The Valdemar Companion

by John Helfers; Denise Little

  Companion’s Field

  A rolling pasture in the palace grounds dotted by trees and dells containing a parklike area watered by sparkling streams. It is the home for the Companions, their foals, and for unbonded Companions. The facilitles include an elaborate open building, heated stable, and the Grove from which the first Companions emerged. (BV)

  Companion’s tack

  The colors of a Companion’s tack are silver and royal-blue. The bridle is a hackamore; no bit could control a Companion, and the use of one would be an insult. The saddle is very comfortable for both Companion and Herald, with a high cantle, stirrups and a prominent pommel. Skirting is well-equipped with snaffles and leathers to fasten objects or a wounded or unconscious Herald securely during a long and arduous ride. Each Companion’s sigil, a vowelless representation of the Companion’s name, is carved into the saddle. Formal tack includes silver bells strung along the reins to announce in advance the arrival of the Companion and Herald, and blue silk ribbons to braid into the Companion’s mane and tail. (BV)

  Compass Rose, The

  The tavern where the Artificers gather to socialize and study. The front room is where students gather and the back room is for the Masters. A student is considered to have graduated to Master status when invited to the back room by a Master mentor. (Storm)

  Conclave

  The Karsite term for Solaris’ court in Sunhame. (Storm)

  Conn Levas

  A mercenary mage attached to the Sixth Wing of Urtho’s forces, and one of Amberdrake’s clients. A greedy, self-absorbed man who was totally focused on increasing his personal wealth and prestige, he eventually turned traitor and assassinated Urtho. (Gryphons)

  Constructors

  Eastern Empire mages who built edifices and machines with their spells and magic. (Storm)

  Cor

  The leader of a trio of invading Northern barbarians who chased young Darian into the Forest, where he was killed by Snowflre’s arrow. (Owl)

  Corani

  One of Urtho’s Generals. (Gryphon)

  Corbie (Lord)

  Lady Myria’s miserly husband who was murdered under mysterious circumstances. She was accused of his death until Kethry, Tarma, and Need defended and exonerated her. (Oath)

  Cordor

  The closest village to the east of Sensholding in Valdemar’s southern border lands. (Arrows)

  Coroc (Heraid)

  A Herald-trainee whose father was the Lord Marshal. (Arrows, TT)

  Corthu

  Shin’a’in word meaning “one being.” (Oath)

  Corvi

  The hertasi who accompanied Amherdrake on a diplomatic mission to the Haighlei. (Gryphon)

  Corwith

  A snow-winged owl, one of Wintermoon’s two bondbirds. (Winds)

  Cory (Lord)

  He escaped the fear spell at King Leodhan’s Court because he had retired to his estates. Later, Lord Cory commanded a levy for Urtho. (Gryphon)

  Courier’s Road

  The route usually taken by Mages when travelling through Jkatha. (Oath)

  Covia

  A village of approximately seventy in population, it is situated on the edge of Tayledras lands. (LHM)

  “Crafty Maid, The”

  A popular song. Vanyel played it at the inn where he stopped along Exile’s Road. (LHM)

  Crag Castle

  The personal residence of the Eastern Emperor, located in the capital city Jacona. (Storm)

  Crescent Lake

  A settlement area of The People of the One, a rare monotheistic group among Valdemar’s various polytheistic religions. Their teachings are written down in the Book of the One. (Storm)

  Cress

  One of the flock of young females at Haven’s Court in Vanyel’s time. She knew the term shay’a’chern, and that it could be applied to Tylendel. (LHM)

  Crone

  A facet of the Goddess worshipped by the Shin’a’in. Her symbol is a smooth black stone and her element the snow-scented, bitterly cold North wind, which numbs memory and makes loneliness bearable. (Oath)

  Crone’s Oathbound

  They are to the Crone aspect of the Goddess what the Swordsworn are to the Warrior aspect of the Goddess, Shin’a’in bound to her service, often as the Shamans, Healers, and Elders in each Shin’a’in Clan. Elders may or may not also be Healers or Shamans. The Oathbound are bound, like the Swordsworn, to all the Clans, and serve the Goddess with their minds and talents. (Oath)

  Crookback Pass

  Where Vanyel confronted Leareth and killed the Dark Mage with his Final Strike. The Pass is the southern terminus of the only route through the mountains, and lies very close to the home caves of the Hot Springs Clan of the kyree. Leareth’s magic altered the Pass with a knife-clean cut straight through the rockey barrier, making an easy attack route for invaders. Vanyel marveled at both the amount of power necessary to carve the pass, and the power required to mask the sorcery being used. (LHM)

