The Wars of Light and Shadow (9) – Initiate’s Trial: First book of Sword of the Canon

by Janny Wurts

  Roused back to himself from the depths of tranced prescience, Dakar arose stiff and tired, but oddly calm. He would let sleeping dogs lie, for tonight. Rathain’s prince could be left undisturbed to complete his escape on his own. The lonely, fat spellbinder’s cowardice chose not to address the raw wound of betrayal that had broken a difficult, long term of service and reduced a cherished friendship to ashes.

  In the grey mist just prior to dawn, ravenous enough to consider eating the stolen gelding he untied and mounted, Dakar reined around and picked the less tangled course to redeem his mistakes. He kicked the hack under him to a smart trot. The easier fate lay ahead of him, surely. One that sent him to safeguard the slow journey northward and committed his steadfast help to secure Lysaer’s sanity with Daliana.

  Spring 5923

  Defeats

  Days later, come to the far verge of Scarpdale, a dark-haired royal fugitive strips to bare feet with intent to leave Havish by wading through the shallows at the north shore of Lithmarin; but one step from freedom, he shivers, brows hooked to a troubled frown: decisive through the instant’s warning of threat, he draws the black sword, whose pealed note unfurls light and song with a beauty that severs the grotesque ring of enemy spells laid to debase his hard-won autonomy . . .

  Set back yet again, her late effort smashed by Alithiel’s pure note as she seeks to bind Arithon back under the coils of Desh-thiere’s curse, Prime Selidie never blinks, but calls on the last Senior sister held poised in waiting at Deal: ‘The time’s ripe to engage my alternate plan made in reserve against today’s failure . . .’

  On the very hour that Asandir travels to treat with The Hatchet and clear Havish’s border of the remnant war host, Davien departs on foot from the mountain cave where Seshkrozchiel sinks into a dragon’s encapsulated hibernation; and perhaps, Sethvir dares to guard renewed hope, to journey back to Althain Tower and answer the debt bought by Luhaine’s act of self-sacrifice . . .

  Glossary

  A’LIESSIAD—a wholeness of balance between all beings.

  pronounced: ah-less-ee-ahd

  root meaning: a’liessiad – balance, with the prefix for the feminine aspect.

  AFFI’ENIA—name given to Elaira by an adept, meaning dancer in the ancient dialect of the Biedar tribe, but carrying the mystical connotation of ‘water dancer,’ the wise woman who presided over the ritual of rebirth, celebrated on the spring equinox.

  pronounced: affee-yen-yah

  root meaning: affi’enia – dancer

  AIYENNE—river located in Daon Ramon, Rathain, rising from an underground spring in the Mathorn Mountains, and coming above ground south of the Mathorn Road. Site of the ruinous battle between Earl Jieret’s war band and the Alliance war host under Sulfin Evend, which enabled Arithon’s escape to the north in Third Age 5670.

  pronounced: eye-an

  root meaning: ai’an – hidden one

  ALESTRON—city located in Midhalla, Melhalla. Paravian built with warded defenses. Once ruled by s’Brydion, placed under entailment by the Fellowship Sorcerers after the siege in Third Age Year 5672.

  pronounced: ah-less-tron

  root meaning: alesstair – stubborn; an – one

  ALITHIEL—one of twelve Blades of Isaer, forged by centaur Ffereton s’Darian from metal taken from a meteorite, and sung by the Athlien with the arcane endowment for transcendent change. Passed through Paravian possession, acquired the secondary name Dael-Farenn, or Kingmaker, since its owners tended to succeed the end of a royal line. Eventually was awarded to Kamridian s’Ffalenn for his valor in defence of the princess Taliennse, early Third Age, and held in the heritage of the s’Ffalenn royal line.

  pronounced: ah-lith-ee-el

  root meaning: alith – star; iel – light/ray

  ALTHAIN TOWER—spire built at the edge of the Bittern Desert, beginning of the Second Age, to house records of Paravian histories. Third Age, became repository for the archives of all five royal houses of men after rebellion, overseen by the Fellowship Sorcerer, Sethvir, named Warden of Althain since Third Age Year 5100. Warded by the Ilitharis Paravian spirit of Shehane Althain.

