Argo

Argo is the eolderman of the Danuan survivors from Danu, a red-haired, red-bearded elder with a prosthetic left leg from military service. He was conscripted as a boy, left behind a pregnant girl when he shipped out, and came home after losing his leg to thirty-three great-grandchildren. When his settlement was evacuated, he was blinded by Demiurge's Darklight weapon and came aboard the ship with Hadrian's promise that his sight would be restored.

Restored by the ship's healing tanks and made younger and more vital, Argo claims descent from Arthur Longhand and argues that his people should remain aboard Demiurge rather than face Imperial resettlement. He regards Hadrian as an honest lord and is present on the bridge during the firing of Astrophage at Gododdin, afterward living quietly in the ring section and fishing with the boy Victor.

When Demiurge is to be destroyed, Hadrian cannot keep his promise to keep the Danuans at his side. Argo accepts the news with a brave face and much fear and trembling. At Nicephorus's direction, he formally acknowledges Hadrian's lordship by kissing his rings, then departs with his salvaged people -- including Victor, Hector, and little Irene -- bound for safety among the Jaddians.