by Myers, Karen
Behind them came Dzantig, carrying a small bag. He waved at Najud and her, and then placed himself near the gate and waited.
Chak approached, with his family. He bowed deeply, and they followed his lead. Penrys and Najud returned the greeting, and Penrys said, “As you see, Tailor-chi, we are well-clothed by your efforts. Is this your family?”
Chak bowed again and introduced them. “I wanted them to meet you, minochi, hard as they worked. And my wife has a small gift for you.”
Penrys tried to keep the surprise off her face as the woman approached.
“My husband told me of his ill manners yesterday, and I wished to apologize on his behalf.”
She pulled out a square of fabric in a beautifully-printed soft wool, flowers and plants densely filling a golden ground. Shaking it out and folding it in a diagonal, she reached up and settled it around Penrys’s neck, covering both chain and bandage, and tucked the ends inside her shirt collar.
Penrys could hear the intake of breath from her family at the woman’s daring, and her own face must have displayed a welter of emotions. From the woman, she felt nothing but sympathy, and a bit of trepidation at her own initiative.
She grasped the woman’s hand, and bowed over it, speechless.
The woman gasped and pulled her hand back. She handed Penrys another square. “This is a lighter weight, for indoors. Please take it, minochi, with our thanks.”
Chak escorted his wife back to her children, and then brought the eldest son forward.
“Minochi, my son has prepared a sign that he thinks we should display, but I wanted your approval.”
He waved at the other men who had accompanied him. “These men are witnesses, should you agree.”
Penrys glanced at Najud, who shrugged.
“Please, show me,” she said.
The young man unrolled a scroll, neatly lettered, that declared, in both Kigali-yat and Rasesni, “The wizard Penrys, destroyer of demons, is a satisfied patron of this business.”
She clenched her jaws to help her ensure a serious expression, and nodded consideringly. “It is no more than the truth, and I wish you well with it.”
The son rolled up the scroll, and the whole group of them bowed one more time and left the yard.
Penrys stroked the soft scarf.
Such a thoughtful gift.
It kept her from laughing out loud in front of the grooms and others in the yard and embarrassing those good people.
No scarf will help them if I learn to tap the chain directly for more than restoring the power it steals. Maybe that’s the fate of monsters like me, to experiment until we find like it too much, and only the power matters.
She shook the thought off. It hadn’t been many days since the fight, but it was beginning to worry her how long it was taking for the burns from the chain to heal.
Dzantig stepped forward from the shadow of the gate, with the bag in his hand and nodded to them both.
“Before you mount, I would like to give you a blessing, in the name of my god Dzangab. It is permitted?”
Penrys looked uncertainly at Najud, but he bowed deeply. “We would be greatly honored.”
Dzantig opened his bag and pulled out a short, decorated board with low bracketed feet. He placed that on the bare dirt of the stableyard and put a small bell and a tiny brazier on it, blowing on the coals to revive them. He removed a bowl no larger than his palm from the bag and filled it from the water pump. A small bit of dried fish, and a few crumbs of incense for the brazier from which sweet smoke began to rise completed the assemblage.
He bowed to them, turned and faced their riding horses, and then the strings of pack animals, then turned back to his place behind his improvised altar and bowed to it.
He rang the bell and let the echoes die out naturally, and Penrys followed along with him as he intoned, in the old, classical godly language, “Oh, Dzangab, look over these travelers and their beasts and keep them safe from hunger and thirst and the perils of the trail. May their virtuous thoughts rise up to heaven like this smoke, and their enemies be confounded.”
He rang the bell one last time and bowed again over the altar as the tones faded away.
Without speaking, he smiled at them, emptied the bowl, covered the brazier, and returned everything to his bag. Quietly, he walked away and out of the gate.
“I was forgetting most of the wizards in Rasesdad are priests,” Penrys said.
He nodded. “Got your letter, for Tak Tuzap to send?”
She patted the left side of her tunic and felt the thick crinkle of the packet, addressed to Vylkar. Najud had convinced her it was time to tell the Collegium something of what had happened to her. “Not right they should worry,” he’d said.
Her conscience had bothered her a bit on that score, though she didn’t think it would have been of any great concern to them.
He followed with a glance down to his replacement boots. “Next time I go traveling I will take extra boots with me, good Zannib boots. Three pair, maybe, or four.”
He mounted up, and Penrys listened to his low voice rumbling its mock complaints and hugged the sound of it to her.
