Archpriest Flambard is the Head of the Faith in the Old Kingdom, though he is more of a politician than a priest, and prefers secular matters to religious. He rules the country as regent in place of the infant Queen Heloise, but faces opposition from rivals such as the Grand Master of the Temple, and is not popular with the people. An obese giant of a man, supremely intelligent, hard-working and ruthless, he is prepared to do anything to preserve the stability of the Winter Realm and advance his own interests.