Old Mother Runhild lives in a small hut on the edge of Herzhald overlooking the forest. She is what is commonly called the village wise woman. Her hut is crammed with all manner of herbs, creams and ointments most of which have no labels and have a wide range of uses. Used much more often by the women and girls of the village than the men Runhild combines the role of healer and counsellor within the village community.