Tetrarch (Well of Echoes) (92 page)
Read Tetrarch (Well of Echoes) Online
Authors: Ian Irvine
Tags: #General, #Fiction, #Fantasy, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Fantasy fiction - lcsh
He pushed past like she was not there, stumbled and clung to the rail. He was panting as if he’d just run a race. She joined him.
They landed hard in the middle of the battlefield, lyrinx to one side, clankers and constructs on the other. The node was an incandescent mass. In the other direction the sun was just tipping the eastern horizon.
Ullii sat up. ‘I’m thirsty.’
Irisis hugged her. ‘Ullii, thank heavens you’re all right.’
The seeker thrust her away so hard that Irisis fell down. ‘Liar, liar!’ she screamed.
As Irisis rolled over, her hand touched her pliance. ‘What’s happened to the field?’ she said numbly. ‘I can’t see it.’
‘Gone! All fields gone. Node gone.’
‘What do you mean,
all gone?
’ choked Irisis.
With a great cry, the lyrinx charged. The clankers did not move. Nor did the constructs. They lay flat on the ground, silent and still.
‘What have we done?’ said Irisis. ‘The constructs are not moving
either
.’
‘Nor will they, ever again. The node has been destroyed and
all
the fields with it. We’ve lost the war.’ Flydd sank to his knees in the tarry mud. ‘We’ve lost everything.’
HE
E
ND
OF VOLUME TWO
S
CRUTATOR
continues
T
HE
W
ELL OF
E
CHOES
Q
UARTET
G
LOSSARY
AMES
(
MAIN CHARACTERS IN ITALICS
)
AJOR
A
RTEFACTS
, F
ORCES AND
P
OWERFUL
N
ATURAL
P
LACES
LOSSARY
AMES
(
MAIN CHARACTERS IN ITALICS
)
Aachim
:
The human species native to the world of Aachan, once conquered and enslaved by a small force of invading Charon (the Hundred). The Aachim are great artisans and engineers, but melancholy or prone to hubris and arrogance. In ancient times, many were brought to Santhenar by Rulke in the fruitless hunt for the Golden Flute. The Aachim flourished on Santhenar, but were later betrayed by Rulke and ruined in the Clysm. They then withdrew from the world to their hidden mountain cities. The ones remaining on Aachan gained their freedom after the Forbidding was broken, when the surviving Charon went back to the void. Two hundred years later, violent volcanic activity broke out on Aachan, threatening to destroy all life on the planet, and the Aachim sought desperately for a way of escape.
:
The human species native to the world of Aachan, once conquered and enslaved by a small force of invading Charon (the Hundred). The Aachim are great artisans and engineers, but melancholy or prone to hubris and arrogance. In ancient times, many were brought to Santhenar by Rulke in the fruitless hunt for the Golden Flute. The Aachim flourished on Santhenar, but were later betrayed by Rulke and ruined in the Clysm. They then withdrew from the world to their hidden mountain cities. The ones remaining on Aachan gained their freedom after the Forbidding was broken, when the surviving Charon went back to the void. Two hundred years later, violent volcanic activity broke out on Aachan, threatening to destroy all life on the planet, and the Aachim sought desperately for a way of escape.
Alie
:
A servant at Nyriandiol.
:
A servant at Nyriandiol.
Barkus
:
Deceased master crafter of controllers at the manufactory, uncle of Irisis.
:
Deceased master crafter of controllers at the manufactory, uncle of Irisis.
Cloor
:
Chief Miner at the manufactory mine.
:
Chief Miner at the manufactory mine.
Coeland
:
Matriarch (Wise Mother) of the lyrinx in Kalissin.
:
Matriarch (Wise Mother) of the lyrinx in Kalissin.
Colm
:
A resourceful boy who befriends Nish in the refugee camp.
:
A resourceful boy who befriends Nish in the refugee camp.
Cryl-Nish Hlar
:
A former scribe, a prober in secret and a reluctant artificer, generally known as Nish
.
:
A former scribe, a prober in secret and a reluctant artificer, generally known as Nish
.
Dandri
:
A senior miner and team leader.
:
A senior miner and team leader.
Eiryn Muss
:
Halfwit; an air-moss grower and harmless pervert, he turned out to be the scrutator’s prober (spy) in the manufactory, and vanished.
:
Halfwit; an air-moss grower and harmless pervert, he turned out to be the scrutator’s prober (spy) in the manufactory, and vanished.
Faellem
:
A long-lived human species who have passed out of the Histories, though some may still dwell on Santhenar.
:
A long-lived human species who have passed out of the Histories, though some may still dwell on Santhenar.
Fistila Tyr
:
An artisan in the manufactory.
:
An artisan in the manufactory.
Flammas
:
A kindly, forgetful mancer. Ullii spent years in his dungeon.
:
A kindly, forgetful mancer. Ullii spent years in his dungeon.
