Section 2: Chapter 2 Summary

The only person at court whom Ninnoc dislikes is her Aunt Meroot, Marcus's older sister, who comes to live at the Wooden Palace with her son, Gamal, after her husband dies mysteriously when Ninnoc is four. Ninnoc and Gamal become close friends, and though Meroot has Gamal trained in fighting and is cruel to him, he loves music and often sings a mysterious lullaby to Ninnoc. Also, Ninnoc feels that her aunt dislikes her and, as a result, does not trust Meroot. Erlain explains that Meroot is nasty to Gamal because she wants him to be a great warrior, but Ninnoc will need other powers. If Ninnoc had a brother, he would be king after Marcus, but with no brother, Ninnoc may rule, depending on her power as "the strength of the warrior is not the only kind" (p. 16). Playing at...