Beloved Son
Page 36
Brethren—A band of priests cast out of the Guild and re-formed as a more fanatical sect dedicated to the Father.
Brionglóid—(briŋg-lȯid) Given name of the Father; literally translated as “dream.”
Célnes—(sāl-nəs) Goddess of the wind. Sister of the Mother. One of what are known as the old gods, or the gods of the Four Corners.
Chester—A midsized city south of Lind.
Chosen—See Aisling.
Cildtrog—A holy place in Lind; literally translated as “cradle.”
Cliabhán—(klē-ə-bän) Cradle.
Coimirceoir—(kim-ȯl-ēk-āȯrr) Literally translated as “guardian.”
Commonwealth—See Cynewísan.
Cynewísan—(kin-ə-wiss-än) Also referred to as the Commonwealth. A conglomeration of united provinces with a democratic government overseen by their elected elders. Bordered to the north and east by Ríocht.
Daeva—Vampire.
Dearg-dur—Incubus; soul-eater.
Deartháireacha—(dē-ath-air-rēch-ə) Brothers.
Díepe—(dē-əp-ā) Goddess of water. Sister of the Mother. One of what are known as the old gods, or the gods of the Four Corners.
Dudley—A small village south of Putnam.
Ealdordéman—(al-dȯr-de-mȯn) Chief judge.
Eorðbúgigend—(ē-ərthpā-gēg-ānd) God of the earth. Brother of the Father. One of what are known as the old gods, or the gods of the Four Corners.
Father—The patron deity of Ríocht. God of music, harmony of the seasons, beauty, the stars, and dreams.
Fæðme--(fa-äm-ə) Womb.
First Tongue—The language of the old gods and the first clans.
Flównysse—(flō-win-üss-e) A major river that runs a southeasterly course from the mountains on Lind’s northern border.
Foreládtéowes—(fär-eläd-tā-äw-es) Chief; leader.
Gníomhaire—(gə-nēv-əm-hˈer) Literally translated as “agent.”
Guild—The governing body of Ríocht.
Lind—A province of Cynewísan known for its Old Ones, a governing assembly of magic users and healers. Its denizens are devoted to the Mother and are highly secretive, keeping themselves as isolated from the rest of the Commonwealth as is possible. It sits in the northeast corner of Cynewísan. Ríocht sits at its northern and eastern borders.
Mother—The patron deity of Cynewísan. Goddess of cultivating, reaping, comfort, nurturing, protection, and war.
North Tongue—Native language of Ríocht.
Old Bridge—A tiny hamlet in northern Cynewísan, northwest of Putman.
Putnam—A major city in the mideastern region of Cynewísan (also referred to the Commonwealth).
Ríocht—(rē-äkht) Also referred to as the Dominion. A highly religious and patriarchal country governed by priests sworn to the Father, their patron deity. Bordered to the west and south by Cynewísan.
Wæpenbora—(wap-en-bär-ȯ) Weapon-bearer; warrior-knight.
Wæterþéotan—(wat-er-thā-ät-an) Conduit; floodgate.
Weardas—(we-ȯrd-ȯs) Watchmen; guards; ones who stand post.
More from Carole Cummings
Aisling Trilogy: Book One
As he pursues a man who is not what he seems, Constable Dallin Brayden learns the lines between enemy and ally, truth and deception, and conscience and obedience are not only blurred, but malleable.
Constable Dallin Brayden knows who he is, what he’s about, and he doesn’t believe in Fate. “Wilfred Calder” has no idea who he is or what he’s about, and he’s been running from Fate for as long as he can remember. When Wil flees after witnessing a murder, it’s Dallin’s job to pursue him. Along the way, he’s pulled into a maelstrom of ancient myth, fanatical religion, and the delicate politics of a shaky truce between two perpetually warring countries—all of which rests on the slender shoulders of the man he knows is not Wilfred Calder.
Even Dallin’s success proves a hollow victory. Wil is vengeful, rebellious, and lethal, and his tale of magic and betrayal rocks the carefully constructed foundations of Dallin’s world. Suspicious and only half believing, Dallin must question not only his own integrity and his half-forgotten past, but the morality and motives of everyone around him—including those who hold his own country’s fate in their hands.
Aisling Trilogy: Book Two
To reveal the intricate machinations threatening them, two men must learn to trust each other. But how can they, when their hearts and minds—their realities—are subject to manipulation?
When he set out to escort the prisoner Wilfred Calder back to Putnam, Constable Dallin Brayden didn’t anticipate the political betrayal and malicious magic threatening their lives at every turn. To his surprise, he slips into the role of protector—and it’s more than duty compelling him to ensure Wil’s safety as they’re haunted by strange dreams. But does Wil dare put himself in the hands of a man he believes wants him dead?
