The Charwoman

Ramon Alonzo

Ramon is manipulated and exploited by the Charwoman, who uses his shadow to gain power over him.

Anemone

Anemone distrusts and opposes the Charwoman, who threatens her beloved Ramon.

The Master

The Charwoman manipulates and deceives the Master, using her shadow magic against him.

Ramon Alonzo

Ramon is manipulated and exploited by the Charwoman, who uses his shadow to gain power over him.

Ramon Alonzo

Ramon is manipulated and exploited by the Charwoman, who uses his shadow to gain power over him.

The Master

The Charwoman manipulates and deceives the Master, using her shadow magic against him.

The Master

The Charwoman manipulates and deceives the Master, using her shadow magic against him.

Anemone

Anemone distrusts and opposes the Charwoman, who threatens her beloved Ramon.

III: The Charwoman Tells of Her Loss

The charwoman reveals that she traded her shadow to the Master for immortality, and now suffers social exclusion and loneliness.

IV: Ramon Alonzo Learns a Mystery Known to the Reader

Reveals her curse and warns Ramon about the magician's prices before departing shadowless.

V: Ramon Alonzo Learns of the Box

Reveals her name as Dockweed, explains that her shadow is in a box in the magician's room, and warns Ramon about the price of learning.

VII: Ramon Alonzo Follows the Art

Ramon tells her he has seen the shadow-box and hopes to rescue her shadow; she sighs and shakes her head.

VIII: Ramon Alonzo Shares the Idleness of the Maidens of Aragona

Ramon seeks her to share news of Aragona but cannot find her; her face appears in his dreams.

IX: The Technique of Alchemy

Mourns the loss of her own shadow and refuses a false one; weeps upon learning Ramon's shadow is artificial.

XI: The Chill of Space

Explains the magician's power over shadows and shares the experience of their shadows being sent into space.

XII: Mirandola Demands a Love-Potion

Mentioned as the one whose shadow Ramon hopes to reclaim from the shadow-box.

XIII: Ramon Alonzo Compounds the Potion

Advises Ramon about the potion's effects, warns him about the false shadow, and begins to hope as they plot together.

XIV: The Folk of Aragona Strike for the Faith

Mentioned as the aged charwoman whose fascination delayed Ramon; he remains committed to rescuing her shadow.

XV: Ramon Alonzo Talks of Technique and Muddles His Father

Referenced in Ramon Alonzo's thoughts as having been right about the triviality of shadows.

XVI: The Work of Father Joseph

Mentioned indirectly through Mirandola's recollection of tales about men who sold their shadows.

XX: The Magician Imitates a Way of the Gods

Found among her brooms and pails; listens to Ramon's plan but expresses doubt about the Master's suspicions and the false shadow.

XXI: White Magic Comes to the Wood

Referenced as the ancient crone whose shadow Ramon is pledged to recover, bound by chivalry.

XXII: Ramon Alonzo Crosses a Sword with Magic

She sees Ramon's despair and offers comfort, revealing the first syllable of the spell ('Ting') and suggesting a possible path to salvation.

XXIII: The Plan of Ramon Alonzo

Attempts to comfort Ramon but fails; her remark about 'Tong or Tang' inspires his plan.

XXIV: Ramon Alonzo Dances with His Shadow

Ramon intends to return her shadow, but after searching the box, he cannot find it among the shadows.

XXV: The Release of the Shadow

Reveals her past as a beautiful young woman in Aragona, recounts how the magician took her shadow, and flees with Ramon after reclaiming her shadow.

XXVI: The Wonderful Casting

Reclaims her shadow, which reverses the magical aging and restores her true youthful form as Anemone; her memories of magic begin to fade.