Sorcha/Jenny

Sorcha is the seventh child of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters, an Irish warlord. Sorcha's mother died at her birth; therefore, Sorcha has been raised by her six older brothers and well-meaning servants. Sorcha's father is rarely present in the family home because of his duties as warlord and his constant campaigns against foreign powers, such as the Norsemen, Picts, and Britons. For this reason, Sorcha is something of a wild child who has grown up in the forest, learning firsthand about nature and the power of herbs.

When Sorcha is only twelve, her brother helps a Briton prisoner escape his father's clutches. Sorcha finds herself becoming nursemaid to this man when he struggles mentally with what has been done to him. Sorcha tells him stories and cares for his wounds, slowly gaining ground with him both physically and emotionally. However, news from home forces Sorcha to leave...