harsh hazing ritual against Horace.

Bryn is a second-year Battleschool cadet and one of Horace's primary abusers. He relies entirely on the presence of his friends to act tough and quickly loses his bravado when forced into a fair, one-on-one confrontation.

Jerome is a second-year military cadet who eagerly participates in the cruel hazing of Horace. Like his fellow bullies, he targets younger, inexperienced students rather than facing equals in combat.

Old Bob is a bald handler with a matted gray beard who lives reclusively to care for the Rangers' specialized horses. He smells strongly of dirty stables but possesses a profound, gentle connection with the animals he raises.

Salt Peter is a skinny, frail farmer living near Redmont. He tracks a giant wild boar onto his property and desperately seeks knights to kill the beast so he can harvest its salted meat.

Blaze is Gilan's bay horse, characterized by a reddish-brown coat and dark lower legs. Like all Ranger horses, she responds to special code words and possesses immense stamina for cross-country travel.

King Duncan is the monarch of Araluen. He successfully defended his kingdom fifteen years prior with the critical help of a Ranger-led cavalry charge, remaining a constant target of Morgarath's hatred.

Martin is Baron Arald's secretary. He is a rigid administrator who values formality and strict order, though his employer consistently ignores his attempts at enforcing procedure.

Karel is a drillmaster at Battleschool who trains the young military recruits. He notices Horace's instinctive extra sword strokes during practice and immediately consults with Sir Rodney about the boy's potential.

Wallace is a sword master at Redmont Fief's Battleschool. Sir Rodney and Karel agree to send Horace to him for specialized training after recognizing the boy's rare natural talent for blade work.

Ulf is the horsemaster of Redmont Fief. He assesses the castle wards during Choosing Day and rejects Will's request to join Horseschool because he believes the boy is too small.