  pronounced: all-thay-in

  root meaning: alt – last; thein – tower, sanctuary

  original Paravian pronunciation: alt-thein

  ANGLEFEN—swampland located in Deshir, Rathain.

  pronounced: angle-fen

  not from Paravian

  ANIENT—Paravian invocation for unity.

  pronounced: an-ee-ent

  root meaning: an – one; ient – suffix for ‘most’

  ANSHLIEN’YA—name given to Meiglin s’Dieneval by the desert tribes of Sanpashir, prior to her conception of Dari’s’Ahelas, crown heir of Shand, who would bear the rogue talent for far-sighted vision.

  pronounced: ahn-shlee-yen-yah

  root meaning: anshlien’ya – Biedar dialect, ancient word for ‘dawn;’ idiom for ‘hope’

  ARAETHURA—grass plains in south-west Rathain; principality of the same name in that location. Largely inhabited by Riathan Paravians in the Second Age. Third Age, used as pasture land by widely scattered nomadic shepherds.

  pronounced: ar-eye-thoo-rah

  root meaning: araeth – grass; era – place, land

  ARIN—abbreviated diminutive for Arithon, taken from his faulty recall.

  pronounced: ah-rin

  ARITHON—son of Avar, Prince of Rathain, 1,504th Teir’s’Ffalenn after founder of the line, Torbrand in Third Age Year One. Also Master of Shadow, the Bane of Desh-thiere, and Halliron Masterbard’s successor. First among Mankind to tap the transcendent powers of the sword, Alithiel, and also responsible for the final defeat of the Grey Kralovir necromancers. Taken captive by Koriathain in Third Age 5674, and held under crown oath of debt with a stay on his life bought by Fellowship intercession for the purpose of setting his Masterbard’s title to use to subdue the free wraiths from Marak.

  pronounced: ar-i-thon

  root meaning: arithon – fate-forger; one who is visionary

  ARWENT—river in Araethura, Rathain, that flows from Daenfal Lake through Halwythwood to empty in Instrell Bay.

  pronounced: are-went

  root meaning: arwient – swiftest

  ASANDIR—Fellowship Sorcerer. Secondary name, Kingmaker, since his hand crowned every High King of Men to rule in the Age of Men (Third Age). After the Mistwraith’s conquest, he acted as field agent for the Fellowship’s doings across the continent. Also called Fiend-quencher, for his reputation for quelling iyats; Storm-breaker and Change-bringer for his past actions when Men first arrived upon Athera.

  pronounced: ah-san-deer

  root meaning: asan – heart; dir – stone ‘heart rock’

  ATAINIA—north-eastern principality of Tysan.

  pronounced: ah-tay-nee-ah

  root meaning: itain – the third; ia – suffix for ‘third domain’ original Paravian, itainia

  ATCHAZ—town located in Alland, Shand. Famed for its silk.

  pronounced: at-chaz

  root meaning: atchias – silk

  ATH CREATOR—prime vibration, force behind all life.

  pronounced: ath

  root meaning: ath – prime, first (as opposed to an, one)

  ATHERA—name for the world which holds the Five High Kingdoms; four Worldsend Gates; formerly inhabited by dragons, and current home of the Paravian races.

  pronounced: ath-air-ah

  root meaning: ath – prime force; era – place, ‘Ath’s world’

  ATHILI—proscribed region located at the border of Havish and Rathain, between the principalities of Lanshire and Araethira, which bounds the grand portal created by Ath Creator when the Paravian presence was made manifest in the world.

  Pronounced: ah-the-lee

  Root meaning: ath – prime force; i’li – a state of self-aware exaltation.

