by Ronie Kendig
Stone light glinted on long, blond curly hair as Haegan came into view, his gaze vacant. Holding his arm, the custodian was behind him, darkness in his eyes. Two guards followed.
“What’s—”
The custodian held a hand to his lip. “Sleepwalking.”
With a roll of her hand, she influenced Haegan’s dreams to a lulled state that would return him back to his suite. With a nod to the guards, she ordered them to ensure the prince’s arrival back in his room. “Did he see . . . ?” she hissed.
“No,” the custodian said. “I was down there, talking with our guest, when the guards gave warning. He never made it far enough. Those dreams torture him, make—”
“Tortured with memories,” she seethed. “He’s calling to him.”
“Impossible,” the custodian said. “That’s the stuff of raqines, not accelerants. And he was never that strong, and I cap his ability.”
“You think too highly of yourself.”
“I was trained by the best,” he said, his eyes hooded with arrogance and loathing.
“Had Sirdar not sent you, I would have killed you long ago.” Agony exploded across her temple, knocking her sideways. Gripping her head, Nydelia cried out against the excruciating pain.
And like a flash, it was gone.
The custodian frowned. “My lady?”
Startled, uncertain of what had just happened, she slowly straightened, carefully removing her hands. She gathered her skirts and hurried back to the third level. The guards were waking a groggy Thomannon, and Haegan now lay asleep in his bed.
Another blast of pain nearly sent Nydelia to her knees. The aroma smothered her. She stumbled. No no no.
“My lady?” her servant was there, catching her arm.
“What was that?”
“My lady?”
“I know.”
They both turned to find Haegan sitting up. His eyes were focused but his voice . . . empty of emotion, conviction. “I know what this is,” he said. He climbed from bed, went to the balcony, and slid back the door, then moved to the balustrade.
Giving an uncertain glance to the guards, Nydelia followed the prince onto the terrace. “What are—”
Electricity shot through her as she saw him. Standing like a pillar taller than any building in the city, he stood in full golden armor on the Iteverian shore. Head helmed, arms shielded and hands protected as they held a monstrous blade, he stared straight ahead—at her. Thrilling. Terrifying. Unmoving.
“Do you see them?” Haegan’s voice was empty still. Droning.
Them?
“Fires of Sirdar, how many are there?”
Nydelia sprinted out of the room and up to the rooftop terrace. Panting hard, she ran from one side to another. “Five, there are five!” she shouted as the guard and Haegan joined her. But there weren’t six. So maybe . . . Her mind struggled around the missing one. “They have encircled Karithia.”
“My lady?” the guard asked. “What is wrong? Is there an attack?”
“What do you call those, if not an attack, you imbecile?”
“What, my lady? I see nothing.”
“Do you not?” she screamed angrily, her pulse throbbing in her temples. “They stand over the city.”
“Who?”
“Baen’s Deliverers,” Haegan muttered, staring at one in particular. “Why are they here? They told me not to kill him.”
“Kill who?”
“Poired,” Haegan droned, his mind a wasted space, drowning in his doubts and fears. “They told me it was not mine to do.”
“Nydelia!” a voice resonated through the air with such ferocity, the building shook. “Release the Fierian or face judgment.”
• • •
Relegated to myth and legend, Baen’s Six converged in the Void, their bodies column-like statues in the world as they surrounded Iteveria where the Fierian was held hostage. “Draorin, report.”
“I am with the paladin,” he said.
“Is he safe? And the Council?”
“Three are lost, but the paladin and the guardian are well. Fleeing the Citadel.”
“Good,” Medric said. “Drive the paladin east. He must converge here.”
“What of the Fierian?” Draorin inquired.
“Fallen,” Medric managed around a heavy heart. “We will ensure she releases him. He will not die here.”
“She is defiant,” Kaiade added. “And furious—he is resisting, though he has allowed his doubts to rule him.”
Draorin nodded. “The Infantessa will not easily surrender the Fierian. She will fight to her last breath to stop it from happening.”
“Aye. But it is written that she will die at his hand,” Draorin said with a smile.
“So be it,” Medric growled. “Let us introduce her to that end.”