  Crown and Candle

  The inn in Hardorn where Talia and Kris met Trader Evan, who told them the truth about Prince Ancar. (Arrows)

  Crown of Prophecy

  The symbol of office worn by the Sun of the Son. The original crown was lost during the battle between the “the Prophet of Vkandis” and Menmellith. The large gold statue of Vkandis-in-Glory in his Temple wore a replica of it molded in one piece of solid gold with the statue, to discourage possible theft. During the miracle of Solaris’ ascension as Son of the Sun, the god’s statue came to life and walked to Solaris, removed the crown from his head, shrank it to human size in his hands, then placed the crown on Solaris’ head. (Storm)

  Crystal paperweight

  Sent to Falconsbane as a gift by the Black Riders to distract Ma’ar. The large, clear crystal should have been a perfect saying tool, but would only show a strange castle halfway up a remote mountain peak. (Winds)

  Cube-maze

  A magical device left in the ruins of Urtho’s Tower. The object resembled pile of hollow cast-metal cubes stacked randomly atop one another. The Adepts activated the cube-maze to counter the Mage-Storms. (Storm)

  Cymry (Companion)

  Skif’s Companion. (Storm, Arrows, Winds, TT)

  Dacerie (Companion)

  Companion of Herald-trainee Tuck Chester. (BB)

  Daelon

  One of Falconsbane’s servants, killed by a backlash of mage power when Darkwind and Vree destroyed the crow simulacrum. (Winds)

  Da’gretha

  See Kal’enel.

  Dakola District

  The run-down area in che city of Kimbata in the Haighlei Empire where Kanshin’s house was located. (Gryphon)

  Damen

  A boy who unwillingly served Lord Rendan’s bandit gang and the Dark Mage Leareth. He was killed when Vanyel escaped from his spell-bonds after being tortured and nearly killed. (LHM)

  Damina (Herald)

  A teacher at the Heralds’ Collegium and one of Pol’s card-playing friends. (BB)

  Dancer (Companion)

  One of Yfandes’ two foals. (LHM)

  Dancers

  The group of 200 entertainers in Khimbata that perform only for the King and his Court. (Gryphon)

  Dane (Guardsman)

  A guard and bully in the town of Selina who attacked Kerowyn and had her thrown in jail. She was freed on the word of many witnesses, and he had to pay her medical bills. (Oath)

  Dantris (Companion)

  Herald Keren’s stallion Companion, and an active participant in Herald-Trainee Talie’s rescue from the icy river. The bond between Herald Keren and Dantris is exceptionally powerful, and he is strongly tied to the other Companions with Mindspeech. (Arrows)

  Dara

  The sword Need told the story of the two sets of twin gods and goddesses, Kerenal and Dina, Karanel and Dara. (Winds)

  Darenthalils Jadrevalyn

  Informally known as Prince Daren, the youngest son or King Megrarthon Jadrevalyn of Rethwellan. Picked on by the spoiled
middle son of the royal family, Daren was sent off to Tarma for training and to forestall fraternal feuding before it got out of hand. The lanky boy with dark blond hair and grayish hazel eyes was Kerowyn’s first lover. When his eldest brother Faramentha ascended the throne, Daren became his Lord Martial, and proved worthy of the position. His mother was an earth-priestesses, which gave him earth-sense. During the war with Hardorn, Daren was able to see beneath the seemingly ordinary surface of the invader’s realm and detect a sick land ravaged by ruthless blood-mages. He was Chosen as a Herald during the heat of battle, and became lifebonded to Queen Selenay very soon after. He is now Royal consort of Queen Selenay, father of Lyra and Kris. (Storm, Sword, Winds)

  Darla (Herald-Trainee)

  A tall and pretty young woman, one of the most competent people Lavan FireStorm had ever known. (BB)

