Morning's Journey (68 page)

Nemeton, the.
Caledonaiche:
Nèamhaitan
. A Caledonach holy place, a clearing surrounded by two sets of standing stones or live trees; each clan seat has its own. Caledonaiche name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
nèamh
(“heaven”, “sky”),
àite
(“a place”).

Nemetona.
Caledonach/Brytoni Goddess of War, symbolized by a lioness, said to drive a crimson chariot drawn by four winged, fire-snorting black mares.

nic (Caledonaiche).
“Daughter of,” followed by the mother’s name; e.g., Gyanhumara nic Hymar. Origin: Scottish Gaelic, contraction of
nighean mhic
(“young woman offspring”).

Oath of Fealty, the.
Caledonaiche:
Geall Dhìleas
. The rite wherein a warrior pledges loyalty to a warrior of another clan; precursor of the knighthood ceremony. If trust is an issue for the person accepting fealty, the rite can be used for execution. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.
The person holding the sword asks,
“An dean thu,
[Name and Title(s)],
an Geall Dhìleas chugam,
[Name and Title(s)],
gus a’bàsachadh?”
(Literally, “Make thou, [Name and Title(s)], the Oath of the Faithful to me, [Name and Title(s)], until the dying?”)
The person swearing the oath responds,
“A chaoidh gus a’bàsachadh.”
(“Ever until the dying.”)

Old Ones, the.
Caledonaiche:
Na Déathan Sean
. Collective name applied to the Caledonach deities. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
na déathan
(“the gods”),
sean
(“old”).

One God, the.
Caledonaiche:
An Díaonar
. Caledonach term for the Christians’ deity. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
an dia
(“the god”),
aonar
(“alone”).

optio (Latin, “assistant”).
Lowest-ranking military officer, usually a centurion’s clerical assistant, courier or scout; this officer typically does not command other soldiers. Badge: iron legion symbol, no enamel on the ring.

Otherworld, the.
Caledonaiche:
An Domhaneil
. In Caledonach mythology, this is the realm of the Old Ones, roughly analogous to Heaven but with more traffic of mortals and spirits back and forth between both worlds. Origin: based on Scottish Gaelic
an domhan
(“the world”),
eile
(“another”).

Pendragon, the.
Brytonic:
Y Ddraig Pen
(“The Chief Dragon”). Latin:
Draconis Rex
(“Dragon King”). Caledonaiche:
Àrd-Ceann Teine-Beathach Mór
(“High-Chief Great Fire-Beast”). Honorific applied to the Dux Britanniarum, commander of the Dragon Legion.

phalanx.
A closely spaced, heavily armed, wedge-shaped military formation employed in charges for the purpose of opening a gap in the enemy’s line. Tactical origin: ancient Greece.

Pict(s) (Latin, “Painted Folk”).
Epithet applied by Latin-speakers to one or more inhabitants of Caledonia.

Picti (Latin, “of the Painted Folk”), Pictish.
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of Caledonia.

Port Dhoo-Glass (Manx).
Brytoni-controlled port named for its location at the confluence of the rivers Dhoo (“Black”) and Glass (“Green”), present-day Douglas, Isle of Man. “Above the river called Dubglas” is the site of battles 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Arthur’s twelve battles on the list cited in chapter 56 of the 9th-century
Historia Brittonum
. On my list, Port Dhoo-Glass is the site of battles 2 (in
Dawnflight
) and 5 (in
Morning’s Journey
). Technically, Gyanhumara led #5, and Arthur was present only in its aftermath.

Powys (Brytonic).
Post-Roman Brytoni kingdom occupying territory in what is now northeastern Wales.

Praefectus Cohortis Equitum (Latin, “Prefect of the Horse Cohort”).
Senior military officer commanding Arthur’s only all-cavalry cohort. Badge: bronze brooch with a red enamel ring around the legion symbol.

praetorium (Latin, “governor’s residence”).
The living quarters of the garrison commander; also may be translated as “palace.”

prefect.
Latin:
praefectus
. Senior military officer; in Arthur’s army, this is usually a cohort or garrison commander. Badge: bronze brooch with either a red or green enamel ring around the legion symbol, or both colors if the garrison also has a cavalry unit.

Rheged (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Rioghachd
(poss.
Rhioghachd
; “(of the) Royal Land”). Political region of Brydein encompassing what is now northern England and southern Scotland. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
rioghachd
(“kingdom”—though it’s interesting to note that this is a female noun).

