by Kate Forsyth
Finn the Cat: nickname of Fionnghal NicRuraich.
Fionnghal NicRuraich: eldest daughter and heir of Anghus MacRuraich of Rurach; was once a beggar-girl in Lucescere and lieutenant of the League of the Healing Hand. Has strong searching and finding powers.
The Firemaker: hereditary title given to the oldest living female descendant of Faodhagan (see First Coven) and a woman of the Khan’cohbans. Able to conjure fire, a power of immense importance on the snow-bound mountain heights, she is considered a gift of the Gods of White to the Khan’cohbans.
First Coven of Witches: thirteen witches who fled persecution in their own land, invoking an ancient spell that folded the fabric of the universe and brought them and all their followers to Eileanan. The eleven great clans of Eileanan are all descended from the First Coven, with the MacCuinn clan being the greatest of the eleven. The thirteen witches were Cuinn Lionheart, his son Owein of the Longbow, Ahearn Horse-laird, Aislinna the Dreamer, Berhtilde the Bright Warrior-maid, Fóghnan the Thistle, Rùraich the Searcher, Seinneadair the Singer, Sian the Storm-rider, Tuathanach the Farmer, Brann the Raven, Faodhagan the Red and his twin sister Sorcha the Bright (now called the Murderess).
Fóghnan the Thistle: one of the First Coven of Witches. Known for her prophetic and clairvoyant abilities, Fóghnan the Thistle was murdered by Balfour MacCuinn, Owein of the Longbow’s eldest son.
fraitching: arguing.
frost-giant: huge snow-dwelling faery that lives on the Spine of the World.
geal’teas: long-horned, snow-dwelling creatures which provide Khan’cohbans with food, milk and clothing. Their very thick white wool is much prized all over Eileanan.
geas: an obligation due to a debt of honour.
General Staff: the group of officers of the Yeomen of the Guard that assists the Rìgh in the formulation and dissemination of his tactics and policies, transmit his orders, and oversee their execution.
gillie: steward to a laird.
Gitâ: a donbeag; Meghan’s familiar.
Gladrielle the Blue: the smaller of the two moons, lavender-blue in colour.
glen: valley.
Goblin: an elven cat; Finn the Cat’s familiar.
The Great Crossing: when Cuinn led the First Coven to Eileanan.
The Great Stairway: the road which climbs Dragonclaw, leading to the palace of the dragons and then down the other side of the mountain to Tìrlethan.
greeting: crying.
Greycloaks: The Rìgh’s army, so called because of their camouflaging cloaks.
Gwilym the Ugly: one-legged sorcerer who spent the years of Maya the Ensorcellor’s rule in Arran but who escaped the autocratic rule of Margrit NicFóghnan to help Lachlan win the throne. Was rewarded with the position of court sorcerer.
harquebus: a matchlock gun with a long butt, usually fired from a tall stock.
harquebusier: soldier bearing and firing a harquebus.
Haven: large cave where the Pride of the Red Dragon spend their winter.
Heloïse MacFaghan: baby daughter of Khan’gharad Dragon-laird and Ishbel the Winged, twin sister of Alasdair and younger sister of Iseult and Isabeau.
holt: place of refuge.
horse-eel: faery creature of the sea and lochan; tricks people into mounting it and carries them away.
Iain MacFóghnan: Prionnsa of Arran.
Isabeau the Shapechanger: sorceress of the Coven, and twin sister of Iseult. Also called Khan’tinka.
Iseult of the Snows: twin sister of Isabeau, Banrìgh of Eileanan by marriage to Lachlan the Winged. Also called Khan’derin.
Ishbel the Winged: wind witch who can fly. Mother of Iseult and Isabeau.
Isle of Divine Dread: island in the far north of Eileanan; traditional stronghold of the Priestesses of Jor.
Isle of the Gods: island in the far north of Eileanan; traditional home of the Fairgean royalty. It was invaded and occupied by the MacSeinn clan in the early history of the Coven and not regained by the Fairgean until after the Day of Betrayal.
Jaspar MacCuinn: eldest son of Parteta the Brave, former Rìgh of Eileanan, often called Jaspar the Ensorcelled. Was married to Maya the Ensorcellor.
Jay the Fiddler: a minstrel and apprentice to Enit Silverthroat. Was once a beggar-boy in Lucescere and lieutenant of the League of the Healing Hand.
