Ch 25

spirited:displaying animation, vigor, or livelinesstottered:tottering - unsteady in gait as from infirmity or old age; "a tottering skeleton of a horse"; "a tottery old man"sovereign:a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary rightdawdle:linger: take one's time; proceed slowlygallivanting: wander aimlessly in search of pleasurecambric: a finely woven white linennursery:a child's room for a babytactlessly:without tact; in a tactless manner; "at the moment of the murder, he is standing in front of television cameras and talking tactlessly"boon:very close and convivial; "boon companions"shrewd:astute: marked by practical hardheaded intelligence; "a smart businessman"; "an astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease"; "he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow"prophet:an authoritative person who divines the future

Ch 24

tapestries:Tapestry is a form of textile art, woven on a vertical loom. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length (called the warp) and those parallel to the width (called the weft); the warp threads are set up under tension on a loom, and the weft thread is ...minstrel:a strong north wind that blows in France during the winterhubbub:loud confused noise from many sourcesscones:The scone is a small British quickbread (or cake if recipe includes sugar) of Scottish origin. Scones are especially popular in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United States, but are eaten in many other countries. ...attired:appareled: dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination; "the elegantly attired gentleman"; "neatly dressed workers"; "monks garbed in hooded robes"; "went about oddly garmented"; "professors robed in crimson"; "tuxedo-attired gentlemen"; "crimson-robed Harvard professors"ermine:ermine - the expensive white fur of the ermineskulking:malingering: evading duty or work by pretending to be incapacitated; "they developed a test to detect malingering"salvo:an outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombsstalwart:hardy: having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships; "hardy explorers of northern Canada"; "proud of her tall stalwart son"; "stout seamen"; "sturdy young athletes"

Ch 23

dwindling-diminish gradually in size, amount, or strengthfurlong-an eighth of a mile, 220 yards.ramparts-a defensive wall of a castle or walled city, having a broad top with a walkway and typically a stone parapet.visage-a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the featuresconjure-make (something) appear unexpectedly or seemingly from nowhere as if by magichordes-a large group of peopleramshackle-n a state of severe disrepair : a ramshackle cottage.bolt-a metal pin or bar, in particularmime-the theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement.custody-the protective care or guardianship of someone or somethingappalled-greatly dismay or horrify

Ch 22

amiably-having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner ravenous-extremely hungrygape-stare with one's mouth open wide, typically in amazement or wonderyarn-spun thread used for knitting, weaving, or sewing.veer-change direction suddenlybogs-wet muddy ground too soft to support a heavy bodychasms-a deep fissure in the earth, rock, or another surfacespouse-a husband or wife, considered in relation to their partner.unkempt-having an untidy or disheveled appearanceinaudible-?colliery-a coal mine and the buildings and equipment associated with it.mutton-the flesh of sheep, esp. mature sheep, used as foodmorass-an area of muddy or boggy groundfloundered-struggle or stagger helplessly or clumsily in water or mudgamely-a form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luckwrangle-a dispute or argument, typically one that is long and complicated

Ch 21

knoll- a small, rounded hill or eminence; hillock. tattoo- a signal on a drum, bugle, or trumpet at night, for soldiers or sailors to go to their quarters. cuirass- defensive armor for the torso comprising a breastplate and backplate, originally made of leather.halberd- a shafted weapon with an axlike cutting blade, beak, and apical spike, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries. reserve- to serve again.placid- pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil; serenely quiet or undisturbed.

Ch 20

besiegers- to lay siege to. caldron/ cauldron- a large kettle or boiler.dale- a valley, especially a broad valley.tyrant- a sovereign or other ruler who uses power oppressively or unjustly.skittish- apt to start or shy.gelding- a castrated male animal.sentinel- a person or thing that watches or stands as if watching.poise- a state of balance, as from equality or equal distribution of weight; equipoise.trice- a very short time; an instant.ruse- a trick, stratagem, or artifice.centaur- one of a race of monsters having the head, trunk, and arms of a man, and the body and legs of a horse.