The Valdemar Companion

by John Helfers; Denise Little

  Wheat Sheaf Inn

  Operated by the Kemaks, this Inn was a rendezvous point in Petras for the revenge-seeking Sunhawks. (Oath)

  Wheat-smut

  The only pharmacological remedy known for the dazzle-headaches Bard Breda suffered. The concoction’s main ingredient is ergot, which can be dangerous, elevating the blood pressure and inducing cardiovascular distress. (LHM)

  Wheel-bound

  A religious belief that one pays for evil done in past lives by performing good deeds in the present one. Landric the farmer was one of that sect and wore a five-spoke wheel brand scar on the back of his left wrist to show his faith. (Oath)

  White Foal Pass

  The pass lies near the shared border of Karse, Rethwellan, and Valdemar, and was where the Karsites first invaded. When Vanyel told Herald Kera, who was posted in that dangerous area, to escape the growing anti-mage crusade brewing in Karse, he advised her to go over White Foal Pass. This is also where Lavan Firestorm made his last fatal stand against the Karsites. (BB, LHM)

  White Gryphon

  A cliff-built city on the edge of the Western Sea, laid out in the shape of a stylized gryphon and carved of the cliffs’ snowy white stone. It took ten years to build the main part of the city. Nearly three-quarters of its citizens live in cave dwellings. Its population is made up of humans, gryphons, kyree, hertasi and tervardi who fled Urtho’s keep during the final days of the Mage-Wars via a gate. (Owl, Gryphon)

  White Winds School

  This branch of sorcery had as its most famous leader a hertasi mage Gervase, the Wizard Lizard, who lived for hundreds of years and built the school into its final form. Kethry studied magic at a White Winds school and founded her own school later on—founding a school being the obligation of any White Winds Adept. White Winds philosophy teaches that one never coerces Other Planar creatures and must not deal at all with entities of the Abyssal Flanes, except to send them back or destroy them, if possible. The White Winds order believes that mage powers should be used for the greatest good. White Winds Graduates are wanderers who look for opportunities to do good and do not take permanent positions with a patron. (Oath, Owl, Storm, Sword, Winds)

  White-Demons

  A Karsite epithet for Valdemar’s Heralds. (Storm)

  Whitebird

  Trondi’irn with the k’Leshya delegation to Haven. She chose to stay with the gryphons at the Palace rather than in Firesong’s ekele. (Storm)

  Whitefell

  A pastureland that lies south of Forst Reach. Vanyel’s brother Mekeal had put sheep on this meadow against his father’s wishes. (LHM)

  Whitethorn

  With Darian and Wintersky, he helped the hertasi build the ekele for Darian’s teacher and staff. (Owl)

  White Rider

  A hostelry and tavern in Haven, it has a sign with a Herald and Companion on it. (TT)

  White-shirts

  A slang term the poor of Haven called the Heralds. (TT)

  Willem

  One of Bazie’s former gang members, he made a large score and retired from thievery. He purchased a house with rooms to rent and was set for life. (TT)

  Willem

  A mage with Ancar’s invasion force who acted as a mind-controller over the troops. (Winds)

  Willi

  Known as Scratcher, he was the Skybolts’ bookkeeper. (Sword)

  Willowbark tea

  A popular Valdemaran analgesic tea, willowbark contains salacylic acids and is effective in easing pain. (LHM)

  Windblade k’Treva

  A Tayledras Gate-guard who Firesong sent to fetch tea and honey to revive the exhausted Herald-Mage Savil after Savil’s abrupt arrival in k’Treva Vale. (Winds)

  Wind Dance

  A traditional Tayledras dance. Darkwind performed the wind dance at a Vale celebration. It consists of flowing movements, demanding the dancer be extremely strong and supple. (Winds)

  Wind Lord

  Another name for the God of Iftel, who takes an active hand in mortal affairs of Iftel. (Oath)

  Windborn

  Lady Windborn Soulshaper, Kethry’s name for her Goddcss. In an encounter with The Warrior, that aspect of the Goddess told her She was but another face of Lady Windborn. (Oath)

