A young Runa female on the planet Rakhat, Askama is the daughter of Manuzhai and a translator. She finds protagonist Emilio Sandoz in Hlavin Kitheri's seraglio, the victim of repeated serial rape, and alerts the crew of Magellan, who affect his release. Askama shares the fate of Jephthah's daughter in the Bible, being killed by Emilio as fulfillment of his vow to kill the next person he sees. Thereafter, Emilio suffers nightmares and is unable to be among children. Three years later, Manuzhai suggests that the Runa of Kashan offer themselves so the fugitive Supaari VaGayjal can become hasta'kala and thus beyond government persecution.