Masculinity
Wilson exploited the theme of masculinity by having most of his characters male. By having control over your emotions and through physical strength, a show of manhood is visible. Their masculinity is also visible when the caravan brothers hire them to protect them through their journey in Wildeeps which was believed to be extremely dangerous. Demane and Captain Issa were very strong although contributed by the fact that they were also demigods. It is also considered a show of weakness when a man cries and Demane is shocked by that fact. When Captain dies accidentally, he avoids crying to show full manhood. This is in a way toxic masculinity and happens a lot even in the current times. Men are afraid to show their emotions especially, of love and pain because of how society dictated it to be.
Love and sexuality
Captain Issa and Demane fell in love when they first met at the marketplace in Philipiya. The captain leaves where he was supposed to spend the night to spend with Demane at Amir’s court. This love proves to be frustrating for Demane because they have to keep it a secret. Homosexuality is not an acceptable concept in the northern lands. Deman shows his love for Captain when he quits his job and follows him on his mercenary job to Wildeeps. When Captain intentionally does not dodge Demane’s spear and gets killed fulfills his wants. The Captain was already tired of living and was ready to die but he wanted to die having been killed by someone he loves. Therefore, him letting Demane kill him as a way of showing his love.
Superhuman Abilities
Captain and Demane are both demigods whose ancestors left to go to space. That makes them have abilities that are beyond what a normal human can. For instance, when they get hurt while at Mother of Waters they heal quite fast compared to a normal human. When the Captain hurls a barrel upwards to a balcony to express his rage at Suresh shows the magnitude of his strength. The strength of Demane is also shown when he makes an explosion by kicking a jug of alcohol from Barkeem’s hands. These two performances can not be done by a mere man with just natural strength. Captain’s age is not told exactly although assumed that he might be seven hundred years of age although his looks do not show. This is beyond the average life expectancy for a common man. Demane has a special sense of smell when one is lying and when someone is sick and this came in handy through their journey in the Wildeeps.
