A Necromancer and Her Cavalier Quiz

Answer: Necromancer

Captain Judith Deuteros, as a dutiful member of the Second House, represents the Cohort, the formal military command of the Nine Houses. She is disciplined and plays at stoicism until Abigail Pent and Magnus Quinn are suddenly found dead. Deuteros quickly tries to take command of the situation, asserting her authority as a representative of the Cohort, but Teacher refuses to allow her to contact the outside world, while the other necromancers rebuff her.

In an attempt to take control, she challenges the Sixth House, prompting a duel between her cavalier and Camilla Hect. Marta's defeat in the challenge leads to Deuteros losing face among the other necromancers and creates further chaos when the other houses start challenging each other.

Answer: Necromancer

As radiant as a royal princess ought to be, Coronabeth Tridentarius demonstrates ease in the daily activities and conversations at Canaan House. Her twin sister, Ianthe, initially appears as a pale shadow of her sister. However, nothing could be further from the truth. We soon learn that Ianthe is the one solving the challenges for the pair and keeping secrets from her sister. Ianthe's ruthless practicality in her pursuit of Lyctorhood stuns and angers Coronabeth, but Ianthe simply doesn't seem to care.

Answer: Necromancer

At just 13 years old, Isaac tries his best to compete with and stand among necromancers nearly twice his age. His cavalier, at 14, is in a similar boat, and the pair try their best to navigate the dangers of Canaan House. Isaac is principled, demanding to discover how his friends from the Fifth House perished, but his youth and inexperience leave him ill-equipped to survive a system that swallows up the weak whole and spits them out without a second thought.

Answer: Necromancer

Brilliant, gracious, and talented at her craft, Abigail Pent has a renowned reputation as a scholar and historian across the Nine Houses. Her cavalier, who also happens to be her husband, is equally magnanimous. The couple invites the other houses to an anniversary celebration, offering a ray of light in an otherwise dark, dungeon-like atmosphere. Yet, not long afterward, the couple are found dead in a gruesome scene, with the remaining necromancers wondering if Canaan House is trying to kill them or if there is a murderer among their own ranks.

Answer: Necromancer

As Warden of the Library, Palamedes Sextus is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. Such a position might suggest an aloof intellectual who doesn't consider much beyond the pages of his books, but Palamedes Sextus is no fool. He is an expert tactician who uses his knowledge to probe the weaknesses of his enemies, many of whom underestimate just how clever he is.

He is also profoundly thoughtful, forging an uneasy alliance with the Ninth House in a way that doesn't seem motivated purely by self-interest.

Answer: Necromancer

Dulcinea arrives at Canaan House in such a frail condition that Teacher laments her decision to attend the challenge. Suffering from a hereditary blood cancer, she initially appears to be a waifish maiden confined to a wheelchair...until we find out she has a sizable collection of keys that the others haven't been able to collect. Gideon finds herself smitten by the frail beauty, a weakness she later regrets.

Answer: Necromancer

Fervent in his beliefs, Silas Octakiseron makes no attempt to hide his disgust with nearly everyone around him. This applies especially to the Ninth House, which he considers to be some kind of irreligious death cult. His isolation from the rest of the houses leads to many of them disliking him, but it also allows him to avoid socializing and remain in the shadows.

He manages to acquire a sizable number of keys, not to complete the challenges himself, but to prevent the other houses from pursuing what he considers a sacrilegious endeavor.

Answer: Necromancer

Harrowhark Nonagesimus is both an antagonist and a protagonist in her own right, a young girl of 17 who is so talented in the art of necromancy that she has manipulated the corpses of her deceased parents for several years to maintain the appearance that they are still ruling the Ninth House.

She is perhaps underestimated by the other houses (except Sextus), but her strength and knowledge become apparent before the end of the Canaan House challenge. She is cruel but brilliant, ruthless but not unprincipled.

These paradoxes confuse, anger, and delight Gideon Nav, who becomes her cavalier after there are no other suitable alternatives.

Answer: Cavalier

Alongside her necromancer, Marta the Second is as disciplined as they come. She is loyal to a fault and rarely shows any sign of disagreeing with Judith Deuteros. When her necromancer challenges the Sixth House for its keys, Marta displays a masterful command of technical fighting skills.

However, the pair underestimate the Sixth House and Camilla Hect's scrappiness, resulting in Marta's defeat during the duel. She suffers a dislocated arm as a result.

Answer: Cavalier

Suave, technically skilled, and lavish in his attentions, Naberius Tern would be the perfect picture of gallantry if his true personality weren't so unpleasant. He defeats Gideon in an early skirmish, proving his fighting chops are not just for show and that his arrogance is not totally misplaced.

He is sometimes caught in the middle of the Third House twins' arguments, but his arrogance prevents him from recognizing just how ruthless Ianthe is willing to be.

Answer: Cavalier

At just 14, Jeannemary is a capable fighter, as expected of a cavalier primary. However, like her necromancer, she is young and inexperienced in the world of Canaan House. She is resolute in her beliefs and a good judge of character, befriending Gideon, who she believes can help her discover what happened to the Fifth House. Her determination, however, doesn't help her in the end.

Answer: Cavalier

Magnus Quinn is a capable and friendly cavalier, one who takes his swift defeat by Gideon on the chin, reacting with disbelief but not anger. He befriends multiple Canaan House invitees, and he even helps prepare a large anniversary dinner so that they can have a moment of respite amid the darkness.

Unfortunately, Magnus and Abigail mysteriously perish in a horrific fashion, leading the rest of the necromancers to wonder what exactly they signed up for.

Answer: Cavalier

Camilla Hect would probably rather shove you backward than shake your hand, but her commitment to protecting Sextus is just that strong. No-nonsense and quick to recognize the real threat in any room, Camilla surprises the other houses when she defeats Marta Dyas in a duel. Sextus's amicable attempts to befriend others keep her constantly alert for false allies, and she is not afraid to let you know that she really doesn't trust you for one second.

Answer: Cavalier

Protesilaus is a mountain of a man, brawny and almost entirely silent. He acts zealously to protect his necromancer, the ailing Dulcinea, to the point that the Seventh House duchess repeatedly apologizes for his brutish behavior. Gideon senses something a little off with the giant cavalier, and her suspicions are justified.

Answer: Cavalier

Colum Asht, the uncle of his young necromancer, is a willing participant in Silas's soul-siphoning ritual, a dangerous but powerful technique that the necromancer uses to uncover information about Canaan House. Colum is self-sacrificing in this endeavor, willing to give his own life for the cause. Silas cares about him, yet seems unconcerned that Colum is withering away and might one day not make it back.

Answer: Cavalier

Gideon Nav is irreverent and sarcastic, though she is actually quite talented at the one thing she has trained to do since childhood: fight with a sword. She repeatedly attempts to escape Harrowhark Nonagesimus's grasp, only to be pulled back into her orbit.

She stands up for what's right when it matters most, sometimes dragging Harrowhark along with her. At the end of the day, Gideon would rather read her dirty mags than fight for a bunch of necromancers, but when duty calls, she reluctantly grabs her sword.