Johanna: head healer. Was once a beggar-girl in Lucescere and a member of the League of the Healing Hand.
jongleur: a travelling minstrel, juggler, conjurer.
Jor: the God of the Shoreless Seas, a major Fairgean deity.
Jorge the Seer: old blind witch who could see the future. Was burnt at the stake by the Bright Soldiers.
Kani: the Mother of the Gods in the Fairgean cosmology, the goddess of fire and earth, volcanoes, earthquakes, phosphorescence and lightning.
The Key: the sacred symbol of the Coven of Witches, a powerful talisman carried by the Keybearer, leader of the Coven.
Khan’cohbans: Children of the Gods of White. A faery race of snow-skimming nomads who live on the Spine of the World. Closely related to the Celestines, but very warlike. Khan’cohbans live in family groups called prides, which range from fifteen to fifty in number.
Khan’fella: twin sister to Khan’lysa, the Firemaker.
Khan’gharad the Dragon-laird: Scarred Warrior of the Fire-Dragon Pride, husband of Ishbel the Winged, father of Isabeau and Iseult.
Khan’katrin: Isabeau and Iseult’s second cousin.
Khan’lysa the Firemaker: Isabeau and Iseult’s great-grandmother.
Khan’merle: Isabeau and Iseult’s aunt, and heir to the Firemaker’s position.
Killian the Listener: Tìrsoilleirean prophet who had his ears cut off for heresy.
Lachlan the Winged: youngest son of Parteta the Brave, and Rìgh of Eileanan.
Lammas: first day of autumn; harvest festival.
The League of the Healing Hand: formed by the band of beggar children that fled Lucescere with Jorge the Seer and Tòmas the Healer.
leannan: sweetheart.
Lilanthe of the Forest: a tree-shifter.
Linley MacSeinn: Prionnsa of Carraig.
loch; lochan (pl): lake.
loch-serpent: faery creature that lives in lochan.
Lodestar: the heritage of all the MacCuinns, the Inheritance of Aedan. When they are born their hands are placed upon it and a connection made. Whoever the stone recognises is the Rìgh or Banrìgh of Eileanan.
Lost Prionnsachan of Eileanan: the three brothers of the Rìgh Jaspar—Feargus, Donncan and Lachlan—who disappeared from their beds one night. Feargus and Donncan were killed but Lachlan escaped and became Rìgh after Jaspar’s death.
Lucescere: ancient city built on an island above the Shining Waters. The traditional home of the MacCuinns and the Tower of Two Moons.
Mac: son of.
MacAhern: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Ahearn the Horse-laird.
MacAislin: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Aislinna the Dreamer.
MacBrann: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Brann the Raven.
MacCuinn: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Cuinn Braveheart.
MacFaghan: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Faodhagan.
MacFóghnan: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Fóghnan the Thistle.
MacHamell clan: lairds of Caeryla.
MacHilde: one of the eleven great clans; descended from Berhtilde the Bright Warrior-maid.
MacRuraich: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Rùraich the Searcher.
MacSeinn: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Seinneadair the Singer.
MacSian: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Sian the Storm-rider.
MacThanach: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Tuathanach the Farmer.
Magnysson the Red: the larger of the two moons, crimson-red in colour, commonly thought of as a symbol of war and conflict. Old tales describe him as a thwarted lo
ver, chasing his lost love, Gladrielle, across the sky.
Mairead the Fair: younger daughter of Aedan MacCuinn, first Banrìgh of Eileanan and the second to wield the Lodestar. Meghan’s younger sister.
Margrit NicFóghnan: former Banprionnsa of Arran, mother of Iain, the current prionnsa.
Maya the Ensorcellor: former Banrìgh of Eileanan, wife of Jaspar.
Meghan of the Beasts: wood witch and sorceress of eight rings. She can speak to animals. Keybearer of the Coven of Witches before and after banishment of Tabithas.
Melisse NicThanach: Banprionnsa of Blèssem.
Mesmerd; Mesmerdean (pl): faery creature from Arran that hypnotises its prey with its glance and then kisses away its life.
Midsummer’s Eve: summer solstice; time of high magic.
mithuan: a healing liquid designed to quicken the pulse and numb pain.
Morrell the Fire-eater: a jongleur; son of Enit Silverthroat and father of Dide and Nina.
Murkmyre: largest lake in Arran; surrounds the Tower of Mists.
murkwoad: a rare herb only found in Arran. Grows on trunks of trees and heals anything.
