Bride of the Stone: Circle of Nine Trilogy 2

by Josephine Pennicott

  BINDIWIT

  A hybrid of bat and elf. Now extinct in all the known worlds.

  BLUITE

  Earth dweller; one from the Blue Planet.

  BOGIE

  Goblin. The temperament of Bogies ranges from mischievous to evil. In Eronth the Bogie is a great ally to the remaining Faery tribes.

  BOLGON

  Religious texts in Eronth. Ancient tree magic texts, housed in New Baffin and guarded by the Tremite Scribes.

  BONELYNX

  Animal once native to Eronth, and hunted into extinction by the Azephim, who sought it for the magical properties attributed to the bone through its nose.

  BOOK OF LIFE

  Common term in Eronth referring to the Tremite Book of Life. (See Tremite Scribes.) It is open to interpretation and is frequently misconstrued. There is also a Winski Book of Life which is only taken seriously by its lone scribe, Jig Boy.

  BOOK OF SHADOWS

  A witch’s book of spells, rituals and magical lore. Traditionally, the Book of Shadows is copied by hand by each new apprentice to its witch or Crone.

  BOWZ

  Informal Webx term to describe Hostlings.

  BRIDE OF THE STONE

  Refers to the Eronth legend of the pure maiden who will awaken the Rainbow Bird Wizards in the Circle of Nine.

  CANDLEMAS

  The feast of lights, signalling the first signs of spring inside Mother Earth. Heralds the strengthening light that is beginning to pierce the dark of Winter. Candlemas is also the feast of Brighid, a fertility-bringer.

  CIRCLE OF NINE

  Nine powerful Rainbow Bird Wizards who fled to Eronth after stealing the Eom crystal from the Azephim in the Web-Kondoell. They were turned into nine stones after incurring the wrath of the goddesses in Eronth when they attempted to molest Aphrodite. The Circle of Nine stands outside Faia, and the stones are cared for and protected by the Faian villagers and the nine virgins, protectors of the sacred fires and companions to the stones. According to legend, when the masculine energy overthrows the sacred goddess and the last goddess admits defeat, the stone Wizards may return to flesh and blood and rule Eronth, although the Tremite Scribes predicted that the love of a pure maiden would awaken the sleeping warriors and they would become flesh.

  CRONE

  Old woman held in high regard in Eronth. Crones normally display a vast range of magical powers and live with an apprentice.

  CROSSA

  One who is able to travel freely between all the known worlds. One who fully realises the truth that all worlds are one world.

  DARK BEAUTIFUL ONE

  A term describing the Azephim.

  DARNTIS

  Great columns of stonework in the Uluree in the Web-Kondoell. They feature elaborate bone carvings.

  DAY OF ASHES

  The day the Webx race was attacked by the Azephim and the Eom was abducted.

  DEOSIL

  In a clockwise or sunwise direction.

  ‘EKO OPZURI ELLE!’ OR ‘ALZOURI EKO ELLE!’

  Magical banishing phrase to repel Solumbi.

  ELDERS

  Final stage of Webx life, when the Webx reaches its pinnacle. Contrary to popular belief, the Webx people are not immortal, although they do live for millions of years before turning to seed, when new life flows from them. The Elders are the most respected in the Webx tribe. This final great stage is only reached after decades of arduous testing and initiations in the Oakdeer stage.

  ENDI

  Flesh-eating bush that grows silver berries. Endi is found in profusion throughout the Wastelands.

  ENJOLI

  Species of bird common throughout Eronth.

  EOM

  Sacred black crystal. Originally claimed by the Webx race, but abducted by the Azephim.

  ERGOM

  Rodent, similar to mice. Common in Eronth. Make satisfactory magical familiars due to their high intelligence and willingness to please.

  ERINNYES

  See Snatcher.

  ERONTH

  An island existing in a parallel dimension.

  ESTEO

  Eronth version of coffee. A popular drink throughout Eronth. Made with crushed hazelnuts, vanilla and ilkama milk.

  EXHLAZ PORTAL

  A major portal between Eronth and Earth. Created by a coven of witches in the Blue Mountains in Australia.

  EYSTON

  Azephim word for measuring time. No equivalent in Bluite time.

