Board Thread:Deltora Quest Community/@comment-10087329-20130527094453/@comment-87.244.231.206-20170415065154

In the Slovak translation of the City of Rats, Reeah (in this case name changed to Ria to help with spelling) is always refered to as a female (she).

She also says to Lief that she is the Chosen One of the Dark Master (obviously meaning the Shadow Lord) who brought her to Deltora when she was young and ordered the masters of the city to feed it, rewarding them with free will to do whatever they wish with the inhabitants. The rats were originaly bred to feed Ria, but took over the city.

As for the Ak-Babas, my personal theory is that even though The Shadow Lord is powerful and has immense knowledge, the mind of an ancient serpent enhanced with the power of the opal is stronger and much more far seeing, and thus he seeks advice on certain things from Ria. The Ak-Babas are there to deliver his messages to The Chosen One, and to take her answers back to their master.