Bartholomew

Bartholomew has worked for the Order of Taryn for twenty years. In that time he has ended eleven diplomatic alliances, assassinated four foreign leaders, and destabilized two border kingdoms — all without leaving evidence. The Order considers him their most valuable asset. Hrafn considers him a useful contractor.

He is not loyal to Hrafn. He is not loyal to the Order. He is loyal to the information itself — to knowing everything, controlling the flow of what others know, and ensuring that whoever wins the current war will still need him afterward. He has been playing this game long enough to be very good at it.