Alphabetical
Character Index
Aaesh—Aaeshwaeith Adoaniel’afirema; servant girl in the Heart
Aburas—high-ranking officer in Thurig’s guard/army
Arak Kcep—daughter of Duke and Duchess Wrenkyle; Contender for Hetaera
Adek—member of the Council of Nine
Adin—former king of Iteveria
Adomath—an Ignatieri, who condemned Haegan before the Great Falls
Adrroania Celahar—queen of the Nine Kingdoms
Agremar Ro’Stu—son of Kenbrin Ro’Stu; Electreri of the Viddan Council; master sentinel; Contender
Ah’maral—wagon master
Aloing—deceased high marshal; trained Drracien
Aoald—member of the Council of Nine; nasally voice; member for Caori
Aselan—Cacique of Legier’s Heart
Astadia Kath—Iteverian assassin; sister to Trale
Astante—Jujak major
Atai—female servant in Nivar hold
Atelaria—Thiel’s cousin; Neron and Laralith’s daughter; from Langiera
A’tia—woman on farm
Bardin—member of the Legiera
Baede—member of the Council of Nine; killed by a Deliverer for taking a bribe and betraying the Council
Baen Celahar—first Celahar to take the Fire Throne; assumed name Zaelero as king; fought the Mad Queen
Byrin—right hand of the cacique; member of the Legiera
Cadeif—Ematahri warrior; archon; claimed and protected Thiel years past
Calb—citizen of Baen’s Crossing
Caprit—Member of the Legiera
Cerar—Ematahri clan Haegan wiped out
Chima—female raqine; bonded to no human; larger than Zicri
Chïphlïaeng—enemies of the Fierian; siblings
Chwik—skinny young man who’s part of Tili’s unit in the trials
Cicaelia—Thurig Eriathiel’s younger sister
Cilicien ka’Dur—disgraced accelerant
Claerian—a Jujak under Graem’s command
Cypal Webst—daughter of Marq and Rovi Webst; Electreri; contender from Praenia
Darielle Jurden—honey-haired girl, part of Tili’s contingent in the trials
Degra Breab—daughter of Ang and Ahn Breab; an Electreri; contender from Kerral
Deh’laefhïer—mentioned in the Parchments as the defender of the Fierian; Deliverers
Dewyn of Adrili—prince from Wicalir; Electreri
Diavel—Poired’s raqine
Dirag the Desecrator—slain by Baen Celahar before he became Zaelero II
Doskari—Aselan’s late wife
Draorin—Baen’s (Zaelero’s) right hand
Draorin—Deliverer
Dromadric—grand marshal of the Ignatieri
Drracien Khar’val—fugitive marshal; friend of Haegan, Thiel, Tokar, and Laertes
D’wyn—Kergulian man who’s part of Tili’s unit in the trials
Ebose—Zicri’s brother; raqine
Ederac—Epitome of evil
Eftu—high marshal of Baen’s Crossing
Eldin Gwogh—tutor to Prince Haegan; master accelerant; member of the Council o
f Nine
Elgni—Ignatieri from Baen’s Crossing
Eliatzer—servant at the Hetaeran Sanctuary
Entwila—one of the Ladies of the Heart
Eriathiel—wife of Thurig the Formidable; Thiel’s mother
Etan—Nivari warrior
Falip Wrel—new member of the Council of Nine; replaced Baede
Faus Sharton—Ybienn ambassador to the Nine
Fhurïaetyr—mentioned in the Parchments; seemingly the Fierian; also means Reckoner.
