Malcolm replied with a guilty, uncomfortable smile.
“I sent you with him for that specific reason. Did you forget? Imagine my surprise when I discovered Raithe, instead of my slave, is the God Killer.”
“I’m not your slave. I belonged to your father.”
“I’m sorry, didn’t you hear the news? He’s dead. That makes you my property.”
“I’m not sure slavery is one of Ferrol’s laws.”
Nyphron laughed softly and licked his lips. “You of all people know I’m not a stickler for rules.”
“But not even your father saw me as his slave.”
“My father wasn’t all that bright—as evidenced by his death. Now, do you want to explain your memory lapse? How is it that Raithe is the one who killed Shegon? Why wasn’t it you?”
“Two reasons,” Malcolm said. “First, as you just pointed out, many would see me as your property and that would link you to Shegon’s murder. You don’t want that.”
“A risk I was willing to take.”
“And second, I suspected that when Meryl and I returned, pointing fingers at each other, you’d have us both executed—and that wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.”
Nyphron pursed his lips and nodded. “Very clever of you. And you’re right, but I’m not sure how I feel about that. I don’t think anyone has outwitted me before. Makes me nervous.”
“Given what you’re planning, I think you ought to be nervous, don’t you?”
Nyphron shook his head. “No. All that I’ve done and will do was predestined, ordained by god.”
Malcolm raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Really? Which one?”
Nyphron offered a mischievous grin. “I haven’t decided.”
Glossary of Terms and Names
Airenthenon: Although the Forest Throne and the Door predate it, the Airenthenon is the oldest building in Estramnadon. The domed and pillared structure where the Aquila holds meetings.
Alon Rhist: Fourth fane of the Fhrey, who died during the Dherg War. He was replaced by Fenelyus. One of the outposts on the border between Rhulyn and Avrlyn bears his name.
Alysin: One of the three realms of the afterlife. A paradise where brave warriors go after death.
Aquila: Literally “the place of choosing.” Originally created as a formalization and public recognition of the group of Fhrey who had been assisting Gylindora Fane for more than a century. Leaders of each of the tribes act as general counsels, making suggestions and assisting in the overall administration of the empire. Council members are elected by their tribes. The Aquila holds no direct power, as the fane’s authority is as absolute as Ferrol Himself. However, the Aquila does wield great influence over the succession of power. It is the Curator and Conservator who determine who has access to the Horn of Gylindora.
Arion (Fhrey, Miralyith): Tutor to Prince Mawyndulë, daughter of Nyree and Era, former student of Fenelyus, who bestowed the nickname Cenzlyor.
Art, the: Magic that allows the caster to tap the forces of nature. In Fhrey society, it’s practiced by members of the Miralyith tribe. Goblins who wield this power are known as oberdaza.
Artist: A practitioner of the Art.
Asendwayr: Fhrey tribe whose members specialize in hunting. A few are stationed on the frontier to provide meat for the Instarya.
Asica: A long Fhrey garment similar to a robe. Its numerous wraps and ties allow it to be worn in a number of configurations.
Avempartha: Fhrey tower created by Fenelyus atop a great waterfall on the Nidwalden River. It can tap the force of rushing water to amplify the use of the Art.
Avrlyn: “Land of Green,” the Fhrey frontier bordered on the north by Hentlyn and Belgreig to the south. Avrlyn is separated from Rhulyn by the east and south branches of the Bern River.
Battle of Grandford: First battle in the war between Rhunes and Fhrey.
Belgric War: A war between the Fhrey and Dherg. Also referred to as the Dherg War.
Bendigo: Evil spirit capable of possessing people and animals.
Bern: A river that runs north–south and delineates the borders between Rhulyn and Avrlyn. Rhunes are forbidden from crossing to the west side of this river.
Book of Brin: First known written work chronicling the history of the Rhune people. Its origin dates back to the time of the first war between Rhunes and Fhrey.
Breckon mor: The female version of the leigh mor. A versatile piece of cloth that can be wrapped in a number of ways.
Brideeth: Fhrey profanity. A term of extreme insult.
Brin (Rhune, Rhen): Daughter of Sarah and Delwin, mentored by Maeve; creator of the famed Book of Brin.
Brown, The: A ferocious bear that lives in the Crescent Forest. She has been responsible for the deaths of many residents of Dahl Rhen. To Suri and Tura she is known as Grin or Grin the Brown.
Caratacus (Fhrey): Famed sage adviser to the first fane. A legendary figure who brought Ferrol’s horn to Gylindora Fane. Creator of the Forest Throne.
Card or carding: The step that comes between shearing and spinning wool. Combs are used to detangle, clean, and intermix fibers to produce a continuous web of aligned fibers.
Carfreign Arena: A large open-air field where contests and spectacles are held. A building where sports and entertainments are performed.
Cenzlyor: In the Fhrey language it means “swift of mind.” A title of endearment bestowed by Fane Fenelyus onto Arion, indicating her proficiency in the Art.
Clempton: A small village of Dureya, home of Raithe.
Cleve: A simple and practical type of short sword, favored by the Instarya tribe of the Fhrey.
Conservator of the Aquila: One of the two people responsible for administering the process of succession. Together with the Curator, the Conservator determines who has the right to blow the Horn of Gylindora.
Crescent Forest: A large forest that forms a half circle around Dahl Rhen.
Crimbal: A fairy creature that lives in the land of Nog. Crimbals travel to the world of Elan through doors in the trunks of trees. They are known to steal children.
Cul: Rhunic profanity often used for a despicable person.
Culina brideeth: Fhrey profanity that suggests an inappropriate relationship with one’s mother.
Curator of the Aquila: Vice fane. Keeper of the horn. One of the six councilors of the Aquila, elected by a vote of senior councilors. Leads meetings of the Aquila in absence of the fane. Chairs the Challenge Council, which decides who gets the right to blow the Horn of Gylindora. Together the Conservator and the Curator determine the process of succession and judge the challenge process.
Dahl (hill or mound): A Rhune settlement that is the capital city of a given clan and is characterized by its position on top of a man-made hill. Dahls are usually surrounded by some form of wall or fortification. Each has a central lodge where the clan’s chieftain lives, along with a series of roundhouses that house the other villagers.
Dherg: One of the five humanoid races of Elan. Long-lived, skilled craftsmen, they have been all but banned from most places aboveground. They are exceptional builders and weaponsmiths.
Didan (Rhune, Dureya): Raithe’s brother.
Door, the: A portal in the Garden of Estramnadon that legend holds is the gateway to where The First Tree grows.
Drome: God of the Dherg.
Dureya: A barren highland region in the north of Rhulyn, home to the Rhune clan of the same name.