  Darian Firkin k’Vala k’Valdemar

  An orphan adopted as a boy by Errold’s Grove, he was apprenticed to the village wizard, Justyn, when Darian’s furtrapper parents disappeared in the Pelagiris Forest. The villagers thought him ungrateful and lazy, and he returned the favor by thinking they were dull cowards unworthy of respect. When the Blood Bear Clan attacked, Jusyn died in a Final Strike defending the town and Darian was chased into the woods, where he was saved by Snowfire, a Hawkbrother from k’Vala Vale. Together, Darian and the Hawkbrothers saved Errold’s Grove. The Hawkbrothers adopted Darian into their k’Vala and began training him to use his Mage Gifts. When a second northern tribe came to Errold’s Grove, the Ghost Cat Clan, its members were afflicted by an Illness spreading throughout the north. Darian helped Keisha Alder come up with a cure, and they formed a bond that led Keisha to eventually become Darian’s wife. Darian grew up to lead the new k’Valdemar Vale, which served as an embassy between the Hawkbrothers, northern immigrants crossing into the country, and Valdemar. Darian’s bondbird was the eagle-owl Kuari, and the teacher who brought him to Adept status was Firesong k’Treva. (Owl)

  Dark Adept

  A skilled mage who follows the evil paths of magic, including blood magic. (BV)

  Dark Servants (Leareth’s army)

  The term the Valdemar army used for the troops of the Dark Mage Leareth. The soldiers wear dull black metal armor and helms and carry unornarnented round shields and long broadswords. (Arrows, LHM)

  Dark Servants (Karsites)

  The term the Valdemaran army used for the Karsite Sun-priests who sent monsters to harass and kill soldiers while they slept. (BB)

  Dark Wing Road

  The road tha runs through Rethwellan and Jkatha from a crossroad past the Pelagiris Forest to the Dhorisha Plains. (Winds)

  Darkfell Peak

  A mountain near where Guardsmen cornered the brigands that were raiding Gyrefalcon’s Marches. During a parley there, the bandits killed the Guards’ envoy and the Guards declared “no quarter. “ The outlaws were slaughtered to the last man, but the kidnapped children the guards had hoped to rescue were murdered by the bandits before they died when it became clear the Guards were showing no mercy. (Arrows)

  Darksib

  The pet name Herald Roald gave Tarma after their shared encounter with the Star-Eyed Goddess. (Oath)

  Darkstone

  A Tayledras Adept who helped teach Darian mage skills. An emotionless man, he’d chosen his use-name young and grown down to it—he wasn’t necessarily the best instructor for a youngster. (Owl)

  Darkwind k’Sheyna

  Son of Starblade, he was the Council Elder representing the Scouts. his bondbird was Vree, a forestgyre. A strong Adept by age nineteen, he anchored the West when k’Sheyna tried to drain the Vale Heartstone before a move. The stone fractured, killing his mother. Darkwind had been called Songwind, but was so traumatized by the disaster he chose the new use-name Darkwind, swore not to employ magic again, and became a scout. When he met Elspeth, Darkwind was estranged from his father and confused by the problems affecting the Vale. When it became apparent that Mornelithe was responsible for all the problems, he promised to train Elspeth’s magic abilities in exchange for her help. Darkwind and Elspeth become life mates and, after defeating Mornelithe, they went to Valdemar, where Darkwind served as an envoy from the Tayledras. Later, he was instrumental in the defeat of Ancar and helped to shield the Valdemar Heartstone when the Mage-Storm solution was employed. (Storm, Winds)

  Daro (Innmaster)

  The kindly host who supplied Talia at her first town stop on her journey to Haven as Chosen, giving her food, a waterskin, and utensils which had been left behind at his Inn. (Arrows)

  Darowife

  The wife of the friendly tavern owner Daro. (Arrows)

  Darthela

  The new bride of Sir Skolte, a middle-aged hereditary knight who hired Tarma and Kethry to escort her to Fromish before winter set in. Darthela was disappointed in her bridegroom, but as Sir Skolte pointed out, she was sixth of seven daughters, and her father was happy to marry her to anyone. (Oath)

  Darvena (Companion)

  Companion to Herald Ariel Ashkevron. (LHM)

  Darvi (Herald-Mage)

  The son of Queen Elspeth the Peacemaker, he was a Herald-Mage and Heir of Valdemar. Darvi died in a fall on a slippery staircase, which advanced his son Randale unexpectedly to the position of Heir. (LHM)

  Darzie

  A gryphon athlete, Darzie was one of White Gryphon’s fastest couriers and racers. He was assigned to carry a Mage into the rainforest to set up a Gate for the rescue and search parties looking for Tad and Blade to use. (Gryphon)

  Davan (Herald)

