Chains and Choices

Kamet, a highly educated slave in the Mede Empire, serves the ambitious Nahuseresh, dreaming of power as his master's right hand. When an Attolian soldier offers Kamet freedom in Attolia, Kamet scoffs—he values power over liberty, and Attolia seems backward. But when Kamet learns his master has been poisoned, he realizes he is now a hunted man. The empire's justice is brutal: all a murdered man's slaves are tortured and killed. Kamet's only hope is escape, and the Attolian's offer becomes his only lifeline. Torn between the life he knows and the terror of the unknown, Kamet chooses flight, setting in motion a journey that will test every conviction he holds.

Poison and Pursuit

Kamet flees the palace, haunted by the knowledge that the emperor's enforcers will soon hunt him. He navigates the city's labyrinthine streets, retrieving what little money he can, and narrowly avoids capture. The Attolian, whose name is Costis, finds him at the docks, and together they stage a convincing ruse to slip away. Kamet's world narrows to survival, his pride battered as he must rely on a foreigner he once scorned. The two men board a riverboat, Kamet posing as a slave, Costis as his Mede master. Every moment is fraught with danger, and Kamet's mind races with plans for escape—even from his would-be rescuer.

Flight with a Stranger

As the riverboat heads north, Kamet and Costis settle into an uneasy partnership. Kamet, ever calculating, weighs his options for abandoning Costis, convinced the Attolian's mission is a petty act of revenge. Yet Costis's straightforward kindness and lack of guile unsettle Kamet's expectations. Their journey is interrupted by a fire that destroys the boat, forcing them to improvise. Kamet's skills as a slave—negotiating, lying, adapting—are tested as he and Costis pose as master and servant, then as equals, to evade pursuit. The threat of imperial agents and bounty hunters looms, and Kamet's old life recedes with every step.

Riverboat Escape

After the riverboat fire, Kamet and Costis find themselves in a border town, forced to invent new identities. Kamet's resourcefulness shines as he arranges for their passage with a caravan, hiding his slave chain and learning to pass as a free man. The two men join a group of mercenaries, and Kamet, unused to physical labor and camaraderie, struggles to fit in. Costis's patience and quiet competence begin to erode Kamet's defenses. As they travel, Kamet shares stories from his homeland, and a fragile trust grows. Yet the shadow of the Namreen, the emperor's deadly bodyguards, draws ever closer.

The Caravan's Shadow

The caravan's journey is grueling, and Kamet's inexperience is a liability. He and Costis are forced to rely on each other, their roles blurring from master and servant to equals and friends. The Namreen catch up, and a violent confrontation leaves Kamet wounded and the pair on the run. They take refuge in a lion's den, where Costis tends Kamet's injuries and their bond is cemented by shared vulnerability. Kamet's worldview—shaped by years of servitude and suspicion—is challenged by Costis's loyalty and the realization that survival depends on mutual trust, not cunning alone.

Namreen on the Road

Kamet and Costis, now fugitives, evade the Namreen by traversing treacherous terrain and relying on their wits. Kamet's injury forces them to rest in the lion's den, where they narrowly escape both the lioness and human pursuers. The ordeal strips away Kamet's pride and self-deception, exposing his fears and regrets. Costis's steadfastness and humor offer comfort, and Kamet begins to see the Attolian not as a simpleton, but as a man of depth and honor. Their journey becomes not just a flight from danger, but a pilgrimage toward self-knowledge and the possibility of freedom.

Lion's Den Refuge

As Kamet recovers, he and Costis share stories—myths of Immakuk and Ennikar, tales of loss and longing. The act of storytelling becomes a bridge between their cultures and a balm for their wounds. Kamet reveals his past, his ambitions, and the pain of lost love. Costis confides his own troubles, including exile from his homeland. The lion's den, both literal and metaphorical, becomes a crucible where old identities are shed. When they finally emerge, they are changed—no longer master and slave, but companions bound by hardship and hope.

Across the Wasteland

The pair cross barren lands, surviving on caggi (giant rats) and the occasional kindness of strangers. They encounter a farm family who, in exchange for Costis's skill at tinning pots, provide food and shelter. The generosity of the humble stands in stark contrast to the cruelty Kamet has known. As they approach the Taymet Mountains, Kamet's fear of the unknown resurfaces, but Costis's encouragement and the memory of their shared trials propel them forward. The journey becomes a test of endurance, faith, and the meaning of freedom.

