Ham Barleywain

Ham is a ten-year-old peasant boy. He has blue eyes, a mass of straw-colored curls, and his plump features give him a cherubic look. His cheeks flush bright red when he’s excited or agitated.

Ham is convinced that the egg is bringing bad luck to Moon Lantern. He’s very worried about what his mother will say when she finds out about the whole business, as he’s not supposed to go outside of town. Ham knows the rest of his group, The Moon Lantern Urchins, think him cowardly, as they won’t let him have the egg anymore in case he tells. He hopes they’ll change their minds when they find out he was attacked by gulls.

Quote: “We should never’ve picked up that egg. My ma’s going to kill me!”

Plot Points

Down Came a Blackbird - Part 1: Arrival in Moon Lantern