  One of Talia’s year-mates at the Coilegium, he used his gift of Farseering in the critical opening battle in the Valdemaran-Hardorn war. (Arrows)

  David

  An engineering student injured in the boiler explosion. (Storm)

  Dawnfire k’Sheyna

  A Tayledras scout, seventeen years old, and Darkwind’s lover. Her bondbird was Kyrr, a female red-shouldered hawk. While spying on the gryphons thrnuh her bondbird she encountered a mage trying to harm them and was killed while fighting him. Though her mortal form was slain, Dawnfire’s spirit form merged with that of her bondbird. She became an avatar of the Star-Eyed, where she appeared either as a great shining vorcel-hawk or as a woman made of glowing liquid glass, with a suggestion of great wings behind her head. Later, she and Tre’valen helped Andesha escape from Falconsbane, and worked with the team at Urtho’s Tower to stop the Mage-Storms. (Storm)

  Dawnmist

  Snowfire’s mother. (Owl)

  Daystar

  A Tayledras scout. (Winds)

  Daystorm

  A fox-faced female Tayledras scout with two crows as bondbirds. (Owl)

  Dazzle-headache

  A migraine characterized by sudden, fierce onslaught and extreme sensitivity to light. (BV)

  Death-bell

  During the reign of King Valdemar, a temple was built in che Grove at Companion’s Field and a bell installed, except for the clapper and bell rope. Before the bell could be completed, the King died and the bell magically rang. The temple vanished long ago, but the tower remains. Now whenever a Herald dies, the bell tolls, and every Companion in Haven gathers before the tower to mourn. (BV)

  Deban

  A large city in the Eastern Empire taken over by a new cult after the Mage-Storms began. (Storm)

  Dedren

  One of the widows of the Red Fox Clan’s shaman. Neta the dyheli instructed Dedren how to guide her tribe’s survivors to safety in Snow Fox territory. (Owl)

  Dee

  One of two apprentices that assist Rethaire, the Sunhawks’ Healer-Herbalist. (Oath)

  Deedre (Herald-Mage)

  A Herald-Mage whose prime focus was topaz. (LHM)

  Deek

  A fifteen-year-old boy Skif met while hiding in Lord Orthallen’s house. Deek brought Skif into Bazie’s family and helned him learn thievery. Deek would eventually leave his criminal life to become a guard for a travelling gem-merchant. (TT)


  Defender of the Faithful

  one of the sub-titles of the Karsite Son of the Sun. (Storm)

  Delian (Companion)

  Companion to Herald Tantras. When the suddenly sensitized Vanyel was overwhelmed by a deluge of voices in his mind, Yfandes commanded Delian to tell his Chosen to shield Vanyel. (LHM)

  Dellar (Bard)

  Chief Councilor of the Bardic Circle In Haven. (LHM)

  Dellcrag

  A northern landmark in Valdemar. The path between Dellcrag and Mount Thurlos was the legendary route used by the Dark Servants for their invasion. (Arrows)

  Delphor (Lord)

  A courtier posted to the palace at Haven, Princess Elspeth longed to play with his children, but Hulda persuaded her that the Heir to the throne was above associating with mere ordinary nobility. (Arrows)

  Delton

  A city in Ruvan, and Thalhkarsh’s first center of operations. The geas-blade Need sensed terrible danger there and diverted Tarma and Kethry to deal with it. (Oath)

  Demon

  Creature summoned from the Abyssal Plane by Karsite Black-Robe Sunpriests using the blood sacrifice of their fire victims. Demons are semi-intelligent and extremely dangerous, and usually attack at night. After Solaris ascended, the practice of calling demons was outlawed. (BV)

  Demon-horse

  Karsite term for a Companion. (BV)

  Demon Warriors

  Living weapons conjured up by Prince Ancar’s mages, the deadly seven-foot creatures appeared from a sulfurous, yellow-green fog and had dark pits in their skulls that contained dim red lights instead of eyes, fangs, and leathery yellow hides. Each was armed with a double ax and a sword. (Arrows)

  Demon-Wolf of Hastandell, The

  A legend cited by the plump priest of Anathei during his philosophical debate with Tarma. Ourra, the Demon-Wolf, didn’t know the sheep he preyed upon where someon’s property. When finally caught at his crime and enlightened by a priest, Ourra, who was actually a kyree, was terribly embarrassed and did his best to atone. To worshippers of Anathel, this tale is a prime example of the nature of good, evil, and conversion to the Light. (Oath)