Lyzon of Zalés

Lyzon is first introduced as Tecla Lionhelm's maid and friend. She is about 29 years old in Fatherland. Lyzon is one of the few characters who comes from the islands of the Zalejos Depths, east of the Red Continent. She crossed the Tinted Bay when she was 15 and lives with the Lionhelms ever since.

Appearance and Personality
Lyzon is described as a short woman with black hair, brown eyes shaped like almonds and olive skin. She wears large, beige robes, a style that Tecla imitates as a child. Lyzon is a reserved person who speaks her mind only around the people she trusts, namely Tecla, Fran the gardener, and Tithan Lionhelm. While she appears to be rather obedient, Lyzon nurtures a profound distaste for Voladea and Tesfira Lionhelm, and isn't afraid to call out Tecla on a few habits she picks.

Lyzon is also a fast learner, as shown with Gwethana Montel, and not one to panic too easily.

Early life
Lyzon doesn't talk about the family she left behind in the islands of the Zalejos Depths. She has an older brother, Zurzon, who works as an apprentice healer at Rantha's Illusion Shelter in Rainier's End, but she doesn't seem to know that he crossed the Tinted Bay as well and never mentions him. When Tecla meets Zurzon and wields the Quiet Tear, Lyzon is seen as a happy little girl swimming in the depths with her siblings, which suggests she had a rather peaceful childhood.

Through his narration, Zurzon reveals that their mother was a powerful and revered healer in the Enclave of Zalés.

Tithan Lionhelm
Around the time Lyzon is 15, Tithan Lionhelm docks in the Zalejos Depths following one of the Regency's campaigns in the name of the late monarch, Helias Rainier. Tithan and Lyzon begin an affair then, and Lyzon gives birth to Tecla. Refusing to let Tithan take the child away from her, Lyzon makes a deal with the old lord, who agrees on bringing her to Strongshore under the condition that she works as a maid and not tell anyone the truth. Voladea Lionhelm recognizes the child as hers, and as Tecla grows up looking more like her father, both she and Lyzon live undisturbed.

Tithan and Lyzon continue being lovers until his death.

Tecla's Faith
Early on in Fatherland, Lyzon disapproves of Tecla's wish to become a keeper of the fire in Oracle Hill. Even though Lyzon accompanies Tecla to every mass and even believes in a superior power, Lyzon stands by the idea that the Oracle Faith is a violent one that teaches young girls the wrong morals. When Tecla decides to study the Oracle's Memoir, Lyzon tries to make her point across as she emphasizes on the fact that what happens between a man and a woman should be out care for each other and that a religion shouldn't be based on a young woman's sexual assault, visions or no visions. Tecla disregards her advice, and their relationship begins to falter.

Silverholde
Lyzon follows her daughter to Silverholde when Tithan allows the latter to begin studying at the Regency's Observatory Vault. Lyzon spends most days worrying about Tecla's future and potential marriage, and also about Tithan's health given the coughing she witnessed and the accident he had in his study. She's never too vocal about it to avoid raising suspicion.

Tithan's Death and Lyzon's Imprisonment
Tithan's death marks a turning point in Lyzon's life. Shortly after Voladea ships Tecla to the Sand Towers, she imprisons Lyzon, confirming that she's always known about her husband and Lyzon's affair. Lyzon knows that Tecla's sister, Tesfira, discovered the affair some time ago, but she doesn't expect Voladea's reaction and ends up sharing a cell with Gwethana Lionhelm, who is accused of poisoning her husband Thaesonwald.

Lyzon's spends her days in the dungeons of Silverholde starved and covered in her own filth. Gwethana eventually comes up with a plan to escape the prison, one that involves trading places. She's convinced that if she pretends to be Lyzon and to be dead, the guards will throw her in the sea down below, like they did with other low-born prisoners. Gwethana tells Lyzon that she will free Lyzon upon her return but Lyzon isn't fully convinced as the plan relies on a good amount of luck and she doesn't even know how to impersonate Gwethana.

Both dirty and with their clothes swapped, Gwethana teaches Lyzon how to speak with her northern accent and how to behave. Unfortunately, Lyzon is sentenced to die and before they can attempt to execute their plan. Manipulated by Voladea Lionhelm and Lovel Riverguard, Tiran decides to execute 'Lyzon' as they accuse her of helping Tecla being Theliel's accomplice in stealing from the Regency and the people of the Silver Lands.

Lady of Three Crosses
By the end of Fatherland, Lyzon is exiled to Three Crosses and supposedly makes it out alive since the guards take her before Tiran realizes he's got the wrong prisoner. Until the truth about Gwethana's death reaches the Fog Lands, Lyzon travels as the Lady of Three Crosses.