Keratin Keratin Keratin () is one of a family of fibrous structural proteins. It is the key structural material making up hair, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of human skin. Keratin is also the protein that protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Keratin is extremely insoluble in water and organic solvents. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and form strong unmineralized epidermal appendages found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. The only other biological matter known to approximate the toughness of keratinized tissue is chitin. Keratin derives from Greek ' from '
Characters in the Realm of the Elderlings a shop in Bingtown. She is particularly skilled at creating beads and other small pieces, although she has been known to carve furniture. She employs a Six Duchies woman named Jek to guard her shop. Amber has golden skin, eyes and hair, and it is assumed that she takes her name from her unusual coloring. She often wears outlandish clothes and mismatched jewelry. However, she is an intensely private person, and she reveals little of her past. She finds slavery disgusting and seeks to free the slaves of Bingtown. She also befriends Paragon and convince Brashen and Althea to buy