by Janny Wurts
Yet after the Sorcerer’s imposing presence, the fourth person overshadowed the rest. A spare, fine-boned woman flanked the bearers, russet hair bound into a braid worse for wear, and her eyes, pale as dawn, welled with tears. She walked with her hand on the sodden bandage wrapping the breast of the Master of Shadow. He breathed under her touch, the cut angles of his comatose features wax-pale amid sullied black hair. Enthralled during the aftermath, the onlooking witnesses later argued over the flaws in the True Sect doctrine. The creature the Light’s dedicates had dragged to the scaffold had not unleashed baneful harm or dark practice. No Shadow had snuffed the sun at high noon. None had seen harm for the offence of harsh handling, even under the sword-thrust enacted to finish a murderous ritual. Nor had brutal vengeance been visited on the faithful for the slaughter of a blameless child.
In sobering fact, Arithon Teir’s’Ffalenn in the flesh did not match the monster vilified by the Light’s Canon. The injured form cradled in besmirched white silk seemed too slight to be a demonic criminal; too small for the enormity of the crimes that condemned him to death on the scaffold; too frail in extremity to be any less than mortal and sorrowfully human.
The wounded grief on the woman’s grimed features stayed etched into the collective memory.
No voice arose to cite scripture in empty justification. None prayed, or sketched the Sunwheel sign to ward away evil as Prince Arithon of Rathain was borne onwards through the water-front gate and down the ancient, raised causeway. At the edge of the lake, on the stone stair at the landing erected by the art of Paravian masons, the four figures and the unconscious crown prince they carried disappeared into thin air.
No one screamed. There arose no hysteria. Peace gripped Daenfal like a gloved fist. While the lucent sky deepened into starry night, the chastened drunks and the glut of dazed revellers drifted apart and went quietly homewards.
Summer 5925–Winter 5926
Coda
The temple chronicler of The Hatchet’s campaign in Rathain, finished in Glory by the Ritual Death of the Master of Shadow in Third Age 5925, sequesters the signal passage from all but the most incorruptible eyes: that every devout witness to the execution turned apostate and thereafter abandoned the True Sect Canon, and neither priest, nor examiner, nor the Divine Light could restore the bulwark of their riven faith …
A familiar step reaches the top-floor landing at Althain Tower and crosses the library threshold softly as a breath of spring air; and Sethvir drops a book on his toe, his joyful crow like a thunder-clap under the bemused regard of Ciladis, who says, “I’ve two sacks of original manuscripts for your shelves, besides the fact you’ll need help with the storm on the hour Prince Arithon wakens …”
Among the True Sect dedicates discharged into retirement after two decades of honourable, armed service, one weary, scarred veteran turns westward for home, and upon his midwinter arrival at Kelsing, reunites with his brown-haired eldest son and his daughter in the loft of her seamstress’s shop, and through a night of laughter and tears, the family shares his astonishing tale of their fugitive brother’s survival …
Glossary
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 defences. Once ruled by s’Brydion, placed under entailment by the Fellowship Sorcerers after the siege in Third Age 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 inlaid by the Athlien with an arcane endowment for transcendent change, then infused with the tonal chord that Named the winter stars by the Riathan, which powers will only ignite if the cause of the wielder is just. 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 valour 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
ALT—Paravian word for last, or finish, and used as closure for spells.
pronounced: alt
root meaning: alt – last
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
ANLI—exalted one, or special one, a diminutive applied to very small children.
pronounced: an-lee
root meaning: an – one; li – exalted
ARAETHURA—grass plains in southwest 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
ARAITHE—plain north of the trade city of Etarra, in the principality of Fallowmere, Rathain.
pronounced: a-ray-th-e, the final e being nearly subliminal
root meaning: araithe – to disperse, or send/properties of standing stones that temper the lane currents that once flowed unimpaired before Mankind settled the notch at Etarra
ARIN—abbreviated diminutive for Arithon, originally 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. Held captive by Koriathain from Third Age 5674 until his escape in 5922, condemned to death under a crown oath of debt, with a stay on his life bought by Fellowship intercession for the purpose of utilizing his Masterbard’s title to subdue the free wraiths from Marak, and left to survive on his own merits under Asandir’s oath of nonintervention.
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
ARWI UNFREY—a head-hunter tracker who serves under The Hatchet.
pronounced: ar-wee uhn-free
root meaning: shortened from maesiad – to slide or skid; arwen unfri – novice racer
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 Seven. Also called Fiend-quencher, for his reputation for quelling iyats; Storm-breaker and Change-bringer for his past actions when humanity 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
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root meaning: itain – the third; ia – suffix for “third domain” original Paravian, itainia
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 Araethura, which bounds the grand portal created by Ath Creator when the Paravian presence was made manifest in the world.
Pronounced: ah-ill-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. Also the location of Teylia’s conception and Dakar’s swearing Oath of Debt in behalf of Rathain’s crown, to Koriathain under Fellowship auspices in Third Age 5671.
pronounced: ath-ear
root meaning: ath – prime; i’er – the line, or 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”
AUDUA SEDJII AN TESHUA—Biedar birth name for the seeress Enithen Tuer, deceased in Third Age 5670.
pronounced: ow-doo-ah sed-jee en tesh-oo-ah
root meaning: lineage name from the Biedar tribes’ dialect
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. Destroyed by the wrath of Seshkrozchiel’s drakefire for misuse of hatchling skulls in Third Age 5671.
pronounced: ah-ven-or
root meaning: avie – stag; norh – grove
AVILEFFIN—Ilitharis Paravian, greatest of the Second Age master shipwrights.
pronounced: av-ill-eff-fin
root meaning: avie – stag; lieffen – pale yellow hair
BACKWATER—trade town located at the western end of Daenfal Lake in the principality of Araethura, best known for furs, spun yarn, and textiles.