Fley
:
A mute servant at Nyriandiol. Gurtey’s husband.
:
A mute servant at Nyriandiol. Gurtey’s husband.
Fransi
:
Younger sister of Colm.
:
Younger sister of Colm.
Fusshte
:
A treacherous member of the Council of Scrutators.
:
A treacherous member of the Council of Scrutators.
Fyn-Mah
:
The querist (chief of municipal intelligence bureau) at Tiksi.
:
The querist (chief of municipal intelligence bureau) at Tiksi.
Ghorr
:
The Chief Scrutator and Flydd’s enemy.
:
The Chief Scrutator and Flydd’s enemy.
Gilhaelith
:
An eccentric geomancer and mathemancer who dwells at Nyriandiol and whose obsession is the great game of the earth.
:
An eccentric geomancer and mathemancer who dwells at Nyriandiol and whose obsession is the great game of the earth.
Gir-Dan
:
Captain at the manufactory; he has been sent there for ‘evaluation’.
:
Captain at the manufactory; he has been sent there for ‘evaluation’.
Guss
:
Gilhaelith’s foreman
:
Gilhaelith’s foreman
Gyrull
:
Matriarch of the lyrinx city at Snizort.
:
Matriarch of the lyrinx city at Snizort.
Haani
:
Tiaan’s adopted sister, accidentally killed by the Aachim in Tirthrax.
:
Tiaan’s adopted sister, accidentally killed by the Aachim in Tirthrax.
Halie
:
A scrutator on the council and supporter of Flydd.
:
A scrutator on the council and supporter of Flydd.
Hila
:
Flydd’s air-floater pilot.
:
Flydd’s air-floater pilot.
Inthis
:
Vithis’s clan of Aachim, first of the Eleven Clans (First Clan).
:
Vithis’s clan of Aachim, first of the Eleven Clans (First Clan).
Irisis
:
Crafter, in charge of the controller artisans at the manufactory; niece of Barkus
.
:
Crafter, in charge of the controller artisans at the manufactory; niece of Barkus
.
Jal-Nish Hlar
:
The perquisitor for Einunar; Nish’s father
.
:
The perquisitor for Einunar; Nish’s father
.
Joeyn (Joe)
:
An old miner, Tiaan’s friend, killed in a roof fall.
:
An old miner, Tiaan’s friend, killed in a roof fall.
Jym
:
One of Flydd’s guards.
:
One of Flydd’s guards.
Ketila
:
Elder sister of Colm.
:
Elder sister of Colm.
Klarm
:
Scrutator for Borgistry; a dwarf.
:
Scrutator for Borgistry; a dwarf.
Liett
:
A lyrinx with unarmoured skin and no chameleon ability; a talented flesh-former
.
:
A lyrinx with unarmoured skin and no chameleon ability; a talented flesh-former
.
Liliwen
:
Daughter of Troist and Yara, twin of Meriwen.
:
Daughter of Troist and Yara, twin of Meriwen.
Luxor
:
A conciliatory Aachim clan leader.
:
A conciliatory Aachim clan leader.
Lyrinx
:
Massive winged humanoids who came out of the void to Santhenar after the Forbidding was broken. Highly intelligent, they are able to utilise the Secret Art, most commonly for keeping their heavy bodies in flight. They have armoured skin and a chameleon-like ability to change their colours and patterns, often used for communication (skin-speech). Some lyrinx are also flesh-formers; they can change small organisms into desired forms using the Art. In the void they used a similar ability to pattern their unborn young so as to survive in that harsh environment. As a consequence, they are not entirely comfortable in their powerful bodies.
:
Massive winged humanoids who came out of the void to Santhenar after the Forbidding was broken. Highly intelligent, they are able to utilise the Secret Art, most commonly for keeping their heavy bodies in flight. They have armoured skin and a chameleon-like ability to change their colours and patterns, often used for communication (skin-speech). Some lyrinx are also flesh-formers; they can change small organisms into desired forms using the Art. In the void they used a similar ability to pattern their unborn young so as to survive in that harsh environment. As a consequence, they are not entirely comfortable in their powerful bodies.
Malien
:
A venerable but ostracised Aachim living in Tirthrax; a heroine from the time of the Mirror. Also known as the Matah
.
:
A venerable but ostracised Aachim living in Tirthrax; a heroine from the time of the Mirror. Also known as the Matah
.
Marnie
:
Tiaan’s mother, a prize breeder of children.
:
Tiaan’s mother, a prize breeder of children.
Matron
:
Woman in charge of the breeding factory at Tiksi.
:
Woman in charge of the breeding factory at Tiksi.
Meriwen
:
Daughter of Troist and Yara, twin of Liliwen.
:
Daughter of Troist and Yara, twin of Liliwen.
Merryl
:
A human slave who teaches human languages to the lyrinx. Also known as Tutor.
