The Way Knight: A Tale of Revenge and Revolution

by Alexander Wallis

  Purtur – A travelling merchant, Hem’s father

  Svek – A wrinkled Seidhr courier and pervert

  Fletcher, Isolde and Pickle – Refugees from Chalkwater

  Nobles, Politicians and other Criminals

  Baron Volk Leechfinger – The ruler of Leechfinger

  Pavel – An apologist, Conrad’s mentor

  The Duke of Knave – The ruler of Knave and cousin to the prince

  Dobra Knave – The duke’s daughter

  Lord Nebble Guldslag – Chairman of the Council of Khorgov

  Prince Moranion – The ruler of Dalibor and master of the Accord

  John Grobian – A former Accord mercenary, now an outlaw

  Astur – Proprietor of a brothel

  Dreja – A prisoner of Astur

  The Triple Goddess and other Gods

  Ceresoph – Divine curiosity and creation

  Cerenox – Maternal Love

  Cere-Thalatte – Chaos, Destruction and War

  Chrestos – The brother of the Goddess, all that is best in men

  Gorach Baoth, the Burning Man – The god of the Baoth

  Rakasha – A universal spirit worshipped by the Urothians

  Questions for Reading Groups and Students

  ‘A good question is better than a poor answer.’

  I know that reading groups enjoy chewing over books and that some students may read The Way Knight. I offer the following questions as potentially useful.

  About the characters and story

  1)Is Daimonia the hero or the villain of The Way Knight?

  2)Daimonia’s father is not directly mentioned in the story. What assumptions might we make about him?

  3)What thoughts do you imagine Goodkin had about Daimonia? Was she just another ‘passenger’?

  4)What happens next for Sir Conrad Ernst the Geld Knight?

  5)Why might Catherine have abandoned her children?

  6)What has happened at the end? Is Daimonia divine or is she deluded? Is it the end of the world or the beginning of a new age?

  Social and philosophical themes

  1)What words would be used to describe Daimonia if she were a person in the modern world?

  2)What frustrations might lead a person to become disaffected with society or opposed to the state?

  3)How damaging is corruption at the top?

  4)What is one thing that would make for a better, fairer society?

  5)What, if anything, is the relationship between power and virtue?

  6)What, if anything, is the relationship between certainty and truth?

  Acknowledgements

  ‘Who would attempt that journey for the sake of a story?’

  Special thanks to my team of Way Knights. Thanks to Adele for being my Goodkin, for giving me firm advice and being there each step of the way. Love to Rebecca for being my Daimonia, questioning everything! Cheers to Akasha, for your boundless enthusiasm when you have so many of your own talents to express. Heroic salutes to Sarah, for always being a steadfast ally.

  All hail the artists! Phil – thanks for coming on another adventure with me. Through the caves and ruins of our imaginations and onto the page! Thank you, Anastasia, for bringing your special gift to the characters of The Way Knight. It’s been a pleasure working with you both.

  Thanks to Pauline, Ben and Fay for your excellent support.

  Thanks to Gilly, for hosting those cosy readings. Warriors huddled around a candle, with nothing but wine and port to fend off the shadows.

  Waves and gratitude to Chris, Jeremy, Jane, Dan and all the wonderful people at CHINDI.

  For a free story, set in the world of THE WAY KNIGHT,

  please email:

  thewayknight@outlook.com

  Alexander Wallis graduated from the University of Chichester, where he studied Youth and Community Work. Thousands of young people have benefited from his well-being workshop Are You Mental? Alexander’s novel, The Way Knight, was inspired by the struggles faced by young people growing up in dysfunctional families, systems and societies. You can follow his writing online via: www.facebook.com/AlexanderWallisAuthor

  Phil Ives achieved his master’s degree in Fine Art, Illustration at Aberystwyth University. He enjoys adapting his art to meet different requirements and likes to bridge the gap between traditional and digital techniques. He now lives in Staffordshire and works as a freelance illustrator and painter. For commission inquiries, Phil can be contacted at phil.a.ives@hotmail.co.uk

  Anastasia Ilicheva is a Russian illustrator whose portfolio appears on DeviantArt under the name Entreprenurial. Anastasia is a student of architecture and design, who has been inspired by 19th and 20th century Russian artists. Anastasia welcomes enquiries about commissions via: lolipoppa@mail.ru