Salt, Snow, and Sanctuary

Kamet and Costis brave the salt pans and the snowbound Taymets, following secret trails and the advice of those they've helped. The passage is perilous, but they are aided by the invisible network of the oppressed and the marginalized. In Zaboar, a city beyond the empire's reach, they find temporary safety. Yet even here, betrayal lurks—Kamet is nearly turned in by a fellow escaped slave, and Costis falls ill. Kamet's care for his companion, and his refusal to abandon him, mark a turning point: he is no longer merely surviving, but choosing loyalty over self-preservation.

Betrayal and Truths

As Costis recovers, Kamet faces the truth about his own motives and the nature of freedom. He learns that the story of his master's death was a ruse, orchestrated by the Attolian king to force Kamet's escape. The realization that he has been manipulated by those he trusted—Laela, his fellow slave, and Eugenides, the king—shatters Kamet's sense of agency. Yet it also offers him a new beginning: he is free, not by his own cunning, but by the intervention of others who saw his worth. The price of freedom is the loss of old certainties, but also the possibility of a new life.

Arrival in Attolia

Kamet and Costis arrive in Attolia, where Kamet is arrested and brought before the king. The court is a place of intrigue and danger, but also of unexpected kindness. Kamet is offered sanctuary, not as a slave, but as a valued guest. He struggles to adapt to a society where his skills are respected and his freedom is real. The trauma of his past lingers, and he fears retribution from the Mede Empire. Yet the bonds forged with Costis and the king offer hope. Kamet must decide whether to embrace his new identity or remain a fugitive from his own life.

The King's Gambit

Kamet learns that his escape was engineered by Eugenides, the king of Attolia, not out of simple spite, but as part of a larger strategy. The king needed Kamet's knowledge to thwart the Mede invasion, and also valued him as a friend. Kamet's sense of betrayal is tempered by the realization that he has been given a chance at true freedom. The king's cunning and compassion are revealed, and Kamet is offered a place in Attolia's future. The personal and the political intertwine, and Kamet must reconcile his past with the possibilities ahead.

Freedom's Price

Kamet, now free, must choose his own path. He is offered work as a scholar and observer, a chance to use his talents for a cause he can believe in. The journey has cost him his illusions, his ambitions, and his old identity, but it has given him friendship, self-respect, and the hope of belonging. As he sets out for a new life, accompanied by Costis, Kamet reflects on the meaning of freedom—not as the absence of chains, but as the courage to shape one's own destiny. The story ends with the promise of new adventures, and the enduring bond between two men who were once master and slave, now thick as thieves.

Characters

Kamet

Kamet is a Setran by birth, enslaved as a child and raised to be the highly educated secretary of Nahuseresh, a powerful Mede noble. Intelligent, proud, and deeply pragmatic, Kamet's identity is shaped by his status as both indispensable and utterly powerless. His ambition is to wield influence from behind the scenes, believing power is preferable to freedom. The trauma of slavery has made him suspicious, calculating, and slow to trust. Over the course of the journey, Kamet is forced to confront his own fears, prejudices, and desires. His relationship with Costis, and the betrayals and kindnesses he experiences, gradually transform him. By the end, Kamet chooses freedom—not just from chains, but from the self-imposed limitations of his past.

Costis (The Attolian)

Costis is an Attolian soldier, exiled from his homeland for striking his king (Eugenides) in a moment of anger. Honest, practical, and quietly courageous, Costis is chosen by the king for the mission to rescue Kamet. He is everything Kamet is not: open, trusting, and guided by a strong moral compass. Costis's patience and decency challenge Kamet's cynicism, and his willingness to risk his life for a stranger is both baffling and inspiring. Their relationship evolves from mutual suspicion to deep friendship, with Costis serving as both protector and equal. His journey is one of redemption, finding purpose and belonging through loyalty and love.

Nahuseresh

Nahuseresh is Kamet's master, a Mede noble whose ambition and cunning are matched only by his capacity for cruelty. He is both patron and oppressor, offering Kamet the illusion of influence while keeping him in chains. Nahuseresh's political failures and personal humiliations set the stage for Kamet's flight. His presence looms over the narrative as both a threat and a lost opportunity. Nahuseresh embodies the seductive dangers of power without conscience, and his fate—real or rumored—drives much of Kamet's internal conflict.

Laela

Laela is a former dancing girl in Nahuseresh's household, elevated to a position of trust by Kamet's intervention. She is one of the few slaves Kamet considers a friend, and her warning about Nahuseresh's death propels Kamet's escape. Later, it is revealed that Laela's warning was a ruse, orchestrated by the Attolian king to force Kamet's flight. Her actions, though a betrayal, are motivated by a desire to free Kamet. Laela represents the complexities of loyalty and the painful choices faced by the powerless.