:
A human slave who teaches human languages to the lyrinx. Also known as Tutor.
Mihail
:
Gilhaelith’s manservant
:
Gilhaelith’s manservant
Minis
:
A young Aachim man of high stature and foster-son of Vithis. Also Tiaan’s dream lover who was forced to spurn her when the Aachim came through the gate to Tirthrax
.
:
A young Aachim man of high stature and foster-son of Vithis. Also Tiaan’s dream lover who was forced to spurn her when the Aachim came through the gate to Tirthrax
.
Mira
:
Yara’s sister who dwells at Morgadis. She is embittered after the loss of her husband and three sons in the war. She communicates by skeet with a coalition of like-minded people.
:
Yara’s sister who dwells at Morgadis. She is embittered after the loss of her husband and three sons in the war. She communicates by skeet with a coalition of like-minded people.
M’lainte
:
The mechanician in charge of balloon construction.
:
The mechanician in charge of balloon construction.
Mounce
:
A disrespectful sergeant in Troist’s army.
:
A disrespectful sergeant in Troist’s army.
Munnand
:
A lyrinx.
:
A lyrinx.
Myllii
:
Ullii’s long-lost twin brother.
:
Ullii’s long-lost twin brother.
Nish
:
Cryl-Nish’s nickname
.
:
Cryl-Nish’s nickname
.
Nivulee
:
The navigator on Flydd’s air-floater.
:
The navigator on Flydd’s air-floater.
Nixx
:
Gilhaelith’s seneschal
:
Gilhaelith’s seneschal
Numinator, the
:
A mysterious figure mentioned by Flydd when in his cups.
:
A mysterious figure mentioned by Flydd when in his cups.
Nylatl, the
:
A malicious creature created by Ryll and Liett’s flesh-forming. It killed Haani’s aunts and mother and attacked Tiaan
.
:
A malicious creature created by Ryll and Liett’s flesh-forming. It killed Haani’s aunts and mother and attacked Tiaan
.
Nyrd
:
Messenger to Gilhaelith.
:
Messenger to Gilhaelith.
Oinan
:
Father of Colm.
:
Father of Colm.
Old Hyull
:
A venerable lyrinx, husband of Matriarch Gyrull.
:
A venerable lyrinx, husband of Matriarch Gyrull.
Oon-Mie
:
A cheerful and reliable artisan at the manufactory.
:
A cheerful and reliable artisan at the manufactory.
Peate
:
A resentful senior miner.
:
A resentful senior miner.
Ranii Mhel
:
An examiner; mother of Nish.
:
An examiner; mother of Nish.
Ranii Shyrr
:
Troist’s envoy.
:
Troist’s envoy.
Rulke
:
The greatest of all the Charon, he created the first construct.
:
The greatest of all the Charon, he created the first construct.
Ruvix
:
Flydd’s sergeant.
:
Flydd’s sergeant.
Ryll
:
An ostracised wingless lyrinx who captured Tiaan and subsequently used her in flesh-forming. After Tiaan saved his life, he allowed her to escape from Kalissin
.
:
An ostracised wingless lyrinx who captured Tiaan and subsequently used her in flesh-forming. After Tiaan saved his life, he allowed her to escape from Kalissin
.
Seeker
:
One who can sense use of the Secret Art, or people who have that talent, or even enchanted objects. Ullii is one.
:
One who can sense use of the Secret Art, or people who have that talent, or even enchanted objects. Ullii is one.
S’lound
:
A soldier who travelled with Nish in the balloon to Tirthrax. He was killed when it landed.
:
A soldier who travelled with Nish in the balloon to Tirthrax. He was killed when it landed.
Tchlrrr
:
A young soldier in Troist’s army.
:
A young soldier in Troist’s army.
Tiaan Liise-Mar
:
A young artisan; a visual thinker and talented controller-maker. With the amplimet, she picked up Minis’s cry for help, fell in love with him and carried the amplimet all the way to Tirthrax, where she used it in opening a gate to Aachan, to save Minis and his people
.
:
A young artisan; a visual thinker and talented controller-maker. With the amplimet, she picked up Minis’s cry for help, fell in love with him and carried the amplimet all the way to Tirthrax, where she used it in opening a gate to Aachan, to save Minis and his people
.
Tinketil
:
Mother of Colm.
:
Mother of Colm.
Tirior
:
An Aachim clan leader.
:
An Aachim clan leader.
Troist
:
An ambitious junior officer in the army destroyed by the lyrinx at Nilkerrand.
:
An ambitious junior officer in the army destroyed by the lyrinx at Nilkerrand.
Tuniz
:
A senior artificer from Crandor, now overseer at the manufactory.
:
A senior artificer from Crandor, now overseer at the manufactory.
Tyara
:
A young friend of Minis.
:
A young friend of Minis.
