Noutha

Added to Anguin's Olum Seheri rescue party on Minalan's authorization:

And to give them the best possible chance, I'd additionally authorized the inclusion of Noutha Venaren, formerly Lady Mask, in their party. Apparently, that had been instrumental.

Her intimate knowledge of gurvani organizations, languages, and Olum Seheri's internal geography (from her time as Lady Mask commanding a garrison) proves crucial.

Tyndal's uneasy assessment:

Put strategically, he doubted Noutha could object. He knew better to attempt to invoke her sense of humanity. The warmage formerly known as Lady Mask had little, from what he had observed.

Rondal says:

As Lady Mask, Rondal knew Noutha became familiar with the gurvani and their organizations. Indeed, she'd commanded an entire garrison of them, and knew at least some of their languages.

Now leading Minalan's Darkfaller infiltration team. "I'm in position above you, Noutha," Minalan sends. "We're in position," the warmage once known as Lady Mask reported. "There's three or four draugen patrolling the center and another few on the perimeter. There's more in that old hall near the southeast wall. We'll send half the team there to deal with them. But there aren't any human soldiers. Just undead." Cool, efficient commander; trusted with complex multi-team operations.

Book 15 is her major book. Minalan reflects on her arc:

Noutha had been a renegade warmage under the war name Lady Mask, working directly for the gurvani earlier in the war. It had taken Minalan defeating her and a betrayal by her former allies to convince her to switch back to the proper side of the conflict.

Minalan (jokingly):

Surely you must be considering retirement, once this mess is cleaned up. Is there not a husband in your future?

At the Darkfaller Raid, Minalan coordinates with her and opens a portal before the southern keep; "I was satisfied. Azar was supported, Tyndal had this tower well in hand." At the climax, "There was a battle going on, below, as Noutha and her men was attacking the undead that had been unleashed upon them. A crowd of people stood behind them — our prisoners. I could even see Azar and Noutha fighting shoulder to shoulder."

Azar's public proposal at the royal court. The herald calls her forward with the other honored officers for Rard's land grants; Azar refuses his and asks a boon instead:

I confess my love for the maiden and propose marriage to her, with her sire's permission.

She squeaks in surprise: "You . . . you want to marry . . . marry me?" Azar says:

I do, my lady. Come to Megelin as my bride and Viscountess. Defend my flank, as I will defend yours. Stand with me upon a pile of our enemy's corpses and join your heart with mine: for I love you.

Her father Loiko gives the lady's consent ("as long as she is willing. She has been her own woman for years now. The choice is hers"). Minalan's reflection:

They were both passionate about warfare and entirely committed to their mastery of the art. Noutha had been so determined that she had taken up arms in service of Sheruel as the renegade Lady Mask. If they could find happiness together in pursuit of their mutual love of violence, who was I to object?

Now Viscountess Noutha of Megelin, wife of Viscount Azar. At the Olum Seheri parley: "My lord Marshal! Her darkened armor was hacked and splattered with dirt-encrusted blood from a variety of sources, but she seemed hale, under her helmet. And my lord husband," she added, with a respectful bow to Azar. "You go to treat with our foes?" "A moment ago, she sends last-minute instructions to her troops, in case of treachery. Lord Letharan came through her Waystone a few moments later. He does not look pleased."

At the Beryen Council delegation: "Viscount Azar and Viscountess Noutha of Megelin." Enjoys a lively reunion with Azar says:

Noutha and Azar were enjoying a lively reunion, each recounting their exploits thus far in the battle and demonstrating a certain martial affection, as bloodthirsty newlyweds are like to do.

When Duin the Destroyer manifests on the battlefield, she is first to arrive at her god-possessed husband's side via her Waystone. A bloodthirsty, devoted Viscountess.

At Farise processing prisoners alongside Azar. Minalan says:

It's Azar. It's not like he's going to take no for an answer. And Noutha grew up here in Farise. She was causing trouble here for years before she sold out to Sheruel. If anyone can round up a bunch of traitorous miscreants, it's the Viscount and Viscountess of Megelin.

Executes the public prisoner-processing with Azar on a theatrical dais:

Instead of mere gallows atop the platform, however, there was an antique double-bitted axe on a stand, in front of two throne-like chairs. That's where Azar and Noutha, Viscounts of the Magelaw, were seated in full armor. They were wearing their pretty court panoply, customized armor blackened and chased with silver. Their elaborate helms were hung on the backs of their chairs, revealing Viscount Azar in his broody glory, and allowing Lady Noutha to cooly survey the crowd bareheaded. They looked like the King and Queen of Death.

Surprised reaction: "Lemari?" Noutha said, in surprise, when she saw my daughter's true face.