Daolyn snipped away the last of her hair, and swept it away.
“I will need a new coat,” Zezili said. “Long. Purple. Stitched in silver. A white under- tunic. Dark trousers. Bold. Stark. A feminine cut.”
“Of course,” Daolyn said.
“I will also need a new mount. Some strong, fit dog. Two or three years old.”
“Yes, Syre,” Daolyn said.
Zezili continued her exercises. She took her new mount out on rides inside the grounds of the estate. As yet, she avoided the roads. It was not time to be seen. Her sisters sent her letters detailing the gossip about her in Daorian, Janifa, Ryn. It was said that Zezili had been devoured by a cat. Others said the Empress had marked Zezili herself, gouging out both her eyes and tossing her out of her service. They said that her missing cousin Tanasai’s body had been found, or said Zezili had eaten it. It was likely, they said, that if Syre Zezili were still alive, she would not live out the year.
Zezili let the rumors boil. She had indeed parted with her cousin Tanasai’s body some weeks past, before spring broke. Daolyn had called Taodalain to the estate in the wake of Zezili’s illness, and the two of them had carted the body to Lake Morta, weighted it down, hacked a hole in the ice, and watched Tanasai sink to the bottom of the lake.
It was the Empress, finally, who broke Zezili’s fugue.
“An invitation,” Daolyn said, handing her the familiar purple paper.
Zezili sat in her study and opened it. It was an invitation to a banquet in Daorian with the other legion commanders, to plan the upcoming campaign against Tordin.
A sliver of moonlight cut through the room from the parting in the heavy curtains, and fell across the wardrobe, shimmering in the mirror visible just inside the door. It reminded Zezili of another type of mirror, and another type of invasion; one slowed, but not stopped.
A powerless former general could do nothing in the face of such an enemy. The most trusted of the Empress’s tools could do much, though – a hardened, bitter general could even be used to topple the Empress’s reign. But only if Zezili could succeed in banishing the thought of her true intent from her own mind, and do what the Empress bid. Zezili could bide her time. She had died once already. She wasn’t afraid of dying again, if she could destroy the Empress with her last breath.
Zezili went to the desk. She penned a missive to the Empress with her good left hand.
She wrote:
I am yours.
She signed and sealed the letter.
Glossary
Aaldia
Country on the southwestern shore of Grania, led by a conclave of three queens and two kings.
Abas Morasorn
A Saiduan dancer at Kuonrada.
Abuytu
The name of a month of the year, in early (low) spring.
Ahkio Javia Garika
Teacher in Clan Osono. Son of Javia Mia Sorai and Rishin Garin Badu. Brother to Kirana Javia Garika, the leader of the Dhai people.
Ahmur
The largest of Raisa’s three moons.
Alaar Masoth Taar
The Patron of Saiduan. A tirajista.
Alais Sohra Garika
Birth mother to Yisaoh Alais Garika. Married to Garika clan master Tir, Moarsa, and Gaila.
Alasu Carahin Sorila
A member of the Kuallina militia.
Albaaric
A city on the Saiduan coast. Former home of Maralah Daonia’s family.
Almeysia Maisia Sorila
An Ora and the Mistress of Novices at the Temple of Oma. A very sensitive tirajista.
Alorjan
A Saiduan-controlledisland north of Dorinah, currently under siege by Dorinah.
Amelia Novao
A Seeker from Dorinah. Tirajista.
Anavha Hasaria
Zezili Hasaria’s husband. Son of Gilyna Lasinya, a tax clerk in Dorinah’s eastern province. The Empress awarded Anavha to Zezili as a token for her service.
Aramey Dahina Dasina
A Dhai scholar, specializing in Saiduanese history. Married to Lanilu Asaila Sorila.
Arasia Marita Sorila
Temporary keeper of the Liona Stronghold in Ghrasia Madah’s absence.
Arisaa Saara
Politically formidable wife of Patron Alaar Masoth Taar.
Ashaar Toaan
A Saiduan scholar.
Asona Mosana Badu
Clan leader of Clan Badu.
Bael Asaraan
Record keeper for the archives at Kuonrada. Native of Caisau.
Blinding Tree
Tree that emits a deadly acid that can eat through skin and armor, and melt bone.
Bone Tree
Tree with spiny branches made of the bones of its prey. Secretes a poisonous sap.
Book of Oma
Denotes the collected writings of Faith Ahya and her early followers, which have become the basis for historical understanding and religious practices in Dhai.
Book of Rhea
A collection of anecdotal stories and observations which form the basis of religious practices and laws in Dorinah.
Broodguard
The Patron of Saiduan’s personal guards, a position which is often hereditary.
Caisa Arianao Osono
Novice at the Temple of Oma. A parajista.
Caisau
A city in Saiduan just south of Isjahilde.
Casa Maigan
An old acquaintance of Ora Dasai’s living in Isjahilde before it was overrun by the Tai Mora.
Casalyn Aurnaisa
Empress of Dorinah.
