Serilda is the protagonist of the novel, a dynamic and round character marked at birth by Wyrdith, the god of stories and lies, with a gift for narrative that isolates her from her community. Her unique golden-wheeled eyes serve as a constant, visible marker of her curse, causing the villagers to view her as a source of misfortune and an untrustworthy liar. This societal rejection forces Serilda to find solace in the very talent that causes others to shun her. She tells fantastical tales to the village children, who are her only true companions. For Serilda, storytelling acts as both a defense mechanism and a form of creative expression. The children’s metaphor that her talent is like “spinning straw into gold” (16) becomes the central conceit of the narrative when she uses this exact falsehood to save herself from the Erlking. Her journey explores The Power and Peril of Storytelling, as her ability to spin stories traps her in the Erlking’s service and ultimately helps her end his reign of terror.

Despite her reputation for dishonesty, Serilda consistently demonstrates bravery and compassion.