Tyrant's Blood (50 page)

Morgravia.

Percheron: A faraway country.

Romea: Capital of Galinsea.

Tallinor.

Throughout the Sets: Trents

Span: 1000 strides or 2000 double steps.

Half-span: 500 strides or 1000 double steps.

Academy of Learning: At Cremond. It is the seat of learning for all of the Denova Set.

Anni: A year.

Aspenberry: Used to distil Kern liquor.

Asprey reeds: Used for support inside leather bladder balls.

Blossomtide/Blossom: Spring

Blow: Winter.

Branstone: A very special silver coloured stone with sparkling silver flecks.

Chest: Coffin.

Cloudberries: Forest berries.

Cohort: A group of youngsters trained to be elite sword fighters.

Crabnuts: Grow wild in the forests. They are a sweet nut, purplish in colour.

Dara: Word for ‘king’s mother’ in Steppe language.

Darrasha Bushes: Planted around the castle of Brighthelm. dinch: A hot beverage.

Elleputian: A Davarigon mountain horse.

Faeroe: A handcrafted sword that belonged to King Cormoron.

Fan-tailed farla hen: A bright coloured bird with a fan-tail.

ferago: A mountain herb.

flaxwood: A type of wood used for cooking.

Freeze: Late winter.

golasses vines.

Harvest: Late autumn.

Ingress: Secret passages within the Brighthelm castle.

Kellet: A spicy fragrant herb that can be chewed.

Kern: The local and notorious fiery liquor of Penraven’s North.

Lackmarin: Place where the Stone of truth lies.

Leaf-fall: Early autumn.

Leaf of the Cherrel: Chewed as a breath freshener.

leem: A mountain herb

Lo: Set god.

Lo’s Fury: An alcoholic beverage

Oil of Miramel: Exotic essence.

osh: Slabs of roasted meat cooked a particular way.

peregum: A mountain herb.

Roeberries: Wild berries growing in forests. They are blood red.

Rough: A very strong alcoholic beverage.

saramac fungus.

shakken: A wild Steppes animal.

Shaman: Spiritual healer.

Sheeca Shell: Found on the local beaches.

Shubo: In Steppes language it means second.

starren: A six-legged chameleon-like reptile.

Stone of Truth: This truth stone is at Lackmarin. All Valisar Kings must take the oath at this stone.

Strenic: A poisonous herb growing wild on the Steppes.

Summertide: Summer.

Tatua: Tattoos on the face, shoulders and arms.

Thaw: Spring.

The Masked: Magic users of the barbarian horde.

The Vested: Magics users of the Set.

Thaumaturges: Miracle weavers.

Thaumaturgy: The study of the craft of miracle weaving.

toka: A mountain herb.

Weaven Timber: From Skardlag. It is scarce.

Wikken: A tribal seer.

Wych Elder Tree: Used for woodworking.

Knowing where to start this book was a tougher decision than for any previous novel. I was nervous about throwing readers into a contemporary world for the opening chapter but it felt right…and I have learned to trust my instincts. I admit to being surprised by where the story has gone and as a victim of my own freefalling style of writing I couldn’t foresee where two of the characters in particular would find themselves by the close of Tyrant, not to mention the shocking demise of one, and unplanned emergence of another. I do hope you enjoy it.

All the usual suspects have my thanks but especially the ‘Latte Gang’ who helped get me through a torrid period as I worked on this and other manuscripts whilst guiding and cajoling twins through their all-important Year 12. Our Friday mornings in Norwood at Caffe Buongiorno’s and Remo’s great coffees kept me sane through 2008.

I’m grateful to all the members of my bulletin board who visit regularly, and in particular, for their constant support, Trent Hayes in Australia and Phil Reed in the US who moderates with cheer and charm. In 2009, due to work and travel commitments, I had to withdraw from the monthly fantasy book club that has been running for the past seven years and my thanks to every one of its terrific members for their loyalty and friendship, especially Nigelle-Ann Blaser. Particular thanks also to Mandy Macky who permits us to take over Dymocks Rundle Mall each new moon, and to the bookshop’s manager, Judy Downs, for her support.

I welcome Jason Lehmann into my life—thank you for the new portal website for fionamcintosh.com and for your constant enthusiasm and creativity in a world of technology I simply don’t understand!

To all the fantasy booksellers around Australia who continue to handsell sff energetically—ongoing thanks for making my novels part of your day.

The team at Voyager continue to do a sterling job in helping to make my stories the best they can be and I’m especially grateful to editor, Stephanie Smith and to Natalie Costa Bir who runs the Voyager websites.

Having the time, space and peace to write requires a very understanding family and mine deserves a gold star. And well done, boys, we made it through Year 12. Here’s to you, Will and Jack…and also my ever-patient Ian.

T
RINITY
Betrayal
(1)
Revenge
(2)
Destiny
(3)

T
HE
Q
UICKENING
Myrren’s Gift
(1)
Blood and Memory
(2)
Bridge of Souls
(3)

P
ERCHERON
Odalisque
(1)
Emissary
(2)
Goddess
(3)

V
ALISAR
Royal Exile
(1)
Tyrant’s Blood
(2)