The Tyrant's Nephew
Page 18
Madinatu es-Salam – capital of Mesomia.
Marshlands – the marshy region to the south of Mesomia’s capital, Madinatu es Salam, much of which has already been drained by The Vampire, and its people exiled. A small area remains under water, including the region around Mydannar, and it is here that some of the resistance to The Vampire is based. Other rebels, such as the surviving Carpet Enchantresses, fled to the Marshlands.
Mesomia – Mesomia’s capital, Madinatu es Salam, was once the seat of powerful kings, and a place of great learning and culture. Mesomia is now under the direct dictatorship of a tyrant called Haroun bin Said al-Alakah, better known as The Vampire, who murdered the last king and seized power decades ago. The Vampire is a ruthless oppressor and has a feared secret police force who has killed thousands of Mesomians. He is also reputed to have evil magical powers to keep his people in thrall.
Mujisal – the majority religion of Dawtarn el ’Jisal. Its sacred writings are contained in the Book of Light. A small section of the Mujisal population practises the Pumujisal variety of the religion, which is much stricter than the general variety.
Nablaylee – a herb with magical properties that grows in inaccessible spots in the Kirtis Mountains. It has extraordinary properties and is able to cure soul-sickness and the dreaded Spell of Darkness, if it is administered quickly enough after the spell has been cast. It must be used with great caution and in small doses only, as it can be dangerous.
Nashranee – one of world’s great religions. Though it is a minority religion in the countries of the Dawtarn el ’Jisal, it is a majority religion in many other places, which are collectively known as Dawtarn el ’Ranee, or Lands of the Nashranees. Its sacred writings are contained in the Book of Love.
Parsari – a large country bordering Mesomia. Like Alhind, Parsari was once a mighty empire. These days it is still a very important country but it has become quite poor. It had a hereditary emperor until a few years previously, when a fiery Pumujisal preacher overthrew him and became ruler. Parsari has been at war with Mesomia many times. Once Akamenians, the Parsarians mostly became Mujisals centuries ago.
Pumujisal – small, strict sect of the Mujisal religion. Frowns on pleasure of all sorts, believes in work and study only. Its adherents usually dress in pure white, and are often opposed to other religions.
Spell of Darkness – a terrible spell that separates soul from body, sends a person mad and leads to death within days. This spell was devised by a Parsarian sorcerer centuries ago.
Suloowa – beautiful but murderous mermaids from the Marshlands who specialise in luring young men and drowning them. Though they are dangerous, they can be very useful allies, if they will agree to be your friend. But it’s difficult to trust them!
Truthseeker – a wandering teacher or saint from the mystical side of the Mujisal religion. Truthseekers are greatly revered in many el ’Jisal lands, and particularly in the Kirtis Mountains. They are, however, rejected by the Pumujisals.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to acknowledge the inspiration that two texts in particular gave me in the writing of this book: Kanan Makiya’s book, Cruelty and Silence (WW Norton and Co., New York, 1993) and ‘Tales of the Tyrant’, by Mark Bowden, published in The Atlantic Monthly, May 2002.
About the author
Sophie Masson was born in Indonesia of French parents and was brought up mainly in Australia. A bilingual French and English speaker, she has a master’s degree in French and English literature. Sophie is the prolific author of numerous young adult fantasy novels as well as several adult novels. She lives in Armidale, New South Wales, with her husband and children.
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Version 1.0
The Tyrant’s Nephew
9781742747828
Published by Random House Australia 2012
Text Copyright © Sophie Masson 2006
Illustrations Copyright © Xavier Masson-Leach 2006
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
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First published by Random House Australia in 2006
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Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry
Masson, Sophie
The tyrant’s nephew.
For secondary students.
ISBN 978 1 74166 059 3.
ISBN 1 74166 059 9.
I. Title.
A823.3
Cover by Sandra Nobes
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