“Your mother didn’t want to rule, but she wouldn’t shirk her dynastic obligations. She had to take the throne, or the kingdom might have dissolved under your uncle’s corruption and Irkin’s ostentatious arrogance and social ambition.”
“Too bad Uncle Minnabec wasn’t up to the royal responsibilities. I wouldn’t be here now with you carefully trussing me up in your plan.” Saxthor grinned at the wizard, who ignored Saxthor’s remark.
“Saxthor’s father and mine were best friends, too,” Bodrin said. His eyes twinkled. “My father said the Calimon family had the kingdom’s highest integrity. I’ll go with him whatever he decides.”
Memlatec nodded and put his hand on Bodrin’s shoulder.
“Saxthor’s father, the young Count Augusteros Calimon de Chatronier, was of equally prominent lineage as his mother. The count brought the ancient gentility of his house to Neuyokkasin’s throne. Known for integrity and dignity, the Calimon dynasty has revived the support of both the nobility and the general populace.”
Tournak coughed. Memlatec turned back to Saxthor.
Memlatec noted the proud, faraway expression on Saxthor’s face. “Though the burdens were heavy, your forefathers never denied your dynasty’s burden. They rose to the challenges,” Memlatec said, thinking the gentle hooks of dynastic responsibility were binding the young man to his destiny. “Will you let all they’ve achieved be swept away?”
Saxthor looked up, smiling.
An unusual ripple in the river jostled the boat, causing Memlatec to recheck the water lapping on the hull. He hoped the owl wasn’t off looking for rats. If Earwig’s agents discovered them, they were doomed. The craft settled back with no more disturbances. All focused again on Saxthor.
Saxthor knew his decision would endanger all their lives. He fidgeted, turning the dragon ring on his finger. He glanced at Bodrin and then faced Memlatec with a wry smile.
“You sent me to Tixos and Yamma-Mirra Heedra, too, I think.”
“I had to be sure.”
Saxthor nodded. “I understand that.”
“Will you undertake the journey to retrieve the jewels?”
Saxthor stood facing the wizard, his brilliant green eyes resolute. “I’ll do as you ask if it can save Neuyokkasin.” He turned to his long-time companions. “I’ll go alone. No need to endanger my friends.”
“Fat chance of that,” Bodrin said, standing. “Without me to watch out for you, you’ll trip on the boat rail, fall overboard, and drown. I’m going with you.”
“Us,” Tournak said. He stood and put his hands on both their shoulders. He glanced at the young men and smiled at Saxthor. “You’re coming along with us.”
Saxthor frowned, looking at the ring he spun on his finger. “Wealth, power, and position corrupted my aunt and uncle. Couldn’t the crown’s power, and indeed the dragon’s influence corrupt me?”
“The crown came to you because you can wield the power it possesses without being overwhelmed by that power,” Memlatec said. “Remember who you are, Scion of the House of Calimon, and you’ll master those abilities.”
“Very well, I’m a Neuyokkasin Prince of the House of Calimon de Chatronier. Like my ancestors, I’ll accept the challenge.”
“Your lineage is your strength, Saxthor. You won’t fail for lack of trying.”
Saxthor sat back down and scanned those around him. He took Sorblade from his belt and laid it on the table.
“I hope this power is worth the risk of our lives.”
Yamma-Mirra Heedra glowed in the ring on Saxthor’s finger.
The End
Neuyokkasinian Dictionary:
Augusteros (a gus ter’ Os)
Prince Consort and husband Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin of Neuyokkasin; also name of Crown Prince; brother of Saxthor Claremendak
Ahkenspec (ah’ ken spek)
King of Memptahhamin the remnant of forest elves now isolated and hidden in the western hills above the Morass Desert
Akkin (ah’ kin)
River flowing from Edros Swamps of southern Dreaddrac; Border between Prertsten and Heggolstockin
Aleman (Al’ man)
Memlatec’s housekeeper
Armon (R’ mon)
Sailmaker and merchant in Tixumemnese; Memlatec’s agent to aid the travelers
Astorax (as’ tor ax)
Creature half man half deer with deer’s horns.