I could listen to that all day.
What will sarq-Zannib be like? His family? The other wizards?
Penrys mounted from the wrong side, a concession to her absent hand. A groom gave her a leg up, and she settled into place.
“It’ll be cold sleeping out, headed into winter and the pass.” Najud waved his hand at the snug buildings surrounding them.
Penrys replied, “Warmer for two than for one,” and watched for his smile.
“Straight over the bridge,” he said, “Then we stop to pick up the donkeys and get them loaded.”
He laughed. “Have I ever explained to you how much fun it’s going to be with seven donkeys on a string, following the horses? I think a ‘destroyer of demons’ will be handy to have along.”
Penrys rolled her eyes. She had other things to think about. Like unwrapping the bandage in the bath last night and seeing the new flesh, the little finger buds just starting to show.
How many times has this happened before?
GUIDE TO NAMES AND PRONUNCIATIONS
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS & PLACE NAMES & TERMS
PEOPLE - ELLECH
Aergon (AIR-gohn)
Senior wizard at the Collegium of Wizards.
Penrys (Ryssi) (PEHN-rewss)
The chained adept. Wizard trained at the Collegium of Wizards.
Vekkenfet (VECK-en-fet) - Leadfoot
The jocular nickname of a particularly slow horse.
Vylkar (VIEWL-kar)
Senior wizard at the Collegium of Wizards. Patron of Penrys.
PEOPLE - KIGALI
Gailen (GIE-lehn) - Sunshine
The temporary name given to a toddler found by Tak Tuzap.
Chak Zobu (CHAHK ZOH-boo)
A prosperous tailor with a family shop on the market square in Kunchik.
Chang Zenju (CHAHNG ZEHN-joo)
The laigomju, commander, of the cavalry squadron sent from Jonggep to Neshilik.
Haik Anju (HIKE AHN-joo)
An elderly watchman working for the Tak family in Kunchik.
Hing Ganau (HING GAH-now)
A sergeant acting as a teamster while his broken leg heals.
Jip Ngori (JIP n-GOH-ree)
A guard officer who reports to Chang Zenju.
Kep Jungo (KEHP JOON-goh)
A cavalry officer who reports to Chang Zenju.
Kor Pochang (KOR POH-chahng)
A trading partner of Tak Paknau and the head of the zopgep, the governing council of Gonglik.
Mu Wenjit (MOO WEHN-jit)
False name used by Rasesni Veneshjug when masquerading as a herdsman.
Nek Kazu (NECK KAH-zoo)
Associate of Zau Tselu, friend of Tak Paknau.
Rai Limfa (RYE LIHM-fah)
A civilian woman providing laundry and tailoring services in the cavalry squadron.
/> Sau Tsuo (SOW TSOO-oh)
An officer on the command staff under Chang Zenju.
Tak Paknau (TAHK PAHK-now)
The head of the tengom, the Trader’s Guild in Gonglik, uncle of Tak Tuzap.
Tak Tuzap (TAHK TOO-zahp)
The young nephew and heir to Tak Paknau, an important trader in Gonglik.
Tan Omi (TAHN OH-mee) (THAN OH-mee)
The real name of Gailen, the toddler found by Tak Tuzap.
Tun Jeju (TOON JEH-joo) (TOON JEH-joo)
The notju, intelligence master, and imperial representative for Chang Zenju’s expedition.
Wan Nozu (WAHN NOH-zu)
Young nephew of Wan Tawa.
Wan Tawa (WAHN TAH-wah)
Headwoman of Lupmikya, aunt of Wan Nozu.
Zau Tselu (ZOW TSEH-loo)
Colleague of Tak Paknau.
PEOPLE - RASESNI
Dhumkedbhod (Dhumbhod) (DOOM-ked-bohd)
Priest and senior member of the Mage Council exiled from Dzongphan. His god is Dhumkedo.
Drannyal (Drana) (DRAHN-yall)
A mage (wizard) captured by Surdo.
Dzangabtig (Dzantig) (DZAN-gab-tig, DZAN-tig)
Priest and member of the Temple School in Kunchik. His god is Dzangab.
Ichorrog (Ichi) (EE-chor-rog)
Member of the temple School in Kunchik.
Igzhun (IG-zhoon)
A mage (wizard) captured by Surdo.
Isuena (Svene) (ISS-ven)
Student at the Temple School in Kunchik.
