Norah Arendt

Nora Arendt makes her first appearance in volume two of the novels. She is a skilled shepherdess from a church-town named Rubinhaigen who dreams of becoming a tailor. Her companion in her current profession is a well-trained sheep dog named Enek.

Soft-spoken and somewhat naive, Nora lived and worked for most of her life in a convent annex that also served as an almshouse. Though effectively raised by the church, Nora becomes increasingly ostracized due to her unusual proficiency in shepherding, which the church attributes to possible pagan powers. As such, Nora is repeatedly tasked with guiding a pitifully small flock in dangerous areas of the countryside to "test" her abilities. On one of these trips, she encounters Holo and Lawrence, who stop to receive a traditional shepherd's blessing. Their chance meeting eventually leads to Nora and her sheep becoming a key element in a desperate gold smuggling scheme. Nora completes her role in the scheme flawlessly despite risking death, simultaneously freeing Lawrence from his debt and getting the necessary funds to emacipate herself from the church.

Appearance and Personality
Nora is a pretty young girl with blonde hair, golden brown eyes, and "an honorably impoverished" countenance only enhanced by her naivety and servility. However, she holds increasing disdain for the church despite her obsequious attitude, knowing full well the suspicions about her but too indebted to protest. Her only recompense is to slowly earn money on the side by escorting travelers as a wolf deterrent until her fateful meeting with Holo and Lawrence.

Skills
In addition to guiding and protecting her flock, Nora is expected to customarily greet and bless travelers. The origin of this tradition is unknown, but the ancient greeting recited by all shepherds is preserved as follows: By the blessing of God in the heavens, By the protection of the spirits of the land, The word of God is carried on the wind, And the blessings of the spirits of the land Inhabit the very grass eaten by the lamb. The lambs are led by the shepherd, And the shepherd by God. By the grace of God, the shepherd Follows the path of righteousness.