Pazhis Nethenel

Pazhis Nethenel was "a count of Thu-Tetar", and the lover of Mer Reshema, a courier.

Appearance
“Count Nethenel was some six years older than Maia”, and when he came before Maia during the investigation into Eshevis Tethimar's assassination attempt, he “was nearly gray with strain but otherwise composed.” He was also ferret-faced.

Personality
Pazhis was very nervous during his interrogation, possibly in relation to being with his male lover so near to authorities. He was desperate to protect Reshema.

Life
Pazhis “had been named for the Empress Pazhiro”, possibly in an attempt to curry favor with Varenechibel IV.

Pazhis was related either through his mother or marriage to the Tethimada. The Nethenada were in disagreement with the Tethimada on various issues for some time. Pazhis took Reshema as his lover at least by the spring equinox before The Goblin Emperor. Over the summer, Pazhis again refused Eshevis his "support in a complaint he was bringing before the emperor."

Pazhis attended the Winternight Ball with Reshema on Maia's 19th birthday. Eshevis Tethimar stopped to speak to Pazhis (who was with Reshema), saying that Pazhis would regret his loyalties. Pazhis and Reshema believed that Eshevis "must have gained some important concession from" Maia, to justify his words. They had no idea that Eshevis would attempt to assassinate Maia.

Captain Vizhenka spotted the conversation between Eshevis and the two men. Pazhis and Reshema went to the Verven'theileian and "expressed their desire to cooperate" with the investigation into the assassination attempt. Maia spoke to Pazhis first, who explained the House situation and Eshevis' threat.

When Maia told Csevet Aisava he wished to speak to Reshema next, Pazhis protested that Reshema knew nothing of the whole affair, as he didn't know who Eshevis was. When Reshema joined them, he told Maia what he and Pazhis had discussed prior to the assassination. Afterward, the two men were dismissed.