Ahra Retonk

"From here, I'm the one who knows where to walk."

Ahra is the first person Chris meets on his way to Déynáir. He is sitting shivering at the end of the big bathing jetty at Løverodde on a November evening, in an old-fashioned coat and with a ticket whose letters keep changing shape. He is the same age as Chris, has long fair hair and smiles with his whole face. He speaks politely and formally, almost like a book, and addresses Chris with an old-fashioned “you”. He is far more nervous than he lets on, and he still means everything he says.

The one who explains

Ahra talks a lot, and with his whole body. He’s the one who explains to Chris what Dherak is, how the money works, and that the island itself decides which of the paths you end up on. He knows it all from his family. The Retonks are one of the old families, and Ahra was taught at home by his grandmother, who is good at Dherak but not especially warm.

He has two older brothers. Maka is at Déynáir, and Ahra quotes him constantly. The eldest, Kalmin, works for the Council.

Who he is

Ahra is afraid of a lot of things, most of all himself. Even so, he’s the one who steps in front of the others. For the island test he chooses the shield word Scutum, because he would rather stand in between than attack.

One night by the campfire he admits that he has never had a friend before, and that what he would really have liked to be is a cook, making food with his own hands instead of with magic.

Relationships

• Chris Godrand: best friend
• Retia Caritas: friend and teammate
• Maka Retonk: older brother