Battara (Ba Tar’ a)
Saxthor’s dog (as a boy in the palace)
Betsoya (Bet soy’ a)
Mother of Bodrin Vicksnak; Countess Vickinsoff
Bodrin (Bod’ rin)
Bodrin Vicksnak; Closest friend and companion of Prince Saxthor
Bordabrundese (Bor’ da brun’ dEs)
King Bordabrundese was king of the sandhill dwarves of Hador.
Botahar (BO’ tah har)
Primary inland commercial center of Sengenwha just north of Lake Pundar
Calamidese (Cal am’ a dEs)
King Calamidese VII, king of Sengenwha.
Chatra (Cha’ tra)
Prime minister of a sovereign court
Calimon (Cal’ i mon)
Family name of dynasty succeeding first dynasty of Neuyokkasin; Augusteros Calimon, Count de Chatronier, and Neuyokkasinian Prince Consort; father of Prince Saxthor Claremendak Calimon de Chatronier
Castilyernov (Cas’ til yer nov)
Castle or fortress
Chatronier (Sha’ tron yA)
Title of Neuyokkasinian prince consort Augusteros Calimon
Claremendak (Clair rem’ n dak)
Middle name of Prince Saxthor Claremendak Calimon de Chatronier
Crackle (Crac’ l)
Rambunctious young dragon from Dreaddrac
Dreaddrac (Dred’ drac)
Kingdom of the Evil One at the northern point of the peninsular of northern Powteros continent
Earwig (Ear’ wig)
Upstart, classless woman who sold her soul to the Evil One through witchcraft to overthrow the ruling family of Neuyokkasin. Married to Minnabec III, deposed last ruler of the first dynasty of Neuyokkasin Irkin Megla, formal name
Earwighof (Ear’ wig hof)
Fortress home of Zerwin and Minnabec III outside of Konnotan
Edros (ed’ rOs)
Swamps of southern Dreaddrac between east and west mountains on the border of southern Dreaddrac
Eleatsubetsvyertsin (el eat’ soo bets vyert’ sin)
Eleatsubetsvyertsin Calimon de Chatronier, Queen of Neuyokkasin, daughter of Minnabec II, husband of Augusteros Calimon and mother of Prince Saxthor
Favriana (Fav rea ah’ n a)
Fortress in Talok-Lemnos guarding southern point of Lake Pundar at the source of River Nhy
Feldrik (Fel’ drik)
Fortress in Heggolstockin at the mouth of the Akkin River that guarded against incursions from Dreaddrac and Prertsten
Fortresska (For tres’ ka)
Castilyernov at the mouth of River Nhy and guarding harbor at Olnak in western Neuyokkasin
Girdane (Gir’ dane)
Commercial city of western Graushdem
Graushdem (Graush’ dem)
Principality between Hador and Talok-Lemnos
Graushdemheimer (Graush’ dem hI mer)
Capital of Graushdem
Grekenbach (Grek’ en bok)
Kings of Graushdem
Habbernee (Hob ber’ nE)
Former friend of Saxthor at court school; ner-do-well who sought to recover a fortune in Highback Mountains of Tixos
Hador (HA’ dor)
Dukedom between Graushdem and Dreaddrac
Heedra (HE’ dra)
Neuyokkasinian commercial center at the intersection of Rivers Nhy and Upper Nhy. Centrally located on the Vos Plain
Heggolstockin (Heg’ Ol stock in)
Principality at the center of the northern peninsula of the continent of Powteros
Helshia (Hel’ sha)
Island created by Memlatec off t
he western coast of Tixos as hidden refuge for Prince Saxthor
Hendrel of Hador (Hen’ drel)
Sorcerer from Hador expelled when the dark presence moved in there
Highback Mountains (HI’ back)
Three mountains standing well above surrounding hills in remote northern most Tixos
Hoya (Hoi’ ya)
Northwestern most city of Talok-Lemnos on the Pundar River at the border with Graushdem and Sengenwha
Hyemka (Hyem’ ka)
Commercial Neuyokkasinian city on River Nhy on the western edge of the Vos Plain