Rioghail (“The Royal People”), Clan.
Caledonaiche:
Rioghailanaich Chaledon
. Member of the Caledonach Confederacy. Banner: purple eagle standing, on gold. Cloak pattern: black crossed with pale purple and red. Gemstone: amethyst. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
rioghail
(“royal”).

River Fiorth (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Ab Fhorchu
. Firth of Forth. See Fiorth, The.

Ròmanach (poss. Rhòmanach, pl. Ròmanaich, poss. pl. Rhòmanaich; Caledonaiche, “(of the) Roman(s)”).
Usually uttered in derision—though not always. These terms are also used by the Scáthaichean.

Ròmanaiche (roh-mah-NEESH; Caledonaiche, “tongue of the Romans”).
The Latin language.

Rukh.
Peredur’s horse (bay gelding).

Rushen Priory.
Christian women’s religious community located on the eastern coast of the Isle of Maun, presided over by a prioress.

Sacred Flame, the (also the Flame).
Caledonaiche:
An Lasair Naomh
. Caledonach symbol of religious purity, analogous to Christian holy water. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an lasair
(“the flame”),
naomh
(“holy”).

Sacred Ground, the.
Caledonaiche:
An Làr Naomh
. The portion of the Nemeton between the inner and outer rings. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an làr
(“the ground”),
naomh
(“holy”).

saffron.
An herb that yields a yellow dye.

Saint Padraic’s Isle.
Islet off the western coast of Maun, opposite Tanroc; site of Saint Padraic’s Monastery. Present-day St. Patrick’s Isle.

Saint Padraic’s Monastery.
Christian men’s religious community founded by St. Padraic (Patrick) in the mid-5th century, located on Saint Padraic’s Isle and presided over by an abbot. Site corresponds to Peel Castle, St. Patrick’s Isle, which existed as a Celtic monastery for several centuries, until the Vikings turned it into a fortification.

Samhainn (SOH-wen; Caledonaiche, “Summer’s End”).
Brytonic:
Samhain
. Harvest festival celebrated by non-Christian Caledonaich and Brytons on November 1. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
samhainn
(“Hallowtide”).

Samhradh (SOH-hrah; pl. Samhraidhean; Caledonaiche, “Summer Wraith(s)”).
Evil resident(s) of the Otherworld; demon(s). In the Caledonach worldview, a warrior who dies dishonorably becomes a Samhradh, doomed to fight against the Army of the Blest for all eternity. Name origin: Inspired by Scottish Gaelic words
samhradh
(“summer”) and
samhladh
(“ghost” or “replica”).

Sanctuary of the Chalice, the.
Shrine established for the Chalice at Saint Padraic’s Monastery.

Sasun (SAH-soon; Caledonaiche).
Term referring to a single Saxon individual.

Sasunach (sah-SOON-nach; pl. Sasunaich, poss. Shasunach, poss. pl. Shasunaich; Caledonaiche, “(of the) Saxon(s)”).
Terms applied by the Caledonaich to the Germanic inhabitants of southern Brydein. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Sasunnach
(“English”, “Englishman”).

Sasunaiche (sah-soon-EESH).
Caledonaiche term for the Saxon language.

Saxon(s) (Brytonic).
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of the southern portion of Brydein; name possibly derived from their weapon of choice, the
seax
.

Scarlet Dragon, the.
Standard of the Brytoni army, a scarlet dragon passant on a field of gold, very similar to the present flag of Wales; also referred to as “the Dragon.”

Scot(s) (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Scáth
(poss.
Scháth
, pl.
Scáthinaich
, poss. pl.
Scháthinaich
). Terms applied to the inhabitants of the eastern portion of Eireann.

Scotti (Latin).
Caledonaiche:
Scáthinach
. Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of the eastern portion of Eireann.

sea holly.
A plant that can be used as an aphrodisiac.

seannachaidh (SHAWN-a-kay; pl. seannachaidhean (shawn-ah-KAY-jhayan); Caledonaiche, “storyteller”).
The clan’s keeper of law and lore, roughly equivalent to a Brytoni bard. Seannachaidhean only recite the law; priests administer it. This is the Scottish Gaelic word for “male storyteller,” but it appears to be a compound of
sean
(“old”) and
an achaidh
(“of the field”), perhaps an echo of the ancient practice of reciting battle tales.

