These are the characters that appear in the novel:´
- Gabriel is the narrator - main character. He was born in Cadiz and his mother was the only person who cared for him. There was an uncle who was very cruel. When his mother died, Gabriel ran to Medina Sidonia where he met Don Alonso and Doña Francisca, who hired him as a page, and he was happy with them. Gabriel was in love with their daughter, Rosita, but he was disappointed when she fell for someone else. Gabriel was with his master in the Battle of Trafalgar at the age of fourteen and saw too many horrors. After the Battle, Rosita and her boyfriend got married, and Doña Francisca asked him to go and serve him, but Gabriel couldn't do that and decided to go to Madrid
- D Alonso Gutiérrez de Cisniega is Gabriel's master. He is in his seventies and an old navy officer. After hearing about the English fighting the Spanish and French armada in Cadiz, he wants to join, but his wife is disapproving. Alonso is said to be afraid of nothing but his wife, so he steals away from home to join the armada when his wife is in church. Thankfully, despite the terrible battle he returns safe and sound to his wire.
- Doña Francisca is Don Alonso's wife. She is very vocal in her opinions and she is a pacifist. She doesn't understand why men have to go to war and kill each other.
-Marcial is an old friend of Alonso's. He has been in many battles like his friend and as a consequence, he has been wounded too many times. He has a wooden leg, his face is full of scars and his arm is also lame. Marcial dies in the Battle of Trafalgar.
- Rosita Gutiérrez is Don Alonso and Doña Francisca's daughter. She is several years older than Gabriel, but when Gabriel first comes to the house, they become good friends. Yet, when Rosa turns into a woman, Gabriel is disappointed because she treats him like a servant. Rosita becomes engaged to Rafael Malespina, and when he has to join the armada, she is very worried. At the end of the book Rosita and Rafael get married and move to Medina Sidonia.
- Rafael Malespina is Rosita's boyfriend and later husband. He is an artillery officer. He is wounded in the Battle of Trafalgar but survives.
- Jose María Malespina is Rafael's father. He is a big mouth, enjoying telling very exaggerated accounts of his experiences in war.
- Doña Flora de Cisniega is Don Alonso's cousin. She lives in Cadiz and it is here where Alonso and Gabriel stay before boarding the ship. Doña Flora is in her fifties but tries to look young by using any kind of make-up, hairdo or garment. Flora takes a liking to Gabriel and wants him to stay with her, and Gabriel hates it when she tries to caress him and force him to stay with her.
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