  Winddance

  A Tayledras mage assigned to help the scouts, he was wounded in a fight with Change-wolves. (Winds)

  Windshadow

  A Tayledras scout. (Owl)

  Windsteed

  A member of Amberdrake’s lost family. (Gryphon)

  Wingsiblings

  Also called Wingsister and Wingbrother, outlanders can become members of a Tayledras clan through a ceremony and are addressed by this title. (LHM, Winds)

  Winterhart

  Mate of Amberdrake and mother of Silverblade, she was born Reanna Laury, and resided at King Leodhan’s court until Ma’ar’s invasion. Fleeing south, she joined Urtho’s forces as a trondi’irn healer and adopted a Kaled’a’in name. Winterhart met Amberdrake and fell in love after initially disliking him when she sought his services as a kestra’chern. She was courted by King Shalaman in the Haighlei Empire, but turned him down because she was already lifebonded to Amberdrake. (Gryphon)

  Winterlight

  The oldest Tayledras scout in k’Sheyna vale. He originally held the position of Council Elder and Speaker for the scouts, but willingly gave that up to Darkwind. Winterlight flew two bondbirds, Lyer, a snow-eagle, by day and Huur, a tuft-eared owl, by night. When Darkwind resumed Adept Mage status, Winterlight was chosen once again to be scout leader. (Winds)

  Wintermoon

  Darkwind’s half brother, one of two children of Starblade’s contracted liaison with a k’Treva mage. Wintermoon had no mage talents and just enough Mind-magic to speak with his bondbirds, Corwith and k’Tathi. Because of his lack of magic, he and Starbiade were estranged. Winter-moon was a loner and prefered to take the night-hunting patrols as a scout. (Winds)

  Wintersky

  One of Darian’s oldest friends, he was a Tayledras scout whose bondbird was Tiec. (Owl)

  Wisdom Keeper

  Shamans sworn to the Crone aspect of the Star-Eyed Goddess. Called the Scroll-Sworn, they wear dark blue and protect the history and wisdom of the clans. (Storm)

  Wisewomen

  Practitioners of simple magic, they are sometimes called earth-witches. They draw on ordinary, natural sources for their small powers and serve as healers for remote villages and clans, just as hedge-wizards do. (Owl)

  Witchlight

  Another term for mage-light, it is a glowing orb that needs no source of earthly fuel but is kindled and maintained entirely by sorcerous energy. (Arrows, Oath)

  Wolf Crown

  Worn by the Emperor of the East, it is a circlet of electrum Inset with thirteen yellow diamonds. The design is of twelve wolves, eleven in profile to the viewer, five facing left, six facing right, and the twelfth as pack leader, gazing directly at an observer. (Storm)

  Woiflings

  The name of Captain joifrey’s infantry, one of four mercenary Companies hired by the Menmellith Council. (Oath)

  Wolfstone’s Pack

  A mercenary force who fought for Valdemar and Rethwellan against Hardorn, led by Herald-Captain Kerowyn. (Owl)

  Wolf’s Head Ring

  Worn by the Emperor and cast from the same mold as the center figure on the Wolf Crown, its eyes are topazes. (Storm)

  Wolverine Tribe

  A northern barbarian clan, the Wolverine had taken up where the almost extinct Blood Bear clan had left off by raiding its neighbors and taking young women and boys captive. Their shaman could tap into the power of the Eclipse, as Blood Bear clan’s shaman had. (Owl)

  Wood lark

  The nickname Vanyel gave to his favorite instrument, a lute, when he was a boy. (LHM)

  Woodlark

  Dirk’s pet name for Talia, he compares her to the elusive and shy bird. It is small, brown, and blends in with its surroundings. Remarkably pretty in its own quiet way, it
has the most beautiful voice in the forest. (Arrows)

  Woolly Ram

  An inn at the Skybolt’s winter quartcrs. (Sword)

  Word of Opening

  An Adept-controlled power spell designed to call an evoked spirit from beyond the Pillars of Wisdom and the Gate of Judgement. (Oath)