Catori
Title used for the spouse of the Kai.
Chali Finahin Badu
Ambitious Ora living in Oma’s temple. Brother to Roh. They share two mothers and three fathers but are not related by blood. A tirajista.
Clan Adama
Named for one of Hahko and Faith Ahya’s children, Clan Adama’s primary exports come from its orchards.
Clan Alia
Central clan in Dhai, just north of Clan Garika. Primarily known for its textiles.
Clan Badu
Clan bordering Clans Garika and Sorila, in Dhai. Politically close to Clan Garika.
Clan Daora
Coastal clan in Dhai.
Clan Dasina
Clan Dasina often allies with Clan Daora in political matters. The two are named after the twin daughters of the fourth Dhai Kao. Clan Dasina’s exports include rice, sugar cane, and hemp.
Clan Garika
Known as the most powerful single clan in Dhai.
Clan Mutao
Smallest and least economically powerful of the Dhai clans.
Clan Nako
Neighboring Clan Mutao, Clan Nako holds much of the country’s wealth in copper and other metals.
Clan Osono
Central clan in Dhai. Chief commodity is sheep.
Clan Raona
Originally comprised of two different clans – Riana and Orsaila – Clan Roana is just a century old, and was created in an effort to tamp down the fierce feuding between the Riana and Orsaila clans, which resulted in nearly a dozen deaths.
Clan Saiz
Clan located in southern Dhai, politically aligned with Clan Sorai.
Clan Saobina
Clan Saobina exports timber, herbal aids and medications – which it grows and mixes in its own fields and workshops.
Clan Sorai
Named after a powerful daughter of the third Kai, Clan Sorai is often allied with clans Adama and Saobina in political affairs. They are also the clan responsible for the safety and security of Asona harbor, the country’s single largest trading link to the outside world.
Clan Sorila
Clan nearest the Temple of Oma, in Dhai. Primary export is timber.
Clan Taosina
Named for Faith Ahya’s second daughter, clan Taosina – like clans Saobina and Sorila – borders the woodlands. Pottery and complex, plant-derived technologies such as bioluminescent flo
or or ceiling lighting solutions, self-cleaning fungus floors and the like are generally created and installed by Taosina crafters.
Cora
A dajian who lives with Emlee in the Dorinah slave camps.
Dajian
In Dorinah, enslaved Dhai people are called dajians. They are often branded with the mark of the family that owns them.
Daolyn
Dajian owned by Zezili Hasaria. Works as Zezili’s housekeeper.
Daorian
The seat of the Empress of Dorinah. A broad, rambling city built on the ruins of the former Saiduan city of Diamia.
Dasai Elasora Daora
An elder Ora, over a century old, who teaches Saiduan language, culture and history at the Temple of Oma.
Dhai
Small country located on the northwest corner of the island of Grania, an island at the far tip of the Saiduanese continent. Also the name of the people inhabiting this country. Dhai was established 500 years ago by former slaves fleeing their masters in the neighboring country of Dorinah. It’s said the satellite called Sina was especially powerful during that time, allowing Dhai sinajistas, who outnumbered sinajistas among the Dorinah, to escape their servitude.
Dokai
Guards of the holds in Saiduan, bound to live or die as the hold itself does.
Dorinah
Country on the northeast shore of Grania, ruled by a long line of Empresses for the last 1800 years. Relies on the enslaved labor of Dhai people – known locally as dajians – to sustain its infrastructure and economy.
Driaa Saarik, Shao
A Saiduan sanisi. Parajista.
Elaiko Sirana Nako
An Ora at the Temple of Oma and assistant to Nasaka Lokana Saiz. Comes from a family specializing in tea blends. A tirajista.
Emlee
Local healer/midwife/sorceress residing in a dajian camp in Dorinah.
Esao Josa
Granddaughter of Nirata Josa, a woodland Dhai.
Etena Mia Sorai
Aunt to the Kai of the Dhai. Etena was driven mad by her own power and supplanted as Kai by her sister, Javia Mia Sorai. She was exiled from Dhai, and her current whereabouts are unknown.
Everpine
Massive conifer, the sap of which dissuades bugs and many species of sentient plants.
Faith Ahya
Faith Ahya is regarded as the mother of the newest incarnation of the Dhai nation, founded five hundred years before when she led an uprising of Dhai slaves in Dorinah. With her lover Hahko, she established the Dhai nation in one of the most contaminated areas on the planet, one few other nations would touch.
Farosi Sana Nako
A member of the Liona militia.
Finahin Humey Garika
One of Roh’s mothers.
Flame Flies
Thumbnail-sized insects which create light when they fly. On settling, the light dims and eventually fades after a few minutes. To rouse a light, one must only shake the lantern.
Floxflass
A yellow, thorny plant that creeps over and consumes its victims. It’s leaves are slightly sticky, and taste sweet.
Fouria Orana Saiz
A member of the Kuallina milita.
Gaila Karinsa Pana
Near-mother to Yisaoh Alais Garika. Married to Alais, Tir and Moarsa.