Icktak (ic’ tak)
Greeter elf from Talok Tak Forest elf kingdom
Irkin (Irk’ n)
Upstart witch-wife of Minnabec III of Neuyokkasin, from the city of Wodin. Usually called Earwig
Jedrac (Jed’ rac)
Heggolstockin general, who founded Hador as it’s first duke at the end of the Wizard Wars. Carved out his dukedom from Heggolstockin and declared his independence from Graushdem
Keyock (KE’ ah k)
Pigeon king
Kious (KI’ us)
King of Tixos
Kieechee (KI E’ chE)
Queen of Pigeons
Konnotan (Kon’ oh tan)
Capital of Kingdom of Neuyokkasin
Lemnos (Lem’ nOs)
Name of the region in the southern half of Talok-Lemnos, and the lake in north
Lyttia (Lit’ tE ah)
Daughter of Henri Tulak, king of Talok-Lemnos; wife of King Minnabec II; Queen of Neuyokkasin, also last queen of Talok-Lemnos before absorption into Neuyokkasin
Magwan (Mah’ gwan)
Evil Dragon in time of the Third Wizard War; mother of Dragon Magnosious; Mate to Melnosious
Magnosious (Mag nO’ shus)
Dragon conjured from egg by Zerwin to destroy the ruling family of Neuyokkasin; Son of Magwan and Melnosious
Medrax (Med’ rax)
Creature conjured by a sorcerer from an animal that combines both animal and man. The creature does the bidding of the sorcerer. Invariably evil
Melnosious (Mel nO’ shus)
Dragon father of Magnosious from days of Third Wizard War
Memlatec (Mem’ la tec)
Ancient primal wizard at the Neuyokkasinian court; mentor to Saxthor
Memtahhamin (Mem’ tah hah’ min)
Kingdom of forest elves ruled by Ahkenspec in a forest on the between Lake Pundar and the Morass Mesas
Mendentak (Men’ den tak)
King of Talok Tak forest elves (all members’ names end in ‘tak) Son of late King Peldentak and Queen Merritak
Merritak (Mer’ i tak)
Dowager Queen of Talok Tak forest elves, widow of King Peldentak, mother of King Mendentak
Minnabec (Min’ ah bec)
Kings of Neuyokkasin
Munattahensenhov (Mun ah’ ta hen sen hov)
Central mountain and the highest peak of the Ice Mountains in Dreaddrac
Neuyokkasin (Nua yok’ ka sin)
Kingdom at the neck of the Powterosian peninsular encompassing the River Nhy and the Vos Plain. Ruled by Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin; home of Saxthor Claremendak Calimon
Nhy (NI)
Major river of the Powterosian peninsular and heart of the Kingdom of Neuyokkasin. Flows to the western sea at the port of Olnak
Nonee (NO’ nE)
Crown Princess of Neuyokkasin, sister of Saxthor, daughter of Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin and Prince Consort Augusteros
Occintoc (oc’ n toc )
Ancient empire covering most of the continent before the Wizard Wars. It collapsed in the first Wizard War leaving the continent to fragment into the early kingdoms
Olnak (Ol’ nak)
Second largest Neuyokkasinian city; Port for trading with Tixos and Harbor at the mouth of the River Nhy
Orc (Orc)
Short, muscled, stupid foot soldiers bred by the Evil One to fight his enemies in battle as armies
Ormadese (or’ ma dEs)
King Ormadese, King of the Hadorian Mountain Dwarves.
Ornsmak (Orn’ smak)
Communications device created by magic with flexible form, able to travel through air, water or on earth with encoded message. Can only be recrystallized and played by addressee
Pakwic (Pak’ wic)
Clerk to Merchant of Tixumemnese working for Memlatec
Persnella (Per Snel’ la)
Wife of Hendrel, the wizard and mother of Meklin and Hendrel Jr.