  Work Room

  Mage Adepts train their proteges to use their Gifts in these tightly shielded rooms. Savil’s room was a circular chamber within the Palace, and its shielding was so ancient and powerful it actually muffled physical sound, keeping out even the Death Bell’s tolling. Its walls were stone and the floor had an inlaid pattern of light-colored wood delineating a perfect circle. In time, the room became the heart of the new Web established by Vanyel. (LHM)

  Working, The

  The avatars’s name for the use of Urtho’s great device, channeled through Karal to strengthen the breakwater against the Mage-Storms. They warned that this was only a reprieve, not a solution. (Storm)

  World Plane

  The plane containing the continent of Vergarth, this is where the energies and chaos of the Nether Planes are regenerated into streams of magical energy by living things. (Storm)

  Wrenlet (Herald-trainee)

  A recently Chosen Herald-trainee, she had not been at the Collegium more than a fortnight and had a heavy task ahead, as her Companion Lada was about to foal. (BB)

  Wrightguild

  The craft group that makes fine porcelain and stoneware. Egon, of the small settlement of Potter, was a Guildmaster of this guild. (Oath)

  Writ and Rules of Vkandis

  The Writ and Rules is the book that Karsites follow to interpret the ways of Vkandis. For centuries the corrupt priests used the writings to promote their own agenda. These laws were reinterpreted correctly by Solaris after her ascension. (Storm)

  Wtasi Empire

  It lies far to the east, on the Salten Sea. A few refugees from the Cataclysm reached there, and reported that it was devastated by the incredible double explosion when Ka’venusho and Predain were simultaneously destroyed. No Gates could then be erected to move supplies to the Empire, and it suffered greatly as a result. (Gryphon)

  Wulaf

  A shepherd and Valdemaran native of the area near White Foal Pass. He acted as Lavan’s guide and helped him find an ideal observation post above the Pine Forest region. (BB)

  Wulf (Herald-trainee)

  Herald-trainee whose Gift is Seeing. (Arrows)

  Wulfres (Count)

  One of Jadrek’s hoped-for contacts in Rethwellan’s Palace circles. However, during preparations for the uprising, Tarma, in her disguise as Arton, had to leave her message with Horsemaster Tindel, because Wulfres was too suspicious of her disguise. (Oath)

  Wuigra (Herald)

  He was one of a number of familiar faces among the Heralds that Vanyel was missing when he returned from his mission to the Karsite border. (LHM)

  Wyrfen Woods

  They share a border with the orchards on Forst Reach’s lands to the southeast and are permeated by old magic. (LHM)

  Wyrist (Lady)

  A Councilwoman who speaks for the East, her area borders Karse and is vulnerable to threats from that direction. (Arrows)

  Wyrsa

  Created by one of the Old Adepts, they are a failed attempt to mimic kyree and are completely uncontroflable. Those who escaped into the rain forest near White Gryphon were changed by the Mage-Storms, becoming magic absorbers. In later times, these vicious creatures inhabited the Pelagirs and could, at enormous magical cost and risk, be summoned as arcane weapons. They were too powerful for even a Companion to fight unaided. The wyrsa were an evil-looking blend of snake and dog. They came in different colors ranging from black to yellow to white. They had scales in some strains, and dance in hypnotic patterns. The wyrsa travel in packs, share intelligence, and feed on mage energies. (Gryphon, LHM, Storm, Winds)

  Wythra (Companion)

  Herald Teren’s Companion. (Arrows)

  Yai

  A Shin’a’in term meaning “yes.” (Oath)

  Yai se corthu

  A Shin’a’in term meaning “two are one,” the Oathbound. (Oath)

  Year-and-day Handfasting

  A border custom requiring young couples that wish to marry to live together first to ensure they are fertile before any formal union is allowed. (Arrows)

  Yellowthroats

  Songbirds that appear in Haven in spring, they have a warbling note. The males of the species try to outsing each other in territorial displays. (LHM)

  Yfandes (Companion)

