Intelligence services know Ildikó Báthory as the commander of the Order of the Dragon, an elite mercenary company known equally for efficiency and brutality. Her origins are shrouded in mystery; persistent rumours that she was the only woman to qualify and serve as a paratrooper with the Légion Étrangère have been vociferoiusly (if quietly) denied.

Unknown to all but a very few, she is also Lady Marshal of the Society of the Black Swan – a neo-feudalist cabal with tentacles in all manner of economic sectors, particularly media, transportation,. and arms dealing. Her role rests not only on her military acumen; like all of the Black Swan's leadership, her authority rests also on the claim to a noble title.

Only Salvadu Pinto, the Lord Constable, truly knows her well; Ildikó remains aloof to even the other members of the High Council. Given what they do see – a woman of few words and fewer smiles, seemingly only aroused to passion by the thought of inflicting suffering or violence – it's small wonder they're more likely to refer to her as "the Blood Countess" than by her title.

When she's not around, anyway.