Ged

Ged is a Keld slave who is brought to Solas to be a gladiator for the King. He is brought into the revolutionary movement by Kemp in return for the promise of freedom, and later joins Robert to take over Absalom.

Appearance
Ged has the typical height and build of a man from Kel, but Robert suggests that it is new to him, and he does not know how to work his body properly. He is likened to ‘a gangling boy who’d grown too suddenly into a giant of a man’. His hair is blond and relatively long. Robert also describes his face as ‘surprisingly intelligent’.

Personality
Ged is markedly pious, and spends a lot of time thinking about The Lady. This includes asking for forgiveness when he was forced to have sex with Luca, and refusing to talk about her with Robert. He struggles to come to terms with his actions, even after Luca and Robert reassure him that he will not be punished for them as he was forced into it. After he swears an oath to Robert, Tam remarks that the Keld are famously trustworthy with regards to oaths.

He is as dedicated to his friends as he is to his goddess, and acts as Robert’s bodyguard at Absalom. After Robert frees him, he chooses to stay and help. Furthermore, he acts as the voice of reason for Robert, preventing him from rushing into things without a plan and making sure his injured hand is treated.

History
Ged is from Isar in Kel. He was brought to Solas alongside his father, Huw, to fight as gladiators in King Ademar’s Centennial celebration, leaving behind his partner Sigrid. His father was killed in his first fight, whereas Ged continued to win, often being forced to have sex with Luca afterwards. Later, he expresses regret for hurting Luca even though it was not his choice to. He is brought into the revolution by Bartimaeus Kemp, who offers him freedom in return for passing messages between Luca and a handler.

After Robert is arrested, Ged is sent to Absalom in the same caravan. Robert reveals he can speak Keld, and they team up to take over the caravan. At Absalom, Robert frees Ged after he is locked up by Tam for being Keld.

In ‘The Golden Bird- Part II’, he tells Robert that his Great-Grandmother was from Guye, and was kidnapped and brought to Kel.

Robert
When Robert first sees Ged in the King’s Arena, he is impressed by his strength and fighting technique. Later, they become friends after Robert reveals he can speak Keld. Robert defends Ged from Tam and Alfred’s prejudices.

Luca
Ged and Luca are both brought into the revolution by Kemp, and pass messages between each other. They both feel ashamed of what they have done to the other, despite it being neither of their faults. Ged talks about Luca with Robert on more than one occasion on the journey to Absalom and at the prison itself.

Tam
The longstanding feud between Guye and Kel is reflected in the relationship between Ged and Tam. Tam refers to Ged as an animal, and has him locked in a cell while Robert is unconscious and unable to stop him. Alfred is also guilty of having this prejudice, though to a lesser extent, as he briefly overcomes it in order to get Robert to have his hand looked at by Dr Quinby.

Dr Quinby
While treating Ged for an injury, Dr Quinby reveals that he has tried learning some Keld. Impressed and appreciative of his efforts, Ged agrees to teach him the language.