Neil MacFóghnan: only son and heir of Iain MacFóghnan of Arran and Elfrida NicHilde of Tìrsoilleir. Also called Cuckoo.
Nellwyn the Sea-singer: a Yedda who had been rescued from the Black Tower in Tìrsoilleir.
Nic: daughter of.
Nightglobe of Naia: the most secret and precious relic of the Priestesses of Jor; a globe of immense power.
Nila: Fairgean prince, youngest son of the Fairgean king.
nixie: water-sprite.
nyx: night spirit. Dark and mysterious, with powers of illusion and concealment.
old mother: a Khan’cohban term for wise woman of the pride.
Olwynne NicCuinn: baby daughter of Lachlan MacCuinn and Iseult NicFaghan; twin sister of Owein.
One Power: the life-energy that is contained in all things. Witches draw upon the One Power to perform their acts of magic. The One Power contains all the elemental forces of air, earth, water, fire and spirit, and witches are usually more powerful in one force than others.
Owein MacCuinn: second son of Lachlan MacCuinn and Iseult NicFaghan; twin brother of Olwynne. Has wings like a bird.
Parteta the Brave: former Rìgh of Eileanan; the father of Jaspar, Feargus, Donncan and Lachlan MacCuinn. He was killed by the Fairgean at the Battle of the Strand in 1106, ending the Third Fairgean Wars.
pilliwinkes: instrument of torture similar to thumb-screws.
prides: the social unit of the Khan’cohbans, who live in nomadic family groups. Seven prides in all, called the Pride of the Fire-Dragon, the Pride of the Snow-Lion, the Pride of the Sabre-Leopard, the Pride of the Frost-Giant, the Pride of the Grey Wolf, the Pride of the Fighting Cat, the Pride of the Woolly Bear.
prionnsa; prionnsachan (pl): prince, duke.
Ravenshaw: deeply forested land west of Rionnagan, ruled by the MacBrann clan, descendants of Brann, one of the First Coven of Witches.
Red Wanderer: comet that comes by every eight years. Also called Dragon-Star.
reil: eight-pointed, star-shaped weapon carried by Scarred Warriors.
Rhyllster: the main river in Rionnagan.
Rhyssmadill: the Rìgh’s castle by the sea.
rìgh; rìghrean (pl): king.
Rionnagan: together with Clachan and Blèssem, the richest lands in Eileanan. Ruled by MacCuinns, descendants of Cuinn Lionheart, leader of the First Coven of Witches.
Rurach: wild mountainous land, lying between Tìreich and Siantan. Ruled by MacRuraich clan.
Rùraich the Searcher: one of the First Coven of Witches. Known for searching and finding Talent. Located the world of Eileanan on the star-map, allowing Cuinn to set a course for the Great Crossing.
sabre-leopard: savage feline with curved fangs that lives in the remote mountain areas.
sacred woods: ash, hazel, oak, blackthorn, fir, hawthorn, and yew.
Samhain: first day of winter; festival for the souls of the dead. Best time of year to see the future.
satyricorn: a race of fierce horned faeries.
Scarred Warrior: Khan’cohban warriors who are scarred as a mark of achievement. A warrior who receives all seven scars has attained the highest degree of skill.
Scruffy: a nickname for Dillon of the Joyous Sword.
scrying: to perceive through crystal gazing or other focus. Most witches can scry if the object to be perceived is well known to them.
seanalair: general of the army.
sea-stirks: milk-bearing aquatic creatures, looking rather like an elephant seal.
Seinneadair the Singer: one of the First Coven of Witches, known for her ability to enchant with song.
sennachie: genealogist of the clan chief’s house. It was his duty to keep the clan register, its records, genealogies and family history; to pronounce the addresses of ceremony at clan assemblies; to deliver the chief’s inauguration, birthday and funeral orations and to invest the new chief on succession.
Sgàilean Mountains: northwestern range of mountains dividing Siantan and Rurach. Name means ‘Shadowy Mountains’.
sgian dubh: small knife worn in boot.
shadow-hounds: very large black dogs that move and hunt as a single entity. Are highly intelligent and have very sharp senses.
The Shining Waters: the great waterfall that pours over the cliff into Lucescere Loch.
Sian the Storm-rider: one of the First Coven of Witches. A famous weather witch, renowned for whistling up hurricanes.
Siantan: northwest land of Eileanan, famous for its weather witches. Ruled by MacSian clan, descendants of Sian the Storm-rider.