Wil’s past weighs heavily on him, tainting his perceptions as he struggles his way through a tangle of lies. With both will and magic as his weapons, he fights desperately for survival—and his soul. For the Aisling is coveted by more than the Guild and the Brethren; ancient gods and soul-eating spirits also want what lives within him. His only chance might be Dallin and his goddess, the Mother, who Wil has been taught to despise above all others.
Kimolijah Adani—Class 2 gridTech, beloved brother, most promising student the Academy’s ever had the privilege of calling their own, genius mechanical gridstream engineer, brilliantly pioneering inventor… and dead man. But that’s what happens when a whiz kid messes with dynamic crystals and, apparently, comes to the attention of Baron Petra Stanslo. Killed for his revolutionary designs, Kimolijah Adani had been set to change the world with his impossible train that runs on nothing more than gridstream locked in a crystal. Technically it shouldn’t even be possible, but there is no doubt it works.
Bas is convinced the notoriously covetous and corrupt Stanslo had something to do with Kimolijah Adani’s tragic and suspicious end. A Directorate Tracker, Bas has finally managed to catch the scent of Kimolijah Adani’s killer, and it leads right into Stanslo’s little desert barony. For almost three years, Bas has tried to find a way into Stanslo’s Bridge, and when he finally makes it, shock is too small a word for what—or, rather, whom—he finds there.
Wolf’s-own: Book One
Untouchable. Ghost. Assassin. Mad. Fen Jacin-rei is all these and none.
His mind is host to the spirits of long-dead magicians, and Fen’s fate should be one of madness and ignoble death. So how is it Fen lives, carrying out shadowy vengeance for his subjugated people and protecting the family he loves?
Kamen Malick means to find out. When Malick and his own small band of assassins ambush Fen in an alley, Malick offers Fen a choice: Join us or die.
Determined to decode the intrigue that surrounds Fen, Malick sets to unraveling the mysteries of Fen’s past. As Fen’s secrets slowly unfold, Malick finds irony a bitter thing when he discovers the one he wants is already hopelessly entangled with the one he hunts.
Wolf’s-own: Book Two
The amorality of gods makes it hard to tell bad from good and right from wrong. Fen Jacin-rei doesn’t care. All Fen cares about is saving his family, and he’ll sacrifice anything that gets in his way. Including his own soul.
No longer willing to wait for the machinations of the gods’ minions, Fen accepts the trade Kamen Malick offers. Together they set out to rescue Fen’s family and kill the man who betrayed them. But Fen is an Untouchable, one whose mind hosts the spirits of long-dead magicians, and with Voices of the Ancestors screaming in his head, Fen finds it harder and harder to stave off madness.
Malick has his own reasons to hand over everything Fen wants and equally compelling reasons to withhold everything Fen needs. In over his head with his timing as bad as ever, Malick must devise a way to do his god’s bidding without breaking his god’s laws—and keep Fen sane and on Malick’s side in
the bargain.
Readers love Blue on Black by Carole Cummings
“Blue on Black by Carole Cummings is one of the best books I’ve read all year. Go read it!”
—Queer Sci Fi
“…a fresh new take on the Steampunk genre, combining imaginative technology with mind twisting mystery and adventure. A character driven story, there’s plenty here for readers to enjoy.”
—Amazing Stories Magazine
“Blue on Black is an alternate universe, twisted history, sci-fi/fantasy/steampunkish feast for the imagination and senses.”
—The Novel Approach
“What a ride! Blue on Black is another fantastic novel by Carole Cummings and one that keeps the reader desperately trying to keep up as it twists and turns to a blinding conclusion.”
—Joyfully Jay
“…Carole Cummings is one of the most inventive, imaginative storytellers out there.”
—Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
CAROLE CUMMINGS lives with her husband and family in Pennsylvania, USA, where she spends her time trying to find time to write. The recipient of various amateur and professional writing awards, several of her short stories have been translated into Spanish, German, Chinese and Polish. Free shorts, sneak peeks at WIPs, and other miscellany can be found on her website.
Website: www.carolecummings.com
By Carole Cummings
7&7: A DSP Publications Anthology of Virtue and Vice
Blue on Black
AISLING TRILOGY
Guardian
Dream
Beloved Son
WOLF’S-OWN
Wolf’s-own: Ghost
Wolf’s-own: Weregild
Wolf’s-own: Koan
Wolf’s-own: Incendiary
Published by DSP PUBLICATIONS
www.dsppublications.com
Published by
DSP PUBLICATIONS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dsppublications.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Beloved Son
© 2017 Carole Cummings.
Cover Art
© 2017 Anne Cain.
annecain.art@gmail.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
Map Art
© 2017 Carole Cummings.
Map Source: freefantasymaps.org
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact DSP Publications, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dsppublications.com.
ISBN: 978-1-63533-803-4
Digital ISBN: 978-1-63533-804-1
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017911712
Published December 2017
v. 2.0
First Edition published by Torquere/Prizm Press, 2011.
Printed in the United States of America