Her status as the best warrior in the outpost makes her
a natural candidate for garrison leader. In a fight, Mersten
is likely to set out on her own, regardless of the odds,
expecting her comrades to follow and to acquit themselves
as warriors. She spends little time on strategic planning,
and is unfamiliar with the use of scouts or sophisticated
plans. Many friends of Ragstol have urged him to take
a more active hand in the outpost's defense, as they see
Mersten's inflexibility as a strategist as the primary cause
of the outpost's defensive weakness.
Moreover, Mersten is not an even-tempered mul. She
tries to control her temper, but she is not always successful.
If challenged or under pressure, she has a tendency to
react violently. Thus far, Ragstol has been able to control
the mul's temper, but if Mersten cannot change her ways,
Ragstol is afraid he may have to send her back to Salt
View.
Mersten Vell is an ex-slave, ex-gladiator, and an ex-inhabitant of Salt View. A simple woman with a warrior's view of the world, she found the transition to a life of art and performance by the slaves of Salt View too confusing. While she finds it difficult to live among the artists of Salt View, she still believes that the people of Salt View should not be forced to return to a life of slavery any more than she should. She convinced Fyra to allow her to travel to Outpost 19 in order to study its operations. Fyra consented without seeking approval from Xaynon, Salt View's leader. Mersten offered her services to Ragstol Wavir and the master trader gladly accepted. Mersten is a typical mul. She respects Ragstol, but has not spent much time contemplating his thoughts about trade and the importance of an individual's right to property. Although she is no longer a gladiator in the games of Nibenay (her one-time home), she still thinks in the concrete, straight line fashion that led her to so many victories in the arena.