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Celie is an eleven-year-old princess, the youngest of the four royal children of the kingdom of Sleyne. She lives in Castle Glower, a magical palace that seems to have a mind of its own because it changes its floorplan whenever it feels like doing so.
Celie shares a special emotional connection with the castle and is able to communicate with it in some unknown way. She’s also the only person who has memorized its intricate floorplan and compiled a 300-page atlas of its various rooms. Celie treats the castle like a friend and would give her life to defend it from those who wish it harm. In the end, she saves the castle and her royal family from invaders and is saved by the castle in turn when her own life is at risk.
Pogue is the son of the village blacksmith and the most handsome young man in the kingdom. Although he’s a flirt, he has genuine feelings for Lilah. He is also loyal to the interests of the crown and risks his life to prove that the king and queen are still alive. In the end, he helps foil the plot to overthrow King Glower.
Khelsh is the second son of the king of Vhervhine. He is cruel and bad-tempered, and he has been banished from his own kingdom. Sensing an opportunity in Sleyne, he orchestrates the assassination of the king and queen in order to take over the realm. Fortunately, Celie and the castle succeed in foiling his evil scheme.
Lulath is the third son of the king of Grath. At first, he appears to be a ridiculous figure with his foppish fashion sense and his many lapdogs. However, Lulath sincerely wants to help Celie and her family once he learns of Khelsh’s scheme. At Celie’s urging, he writes letters to summon armies to retake the castle before it’s too late.
King Glower’s council consists of wicked old men intent on assuming power once the king is out of the way. They’ve formed an alliance with Khelsh to murder Rolf and name Khelsh as the new ruler. The leader of the cabal is known as the emissary. Lord Feen is too old and feeble to protest the actions of his fellow councilors. When Lord Sefton refuses to take part in the coup, he’s thrown in the dungeon. The rest flee before the castle is retaken.