Filcher—man who kidnapped and abused Thiel when she was 12
Galaun—attendant of High Marshal Aloing
Gaord—male servant in Nivar Hold
Gelas—Marshal in charge of Luxlirien
Ghor—Jujak under Graem’s command
Griese—one of the Council of Nine
Grinda, Graem—secret love of Kaelyria in book 1; son of Kiliv Grinda
Grinda, Kiliv—Jujak general; one of Zireli’s top three
Haegan Celahar—prince of Seultrie; heir of the Fire King; Son of Zireli
Henem Comed—daughter of Brid and Hecno Comed; Electreri; contender from Caori
Holdermann—Ybiennese councilman
Hoeff—Drigo; Toeff’s twin
Inele Larrow—Ybienn ambassador to the Nine
Ingwait—elder of the Ladies of the Heart; oversees relational and social affairs
Jarain Fal’Raen—new mayor of Baen’s Crossing
Jedric—nobleman from Vid; Kaelyria’s betrothed
Kaelyria Celahar—daughter of Zireli and Adrroania; princess of Seultrie
Kaiade—Haegan’s great-grandfather
Kedulcya—member of the Council of Nine; from Kerral
Kelviel—member of the Council of Nine; Hetaeran; black hair
Kenro Chfra—son of Keach Chfra, Commander General of the Leran army; Electreri
Kiesa—handmaid to Princess Kaelyria; Grijani
Kiliv Grinda—Zireli’s general
Klome—raqine keeper in Nivar Hold
Korben—accelerant
Laejan—general; Jujaky
Laertes—young boy from Caori; one of four companions Haegan joined
Lanct—Jujak lieutenant
Laralith, Duchess—wife to Neron; Thiel’s aunt
Lumira—Countess of Langeria; mother of Peani
Maer’ksh—duke in Hetaera
Makule—second in command of Nivari army
Mallius—Jujak; lieutenant
Markoo—one of the Legiera
Marsel—possibly the cook in the Heart; possibly in Nivar Hold
Marz Chauld—colonel in the Valor Guard
Matyon—young man in the Heart
Medric—Deliverer
Nagbe—boy in the cave during the trial
Naudus—Nivari fighter; Lieutenant
Negaer—general in Zireli’s army; commander of the Pathfinders, an elite force of trackers and fighters
Neron, Grand Duke—Thiel’s uncle
Nydelia—Infantessa
Ociliama Herra—princessa and daughter of Oci and Liama Herra, co-rulers of Dradith
Onerid—general under the command of Poired Dyrth
Pao’chk—great healer
Paung—butler at Karithia
Peani Clarentia Ibirel—Yaorid’s daughter
Pesh—another captain in Thurig’s army
Poired Dyrth—commanding officer of Sirdar’s armies; enemy of all who follow Abiassa
Praegur—a Kergulian male; one of four companions Haegan joined on the journey to the Great Falls
Raechter—Ybiennese Councelman
Raleng—Ematahri; twin of Ruldan; serves Cadeif
Rauf—young man; lanky; helps old man help Astadia and Trale in the village
Rekkens—foreigners from the north, across the Violet Sea
Ruldan—Ematahri; twin of Raleng; serves Cadeif
Seraecene—daughter of a Ybiennese council member
Shavaussia—see Nydelia
Sirdar Demas of Tharqnis—Fallen One; Lord of Darkness; of Tharqnis; enemy of the Fire King and Abiassa
Tarien—servant
Teelh—Byrin’s brother
Thelikor—Drigo warrior leader
Thiel—daughter of Thurig and Eriathiel of Nivar; one of four companions with Haegan on the journey to the Great Falls; also called Etelide and Kiethiel
Thomannon—Haegan’s manservant in Karithia
Thraeïho—mentioned in the Parchments; will fight for the Fierian; also called Drigovudd, or Drigo
Thurig Asykth—king of the Northlands
Thurig Eriathiel—duchess of the Northlands; wife to Thurig
Thurig as’Osmon (Osmon)—youngest son of Thurig
Thurig as’Relig (Relig)—third eldest son of Thurig; second-eldest acknowledged son
Thurig as’Tili (Tili)—eldest acknowledged son of Thurig
Thurig Kiethiel (Thiel)—daughter of Thurig; love interest of Haegan; claimed by an Ematahri (see Cadeif)
Tiadith—conductor in Baen’s Crossing
Toeff—Drigo; Hoeff’s twin
Tokar—one of four companions Haegan joins on the journey to the Great Falls
Tortook Puthago—blood of Ahnri Puthago, chamberlain of Hetaera; contender from the Citadel
Tnimre—one of the Ladies in the Heart
Trale Kath—Iteverian assassin; brother to Astadia
Traytith—member of the Council of Nine
Unduhar—traitor connected to the story of Manido and Ruadh
Verilla—Zoijan’s sister and consort to Cadeif
Viloren—grand marshal; one of the most influential thinkers and accelerants of the last century
