Khtoba

General Khotba is the commander of the Auxiliaries in Khandar. He is a minor POV character in The Thousand Names.

Character and Appearance
Khtoba is native to Khandar. He is described as having 'a face made for scowls'. He has a set of bushy eyebrows and a droopy mustache. Gold gleams in his teeth as he speaks. His uniform's shoulders are fringed with gold to signify his rank and his sword is adorned with gold and silver which sparkles as it moves.

Despite being a staunch ally of the Redemption, he appears to have little tolerance for the Redeemer priests, frequently arguing with Yatchik-dan-Rahksa and boasting about the Auxiliaries' strength. He is arrogant and overconfident in his prowess as a strategist. Jaffa-dan-Ilnn describes him as willing to sell his own mother for a thimbleful of power.

History
Khtoba is a native of Khandar. At some point her joined the Auxiliaries and rose through the ranks to become it's general. During the Redemption, Khtoba sided with the Redeemers and lead the Auxiliaries against Prince Exopter and the Colonials. As leader of the Auxiliaries, and therefore one of the most powerful men in the nations, Khtoba became part of the informal council which oversees the nation's affairs.

The Thousand Names
General Khtoba joins the council meeting called by Jaffa-dan-Ilnn, accompanied by two Auxiliary soldiers. He clashes with Yatchik-dan-Rahksa regarding the next steps regarding the Colonials. When the Steel Ghost informs the council Vordanai reinforcements had arrived, Khtoba urges the council to assault the remainder of the Vordanai, insisting the Colonials cannot be allowed to retain a foothold. He the three thousand or so reinforcements are nothing to fear and they must send a message to the king of Vordan. Despite this, he is reluctant to send his own soldiers against them.

When Col. Janus bet Vhalnich marches the army down the Coast Road, Khtoba states that their garrison is strong enough at Ashe-Katarion to withhold an attack, which Jaffa infers is Khtoba's fear of reducing his forces in engaging them and therefore his influence in Ashe-Katarion. Jaffa plays Khtoba and However, the Redeemer Host is sent forth.

Following the Battle on the Road and the reduced strength of the Redeemer Host, General Khtoba enters the field with all six battalions of Auxiliaries and a complement of artillery. He takes the high ground on the bank past the River Tsel, but is defeated when the Vordanai cross the River Tsel, after a series of engagements across the banks and at Turalin.

When Khtoba returns to Ashe-Katarion, his army numbers approximately three to four-hundred, which he'd salvaged following the engagement by Turalin. He also doubts that the walls of Ashe-Katarion will have the strength to fend of a modern siege, in light of the advancing Vordanai. The Steel Ghost refuses to support the city's garrison, knowing that defense will fail.

When Khtoba inquires, The Steel Ghost says that the Desoltai will return to the Great Desol. The General and his Auxiliaries accompany the raiders to a temple deep in the desert. Khtoba meets his demise at the hands of Mother, who orders his death in an attempt to appease Janus bet Vhalnich.