Ullii
:
A hypersensitive seeker, used by Scrutator Flydd to track Tiaan and the amplimet
.
:
A hypersensitive seeker, used by Scrutator Flydd to track Tiaan and the amplimet
.
Vithis
:
Minis’s foster-father; an Aachim from Aachan and the head of Inthis First Clan. When all First Clan (except Minis) were lost in the gate, he became bitterness steeped in bile
.
:
Minis’s foster-father; an Aachim from Aachan and the head of Inthis First Clan. When all First Clan (except Minis) were lost in the gate, he became bitterness steeped in bile
.
Vunio
:
A young friend of Minis.
:
A young friend of Minis.
Xervish Flydd
:
The scrutator (spymaster and master inquisitor) for Einunar. He now leads the hunt for Tiaan and the amplimet and the defence of the manufactory
.
:
The scrutator (spymaster and master inquisitor) for Einunar. He now leads the hunt for Tiaan and the amplimet and the defence of the manufactory
.
Yara
:
A brilliant advocate, wife to Troist.
:
A brilliant advocate, wife to Troist.
Yorme
:
One of Flydd’s guards.
:
One of Flydd’s guards.
Zoyl Aarp
:
A clever but naïve and childish artisan.
M:
A clever but naïve and childish artisan.
AJOR
A
RTEFACTS
, F
ORCES AND
P
OWERFUL
N
ATURAL
P
LACES
Amplimet
:
A rare hedron which, even in its natural state, can draw power from the force (
the field
) surrounding and permeating a node. Occasionally can be very powerful.
:
A rare hedron which, even in its natural state, can draw power from the force (
the field
) surrounding and permeating a node. Occasionally can be very powerful.
Anthracism
:
Human internal combustion due to a mancer or an artisan drawing more power than the body can handle. Invariably fatal (gruesomely).
:
Human internal combustion due to a mancer or an artisan drawing more power than the body can handle. Invariably fatal (gruesomely).
Booreah Ngurle (the Burning Mountain)
:
A large, double-cratered volcano in northern Worm Wood, with a blue crater lake. It has a strange and powerful double node. Gilhaelith’s home, Nyriandiol, is built on the inner rim of the crater.
:
A large, double-cratered volcano in northern Worm Wood, with a blue crater lake. It has a strange and powerful double node. Gilhaelith’s home, Nyriandiol, is built on the inner rim of the crater.
Clanker
(also armoped or thumpeter):
An armoured mechanical war cart with six, eight or ten legs and an articulated body, driven by the Secret Art via a controller mechanism which is used by a trained operator. Armed with a rock-throwing catapult and a javelard (heavy spear-thrower) which are fired by a shooter riding on top. Clankers are made under supervision of a mechanician, artisan and weapons artificer. Emergency power is stored in a pair of heavy spinning flywheels, in case the field is interrupted.
(also armoped or thumpeter):
An armoured mechanical war cart with six, eight or ten legs and an articulated body, driven by the Secret Art via a controller mechanism which is used by a trained operator. Armed with a rock-throwing catapult and a javelard (heavy spear-thrower) which are fired by a shooter riding on top. Clankers are made under supervision of a mechanician, artisan and weapons artificer. Emergency power is stored in a pair of heavy spinning flywheels, in case the field is interrupted.
Construct
:
A vehicle powered by the Secret Art, based on some of the secrets of Rulke’s legendary vehicle. Unlike Rulke’s, those made by the Aachim cannot fly.
:
A vehicle powered by the Secret Art, based on some of the secrets of Rulke’s legendary vehicle. Unlike Rulke’s, those made by the Aachim cannot fly.
Controller
:
A mind-linked mechanical system of many flexible arms which draws power through a
hedron
and feeds it to the drive mechanisms of a
clanker
. A controller is attuned to a particular hedron, and the operator must be trained to use each controller, which takes time. Operators suffer withdrawal if removed from their machines for long periods, and inconsolable grief when their machines are destroyed, although this may be alleviated if the controller survives and can be installed in another clanker. The term is used in a more general sense, eg. construct controller.
:
A mind-linked mechanical system of many flexible arms which draws power through a
hedron
and feeds it to the drive mechanisms of a
clanker
. A controller is attuned to a particular hedron, and the operator must be trained to use each controller, which takes time. Operators suffer withdrawal if removed from their machines for long periods, and inconsolable grief when their machines are destroyed, although this may be alleviated if the controller survives and can be installed in another clanker. The term is used in a more general sense, eg. construct controller.
Crystal fever
:
A hallucinatory madness suffered by artisans and clanker operators, brought on by overuse of a
hedron
. Few recover from it. Mancers can suffer from related ailments.
:
A hallucinatory madness suffered by artisans and clanker operators, brought on by overuse of a
hedron
. Few recover from it. Mancers can suffer from related ailments.
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