“Out of the south she came, twice warned and thrice blessed, this vingan called Cradledaughter, a woman proud and terrible, strange in dress and harsh in voice, rich in laughter and poor in giving praise. Henna-hallowed her hair, spun with knotted copper coins, proclamation to all of the Goddess she served. Shieldless she ranged, with a spear light as Elmal’s touch, though it was bound even to the shaft in rune-wrought bronze. At her waist there hung a draw-wand of searing blue iron, pledge gift of the violence she carried like an unborn child. And she spoke of things we did not understand.” - A Rope of Cedar Bark