  FAIA

  Large agricultural village in Eronth under control of Mary, the High Priestess, a Bluite Crossa. The home of the Circle of Nine.

  FAIAITES

  Most modern-day Faiaites are a hybrid of Faery and old Faiaian blood. Their original name has been suppressed, although it is described in the Book of Life. It is believed that if the original name is spoken in the wrong tone, or written in the wrong mood, it has the power to split the known worlds.

  FAIR-I’S

  Magical enchanted eyes that resemble pebbles and flowers. If handled, you lose your sight. Found throughout Eronth, but in particular in the Glade of the Almost Were.

  FLEMBOW

  Sea-serpent monster.

  FURIES

  See Snatcher

  GELDOZ

  Hybrid bull man of the Weldon race. Mary’s assistant in Faia.

  GHORMHO

  First to be hatched from an Azephim clutch of eggs. The Ghormho, male or female angel, is always highly regarded and is never eaten by the Azephim Hatcher.

  GLADE OF THE ALMOST WERE

  Magical forest in Eronth, inhabited, due to a karmic gift, by materialisations from Earth. A Glade of failed dreams and dreamers. Allowing the Glade of the Almost Were frees up the Blue Planet from the toxic materialisations that smother it.

  GLAISTIG

  Part water Faerie, part goat and all seductress. Lures all beings and then feeds on them in the fashion of a vampire. The Glaistig frequents streams and rivers in Eronth, can survive in the ocean, but is rarely spotted there.

  GLAMOUR OR GLAMOURING

  Protective magical camouflage. Used throughout several of the known worlds. Used either for aesthetic reasons, i.e. to appear more beautiful, to disguise aging, or for reasons of survival or treachery.

  GLAZRMHOM

  The second to be hatched from a clutch of Azephim eggs. Both the Ghormho and the Glazrmhom are highly regarded, and the Azephim Hatch Mother will not eat them.

  GLOMX TEXTS

  Alternative term for chapters of the Tremite Book of Life that are concerned with ancient prophecies.

  GOZA

  Eronth vegetable stew.

  GREAT OCEAN

  The divine fluids of Lepso — both tears and other bodily fluids — that surround the Dreamers in the Shell, according to Eronth mythology.

  GREAT SHELL

  The home of the Dreamers, the three sisters who lie sleeping in the Shell, which is formed of the bones of their murdered brothers. They dream all the known worlds into existence.

  HEADHUNTERS

  Only three now remain in Eronth: sisters, the Triple Crones. At the Dark of the Moon they rise and hunt for heads. Favoured victims are small children and the elderly. Will also take the heads of flowers, and domestic animals, such as ilkamas and meerwogs. Long banished to the Wastelands, they remain highly regarded throughout Eronth by all races, despite their bloodthirsty tendencies due to their ancient origins and their close connection with the Dreamers. Many offerings are therefore left for the Triple Crones and many power rituals performed to honour them.

  HEZTARRA GALAXY

  Galaxy of exalted light beings, where angels, Great Masters and exalted Crossas have their origins.

  HOSTHATCH

  Also known as Other-host. First Azephim to hatch the eggs.

  HOSTLINGS

  Webx parents.

  ILKAMA

  A magical animal, gold with black stripes. Similar to a zebra. Used throughout Eronth for transportation and as household pets. Azephim h
ave only recently begun to hunt them for their distinctive hides.

  IMOMM

  Ancient Faery tribe in Eronth. One of only two pure-blood Faery tribes remaining. Feared by many Eronthites due to their extraordinary powers of enchantment, their bloodthirsty tendencies, and, in particular, their love of the Dances of Death and their fondness for stealing changelings.

  ISLAE

  Faery creature. Tall with a large bulb-like pink head. Three large violet eyes. Gentle, peaceful, filled with wisdom and knowledge. Numbers are now gravely threatened, along with their natural vegetation, which is being destroyed by the Azephim’s expansion into the Wastelands. Offspring are called Islaets.

  JANUSITE

  Two-headed being, extremely rare. Mainly located in Faia. Both blessed and cursed with an ability to see the past, present and future.

  JURMA

  Azephim term of endearment, meaning mother (Hosthatch).

