Read Courage Of The Conquered (Book 3) Online
Authors: Robert Ryan
Courage Of The Conquered (Book 3) (18 page)
Harakgar:
Leth
. The
three sisters. Creatures of ùhrengai brought into being by the lore of the
Letharn. Their purpose is to protect the tombs of their creators from robbery.
Haranast:
Hal.
“Horse race.” A racetrack. Its form was derived from the Halathrin but the love
of horseracing by the Camar predates the exodus of the immortals. A successful
rider, or horse, could be more famous and better loved than tribal chiefs or
kings. The stealing of a racehorse is punishable by death.
Karlenthern:
Hal.
“Games field.” The location of many events during the Spring Games and other
athletic competitions during the year.
Lake
Alithorin:
Hal.
“Silver lake.” A lake of
northern Alithoras.
Lanrik:
Esg.
A
Raithlin. Also called the Raithlindrath.
Lathmai:
Comb.
Hal. & Esg.
“Joy and unknown element.” A Raithlin. She was
killed in service to her country.
Letharn:
Hal.
“Stone Raisers. Builders.” A race of people that in antiquity ruled much of
Alithoras. Only traces of their civilization remain.
Lindrath:
Hal.
“People lord.” A shortening of Raithlindrath. Commander of the Raithlin
organization.
Lòhren:
Hal.
Prn.
Ler-ren.
“Knowledge giver – a counsellor.” Other terms used by
various nations include wizard, druid and sage.
Lòhren-fire:
A
defensive manifestation of lòhrengai.
The color of the flame varies
according to the skill and temperament of the lòhren.
Lòhrengai:
Hal.
Prn.
Ler-ren-guy. “Lòhren force.” Enchantment, spell or use of arcane power. A
manipulation and transformation ùhrengai, the natural energy inherent in all
things. Each use takes something from the user. Likewise, some part of the
transformed energy infuses them. Lòhrens use it sparingly.
Lòrenta:
Hal.
Prn.
Ler-rent-a. “Hills of knowledge.” Uplands in northern Alithoras in which the
stronghold of the lòhrens is established.
Marik:
A name
assumed by Lanrik to conceal his true identity.
Mecklar:
Esg.
Was once
a senior member of King Murhain’s retinue. A traitor slain by Lanrik in single
combat.
Merenloth:
Hal.
Prn.
Mair-en-loth. “Words of power.” A place for philosophical debate,
reciting poetry and the chanting of bards. Derived from Halathrin practice.
Often full to capacity during times of change. King Danhain, disguised as a
bard, often frequented the Merenloth and chanted pre-founding lays passed down
from his grandfather. After the performance he discoursed with the crowd to
determine what the people thought of the king’s rule. He sometimes changed his
decisions after such debates.
Murhain:
Esg.
The
current
king of Esgallien. He was a younger son of the previous king and assumed the
throne unexpectedly. Earlier in his life, he had attempted to train as a
Raithlin but failed their vigorous standards.
Musraka:
Azn.
A
shazrahad.
Otherworld:
Esgallien
term for a mingling of half-remembered history, myth and the spirit world.
Pattern-welded:
A blade
forged and reforged from bundles of iron rods that are twisted and beaten. This
creates a flexible core to which a hard edge is added. The process produces
superior, distinctive and sort-after weapons.
Portico:
A
covered colonnade, often at the front of a building.
Raithlin:
Hal.
“Range
and report people.” A scouting and saboteur organization. They derive from
ancient contact with, and the teachings of, the Halathrin. Disbanded by the
king of Esgallien, but founded anew by Lanrik and dedicated to the service of
all Alithoras.
Raithlin
motif:
A trotting fox looking back over its shoulder. A half moon
rides above the animal. Symbolizes cunning, stealth and boldness.
Raithlin
crawl:
A famous technique of stealth. It requires that the palms
rest on the earth and the elbows remain tucked in to the body for support and
silhouette reduction. The bodyweight is borne on the forearms and only one leg.
The other is carefully brought forward in order to avoid making noise while
moving.
Raithlin
creed:
“
Our duty is to serve and protect. Our honor is to
fight but not hate. Our love is for all that is good in the world.”
Raithlin
principles of concealment:
The Raithlin believe the eye recognizes
movement first, silhouette second and color last. Using these principles
enables them to best determine how to remain unseen in varying circumstances.
Raithlindrath:
Hal.
“Lord
of range and report people.”
Red
Cloth of Victory:
The highest symbol of courage and determination
in Esgallien society.
Rhodmai:
Esg.
An inn servant who married King Danhain and ruled as queen after his death. Her
reign was noted for civic constructions and marked for its peace. So much so
that a prosperous period for the city has ever since been known as “Rhodmai’s
Peace.”
Royal
Guard:
Bodyguards to Esgallien royalty.
Shazrahad:
Azn.
The Azan who commands an elug army.
Shurilgar:
Hal.
“Midnight Star.” An elùgroth. Also called the betrayer of nations.
Sorcerer:
See
elùgroth.
Spring
Games:
A series of athletic and skill based competitions in
Esgallien deriving from antiquity. Other Camar peoples also conduct the games,
sometimes under a different name. Before the tribes diverged, they met at
various sacred sites marked by standing stones. There, amid sporting games,
feasting and trade, chiefs were chosen, disputes settled and ceremonies
conducted.
Tamril:
A name
assumed by Erlissa to conceal her true identity.
Tombs of
the Letharn:
The ancient burial place of the Letharn people.
All members of the population, throughout the course of their long
civilization, were laid to rest here. It was believed that to be interred
elsewhere was to condemn the spirit to a true death, rather than an afterlife.
The dead were preserved, and returned even from the far reaches of the empire.
This was withheld from perpetrators of treason and heinous crimes. These were
buried in special cemeteries near the river. Petty criminals were afforded an
opportunity to redeem their place in the tombs on payment of a fine determined
by the head-priest.
Tor:
A hill
rising up from the plains of Galenthern. Site of Lathmai’s grave.
Ùhrengai:
Hal.
Prn.
Er-ren-guy. “Original force.” The primordial force that existed before
substance or time, light or dark, life or death, good or evil.
Witchery:
A
type of elùgai. Distinct from the common spell-craft and potion making carried
out by some village healers.
Witch-fire:
A
potent attack of elùgai.
Witch-queen:
See
Ebona.
Thus
ends
Courage of the Conquered.
Book four of the Raithlindrath series is
forthcoming. Once again, Lanrik and Erlissa are caught up in events destined to
shape the future of the land.
Amazon
lists millions of titles, and I’m glad that you discovered this one. But if
you’d like to know when I release a new book, instead of leaving it to chance,
sign up for my newsletter. I’ll send you an email on publication.
Yes
please –
Sign me up!
No
thanks – I’ll take my chances.
Visit
my website at
www.homeofhighfantasy.com