Sithiche Mountains: northernmost mountains of Rionnagan, peaking at Dragonclaw. Name means ‘Fairy Mountains’.
skeelie: a village witch or wise woman.
Skill: a common application of magic, such as lighting a candle or dowsing for water.
Skull of the World: the highest mountain in Eileanan, an extinct volcano which plays an important role in the Khan’cohbans’ mythology and culture. Called ‘the Fang’ by Eileanans.
solstice: either of the times when the sun is the furthest distance from the earth.
Sorcha the Red: one of the twin sorcerers from the First Coven of Witches. Also called Sorcha the Murderess, following her bloodthirsty attack on the people of the Towers of Roses and Thorns after the discovery of her brother’s love affair with a Khan’cohban woman.
The Spine of the World: a Khan’cohban term for range of mountains that runs down the centre of Eileanan, in Tìrlethan.
Spinners: goddesses of fate. Include the spinner Sniomhar, the goddess of birth; the weaver Breabadair, goddess of life; and she who cuts the thread, Gearradh, goddess of death.
spring equinox: when the day reaches the same length as the night.
Stargazers: another name for the Celestines.
Stormwing: Lachlan’s gyrfalcon.
summer solstice: the time when the sun is furthest north from the equator; Midsummer’s Eve.
syne: since.
Talent: witches often combine their strengths in the different forces to one powerful Talent; e.g. the ability to charm animals like Meghan, the ability to fly like Ishbel, the ability to see into the future like Jorge.
Tears of the Gods: a waterfall at the Skull of the World.
Test of Elements: once a witch is fully accepted into the coven at the age of twenty-four, they learn Skills in the element in which they are strongest, i.e. air, earth, fire, water, or spirit. The First Test of any element wins them a ring which is worn on the right hand. If they pass the Third Test in any one element, the witch is called a sorcerer or sorceress, and wears a ring on their left hand. It is very rare for any witch to win a sorceress-ring in more than one element.
Test of Powers: a witch is first tested on his or her eighth birthday, and if any magical powers are detected, he or she becomes an acolyte. On their sixteenth birthday, witches are tested again and,
if they pass, permitted to become an apprentice. The Third Tests take place on their twenty-fourth birthday, and if successfully completed, the apprentice is admitted into the Coven of Witches.
Theurgia: a school for acolytes and apprentices.
Tìreich: land of the horse-lairds. Most westerly country of Eileanan, ruled by the MacAhern clan.
Tìrlethan: Land of the Twins; ruled by MacFaghan clan.
Tìrsoilleir: The Bright Land or the Forbidden Land. Northeast land of Eileanan, ruled by the MacHilde clan.
Tòmas the Healer: boy with healing powers, formerly apprentice to Jorge the Seer.
The Towers of the Witches: Thirteen towers built as centres of learning and witchcraft in the twelve lands of Eileanan. The Towers are:
Tùr de Aisling in Aslinn (Tower of Dreamers)
Tùr na cheud Ruigsinn in Clachan (Tower of First Landing; Cuinn’s Tower)
Tùr de Ceò in Arran (Tower of Mists)
Tùr na Fitheach in Ravenshaw (Tower of Ravens)
Tùr na Gealaich dhà in Rionnagan (Tower of Two Moons)
Tùr na Raoin Beannachadh in Blèssem (Tower of the Blessed Fields)
Tùr na Rùraich in Rurach (Tower of Searchers)
Tùir de Ròsan is Snathad in Tìrlethan (Towers of Roses and Thorns)
Tùr na Sabaidean in Tìrsoilleir (Tower of the Warriors)
Tùr na Seinnadairean Mhuir in Carraig (Tower of the Sea-singers)
Tùr de Stoirmean in Siantan (Tower of Storm)
Tùr na Thigearnean in Tìreich (Tower of the Horse-lairds)
tree-changer: woodland faery. Can shift shape from tree to humanlike creature. A halfbreed is called a tree-shifter and can sometimes look almost human.
Triath nan Eileanan Fada: Laird of the Far Isles—one of the Rìgh’s many titles.
trictrac: a form of backgammon.
Tuathanach the Farmer: One of the First Coven of Witches.
two moons: Magnysson and Gladrielle.
uile-bheist; uile-bheistean (pl): monster.
The White Gods: nameless, shapeless gods of the Khan’cohbans, and greatly feared and revered by them.
Whitelock Mountains: a range of mountains in Rionnagan named for the white lock of hair all MacCuinns have.