  JUIA

  Faery home brew.

  KEEPERS OF THE SHELL

  Legendary protective custodians of the Dreamers in the Shell. Many poems and songs of Eronth feature the keepers. The fact that no Eronthite has claimed to see them does not diminish their popularity.

  KONDOELL

  Region of the Web. Original home of the Azephim.

  KRAKEN

  An enormous sea monster.

  KYLON

  Azephim penis.

  LAYSCOPS

  The professional storytellers of Eronth. They make their living touring the country and telling their tales in exchange for food and board. Also referred to as ‘the cursed ones’ because they can rarely settle in one place and raise a family, since their stories demand to reach as wide an audience as possible.

  LEANAN-SLOTHE

  Bloodsucking vampire, the muse of poets and artists. Those inspired by her have brilliant, but short, lives. Frequents the Glade of the Almost Were and New Baffin.

  LIGHTCASTERS

  A witch-hunter. A negative energy that lives off prejudice, misogyny, superstition and hatred. Mainly located in the worlds dominated by patriarchal religions. Shunned in many of the known worlds, including Eronth. To all outward appearances the Lightcasters are charming, well educated and slightly dandyish. There has been no recorded evidence of female Lightcasters. Parasitic and cunning, they are masters of psychology and can arouse a mob in seconds. They tend to work alone and are immortal. They can only be destroyed if there is no discrimination or hatred remaining in any of the known worlds, which seems a highly unlikely situation, for, as Khartyn points out, ‘In the heart of the bright mother lies the dark mother; in the heart of the dark mother is the bright mother.’

  LOOZ DREM

  Children who have died suddenly or under violent circumstances. Unable to accept their deaths, they become trapped in the known worlds. Sometimes referred to as demon children.

  LUGHNASADH

  Pronounced ‘loo-nus-uh’. A fertility festival in Eronth. Lugh is a popular fire god, sacrificed at the gathering of the grain harvest to ensure a bountiful crop the following year.

  MABON

  The autumn equinox. Night and day are now equal. A time of introspection, reflection and repose. The autumn equinox signifies the completion of the harvest.

  MAJA

  Enormous tarantula-like spider found throughout Eronth in rapidly decreasing numbers, although still common in the Glade of the Almost Were. Loved by the Faery tribes as a beast of burden, though it has other uses as well. Easily trained to follow orders, due to its placid nature.

  MAJAR

  Aromatic oils prepared by Azephim for rituals. Commonly used in censers and by application to power spots on their bodies.

  MASACHINONEAF

  Third stage of Webx development. Equivalent to puberty in human terms.

  MAUG

  Azephim delicacy. Consists of Bluite ears and eyes in a marinade of coconut and lime juice, pan-fried with garlic and chilli.

  MEERWOG

  Popular pet in several of the known worlds, a hybrid monkey crossed with a dog. They are enormously loyal, intelligent beings. Meerwogs have electric blue eyes and a red stone in the middle of their forehead, and are the size of a small dog. Legend records the meerwog was the Dreamers’ original chosen companion in the Great Shell, but as the devoted, loving animal could not attain a state of detachment set by the Dreamers, it was banished into the known worlds.

  MERMAIN

  Mermaid siren. Lethal. Entices victims with her extraordinary beauty, and consumes them. The Book of Life states that to die by the Mermain is to die in eternal ecstasy. The ocean is her natural home, but she can exist for short periods on the land. There are many historical accounts of Eronthite men sacrificing themselves willingly to the Mermain’s mouth.

  THE MYSTERIES

  Hidden knowledge. Spiritual truths beyond understanding in Eronth.

  MYSTIC OCEAN

  Ocean formed from the blood of the giant Amira.

  MYTHALOGORUS

  A temple destroyed in the Great Flood of Unah. The site is now occupied by the New Baffin Tremite Scribes.

  NEREID

  A sea nymph.

  NEW BAFFIN

  Refers to the city of Baffin after the Great Flood of Unah, when the Baffinites began to worship Aphrodite more than previously in the city’s history.

  OAKDEER

  Fourth stage of a Webx’s development. Oakdeer could be likened to a mature human man. It is an important stage and many initiations are set at Oakdeer as the Webx is prepared for Elders. Oakdeer is a lengthy period of testing.

