A Magic of Dawn (87 page)

Allesandra’s chief aide.

A famous artist.

An a’offizier in the Garde Kralji.

Rance ci’Lawli’s assistant.

A war-teni and Morelli sympathizer.

A Numetodo magician.

A follower of Nico Morel.

A Numetodo architect and engineer.

Capitaine of the Bastida a’Drago in Nessantico.

A Numetodo.

A young Numetodo.

A follower of Nico Morel, and his lover.

A famous composer of the time.

A gilder in Brezno.

A fisherman from Karnmor.

A Numetodo geologist.

A member of the Garde Brezno, stationed in Brezno Palais. Also the lover of Rochelle Botelli.

The original White Stone, the matarh of Rochelle Botelli and the “stepmatarh” of Nico Morel. Also used the name Elissa ca’Karina, and “Elle Botelli” may or may not be her real name.

An artisan and craftsman with the Numetodo.

Matarh of Nico Morel.

Daughter of Nico Morel and Liana ce’Kein.

A Numetodo scribe and librarian.

A Numetodo astronomer.

Vatarh of Nico Morel, a Tehuantin.

Son of Niente and Xaria.

The Tecuhtli (warrior-king) of the Tehuantin.

A well-known composer.

High Warrior of the Tehuantin, second to Tecuhtli Citlali.

Wife of Niente.

A generic title meaning “head” or “leader.” See also “Téte.”

The river that divides the city of Nessantico.

A small Tehuantin watercraft like a canoe.

The leader of the Concénzia Faith. The plural is “Archigi.”

The wide boulevard that forms a circle within the city of Nessantico, and also serves as a focus for city events.

The moon-god of the Tehuantin people.

A one-piece blouse and pants, usually tied with a wide belt around the waist, and generally loose and flowing elsewhere. Bashtas are generally worn by males, though there are female versions, and can be either plain or extravagantly ornate, depending on the person’s status and the situation.

The “Fortress of the Dragon,” an ancient tower that now serves as a state prison for Nessantico. Originally built by Kraljiki Selida II.

“Ascension” The ceremony where a new Hïrzg or Hïrzgin of Firenzcia is officially recognized after the prescribed mourning period for the previous ruler.

The term for the high status families in the Holdings. The rich. See: Family Names.

The title of the ruler of Daritria.

The Tehuantin term for “house.”

In the Concénzia Faith, there are Three Calls during the day for prayer. First Call is in the morning, when the sun has risen above the horizon the distance of a fist held at arm’s length. Second Call is when the sun is at zenith. Third Call is when the sun is a fist’s length above the horizon at sunset.

Tehuantin word for “neighborhood,” the subdivisions of their cities.

Main god of the Nessantico pantheon, and the patron of the Concénzia Faith.

The “knights” of Nessantico—men of the ca’-and-cu’ families. The title of “chevaritt” is bestowed by the Kraljiki or Kraljica, or by the appointed ruler of the various countries within the Holding; in times of genuine war, the chevarittai (the plural form of the word) are called upon to prove their loyalty and courage.

The chevarittai will follow (usually) the orders of the Commandant of the Garde Civile, but not particularly those of the common offiziers of the Garde Civile. Their internal status is largely based on familial rank. In the past, occasional conflicts have been decided by honorable battle between chevarittai while the armies watched.

There are three primary coinages in use in Nessantico: the bronze “folia” in tenth (d’folia), half (se’folia), and full (folia) denominations; the silver “siqil” in half (se’siqil) and full denominations; the gold “sola” in half (se’sola) and full denominations. Twenty folias equal a se’siqil; fifty siqils (or two thousand folias) equal a se’sola. The daily wage for a simple laborer is generally around a folia; a competent craftsperson might command four or five folias a day or a se’siqil a week. The price (and size) of a loaf of common brown bread in Nessantico is fixed at a d’folia.

Each of the various countries within the Holdings retained their colors and flags. Here are the basic banner structures: East Magyaria: horizontal stripes of red, green, and orange; Firenzcia: alternating vertical stripes of black and silver; Graubundi: a field of yellow with black stars; Hellin: red and black fields divided diagonally; Il Trebbio: a yellow sun on a blue field; Namarro: a red crescent moon on a field of yellow; Nessantico: blue and gold fields divided diagonally. Used by both North and South Nessantico. Miscoli: a single white star on a field of midnight blue; Paeti: vertical stripes of green, white, and orange; Sesemora: a field of silver with a mailed fist in the center; Sforzia: a field of white with a diagonal blue bar; West Magyaria: horizontal stripes of orange, red, and blue

The head of a town or city, usually a ca’ and a chevaritt

The primary theology within Nessantico, whose primary deity is Cénzi, though Cénzi is simply the chief god of a pantheon.

The gathering of all a’Téni within Concénzia—a Concord A’Téni is called to elect a new Archigos or to make changes to the Divolonté.

A straight wind instrument made of wood or brass, and played like a trumpet.

The advisory council for the Kralji of the Holdings. Usually consists of five members. The Council of Ca’ will sometimes serve as the quasi-official governing body of the Holdings if the current Kraljica or Kraljiki is underage, incapacitated, or absent.