Khrebesni (KHREB-ess-nee) - Thieves
Uncomplimentary term for the hill-tribes that have allied themselves with Surdo for plunder.
Menbyed (Byede) (MEN-byehd) - Nameless
Alias employed by Veneshjug when using the mirror device on the Kigali expedition.
Menchos (Mene) (MEN-chohs)
Senior commander or intelligence master exiled from Dzongphan.
Nyagchos (Nyacho) (NYAG-chohs)
Priest and member of the Mage Council exiled from Dzongphan. His god is Nyag.
Pyalshrad (PYAHL-shrahd) - Hand of the Mountains
The collective name for the hill-tribes that work with the priests of Dzongphan to enforce their control over the population of Rasesdad.
Pyalshrog (Pyaro) (PYAHL-shrog)
The leader of the local factions of Pyalshrad, the Hand of the Mountains hill-tribes, that have invested southern Neshilik.
Rinshradke (Rini, Risha) (RIN-shrahd-keh)
Senior mage mistress (Klanna) from Shirtan-pur.
Shrigirnang (SHREE-geer-nahng)
A mage (wizard) captured by Surdo.
Surdo (SOOR-doh) - The Voice
The chained wizard-tyrant who is wreaking havoc in Rasesdad. The name was given by the Rasesni—his actual name is unknown.
Tlobsung (Sungu) (t-LOHB-soong)
The military commander of the local force holding Neshilik.
The Voice
See “Surdo.”
Veneshjug (Vejug) (VEH-nesh-joog, VEH-joog)
Priest and senior member of the Mage Council exiled from Dzongphan. His god is Venesh.
Vladzan (Vlada) (VLAHD-zahn)
Device Master (Grakkedo) at the Temple School in Kunchik and member of the Mage Council exiled from Dzongphan.
Zongchas (Chasa) (ZOHNG-chahs)
Mage Master (Klando) and overall master of the Temple School in Kunchik. Senior member of the Mage Council exiled from Dzongphan.
PEOPLE - ZANNIB
Butraz (boot-RAHZ)
Najud’s older brother.
Ghuruma (goo-ROO-mah)
Najud’s oldest sister.
Ilbirs (eel-BEERS)
One of Najud’s cousins.
Ilsahr (eel-SAH-her)
Najud’s father.
Kazrsulj (kahz-er-SOOLJ)
Najud’s mother.
Khashjibrim (khash-jeeb-REEM)
Kazrsulj’s father.
Kurighdunaq (koo-REEG-doo-NAHK) - World-bow (Rainbow)
A clan in northwestern central Zannib, part of the Undullah tribe.
Najud (nah-JOOD) - Lucky, Fortunate
A journeyman wizard of the Zamjilah clan, in the Shubzah tribe, traveling in Kigali as an apprentice, or Zandaril.
Nibarzan (nee-bar-ZAHN)
One of Najud’s cousins.
Nirkazdhal (neer-kahz-THAHL) - Steppe Thunder
Najud’s youngest brother. His name is a joke referring to his very noisy infancy.
Qizrahi (keez-RAH-hee)
Kazrsulj’s sister, married into the Kurighdunaq clan, in the Undullah tribe.
Rubti (ROOB-tee)
Najud’s second sister.
Shubzah (shoob-ZAH)
A tribe in the northeast central region of Zannib.
Surbushaz (soor-boo-SHAHZ)
One of Najud’s cousins.
Umali (oo-MAH-lee)
A wizard of the Zamjilah clan to whom Najud served as apprentice.
Undullah (oon-dool-LAH)
A tribe in the northwest central region of Zannib.
Washi (WAH-shee)
Najud’s youngest sister.
Yukjilah (yook-jee-LAH)
Butraz’s wife.
Zamjilah (zahm-jee-LAH) - Eye of Heaven
Najud’s clan, part of the Shubzah tribe.
Zaybirs (zye-BEERS)
One of Najud’s cousins, son of his aunt Qizrahi, of the Kurighdunaq clan, in the Undullah tribe.
PLACES - ELLECH
Asuthgrata (AH-sooth-grah-tah) - High Region
Upland district of mixed grazing and woodlands, famed for its hunting.
Drosenrolkentham (DROH-sen-rohl-ken-thahm) - Wizard-learning-place
The Collegium of Wizards in Tavnastok.