  OLD BAFFIN

  Pre-Aphrodite Baffin when the Baffinites worshipped the old snake religion.

  OLDELD

  Malevolent tree spirit of the ancient Oldeld race.

  OOOTSA

  Magical term for a conch shell.

  OUTEREZT

  Outpost colony in the Wastelands where aged Azephim who are too old to use Glamour are banished from the Web.

  PANCHION

  Azephim castle.

  PANTEHLUM

  More affluent area of Faia. The market square where ceremonial festivities are held.

  POMZ

  Chocolate-covered ants and bugs.

  PROTECTORS

  Protectors are to be found in several of the known worlds. Often referred to as guardian angels, Protectors carry amulets of various colours — commonly blue — that contain powerful binding and repelling spells. They are not infallible and there are several recorded cases of them failing to protect their charges. All beings from all species have Protectors, although the quality of the Protector can vary dramatically. They are more prevalent in worlds where magical skills are under-developed, such as Earth. It is a known esoteric law that the more you focus on your Protector, the more life and energy you give it.

  RATSI

  Extinct animal of Eronth, a Faery familiar.

  SALHMAIN

  A mischief night. A night of primordial chaos. The astral is less firmly bound to the worlds and it becomes easier to cross. This is a time when we can best communicate with our dead. The Phooka is believed to rise and spend the night destroying and contaminating everything in sight. A night which belongs to neither past nor present, nor to any world. The veil between worlds is at its thinnest, and fear and uncertainty grip the land.

  SANTAL

  Azephim term for servant.

  SAP-SPAWNED

  Early stage of Webx life. Equal to birthing in human terms.

  SCRYING

  A form of divination. Can involve gazing into substances such as mirrors, crystal balls, pools of ink, etc, to achieve clairvoyant impressions.

  SEA HAGS

  A group of sisters living under the ocean under rulership of the Warrior Queen Shambzhla. Hags normally hate all land-dwellers, as they believe the land to be their natural territory, having once been under water. Sea Hags are covered in poisonous spines along their back and arms. They have a split brain: the right side is under their
chin and the left side is on top of their head. They have crusher claws for hands. Their teeth are inside their stomach, which opens out. There are twenty pairs of gills and black seaweed over their body. They are highly skilled in magical arts.

  SEEFAXOMILL

  Ancient Sea Hag race.

  SHELKA

  Gold coins minted in New Baffin but used throughout Eronth.

  SIBLROT

  Derogatory Azephim term for young ignorant being.

  SHOOTLING

  A Webx in the infant stage of development.

  SKYELAVEE

  Miniature flying horses used to pull skymobiles. Capable of reaching great speed in the air.

  SNAKE CRONE

  A shaman from the snake people. The Snake Crone crosses continually between worlds giving aid and healing where it is needed.

  SNAKE TONGUE POISONING

  Poison extracted from deadly vipers from the desert outside of New Baffin. A common method of sailors hunting Mermains with blowpipes.

  SNATCHERS/ERINNYES/FURIES

  Underworld Crones. They are described as having snakes for hair, dogs’ heads, coal-black bodies and bats’ wings. Their duties include listening to complaints of insolence from the young to the aged, of children to parents, of hosts to guests, and to punish such crimes by hounding the culprits relentlessly. Their victims die in torment. They have a foul stench about them, and they engage their time by dragging mortals to the Underworld, thus the name Snatcher.

  SOLUMBI

  Evil manifestation that feeds on blood and internal organs. Has its origins in negative thought patterns from all known worlds. Solumbi often attach themselves to their creators, hence the vast numbers in the Wastelands. They have evolved into expert Crossas in their lust for blood.

  SO MOTE IT BE!

  Witch’s saying that concludes a spell or ritual, similar to the Christian ‘amen’.

  SPITREES

  Tiny spider Faery that lives in trees in Eronth. Now extinct, although there are rumours of recent sightings of Spitrees near Faia.

  TEKTI

  Peace bond between different species on Eronth. The Azephim have refused to be part of the tekti.

  THE WEB

  Native place of the fierce Azephim angels, in the same dimension as Eronth. Otherwise referred to as the Web-Kondoell.