to raise Tamlorn in exchange for onions. She is described as being "a thin old woman" with untidy, curly white hair and iron grey eyes. Drede – King of Eldwold. Mithran – A treacherous wizard who attempts to rape Sybel and is killed by the Blammor. Though his name is clearly taken from Mithrandir, the Elvish name for J.R.R. Tolkien's benevolent wizard Gandalf, Mithran is anything but honorable or good. Beasts of Eld Black Swan of Tirlith – One of the creatures that Sybel cares for. The author describes it as being a "great winged" and "golden eyed" swan. Summoned by Myk, the father of Ogam. Blammor – A mysterious creature that is the incarnation of "the fear men die of." It is described as being a black mist with five eyes. Summoned by Sybel. It proves eventually to be the other, darker aspect of the Liralen, the great bird Sybel is trying to capture. Cyrin – One of the creatures that Sybel cares for. He is a boar who "knows all the riddles save one". He is described as being very wise, and having red eyes and white tusks. Also summoned by Myk. Cyrin can speak, and, early in the book, warns Coren about what a desire for vengeance on Drede can do to him, with this cautionary tale: "The giant Grof was hit in one eye by a stone, and that eye turned inward so that it looked into his mind, and he died of what he saw there." Cyrin later tells Sybel the same thing, for a similar reason, but, in her case, it has no apparent immediate effect. Gules Lyon – One of the creatures that Sybel cares for. A Lyon (lion) who "lived in the courts of great lords, dispensing wisdom, fed on rich meats, wearing their collars and chains of iron and gold only as long as he chose...". Before being summoned by Ogam, he lived in the Southern deserts of Eld. Gyld – One of the creatures that Sybel cares for. He is a dragon with green wings and a love for treasure. Originally summoned by Myk, later in the book, he is released by Sybel. Moriah – Described as being a huge black cat who has a wide knowledge of spells and charms, green eyes, a "sweet silken voice", and "teeth like honed polished stones". One of the creatures that Sybel cares