; Aspen : Aspen was the eldest of three sisters - the younger ones both married 'off the island', leaving Mistmantle for ever. She realized early in life that she had beauty, intelligence, and charm, and was determined to use these to the greatest advantage. She marries Lord Husk. She fell out of a window with the king and died. Gleaner was her personal maid and is still convinced that Aspen was good and sweet. Aspen most probably poisoned the Queen, as she refuses to talk to Husk about it, and the "special medicine" that was only for the Queen was given to her by Gleaner after she fell. Gleaner said "She didn't want it, her being all honorable, but I gave it to her and it didn't help!" 1
