Arwa The Pearled One is the claimant to the throne of the Sarranid Sultanate. She says that she was purchased as a slave by the former Sultan, Ayzar, who was impressed by her intelligence and loved her like a daughter, eventually permitting her to manage his realm. Upon his death, she was made ruler to prevent civil war with the requirement that she marry the general, Emir Baybak. Arwa was recognized as the "Mother of the Realm", while Baybak as "Commander of the Armies". After Baybak was slain in a battle against the Khergit, his nephew Hakim drove her out of the palace at sword point and proclaimed himself Sultan. She now seeks an army with which to overthrow her husband's nephew and retake the throne.