What do you think informed Aster and Hirut's relationship at the beginning of the novel? How has their relationship changed by the novel's end?

After learning that Aster helped Hirut's parents to escape, Hirut asks Aster, "And why did you do nothing to help me? Are you so jealous that you have no heart?" (p. 368)? What do you think informed Aster and Hirut's relationship at the beginning of the novel? How has their relationship changed by the novel's end?

I was so off put by Aster's character and her hatred for Hirut whom I didn't think deserved was very off putting at the beginning of the novel. This somewhat contributed to not being able to get into the story. By the end they are joined in leading the Ethiopians and giving them hope and inspiration, though I think they generally disliked and distrusted one another.

Jealousy, moving in both directions, at the beginning, mellowed by a bit of understanding and joint purpose at the end.

I thought they were forced into a relationship by prior connections. Aster seemed to have some kindness in her heart for Hirut's parents, but not for Hirut herself. I thought Aster's attitude was very telling about the class discrimination practiced in that society. It seemed to me that she never tried to rise above that and that she mostly used Hirut to her advantage. I think they learned how to work together, for a better purpose. They may have bonded as women caught up in this war and sexist society together. But I don't believe they ever personally bonded or trusted one another.

Aster being married to Kidane was forced by tradition and survival to accept a mans dominating and abusive behavior to survive in that society. Hirut did not have that advantage which made her a victim of Kidanes abuse as she had no official stature. She wanted to kill Kidane but Aster realizing her beneficial advantage told Hirut she would kill to protect her stature. But by the end they helped one another deal with and survive an even more threatening opponent, Fucelli and his army.

Jealousy on both sides, though I wasn't entirely sure why Aster was jealous of Hirut, a slave.

I think that although Aster had helped Hirut's parents in the past, it was the timing in which Hirut entered Aster's life that was a condemning factor. Kidane brought Hirut to live with them right after their own child had died which Aster took as a sign of humiliation and as evidence that Kidane in her view had never loved or cared for their son especially that he was not there when he died or for the burial. And then to have him show deference and later a sexual interest in Hirut was the ultimate betrayal and so Hirut was to bear the brunt of Aster's resentments for a husband she had no power over except through the humiliation and abuse of the person he cared for.

Jealousy and mistrust caused a large rift in their relationship at the beginning and it was never completely healed by the end of the book. Hirut established herself as her own person independent of ties to the other women.

I did not like Aster throughout the book. I felt she was jealous of Hirut from the beginning. Is there a back story here?