Gaiso Lonai Garika
Elder Ora of the Temple of Oma in Dhai. She is responsible for the overall functioning of the temple and care of the people therein. Cousin to Tir Salarihi Garika. A tirajista.
Ghakar Korsaa
Dance teacher at Kuonrada, in Saiduan.
Ghrasia Madah Taosina
Leader of the Dhai militia in both Liona and Kuallina. Best known as the woman who pushed back the Dorinah invasion during the Pass War.
Gian Mursia Badu
A parajista trained outside of Dhai temples, niece to Kalinda Lasa.
Grania
The island continent that is home to the countries of Dhai, Dorinah, Aaldia and Tordin, located at the far tip of the Saiduan continent.
Hadaoh Alais Garika
Husband to Meyna Salisia Mutao and brother to Rhin Gaila Garika, Lohin Alais Garika and Yisaoh Alais Garika.
Hahko
Hahko was a former slave in Dorinah, and aided his lover Faith Ahya in leading the uprising of the Dhai slaves from the scullery of Daorian. The two became the first rulers of the independent Dhai state, the first in over eighteen hundred years, after the defeat of the Dhai by the Saiduan roughly the same time ago.
Halimey Farai Sorila
A young parajista from the temple of Oma.
High Season
There are eight seasons in a year on Raisa: low spring, high spring, low summer, high summer, low fall, high fall, low winter, high winter. In general “high” seasons tend to bring with them more extreme weather than low seasons.
Hofsha Sorek
A mysterious interloper.
Hona Fasa Sorai
Leader of Clan Sorai.
Hrollief
Southern continent on the western half of Raisa.
Isaila Larano Raona
Tir Salarihi Garika’s apprentice clan leader at Clan Garika.
Isjahilde
A city in northern Saiduan, Isjahilde has been the country’s political center for thousands of years.
Isoail Rosalina
A powerful parajista/tirajista living near Lake Morta in Dorinah. One of the Empress of Dorinah’s seekers.
Jakobi Torisa Garika
Ahkio’s third cousin, a parajista.
Jasoi (Januvar) of Lind
Native to Tordin, Jasoi’s title among the Dorinahs is Syre. She is Zezili Hasaria’s secondary commander.
Javia Mia Sorai
Former Kai of the Dhai. Ahkio and Kirana’s mother. Deceased.
Jovovyn
A coastal city in Dorinah.
Kadaan Soagan, Ren
A sanisi, and one of Maralah Daonia’s first students. Left hand of the Patron of Saiduan. Called the Shadow of Caisau. A parajista.
Kai
Honorific used for the leader of the Dhai people.
Kakolyn Kotaria
Commander of the northern legion in Dorinah.
Kalinda Lasa
A wayhouse keeper and parajista.
Karosia Soafin
Local priest and moderately gifted tirajista living near Zezili Hasaria’s estate in Dorinah.
Keeper Takanaa
Keeper of the Patron of Saiduan’s household.
Kihin Moarsa Garika
A novice at the Temple of Oma. Tir Salarihi Garika’s youngest son.
Kindar
A strategy game played in Dhai which involves the manipulation, swapping, and managing of copious “family” pieces to achieve a numerical win and box in one’s opponent.
Kirana Javia Garika
Former Kai of the Dhai. Sister to Akhio Javia Garika. Daughter of Javia Mia Sorai. A tirajista.
Kosomey Orisa Mutao
An Ora in residence at the Temple of Oma. Parajista.
Kuallina Stronghold
Central hold in Dhai where militia are stationed, led by Ghrasia Madah. Also serves as the hub for the Line system, which connects holds and temples throughout the country.
Lake Morta
Lake in northwestern Dorinah which is the subject of many stories, and thought to be a holy place, blessed of Rhea. Attracts many pilgrims and vacationers in the summer months.
Lake Orastina
A lake west of Lake Morta in Dorinah.
Lanilu Asaila Sorila
A Dhai scholar who travels to Saiduan with Dasai. Married to Aramey Dahina Dasina.
Laralyn Maislyn
A Dorinah Seeker. Tirajista.
Larn
A dajian who lives with Emlee in the dajian camp near Liona.
Li Kai
Title used for the successor to the Kai.
Liaro Tarisa Badu
Ahkio Javia Garika’s cousin.
Lilia Sona
Scullery maid in the Temple of Oma.
Line
A living transportation system connecting major strongholds in Dhai. People travel inside chrysalises built expressly for the purpose, which crawl along a giant living cable. Chrysalises dissolve on arrival.
Liona Stronghold
Hold that occupies the pass next to the valley that cuts through the mountain range separating Dhai and Dorinah. The forces stationed here are captained by Ghrasia Madah Taosina.
Livia Hasaria
Zezili Hasaria’s mother. A weakly gifted tirajista who specializes in the creation of mirrors infused with the power of Tira. Resides in the city of Saolina.
Lohin Alais Garika
The Worldbreaker Saga Omnibus Page 54
