Thorby

The book's protagonist, initially introduced to us as "lot 97", is called Thorby Baslim, Thorby Baslim-Kraussa, and Thor Rudbek of Rudbek, at alternating points in the novel. Thorby is kidnapped by slavers at the age of three. We are given few specifics about his traumatic childhood, but it is clear that he has been severely abused by a series of masters. As the book opens, Thorby is being sold at a slave auction in Jubblepore. His exact age is unknown (he is described as "preadolescent"), but the reader understands that Thorby has been exposed to many hardships during his short life. The bidders at the slave auction clearly view Thorby, who appears, thin, frail, scarred, and unhealthy due to obvious abuse and neglect, to be an undesirable piece of property, and therefore nobody bids on him. He is finally purchased by Baslim the cripple for a paltry 9 minims.

Thorby...