Pindradese (Pin’ dra dEs)
Pindradese II, Prince of Prertsten
Powteros (Pow’ ter’ Os)
Continent of the story; also largest empire and neighboring state to the south of Neuyokkasin; sometimes the continent was referred to as Powteros as well
Prertsten (Prerts’ sten)
Principality on western tip of peninsular, south of Dreaddrac and bordering Heggolstockin and Sengenwha on it south. Aligned with the evil of Dreaddrac against the kingdoms of the southern peninsular
Pundar (Pun’ dar)
River and lake of central peninsular serving as the border to numerous states
Radrac (Rad’ rac)
Enormous wharf rat pet of Witch Zerwin; eaten by Magnosious
Saxthor (Sax’ thor)
Second (spare) son of Neuyokkasinian Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin and hero in the story. Full name Saxthor Claremendak Calimon de Chatronier
Sekkarian (Se kar’ E an)
Neuyokkasinian general sent to retake Castilyernov Hoyahof from the Dark Lord’s chatra agent
Sekcmet (Sek’ met)
Sekcmet Palace, palace of Kings of Sengenwha in Sengenwhapolis
Sengenwha (Sen’ jen wha)
Kingdom on the west side of peninsular facing Tixos
Sengenwhapolis (Sen’ jen wha)
Another name for the capital of the Kingdom of Sengenwha
Socockensmek (SO cok’ en smek)
General of Neuyokkasin served under Minnabec I at the end of Wizard Wars, and Minnabec II. Retired to Tixos and watched for the rise of Dark Lord’s forces. Mentor to Saxthor
Sorblade (Sor’ BlAd)
Dwarf forged with elfin magic sword with spell runes that glow in the presence of evil
Tackenbeck (Tock’ en beck)
Plant grown best in the soils and conditions found in eastern Neuyokkasin. Basis of agricultural wealth of the state and best trading product with other nations
Talok (TA’ lok)
Northern region of Talok-Lemnos and north-western lake on the border
Talok-Lemnos (TA’ lok lem’ nos)
Former kingdom assimilated into Neuyokkasin after the death of King Tulak as daughter Lyttia inherited, she queen of Neuyokkasin
Tashia (TA’ sha)
Small city east of Hoya whose army once rescued the Prince of Hoya. Tashian soldiers always supplied the palace guards for the Castilyernov Hoyahof
Tixis (TIk’ sis)
Major River of southern Tixos
Tixos (TIk’ sOs)
Island born from the Wizard Wars to the west of the Powterosian Peninsular. Major trading partner of Neuyokkasin, home of the Highback Mountains. Ruled by King Kious
Tixumemnese (TIx’ U mem nEs)
Capital and port of Tixos
Tonelia (TOn El’ ya)
Tonelia Tezentok; Daughter of dungeon keeper of Castilyernov Hoyahof
Tossledorn (Tosl’ dorn)
Tossledorn Fortress, Graushdem fortress on the Southeastern border with Talok-Lemnos. Built by King Grekenbach III to defend against possible invasion from Neuyokkasin after Queen Lyttia took the throne of Talok-Lemnos from her brother
Tot (Tot)
Shape-shifter
Tournak (Tour’ nak)
Tournak Delphendor; Steward to the house of Memlatec, mentor and protector of Saxthor and Bodrin during their flight to Helshia, Assistant wizard to Memlatec
Tulak (TU’ lak)
King of Talok-Lemnos during the reign of Mi
nnabec I and II, father of Queen Lyttia and Minnabec III, grandfather of Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin and great-grandfather of Saxthor Claremendak
Vicksnak (Vick’ snak)
Title of Bodrin Vicksnak ‘s father, Count George de Vicksnak
Vicksylva (Vick sil’ va)
Country estate of the Vicksnak family
Virax (VI’ rax)
Vortex Virax, living vortex anchored in the sea outside the Veil of Helshian Mists to ensnare and suck down boats attempting to pass through the veil; Created by Memlatec
Vos (Vos)
Major alluvial plain of the Powterosian Peninsular with the richest agricultural development within Neuyokkasin
Wodin (WO’ din)
Village where Witch Earwig was spawned
Yamma-Mirra Heedra (Yamma Mir a HE’ dra)
Dragon created from positive wizard energy by Memlatec after the Wizard Wars to hold the energy for future lord of the south to confront the Evil One
Yensupov (Yen’ sue pov)
Crown/Necklace created by Memlatec from most of the wizard's positive energy in the Wizard Wars to overthrow the Evil One. Its power was so extreme it was disassembled at the end of the wars, and its power jewels were scattered and hidden to prevent its power from corrupting its wearer
Zelda (Zel’ da)
Witch in Dreaddrac
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