Jezal Dan Luthar is a young Captain in the Kings Own Regiment of the Union army. Brash and arrogant he views everyone else as inferior to himself and is only interested in his own advancement, and enjoyment.

Entered into The Contest - an annual competition where the best swoedsmen in the Union compete for the coveted title - he spends his time trying to not train and dreams of drinking and women.

He becomes involved with the First of the Magi Bayez, and his quest to the far side of the world. Whilst all his comrades are preparing to ship North to fight Bethod's armies, Jezal has to head west, into the unknown.

An unwilling member of the quest he begrudgingly accompanies Bayez and his mis-matched company. Along the way the aged Magi tries to impart words of wisdom, lessons on leadership and encourages Jezal to be a man. Not being one to take kindly to others telling him what to do, Jezal sulks most of the journey.

Whilst travelling the Old Empire the company is attacked and Jezal seriously injured. His jaw broken, teeth knocked out. It is his first real fight - outside of the regulated fights in the Contest - and affects him greatly. Patched up by his companion Ferro he is left with a disfigured face, his jaw twisted. He resents what has happened to him, and blames it all on Bayez. A vain man he'd always prided himself in his looks.