The novel's chief character is Yakoub the gypsy leader, who narrates the story of his conflict with Shandor, and in the process tells the story of his adventurous life. Yakoub is a man who combines the practical wisdom of a survivor with a certain degree of humane moral vision masked by Machiavellian pragmatism. As "King of the Gypsies" he has tried to exercise power judiciously, and he tries to abdicate from wielding his power because he finds the responsibility to be heavy.

He is, however, forced to use all his Machiavellian guile to outwit his son, Shandor, who seizes power in order to misuse it.

Shandor, Yakoub's foil, is a rebellious youth who wants power for the sake of power. Without having lived through Yakoub's experiences and learned from them, Shandor does not know how to use power wisely. Yakoub's knowledge of Shandor's deficiencies is the chief reason...