The knights Lady

Alinor runs home through the secret passage which puts her back in Castle Draken in the old chapel. She runs up to her room to wash up and make herself pretty before dinner. If Her brother Robert has come home, then Wil, his Squire will be there too.

She spins through the door to her chambers and slams into her mother. Baroness Ann is a beautiful woman of Middle years. She shared alinor's red hair and green eyes, but Alinor's slender hips and full breasts come from the other side of the family. The Baroness has a tiny frame that has gotten a little more round every passing year. "Alinor...Where have you been, out of doors? Your Face is stained all over with freckles."

The Baroness shakes her head at Alinor, but smiles despite her annoyance. There is hay in her daughter's hair, and the marks on the bottom of Alinor's dress.