Jaffa

Jaffa is a gladiator captain at the Borosevo Colosso on Emesh, described as ink-skinned. He fights with an antique crossbow among his weapons and is known for leading a team that also uses throwing javelins and spears. He previously killed the myrmidon Banks when his spear struck a joint in Banks's armor.

In a later bout witnessed from Count Mataro's private box, Jaffa uses his antique crossbow to kill the myrmidon Erdro: after Erdro charges him and takes an initial bolt off his breastplate — drawing a gasp from the crowd — Jaffa calmly cocks the weapon again and fires a killing shot. Two other myrmidons then swarm him and beat him until his combat suit locks up; he is paralyzed and dragged from the field by servitors. He has bruises but survives — Hadrian observes he should have been dead.