Eugenides (The King of Attolia)

Eugenides, once the Thief of Eddis, is now the king of Attolia. He is a master of deception, orchestrating Kamet's escape for both personal and political reasons. Eugenides is both playful and ruthless, capable of great kindness and calculated manipulation. His relationship with Kamet is layered—he is at once Kamet's liberator, deceiver, and friend. Eugenides's actions force Kamet to confront the meaning of freedom and the possibility of trust. He embodies the paradox of power used for both self-interest and the greater good.

Godekker

Godekker is a former field slave living on the margins of society, hiding in the city of Zaboar. He offers Kamet and Costis shelter, but his own fear and resentment lead him to betray them. Godekker's actions force Kamet to confront the legacy of slavery—the difficulty of trust, the corrosive effects of suspicion, and the longing for dignity. Godekker is both a warning and a reflection of what Kamet might become if he cannot move beyond his past.

Relius

Relius is Attolia's former master of spies, a man who has suffered for his loyalty and now serves as a mentor and advisor. His broken hands are a testament to the costs of service, but his mind remains sharp. Relius helps Kamet navigate the complexities of Attolian politics and offers a model of integrity and resilience. He represents the possibility of redemption and the value of knowledge used wisely.

Melheret

Melheret is the Mede ambassador to Attolia, a man caught between loyalty to his emperor and the realities of Attolian cunning. He is both a threat and a potential ally, offering Kamet a return to the safety—and bondage—of the empire. Melheret's interactions with Kamet highlight the shifting balance of power and the dangers of underestimating one's opponents.

The Namreen

The Namreen are the emperor's elite bodyguards, tasked with hunting down Kamet and enforcing the empire's brutal justice. They are faceless, implacable, and deadly, representing the inescapable reach of tyranny. Their pursuit drives much of the narrative's tension and forces Kamet and Costis into ever greater acts of courage and ingenuity.

The Queen of Attolia

The queen is a powerful presence, her fate intertwined with the stability of Attolia. Her miscarriage and the nation's grief serve as a backdrop to Kamet's arrival, highlighting the fragility of peace and the costs of leadership. She is both an object of reverence and a reminder of the personal sacrifices demanded by power.

Plot Devices

False Death and Misdirection

The rumor of Nahuseresh's poisoning is a carefully crafted deception, orchestrated by Eugenides and Laela to compel Kamet's flight. This plot device not only propels the narrative but also explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the limits of agency. The false death creates a web of pursuit and suspicion, forcing Kamet to confront the reality that his life is shaped by forces beyond his control.

Dual Narratives and Storytelling

The recurring stories of Immakuk and Ennikar serve as a parallel to Kamet and Costis's journey. These myths, retold and reinterpreted, reflect the characters' struggles with loyalty, loss, and the search for meaning. Storytelling becomes both a survival tool and a means of connection, blurring the lines between past and present, fiction and reality.

Shifting Identities and Disguises

Throughout the novel, Kamet and Costis adopt multiple identities—slave and master, merchant and guard, fugitive and free man. These disguises are both literal and psychological, forcing the characters to question who they are and what they value. The process of shedding old identities and embracing new ones is central to the narrative's emotional arc.

Reluctant Friendship and Slow-Burn Trust

The evolving relationship between Kamet and Costis is the heart of the story. Their initial mistrust gives way to mutual respect and, ultimately, deep friendship. This slow-burn dynamic is built through shared hardship, vulnerability, and acts of kindness. The narrative structure allows for gradual revelation and growth, making their bond both believable and moving.

Political Intrigue and Hidden Agendas

The personal journey of Kamet is set against a backdrop of imperial politics, espionage, and war. The actions of individuals—Laela's betrayal, Eugenides's machinations, Melheret's diplomacy—are all part of a greater game. Foreshadowing and misdirection keep the reader guessing, while the ultimate revelation ties personal choices to the fate of nations.

Analysis

Thick as Thieves is more than a tale of escape; it is a profound exploration of what it means to be free. Through Kamet's eyes, we see the seductive allure of power, the corrosive effects of servitude, and the difficulty of imagining a life beyond chains—literal and psychological. The novel interrogates the nature of loyalty, the pain of betrayal, and the slow, often painful process of learning to trust. In a world where every relationship is shaped by hierarchy and suspicion, the emergence of genuine friendship is both miraculous and hard-won. The story's structure—layered with myths, shifting identities, and political intrigue—mirrors the complexity of its themes. In the end, the lesson is clear: freedom is not simply the absence of bondage, but the courage to choose one's own path, to risk vulnerability, and to embrace the possibility of belonging. The novel's emotional resonance lies in its refusal to offer easy answers, instead inviting readers to grapple with the messy, beautiful reality of human connection.

Last updated: October 7, 2025