BAFFIEL’S CAULDRON—a hot mineral spring located in the Storlain Mountains in Havish.
pronounced: baff-ee-el
root meaning: baffi – pot; iel – light
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 and Esfand.
pronounced: bar-ack
root meaning: baraich – linchpin
BEKTISHA—a matron from Ettinmere Settlement.
pronounced: beck-tee-shaa
root meaning: bektiashe – a fuss pot
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”
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 dragon fire.
pronounced: bittern
root meaning: bityern – to sear or char
BLACKSHEAR ISLAND—isle located in Instrell Bay, east of Tysan.
BWIN EVOC s’LORNMEIN—founder of the royal lineage of Havish in Third Age Year One, bearing the gifted attribute of temperance.
pronounced: bwin-ee-vok slorn-main
root meaning: bwin – firm; evoc – choice; liernmein – to bring into balance
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 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
CAITH-AL-CAEN—vale at a major intersection of lane and flux currents, where Riathan Paravians celebrated equinox and solstice to renew the athael, or life-destiny of the world, and where the Paravians Named the winter stars by encompassing their vibrational essence into actualized language. Birthplace of Cianor Sunlord.
pronounced: cay-ith-all-cay-in
root meaning: caith – shadow; al – over; caen – vale, or vale of shadow
CAITHDEIN—(alternate spelling caith’d’ein, plural form caithdeinen) Paravian name for a High King’s first counsellor; also, the one who would stand as regent, or steward, in the absence of the crowned ruler. By heritage, the office also bears 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, south-east 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”
CANON LAW—established doctrine of the True Sect, a following of the Religion of Light that split off from the Alliance at the Great Schism in Third Age Year 5673, when Lysaer abandoned the High Temple at Miralt and transferred his residence to the mayor’s seat at Etarra.
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 5653.
pronounced: kay-all-eh, with the “e” nearly subliminal
root meaning: caille – stubborn
CASCAIN ISLANDS—rugged chain of islets off the coast of Vastmark, Shand. Temporary refuge for Arithon’s shipwrights after they fled Merior in Third Age 5647.
pronounced: cass-canes
root meaning: kesh kain – shark’s teeth
CASTLE POINT—trade port located on the west shore of Instrell Bay in Atainia, Tysan.
CATHUKODARR—Great Drake whose wrathful fire laid waste to the continent of Kathtairr during the Age of Dragons.
pronounced: cath-oo-kuh-dar
root meaning: grinder of rock
CEFTWINN s’LORNMEIN—Princess of Havish in Third Age 5923, her accession to crown rank confirmed by Asandir following her brother Gestry’s death in the Battle of Lithmarin, which defeated True Sect invasion under command of The Hatchet.
pronounced: kef-twin slorn-main
root meaning: kef – jasper; tuinne – rose; liernmein – to centre or bring into balance
CENTAUR GUARDIANS—Ilitharis Paravians who were guardians, and anchors for, high-resonance sites on Athera. They were ritually bo
und to the land, a connection that transcended time and space, and thereafter, their names carried the suffix erach, denoting their root to that place.
CHAIMISTARIZOG—Elder dragon standing as Guardian of Northgate.
pronounced: shay-mist-tar-ee-zog
root meaning: chaimistarizog – Drakish for fire gatekeeper
CHIA—Ettin dialect for beloved mate.
pronounced: chee-yah
root meaning: cian – spark, corrupted from original Paravian
CIANOR SUNLORD/CIANOR MOONLORD—born at Caith-al-Caen, First Age Year 615. Crowned High King of Athera in Second Age Year 2545, until his death by Khadrim in Second Age 3651. He is the only Paravian in history to have a namesake, more properly termed a tiendar’shayn’d or “reborn.” Cianor Moonlord was birthed at the darkest hour of the Second Age. He was present in Third Age Year One when the Fellowship Sorcerers wrote the compact that enabled Mankind to take sanctuary. His hand bestowed the sword Alithiel on Kamridian s’Ffalenn for valour.
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, “gentleness that abides”
CILDEIN OCEAN—body of water located off the east coast of the continent of Paravia.
pronounced: kill-dine
root meaning: cailde – salty; an – one
CINDRA s’AHELAS—founder of the s’Ahelas royal line appointed by the Fellowship Sorcerers in Third Age Year One, gifted with far-sight.
pronounced: sin-dra sa-hell-as
root meaning: cian – spark; diere – life; ahelas – mage-gifted
CORDAYA s’VALERIENT—infant daughter of High Earl Cosach and Jalienne, born Third Age 5923. Sister of Esfand.
pronounced: kor-day-aa sval-er-ee-ent
root meaning: kordi-a – newborn; val – straight; erient – spear
CORITH—ruin on the isle of Caincyr in the Westland Sea, site of a drake lair and a First Age ruin. Here the council of the Paravians met during siege by drake spawn, and at their behest the Dragons dreamed the summoning of the Fellowship Sorcerers. First site to see sunlight upon Desh-thiere’s defeat.