  Companion to Herald-Mage Vanyel, she was the only adult Companion in Vanyel’s time who had not Chosen, and had been unpartnered for over ten years. On the night of Tylendel’s death, Yfandes Chose the boy, rescued vanyel from the river and protected him until he was coherent enough to be entrusted to the Healers. She was patient but firm with Vanyel, becoming the devoted companion and support he needed. When Vanyel battled the Dark Mage Leareth, he sent Yfandes to carry his life-bonded mate Stefen to safety. Vanyel expected to die alone, but Yfandes returned to him after alerting the nearest guard post of the coming danger, and helped to destroy Leareth and his army. She guarded the Forest of Sorrows with Vanyei and Stefan, and disappeared to the Havens with them when the final solution to the Mage-Storms was put into effect. (Arrows, LHM, Storm)

  Yip dogs

  What Kaled’a’in call the annoying, small, and otherwise useless breed created by the Haighlei peoples that make a lot of noise and attract unwelcome attention. (Owl)

  Yllyana

  One of the ancient bearers of the sword Need. (Winds)

  Ylsa (Herald)

  A Herald-Courier, her Companion was Felara. Herald Ylsa and her Companion died in an ambush, yet she successfully completed her mission thanks to a powerful mindlink with Talia and other Heralds. Lifebonded with Herald Keren. (Arrows, TT)

  Ylyna Mavelan

  The bride of Deveran Remoerdis of Lineas and mother of Tashir. The only potential treaty-spouse among the Mavelans of Baires to lack mage-powers, she was the only bride acceptable to Deveran. She was killed with the rest of the Mavelans by the assassination trap. (LHM)

  Yonisse

  One of Hadanelith’s victims at White Gryphon. (Gryphon)

  Yuthi’so’coro

  A Shin’a’in term meaning “road courtesy,” they are the rules followed by the nomads when traveling on a public road. (Oath)

  Zado

  The God worshipped in some quarters of Valdemar, Guildmaster Jumay of the Royal Council was an adherent of that divinity. (LHM)

  Zaleka (Companion)

  The companion to Herald Arven. (Arrows)

  Zalmon

  A city in southwest Valdemar. (Arrows)

  Zaras

  One of King Raschar's mages, he cast a spell on one of his apprentices to make him look like the King and sent him off with the rest of the court on a three-day hunt. Zaras and Raschar then hid in the Palace stables to ambush Captain Idra. (Oath)

  Zendak

  Ma'ar's name in one of his incarnations. (Winds)

  Zephyr

  Amberdrake's little sibling, whom he never saw again after the fall of Therium. (Gryphon)

  Zhai'helleva or Zha'hai'allav'a

  A friendly Tayledras parting whish that means "wind to your wings." (Winds)

  Zhaneel

  Skandranon's mate and the mother of Tadrith and Keenath. During the War she was originally attached to Commander Loren's group. Not knowing what her origins were, she originally thought she was misborn, but she was actually a deliberate creation of Urtho. Amberdrake dubbed her a gyrfalcon: small, lightly-built, with a deep keelbone, narrow chest, no neck ruff, and humanlike hands which she used as fists in combat. She developed her own training course and techniques and achieved quite a spectacular reputation among Urtho's forces. (Gryphon)

  Table of Contents

  Girl Meets Horse (Sort Of) - Mercedes Lackey

  A Herald's
Journey: A New Valdemar Novella - Mercedes Lackey

  An Interview With Mercedes Lackey - Denise Little

  A Traveler's Guide To Valdemar And The Surrounding Kingdoms - Bard Jeriko (as told to Kerrie Hughes)

  The Music of Valdemar

  Balladeers, Buskers, and Bards: The Music of Valdemar - Michael Longcor

  Born In Song: Making The Music of Valdemar - Teri Lee

  A Discography Of The Songs Of Valdemar - John Helfers

  A Conversation With Betsy Wollheim - Denise Little

  The Realm of Valdemar

  The Novels of Valdemar - Kristin Schwengel And Denise Little

  Virtual Valdemar - Russell Davis

  Maps of Valdemar - Larry Dixon with Daniel Green

  The Valdemar Concordance - Teri Lee, Juanita Coulson, Kerrie Hughes, and Denise Little

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  I

  J

  K

  L

  M

  N

  O

  P

  Q

  R

  S

  T

  U

  V

  W

  Y

  Z