Nhi Vanye, her faithful vassal and companion, is the illegitimate son of one of the lords of Andur-Kursh, whose culture views as black magic the advanced technology with which, and against which, Morgaine makes war. Outcast as a brother-slayer from his own land, he is "ilin", a masterless, homeless warrior akin to the Japanese ronin, when they first meet. By accepting food and shelter from her, according to an ancient Kurshin rite, he is obliged to provide a year of service to her. The stubbornness and exaggerated sense of honor associated with his people prevents Vanye from breaking his commitment, even though he views his year of service to a witch out of legend as a death sentence, threatening not only his body but his soul - particularly when she lays on him, on pain of his oath, an impossible task.