  ATHIR—Second Age ruin of a Paravian stronghold, located in Ithilt, Rathain. Site of a seventh lane power focus; also where Arithon
Teir’s’Ffalenn swore his blood oath to survive to the Fellowship Sorcerer, Asandir.

  pronounced: ath-ear

  root meaning: ath – prime; i’er – the line/edge

  ATHLIEN PARAVIANS—sunchildren, dancers of the crystal flutes. Small race of semi-mortals, pixie-like, but possessed of great wisdom/keepers of the grand mystery.

  pronounced: ath-lee-en

  root meaning: ath – prime force; lien – to love, ‘Ath-beloved’

  AVENOR—Second Age ruin of a Paravian stronghold. Traditional seat of the s’Ilessid High Kings. Restored to habitation in Third Age 5644. Became the ruling seat of the Alliance of Light in Third Age 5648. Located in Korias, Tysan.

  pronounced: ah-ven-or

  root meaning: avie – stag; norh – grove

  BARACH—former Earl of the North, second son of Jieret s’Valerient and older brother of Jeynsa; Presided over the trial of Eriegal for betrayal; brokered a lawful peace treaty with Mayor Lysaer s’Ilessid in 5688; died Third Age 5712; forebear of Cosach s’Valerient, Esfand, and Kadrien.

  pronounced: bar-ack

  root meaning: baraich – linch-pin

  BARISH—coastal town on Mainmere Bay in south Tysan just north of the border.

  pronounced: bar-ish

  root meaning: bar – half; ris – way

  BIEDAR—desert tribe living in Sanpashir, Shand. Also known as the Keepers of the Prophecy. Their sacred weaving at the well produced the conception of Dari s’Ahelas, which crossed the old caithdein’s lineage of s’Dieneval with the royal line of s’Ahelas, combining the gifts of prophetic clairvoyance with the Fellowship-endowed penchant for far-sight.

  pronounced: bee-dar

  root meaning: biehdahrr – ancient desert dialect for ‘lore keepers’

  BISH—fisherman from Torwent.

  pronounced: bish

  not from the Paravian

  BITTERN DESERT—waste located in Atainia, Tysan, north of Althain Tower. Site of a First Age battle between the great drakes and the Seardluin, permanently destroyed by dragonfire.

  pronounced: bittern

  root meaning: bityern – ­to sear or char

  BRAGGEN—one of the Fourteen Companions who were the only child survivors of the massacre at Tal Quorin in Third Age 5638. Stood proxy for Jeynsa s’Valerient’s absence upon High Earl Barach’s oath swearing to Prince Arithon in 5671, which obligated him to execute Eriegal’s sentence for crown treason in 5674.

  pronounced: brag-en

  root meaning: briocen – surly

  CAINFORD—town located in Taerlin, Tysan.

  pronounced: cane-ford

  root meaning: caen – vale

  CAITHDEIN—(alternate spelling caith’d’ein, plural form caithdeinen) Paravian name for a high king’s first counselor; also, the one who would stand as regent, or steward, in the absence of the crowned ruler. By heritage, the office also carries responsibility for oversight of crown royalty’s fitness to rule.

  pronounced: kay-ith-day-in

  root meaning: caith – shadow; d’ein – behind the chair ‘shadow behind the throne’

  CAITHWOOD—free wilds forest located in Taerlin, southeast principality of Tysan.

  pronounced: kay-ith-wood

  root meaning: caith – shadow – shadowed wood

  CAMRIS—north-central principality of Tysan. Original ruling seat was the city of Erdane.

  pronounced: cam-ris

  root meaning: caim – cross; ris – way ‘cross-road’

  CAOLLE—past war-captain of the clans of Deshir, Rathain. First raised, and then served under, Lord Steiven, Earl of the North and Caithdein of Rathain. Planned the campaign at Vastmark and Dier Kenton Vale for the Master of Shadow. Served Jieret Red-beard, and was feal liegeman of Arithon of Rathain; died of complications from a wound received from his prince while breaking a Koriani attempt to trap his liege in Third Age Year 5653.

  pronounced: kay-all-eh, with the ‘e’ nearly subliminal

  root meaning: caille – stubborn

  CARITHWYR—principality in Havish, once a grass-lands breeding ground for the Riathan Paravians. Now produces grain, cattle, fine hides, and also hops and wine.

  pronounced: car-ith-ear

  root meaning: ci’arithiren – forgers of the ultimate link with prime power. An old colloquialism for unicorn.