Seat of Alban, the.
Caledonaiche:
Cathair h’Albainaich
. Clan Alban’s administrative headquarters at Senaudon, Caledon. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
cathair
(“chair” and “city”), plus my invented term,
h’Albainaich
(“of Clan Alban”).

Seat of Argyll, the.
Caledonaiche:
Cathair h’Argaillanaich
. Clan Argyll’s administrative headquarters at Arbroch, Caledon. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
cathair
(“chair” and “city”), plus my invented term,
h’Argaillanaich
(“of Clan Argyll”).

seax (Saxon).
War-knife, usually measuring 15-18 inches from point to end of hilt.

Senaudon (Caledonaiche, “Place of Charmed Protection”).
Angusel’s birthplace and Alayna’s home fortress located in present-day Stirling, Scotland. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
seun
(“a charm for protection” and “to defend by charms”).

sennight.
Measure of time: one week (contraction of “seven nights,” analogous to “fortnight” being a contraction of “fourteen nights”).

Sight, the.
Otherwise known as Extrasensory Perception. This version manifests in prophetic visions and dreams.

signifer (Latin, “standard-bearer”).
The soldier charged with carrying the unit’s banner—and guarding it in battle.

Soluis Firth, the.
Solway Firth, the body of water that divides southwestern Scotland from northwestern England.

South Cove.
Site of Saxon beachhead on the Isle of Maun, near Caer Rushen but not near enough to be detected by that fortress’s lookouts. On my list of Arthur’s twelve battles, this is the site of number 6, though it’s more of a cleanup operation.

Stonn.
Angusel’s horse (gray stallion).

suilean (SHOO-layan; Caledonaiche, “eyes”).
Used as part of the sign-countersign codes in the Manx Cohort. This response is usually given as a challenge to an approaching visitor. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
sùilean
(“eyes”).

suil a mhàin (shool ah wane; Caledonaiche, “only one eye”).
Used as part of the sign-countersign codes in the Manx Cohort. This response indicates the courier carries an encoded message only to be read by the unit’s commander, implying great urgency. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

Talarf (Brytonic, “Silver Hair”).
Urien’s horse (chestnut stallion).

Tanroc.
Brytoni-controlled fortress on the western coast of the Isle of Maun and site of the 3rd of Arthur’s twelve battles on my list (technically, Cai leads this one in Arthur’s stead). No present-day equivalent.

Tarsuinn (“The Crossing People”), Clan.
Caledonaiche:
Tarsuinnaich Chaledon
. Member of the Caledonach Confederacy, so-named because they run a large ferry business from several points across the Firth of Forth. Banner: gold falcon in flight, on azure. Cloak pattern: saffron crossed with blue and red. Gemstone: golden beryl. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
tarsainn
(“across”).

trews.
Loose-fitting trousers made of leather, wool or linen, worn by Brytoni men and by Caledonaich of both sexes.

tribune.
Latin:
tribunus
. In Arthur’s army, this is a high-ranking military officer (usually a prefect) of noble birth. Badge: bronze brooch, with appropriately colored enamel ring and the clan’s gemstone.

turma (pl. turmae; Latin, “squad(s)”).
Roman cavalry unit consisting of 10-30 horsemen, commanded by a decurion. In Arthur’s army, the typical size averages 20.

uisge (OOS-ghee; Northern Brytonic, “water”).
A strong alcoholic beverage distilled from barley. I chose to employ a dialectic shortening of Scottish Gaelic
uisge-beatha
(“water of life;” i.e., whiskey) because humans during that era rarely drank unboiled water lest they run the risk of getting sick.

valerian.
Medicinal herb.

Vectis (Latin).
Isle of Wight, English Channel.

vespers.
Sixth Christian canonical hour, occurring at sunset. Origin: Latin
vespera
(“evening”).

warding-mark.
Caledonaiche:
seunail
. A tattoo believed by Caledonaich to be a physical manifestation of divine protection. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
seun
(“a charm for protection”),
aileadh
(“mark”).

Way, the.
A Biblical term for Christianity.

Wintaceaster (Saxon, “Market Castle”).
Winchester, Hampshire, Wessex, England.

Wintaceaster Palace.
Residence of King Cissa of the West Saxons.

woad.
An herb that yields a blue dye.

Woden.
Eingel/Saxon deity; ruler and father of the gods. In their worldview, Woden’s Hall houses the souls of dead warriors. “Woden’s Day” survives in modern usage as “Wednesday.” Also known as Wodan, Wotan, Odin.

Acknowledgments