Dunnarfeol (DOON-nar-fayol) - Winter’s House
The highest mountains in the world, forming the north border of Ellech.
Ellech (ELL-ekh)
A northern nation tucked along the southern margin of the Dunnarfeol mountains, with precipitous timber- and grass-covered slopes running down to a deep-water port. Famed for industry and research, with a well-armed merchant navy to seek out new markets.
Tavnastok (TAV-nah-stok) - City of Wealth
Inland city based on river commerce and industry, in the Asuthgrata region.
PLACES - KIGALI
Fawok Gung (FAH-wock goong)
The largest of the chain of lakes in the Kwatka Kote lowlands.
Fuchoi Jan (FOO-choy jahn) - Old Ferry Pass
The trade route through the Red Wall near Shaneng Ferry.
Galat (GAH-lat)
A disputed region between Kigali and Ndant, with significant mining resources.
Genna (GEHN-nah)
These marshes are the site of a possible canal opening up the Kwatka Kote lowlands to inland water traffic.
Gentu Hanjong (GEHN-too HAHN-jong)
The northeast bay for the harbor city Kwattu.
Gonglik (GOHNG-lick) - The Steps
The largest city in the Neshilik region, named for the extensive stretch of rapids and waterfalls on the upper reach of the Seguchi River which inhibit navigation. It lies south of the river and extends to the north at Kunchik, with the first permanent bridge over the Seguchi River, 1800 miles from its mouth.
Harlin (HAR-lin) - Grassy Field
The floodplain of the Seguchi River just inside Seguchi Norwan, used as a temporary Rasesni military encampment.
Jaunor (JOW-nor) - Cold Wall
The trading village at the base of Tse Jan, the High Pass, at the extreme south of Neshilik.
Jonggep (JONG-ghep) - The Meeting of Waters
The largest inland city, at the junction of the two main branches of the Junkawa River: The Seguchi and the Neshikame.
Junkawa (joon-KAH-wah) - The Mother of Rivers
The longest river in the world, with two main branches: The Seguchi and the Neshikame. It finds its outlet at Pingmen below the walls of Penit Ying.
Jusham J
an (JOO-shahm jahn) - The Low Pass
Caravan route between Zannib and central Kigali, west of Jonggep, the Meeting of Waters.
Kigali (kih-GAH-lee) - Land of the Ki Dynasty
Set in the mid-latitudes of the southern continent, Kigali is a wealthy and hard-working nation with a history of political stability and expansion. The Junkawa River and its hundreds of tributaries provide internal communications, and well-placed ports support its strong mercantile interests.
Koryan (KOHR-yahn)
Fortified high point overlooking the water gap on the north side of Seguchi Norwan, the Gates.
Kunchik (KOON-chick) - North Bridge
The northern extension of Gonglik, across the Seguchi River and connected by a bridge.
Kunlau Himbun (KOON-low HIM-boon) - Kunlau Mountains
The long range that forms the northern border with Fastar and Ndant.
Kwatka Kote (KWAHT-kah KOH-teh)
The eastern rift valley running from northeast Gentu Bay to southeast Pingmen harbor.
Kwatna Jun (KWAHT-nah joon) - Kwatna River
The river linking the chain of lakes with Gentu Bay in the eastern Kwatka Kote lowlands.
Kwattu (KWAHT-too)
The busiest port city, in the northeast on Gentu Bay at the mouth of the Kwatna River in the eastern Kwatka Kote lowlands.
Lang Nor Himbun (LAHNG-nor HIM-boon) - The Red Wall
The eastern border of Neshilik, a low range running north from the Zannib border to the Gates.
Linit Kungzet (LEE-neet KOONG-zet)
The border fort in eastern Neshilik that holds against incursions from Rasesdad on the Seguchi River.
Linyan (LIN-yahn)
An industrial city at a fork of the Junkawa River, above Yenit Ping.
Lomat (LOH-mat)
A disputed region with Rasesdad north of the Craggies, on the upper Neshikame River. Known to Rasesdad as Olmrad.
Lupmikya (loop-MICK-yah) - Millwood
A small village with a grain mill in Neshilik, south of the Steps.
Minchang Himbun (MIN-chahng HIM-boon) - Minchang Mountains
The long, porous range that forms most of the southern border with Zannib.
Neshikame Jun (neh-shee-KAH-mee joon) - Little Sister Water
The northern branch of the Junkawa River. It is navigable well into the Lomat region.
