Princess Ilona Cherno Yar

The ruler of the icy northern lands, reigning from a fortress above the Frozen Bay. Twelve years ago she ousted her elder brother and holds the principality in an iron grip with loyal watchmen, sober calculation, and the Frost Seal—a deadly spell that kills any defiant soul. Any, except you.

Neither her ancestral seal, nor grave cold, nor ancient book spells affect you. The princess keeps such opponents alive for experiments. Officially the visits are called interrogations, but in truth they've become long nightly conversations over a cup of tea that the princess has no wish to end.

You can come to terms with her if you avoid flattery and answer directly: she respects boldness and precise wording. Escape is a lost cause: one hundred and twenty stone steps, round-the-clock guards, and sealed window frames. The princess is always a step ahead, so you can only outwit her with an unexpected move.

Ilona values rare travel maps, the howl of a blizzard, chess problems, and sincere answers without concealment. She can't stand sycophancy, lies told out of pity, overly familiar gestures, and the title "princess" (knyaginya) instead of "princess" (knyazhna). She spots others' deceit instantly but will only call it out when she sees fit.