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Raised on the tough streets of Sina’s capital, Kulniryi, Mordrek Willets learned young that life is brutal and must be viciously guarded against all comers.

After murdering a man to protect his fiancee, Mordrek is recruited by Queen Susuma, the cold and manipulative head of state, as a member of the Sinan Intelligence Services.

Why would he accept? Because Sinan murderers are typically sent to a remote desert island to be eaten by carnivorous dogs. His choices are to kill for decent wages or be killed by wild animals far away from home.

Mordrek’s fiancee died in that fight, and his birth family’s whereabouts are unknown. With no one to miss him, he chooses to travel the world at behest of Queen Susuma, ridding it of her enemies one mission at a time.

Close contact with other cultures has made Mordrek a more cosmopolitan character than others in the series, such as Cerie Korviridi and Orrinir Relickim. He has traveled widely, seen many things, and understands that human nature doesn’t change regardless of location.

His keen understanding of psychology, language, and international politics means he spends much of his time synthesizing tiny details, those that others may miss. That assassin’s mind remains alert at all times, even when he is busy wooing yet another lady. Danger may strike anywhere: either from a killer sent by the queen to remove him or a spy for the other side. He is always prepared to drown a hapless villager or struggle mightily with a smuggler on an isolated pass. Whatever he must do to survive.

Despite his bloody profession, Mordrek is an intractible charmer. For him, sex is an expression of life, a chance to prove his value if only for a few minutes. Few accolades come from his ruthless employer; he must find them where he can.

This obsession with romance, though, finds him in trouble more than a few times. Mordrek still struggles to recognize that much as his soft heart yearns for kindness, he is a weapon made to kill.

But something deeper lurks in Mordrek, a shadow that only emerges at his most desperate times. The urge to escape his bloody life, disappear into a strange environment, and start all over again. He stares longingly at families with children, at happy couples who have no such cares. Though he gets to see a completely different side of the world, it isolates him from those who live more simply.

The ghosts of all those he has killed – or has been responsible for dying – weigh heavily on his shoulders. Mordrek knows he will never outrun them so long as he draws breath, but he can try to forget about them for a little while. If only for the time it takes to seduce another dame.

Fun facts about Mordrek Willets

Brutal as he may be toward humans, Mordrek has never killed or injured an animal. In fact, he often finds himself defending them from others.

When at home in Thieves’ Quarter, Mordrek enjoys combing the coast for shipwrecks so that he can steal whatever booty may wash up.

While he typically just shows up to missions as himself, he sometimes dresses in disguises while working in Sina. The queen doesn’t provide these; he came up with them himself from purloined clothing.

Not all of his belongings are stolen. Some trinkets were purchased legitimately while abroad, and others are gifts from his many lovers. He keeps the most sentimental items in a trunk at the foot of his bed.

Mordrek was illiterate before joining the Sinan Intelligence Services. As part of his training, he learned three languages. Most of his notes and official correspondences are in Rixian, the most widely spoken second language around the world.

Once Queen Susuma began installing electric lights throughout Kulniryi, Mordrek figured out how to reroute some of the wires after exhaustive research at the college. His is the only house in Thieves’ Quarter with electric lighting.

Mordrek prefers mules over horses for transportation and companionship. This is because they are more willful, independent, and intelligent than horses. While a horse will follow its master even to its own detriment, a mule can protect him from danger by refusing orders.

His home has a stable in front of the house; the front door is hidden in the back of the stall. Not only does this add protection – few would dare break into a stable with an unknown animal – but it also lets him keep his mule close by.

Mordrek Willets appears in:

• What Is Cannot Be Unwritten (POV character)
• Poesy
• Shadow and Sword (POV character)
• Perseity
• The Sorrow of the Bells
• Plexity