Who is Alanna of Trebond from In the Hand of the Goddess and what is their importance?

Alanna of Trebond is a young girl of noble birth. She is a 15 year-old squire when the story begins, and an 18 year-old knight when the story ends. Alanna has the Gift of healing, but she has no wish to be a sorceress. She wants to be a knight. Alanna is the main character and protagonist in the novel.