Marion Zimmer Bradley's Ancestors of Avalon

Table of Contents

 

 

“Paxson fashions an entirely new entry in the Avalon saga. . . . [Her] storytelling features the requisite veins of mysticism, but, like Bradley, she excels at bringing the vast sweep of imagined history to an accessible level. . . . A rich and respectful homage that will dazzle readers longing to revisit Bradley’s sacred, storied isle.”

—
Booklist

“Once again, Diana L. Paxson has beautifully elaborated on Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved Avalon saga with this dramatic new installment. . . . [An] extraordinary journey.”

—SFRevu

“Paxson is an excellent choice as successor to Bradley for this series. Her style and the details of the plot retain the sense of the mysterious past and the feminist awareness that was an underlying theme in the originals.”

—
Chronicle

“
Ancestors of Avalon
may be the best of the Avalon tales. The story line stands alone due to the strength of the characterizations . . . yet also interconnects the myriad plots from the previously published books.”

—
Midwest Book Review

 

“The message that all religions call on the same higher power should go over well with fans of
Mists
[
of Avalon
]. Paxson’s own skills at bringing historical characters and places to vivid life enriches Helena’s story.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Stunning . . . this rich and moving novel merits its place beside Bradley’s fantasy classic.”

—
Booklist

“Bradley creates a powerful tale of magic and faith that enlarges upon pagan and Christian traditions to express a deeper truth.”

—
Library Journal

“Combines romance, rich historical detail, magical dazzlements, grand adventure, and feminist sentiments into the kind of novel her fans have been yearning for.”

—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

 

“Compelling, powerful.”

—
San Francisco Chronicle

 

“The prose is as smooth as those sacred stones on which so many interesting things take place.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

 

“Bradley’s women are, as usual, strong and vibrant, but never before has she so effectively depicted the heroic male. . . . An immensely popular saga.”

—
Booklist

 

“The setting evokes a fascinating time of change. . . . The mythic elements grow to hint satisfactorily at the Arthurian wonder to come . . . the stuff of legend.”

—
Locus

 

“A seamless weave of history and myth.”

—
Library Journal

 

“The sure touch of one at ease in sketching out mystic travels.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

ROC
Published by New American Library, a division of
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First Roc Mass Market Printing, October 2006

Copyright © The Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust and Diana L. Paxson, 2004

Map drawn by Jeffrey L. Ward
All rights reserved

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Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

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eISBN : 978-1-101-09876-9

 

Aldel
—of Ahtarrath; an acolyte, betrothed to Elis, killed in rescue of Omphalos Stone

Deoris
[temple name “Adsartha”]—a former priestess of Caratra, mother of Tiriki, wife of Reio-ta

(
Domaris
—a Vested Guardian, priestess of Light, mother of Micail)

Gremos
—a priestess, housemother to the acolytes

Kalhan
—of Atalan; an acolyte, betrothed to Damisa

Kanar
—chief astrologer of the Temple on Ahtarrath, Lanath’s first teacher

Lunrick
—a merchant of Ahtarra

Mesira
—chief of the healers, a priestess of the cult of Caratra

(
Micon
—Prince of Ahtarrath, father of Micail)

(
Mikantor
—Prince of Ahtarrath, father of Micon and Reio-ta)

Pegar
—a landowner of Ahtarrath

(
Rajasta
—mage, priest of Light, and Vested Guardian in the Ancient Land)

Reio-ta
—regent of Ahtarrath and governor of the Temple of Light on Ahtarrath, priest, uncle of Micail and stepfather of Tiriki

(
Riveda
—biological father of Tiriki, healer, mage, and chief of the Grey Robe Order in the Ancient Land; executed for sorcery)

Adeyna
—wife of the merchant Forolin

Alyssa
[Temple name “Neniath”]—of Caris; a Grey Robe priestess (the Grey Mage), seeress, and adept

Arcor
—of Ahtarrath; a sailor on the
Crimson Serpent

Aven
—an Alkonan sailor on the
Crimson Serpent

Cadis
—an Ahtarran sailor on the
Crimson Serpent

CHEDAN ARADOS
—originally of Alkonath; son of Naduil, an acolyte in the Ancient Land before its fall, former Vested Guardian, and now a mage

DAMISA
—of Alkonath; eldest of the acolytes, a cousin of Prince Tjalan, betrothed to Kalhan

Dannetrasa of Caris
—a priest of Light who assisted Ardral in the library; arrives at the Tor on the second ship

Domara
—daughter of Tiriki and Micail, born at the Tor

Eilantha
—Tiriki’s Temple name

Elis
—of Ahtarrath; one of the acolytes, especially good with plants

Forolin
—a merchant of Ahtarrath and late arrival to the Tor

Heron
—headman of the marsh folk

Iriel
—of Arhaburath; youngest of the acolytes (age twelve at the time of the Sinking), betrothed to Aldel

Jarata
—a merchant of Ahtarrath

Kalaran
—an acolyte, betrothed to Selast

Kestil
—daughter of Forolin and Adeyna, five years old when she arrives at the Tor

Larin
—a sailor on the
Crimson Serpent,
later inducted into the priesthood

Liala
[Temple name “Atlialmaris”]—of Ahtarrath; a Blue Robe priestess and healer

Linnet
—daughter of Nettle, of the marsh folk

Malaera
—a lesser Blue Robe priestess

Metia
—senior saji woman, nursemaid to Domara

Mudlark
—son of Nettle, of the marsh folk

Nettle
—wife of Heron, headman of the marsh folk

Otter
—son of the headman, Heron

Reidel
—of Ahtarrath; son of Sarhedran, captain of the
Crimson Serpent;
later, a priest of the Sixth Order

Redfern
—a woman of the marsh folk

Rendano
—of Akil; a lesser priest in the Temple of Light and a sensitive

Selast
—of Cosarrath; one of the acolytes

Taret
—wisewoman of the marsh folk at the Tor

Teiron
—an Alkonian sailor assigned to the
Crimson Serpent

Teviri
—one of the saji women, attendant to Alyssa

TIRIKI
[Temple name “Eilantha”]—of Ahtarrath; a Guardian in the Temple of Light, wife of Micail; she will become the Morgan of Avalon

Virja
—one of the saji women, attendant to Alyssa