Lanza Oscura (“Dark Lance”) is a knight who guards the Semiwall, the border separating the lands of the Mongols from the steppes; “despite his name, he is a knight of the light”. He serves as captain of the guard of Diomirra, under baron Cain.
| Type | Character (knight) |
| Residence | A small castle by the Semiwall |
| Lord | Baron Cain |
| Spanish entry | Lanza Oscura |
Description
He is “rather bigger than a normal man”, blond-bearded, with “a kind of vinche” on his forehead, and “very well armed”: long lance, shield and sword. No account gives the color of his clothes, arms or blazon.
Role
He administers this stretch of border in person from “a kind of small castle”, the only one in the zone with a castle, a militia and informants. He keeps about twenty men-at-arms “armed all the time” and, if needed, “can raise a militia of 50 guards” from the village.
He has chosen “not to deal directly with the rasquemores” and lets nomadic merchants through. Some see experience in this; others “a certain laxity and corruption”. Some consider him “worthy, chaste and pure”; others see rot.
He often sends someone to report what happens behind his back: he knows baron Cain is unhappy with him and that betrayal comes “from the side of those he has to protect”. A truce holds between them.
History
He was once a local agent preparing the rebellion; now he is captain of Diomirra’s guard. How he changed sides or function is not explained.
Conflicting accounts
- His name is written Lanza Oscura, Lanzo Oscura, and in one isolated version Lanzalarga (“Long Lance”).
Open questions
- What the vinche on his head is.
- Where the Semiwall lies relative to Diomirra and his castle.
- Who the rasquemores are; how his guard is paid.
- Whether a “Dark Forest” and “dark lands of the sea” (where chants summon and contain hell creatures), mentioned under his name, relate to him.