Voath—member of the Council of Nine
Wegna—old woman who lives in Aselan’s library
Yaorid, Earl of Langeria—Northlands earl
Yedriseth of Haroessa—a guard for Yaorid; of the House of Haroessa from Langiera
Zaelero II—first Celahar to take the Fire Throne; born Baen Celahar; fought the Mad Queen and restored the Nine to the ways of Abiassa
Zendric—officer in Thurig’s army
Zicri—male raqine; bonded to Tili; somewhat smaller than Chima
Zireli Celahar—king of the Nine Kingdoms; the Fire King
Zoijan—Ematahri warrior
Glossary Of Terms
Abiassa’s Fire—the gift of wielding the Flames, possessed by only certain individuals
Abiassa’s throne—a cliff formation resembling a throne; overlooks most of Hetaera; Great Falls visible from atop the throne “seat”
abiatasso—the gift in the essence of a person who has the ability to wield
accelerant—one who can wield the Flames
Alaemantu—also, Law of Alaemantu; custom of giving one night’s hospitality to travelers
Archon—leader of the Ematahri
Auspex/Foreteller—held by Poired for the delivery of messages and orders from Sirdar
Baen’s Crossing—village on border between Ybienn and the Nine
Bandra oak—a sturdy wood
boarbeast—big boar creatures with tusks; killers
calming—the exercise of relaxing one’s emotions
cacique—title used among the Kerguli for their leader, their chieftain
Caori—one of the Nine Kingdoms; capital city of Luxlirien has Sanctuary
Castle Karithia, Iteveria—seat of Infantessa
Catatori Ocean—beyond the Iteverian sea
chïphlïaeng—people or creatures that will be the emissaries of the Fierian
Choosing, the (aka Etaesian’s Feast)—Eilidan custom for marriage rituals
Citadel—the central Sanctuary in the Holy City in Hetaera
cold-palm—a cutting nickname to anyone who cannot wield the Flames
Cold-One’s Tooth—mountain peak nearest Nivar Hold
cordi—fruit
dallion—silver coin
Deliverer—an ageless minister of justice and discipline; pow
erful; answers only to the will of Abiassa; also called Lucent Riders, Void Walker, Light Bringer
Destroyers—demons
Drigo—ancient race of giants whose only goal is to serve
Drigovudd—the Drigo in their enhanced state
Duamauri—Aselan’s icehound
Eilidan—people of Legier; Aselan’s people
Emahtari—fierce forest dwellers; a threat to any traveling the Way of the Throne/Throne Road
Etaesian’s Feast—see “Choosing, the”
exsaeilto Thraeïho—words to release the Drigo from their vudd state
Fieri Keep—home of the Celahars, who rule from here on the Fire Throne
Fierian, the—a prophesied accelerant said to bring about the destruction of the Nine and the eradication of the Lakes of Fire
Fiery Mount—the range of mountains beyond Fieri keep that feeds into the Lakes of Fire
Fire King—king who rules the Nine and is the most powerful accelerant
Flames—reference to the gift bestowed on certain individuals; sometimes an epithet
goli birds—glittery sea birds
Grija/Grijani—warriors of the High Plains; Zireli’s mother said to have been a Grijani
Great Falls—a waterfall blessed with miraculous healing every 100 years during the Year of Feasts as a gift from Abiassa
Harket’s—mercantile shop in Luxlirien
he-ahwl abiałassø—the untranslatable word for the power the Fierian will wield, roughly means “all consuming”
Hetaera—largest city in the Nine; contains the Holy City; close to the Great Falls
hiel-touck—oath used in Legier; Asykthian
Holy City—the seat of the Ignatieri; the largest Sanctuary; contains the Citadel, where accelerants are trained and commissioned
icehound—very large wolves who only exist in cold-weather climates
Ice Mountain—nickname of Maon Targo
Ignatieri—holy order of accelerants; refer to each other as The Brethren
incipient—one who can wield but has turned against Abiassa
Infantessa—the queen of Iteveria
Iteveria—twin city to Nydessa, within Unelithia
jav-rod—spearlike weapon
Jujak—the elite, royal guard of King Zireli
Karithia—palace in Iteveria
Kedardokith—a rite of Ematahri warriors to claim the lives of outsiders as their own; intended for protection; once claimed, always claimed
Kerguli—a race of people from the desert Outlands of the far west
