Dawnflight (67 page)

River Atan.
Caledonaiche:
Ab Atan
(“The Swelling River”). Latin:
Itouna
. Brytonic:
Ituna
. The Eden River of the Eden District of Cumbria, England, a tributary of the Solway Firth. Name origins: Scottish Gaelic
at
(“to swell”), Brythonic
ituna
(“rushing”). The Latin version is a variant of the Brythonic word.

River Clyd (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Ab Chlotha
(“Clota’s River”). Also referred to as “the Clyd;” the Clyde River, which forms the northeasternmost end of the Firth of Clyde.

Ròm (Caledonaiche; poss. Rhòm).
Rome, Rome’s (or “of Rome”).

Ròmanach (ROH-mah-nack; 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.

Ròmanach War, The.
Caledonaiche:
An Cogadh Ròmanach
. Term for the failed attempt of the Romans to conquer the inhabitants of Caledon in the first century B.C. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an cogadh
(“the war”), plus my invented term,
Ròmanach
.

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

Rukh.
Peredur’s horse (bay gelding).

Rushen (ROO-shen) 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 (soh-wrah-JHAYan); 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-soo-nack; pl. Sasunaich (SAH-soon-ache), poss. Shasunach (SHAH-soo-nack), poss. pl. Shasunaich (SHAH-soon-ache); Caledonaiche, “(of the) Saxon(s)”).
Terms applied by the Caledonaich to the Germanic inhabitants of southern Brydein. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Sasunnach
(“English”, “Englishman”).

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.”

Scáth (SKITE; poss. Scháth, pl. Scáthan, poss. pl. Scháthan).
Terms the Scotti people apply to themselves to demonstrate racial devotion to the warrior-goddess Scáthach. The Caledonaich use the terms “Scáth” and “Scháth” but follow their own rules for pronunciation and for indicating group membership. Whether or not this is the true origin of the term “Scot” and its affiliated words, I found the association far too tempting to dismiss.

Scáthach (SKY-ah).
Scotti war goddess and Irish folklore character famous for being the warrior-woman who trained the mythological hero Cú Chulainn in the martial arts, and perhaps in “bedroom combat,” as well.

Scáthaichean (sky-tah-KAY-ahn; “Warriors of Scáthach”).
Name the Scotti people apply to their race in honor of their warrior-goddess Scáthach. Also the term they use when referring to their language.

Scot(s) (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Scáth
(SKATE; poss.
Scháth
(SCHKATE), pl.
Scáthinaich
(SKAY-tin-ache), poss. pl.
Scháthinaich
(SCHKAY-tin-ache)). 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-kee; 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 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”).

Seat of Moray, The.
Caledonaiche:
Cathair na Móranaich
. Clan Moray’s administrative headquarters at Dunadd, Dalriada. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
cathair
(“chair” and “city”), plus my invented phrase,
na Móranaich
(“of Clan Moray”).

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”).

Seven Saxon Sisters, The.
Brytoni drinking song that’s not particularly flattering to Saxon women.

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.

Silver Wolf, The.
Standard of Cuchullain, Laird of the Scáthaichean, a loping silver wolf on a pine-green background; also referred to as “the Wolf.”

South Wall, The.
See Hadrian’s Wall. Caledonaiche:
Am Balla Deas
. Chaledonaich term for Hadrian’s Wall. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
am balla
(“the wall”),
deas
(“south”).

Stonn.
Angusel’s horse (gray stallion).

stylus (pl. styli; Latin).
Pen-like implement used for making impressions on soft clay and wax, usually fashioned of iron or hardwood.

sundering.
Caledonaiche:
a’stròic
. Annulment of a Caledonach marriage (see Àmbholc). Origin: Scottish Gaelic
a’stròic
(“tearing asunder”).

Talarf (TALL-arv; 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.

Tarabrogh (TAHrah-broh; Scáthaichean, “Tara’s Settlement”).
Cuchullain’s home fortress located at Hill of Tara, County Meath, Leinster, Ireland.

Tarsuinn (TAR-shoon; “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”).

tierce.
Fourth Christian canonical hour and third hour of daylight, around 9 a.m. Origin: Latin
tertius
(“third”).

tòn (TONE; Caledonaiche).
A euphemism for a male body part that doubles as an epithet meaning “jerk.” Origin: Scottish Gaelic
tòn
(“the fundament”).

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.

Urienfwlch (OO-ree-en-vulk; Brytonic, “Urien’s Bane”).
See Caleberyllus, Caledfwlch. A wishful-thinking adjective coined privately by Arthur for Caleberyllus.

valerian.
Medicinal herb.

vespers.
Seventh 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”).

woad.
An herb that yields a blue dye.

Acknowledgments

F
OR MY ORIGINAL bouquet of thanks, please refer to
Dawnflight’s
first print edition.

More than a decade has passed since that edition was published, my mother is deceased, some friends have lost touch, professional colleagues have changed, and email loops have yielded to other forms of social networking. My gratitude remains.

To this list, I wish to add longtime friend and writing pal, Sabrina Chase, without whose invaluable advice and encouragement this ebook edition would not be possible.

kdh, Wytheville, Virginia
March 25, 2012

Mary Stewart, my lifelong literary hero whose novel
The Hollow Hills
in 1973 inspired me to embark upon my own quest to capture the historical Arthur and his friends & enemies in fiction, I can never thank you enough. Rest in peace, my lady.

kdh, Baltimore, Maryland
May 24, 2014

Interior art and other graphics:

• Argyll Doves (
  Gyanhumara
  ): original artwork ©1998-2012 by Kim Headlee.
  
• All other character totems are line-art adaptations ©2012 by Kim Headlee, based on photographs of the following Pictish stones found throughout Scotland:
  
  • Boar (
    Urien
    ): the Boar Stone of Clune Farm, Dores, Highland Inverness.
    
  • Bull (
    Ogryvan
    ): the Burghead Bull, Burghead, Morayshire, Grampian.
    
  • Disc-Cross (
    Niniane
    ): the Dyce 6 stone, City of Aberdeen.
    
  • Dragon, horizontal (
    Arthur
    ): the Dragon Stone, Portmahomack, Tarbat, Ross and Cromarty.
    
  • Dragon, vertical (
    Arthur
    ): detail on the front of stone Meigle 4, Meigle Sculptured Stones Museum, Angus, Perthshire and Kinross.
    
  • Horse (
    Peredur
    ): stone Inverurie 4, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
    
  • Hound, walking (
    Cai
    ): detail on the Golspie Stone, Craigton 2, Highland Sutherland.
    
  • Lion’s Head (
    Angusel
    ): inspired by a detail on the Daniel Stone, Rosemarkie, Black Isle, Easter Ross, depicting a lioness with a man’s head in her mouth.
    
  • Salmon (
    Merlin
    ): detail on the Golspie Stone, Craigton 2, Highland Sutherland.
    
  • Stag, walking (
    Bedwyr
    ): detail on the front of the Eassie Stone, Eassie, Angus, Perthshire and Kinross.
    
  • Wolf (
    Cuchullain
    ): the Ardross Wolf, Stittenham, Ardross, Ross and Cromarty.
    
  • V-Crescent (
    Morghe
    ): detail on the Brough of Birsay Stone, Orkney.
    
  • Z-Rod, simple (
    Al-Iskandar
    ): the Meigle 7 stone in the Meigle Sculptured Stones Museum, Angus, Perthshire and Kinross.
    
  • Z-Serpent (
    Vergul
    ): detail on stone Drumbuie 1, Drumbuie, Highland Inverness.