Accelerant

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