  CASCAIN ISLANDS—rugged chain of islets off the coast of Vastmark, Shand.

  pronounced: cass-canes

  root meaning: kesh kain – shark’s teeth

  CAYTE—a female deck-hand on a smuggler’s sloop.

  pronounced: kay-ta

  root meaning: ka’itha – fifth girl

  CEFTWINN s’LORNMEIN—princess and heir apparent of the royal line of Havish.

  pronounced: kef-twin slorn-main

  root meaning: kef – jasper; tuinne – rose; liernmein – to centre or bring into balance

  CHAIMISTARIZOG—Elder dragon standing as keeper of Northgate.

  pronounced: shay-mist-tar-ee-zog

  root meaning: chaimistarizog – Drakish for fire gate keeper

  CHAN—crofter’s child from Kelsing who died of summer fever, brother of Paolin, son of Saffie, nephew of Efflin, Tarens and Kerelie.

  pronounced: chan

  not from the Paravian

  CHEIVALT—coastal town in Carithwyr, Havish, known for its refined lifestyle.

  pronounced: shay-vault

  root meaning: chiavalden – a rare yellow wildflower which grows at sea-side

  CILADIS THE LOST—Fellowship Sorcerer who left the continent in Third Age 5462 in search of the Paravian races after their disappearance following the rebellion.

  pronounced: kill-ah-dis

  root meaning: cael­ – leaf; adeis – whisper, compound; cael’adeis colloquialism for ‘gentleness that abides’

  COSACH S’VALERIENT—current Earl of the North and Caithdein of Rathain, husband of Jalienne, father of Esfand.

  pronounced: co-sack s-val-er-ee-ent

  root meaning: val – straight; erient – spear

  DAELION FATEMASTER—’entity’ formed by set of mortal beliefs, which determine the fate of the spirit after death. If Ath is the prime vibration, or life-force, Daelion is what governs the manifestation of free will.

  pronounced: day-el-ee-on

  root meaning: dael – king, or lord; i’on – of fate

  DAELION’S WHEEL—cycle of life and the crossing point that is the transition into death.

  pronounced: day-el-ee-on

  root meaning: dael – king or lord; i’on – of fate

  DAENFAL LAKE—lake that bounds the southern edge of Daon Ramon Barrens in Rathain.

  pronounced: dye-en-fall

  root meaning: daen – clay; fal – red

  DAKAR THE MAD PROPHET—apprentice to Fellowship Sorcerer, Asandir, during the Third Age following the Conquest of the Mistwraith. Given to spurious prophecies, it was Dakar who forecast the fall of the Kings of Havish in time for the Fellowship to save the heir. He made the Prophecy of West Gate, which forecast the Mistwraith’s bane, and also the Black Rose Prophecy, which called for reunification of the Fellowship.

  pronounced: dah-kar

  root meaning: dakiar – clumsy

  DALIANA sen EVEND—descendant of Sulfin Evend chosen by Asandir to stand heir to lineage.

  pronounced: dah-lee-ahn-a

  root meaning: dal – fair; lien – harmony; a – feminine diminutive

  DAON RAMON BARRENS—central principality of Rathain. Site where Riathan Paravians (unicorns) bred and raised their young. Barrens was not appended to the name until the years following the Mistwraith’s conquest, when the River Severnir was diverted at the source by a task force under Etarran jurisdiction. Site where a combined Sunwheel war host led by Lysaer sought to corner the Master of Shadow, and met defeat against clan war bands under Jieret s’Valerient in Third Age Year 5670.

  pronounced: day-on-rah-mon

  root meaning: daon – gold; ramon –
hills/downs

  DARI S’AHELAS—crown heir of Shand who was sent to safety through West Gate to preserve the royal lineage. Born following the death of the last Crown Prince of Shand, subsequently raised and taught by Sethvir to manage the rogue talent of a dual inheritance. Her mother was Meiglin s’Dieneval, last survivor of the old caithdein’s lineage of Melhalla, which was widely believed to have perished during the massacre at Tirans. However the pregnant widow of Egan s’Dieneval had escaped the uprising and survived under a false name in a Durn brothel.