Borsi Bestil, Elma's husband, died in the Second Battle of Shadowdale, leaving her alone in the world. Refusing the offer of her brother-in-law Hyne to move in with her, she manages the farm on her own. Self-reliant and capable, she has made the farm much more profitable than Borsi ever did on his own. She is helped by three full-time hired hands - Moran, Guentar, and Breegar - but also hires on additional women and men for the harvest.