*** About the Characters ***

LYDIA - The type of girl who wouldn't be seen dead in a fur bikini, Lydia of Lydyce (later Lady WESTMOORLAND) is short and skinny, with mousy-brown hair and a stubborn look, 19 years old on first encounter, averagely pretty without being in any way beautiful, despite what ALEX might tell you.  Learnt the art of herbalism from HEALER PERRO following her dramatic arrival at Hierath, she has proved herself to be courageous and level-headed (most of the time!)  Wife of ALEX, mother to JAMIE, and implacable enemy of VALERY.  Carries a dagger that was given to her by CARLON THE PHILOSOPHER, and a shabby brown satchel filled with the secrets of her craft,  Mildly psychic, but not the witch that some people have claimed her to be.

Mangababe Lydia by Ash Gainsborough (c) 2006