Morning's Journey (65 page)

Àmbholc (AY-mulk; Caledonaiche, “Time of Spring”).
Brytonic:
Imbolc
. Winter ritual celebrated by non-Christian Caledonians and Brytons on February 1. Joinings taking place on Àmbholc night can be nullified the following Àmbholc with no shame clinging to either person. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
àm
(“time”),
bòlc
(“to spring”).

a’mi (Caledonaiche, “to me”).
Exclamation used in battle to regroup forces. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

Anderida (Latin).
Saxon:
Anderceaster
. Brytoni-controlled port on the Narrow Sea near the present-day town of Pevensey, East Sussex, England.

Angalaranach (poss. Anghalaranach, pl. Angalaranaich, poss. pl. Anghalarannaich; Caledonaiche, “(of the) Diseased People”).
Unflattering terms the Caledonaich apply to the Angli people. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an galar
(“the disease”),
a’ghalar
(“of the disease”).

Angle(s) (Brytonic).
Name applied to one or more inhabitants of the eastern coast of Brydein.

Angli (Latin).
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of the eastern coast of Brydein.

Annàm (ahn-NAIM), Lord.
Caledonach demon overlord; a.k.a. “the Adversary.” Annaomh’s twin brother; leader of the evil Samhraidhean of the Otherworld, symbolized by a pair of crossed bloody cudgels. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
an nàmh
(“the enemy”).

Annaomh (AHN-nuh), Lord.
Caledonach supreme deity; ruler of the Otherworld and leader of the Army of the Blest, symbolized by the sun. In Caledonach mythology, his evil twin brother is Annàm. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
an naomh
(“the saint”).

Antonine Wall, the.
Latin:
Antoninorum murum
. Caledonaiche:
Am Balla Tuat
(“The North Wall”). Frontier fortification built in southern Scotland by Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius in the mid-second century A.D. Extends from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde.

aonar (EYE-nar, Caledonaiche).
“Alone.” Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

Arbroch (Caledonaiche, “Exalted Town”).
Brytonic:
Ardoca
. Latin:
Alauna Veniconum
. Seat of Clan Argyll and home fortress of Gyanhumara and Ogryvan; Roman fort captured in 1st century A.D. by the Caledonaich, located near the present-day village of Braco in Perthshire, Scotland. Caledonaiche origin: Scottish Gaelic
àrd
(“exalted”),
broch
(“burgh”).

àrd-banoigin (aird-ban-UH-ghin; pl. àrd-banoigainn; Caledonaiche, “exalted heir-bearer(s)”).
The female member of the ruling family through whom the clan’s line of succession is determined. Typically, the clan’s chieftainess serves as àrd-banoigin while she is of childbearing age and passes this status to a daughter or niece when the younger woman reaches physical maturity. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
àrd
(“exalted”),
ban
(“woman”),
oighre
(“heir”),
gin
(“beget”).

Àrd-Ceann Teine-Beathach Mór (aird-KAY-ahn TEE-neh BAYah-tahk more; Caledonaiche, “High-Chief Great Fire-Beast”).
Since Caledonaiche has no word for “dragon,” this is the closest that the Caledonaich can come to rendering “Pendragon” in their language. Usually, they don’t bother. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
ceannard
(“leader;” I switched the suffix to a prefix for consistency with other invented terms),
teine
(“fire”),
beathach
(“beast”),
mór
(“great”). There is no word for “dragon” in Scottish Gaelic, either.

àrd-ceoigin (aird-kayUH-ghin; pl. àrd-ceoiginich; Caledonaiche, “exalted heir-begetter(s)”).
The consort of the clan’s àrd-banoigin. Marrying the àrd-banoigin gives the man access to her wealth but does not automatically grant him the chieftainship of her clan. Modern analogy: Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Phillip. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
àrd
(“exalted”),
céile
(“husband”),
oighre
(“heir”),
gin
(“beget”).

àrd-oighre (aird-OOreh; pl. àrd-oighreachan; Caledonaiche, “exalted heir(s)”).
The male heir of the àrd-banoigin and àrd-ceoigin. The àrd-oighre may serve as clan chieftain in the event that the àrd-ceoigin is dead or incapacitated, upon ratification of a vote by the clan’s elders and the chieftainess. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
àrd
(“exalted”),
oighre
(“heir”).

Argyll (AR-gayeel; “The Tempestuous People”), Clan.
Caledonaiche:
Argaillanaich Chaledon
(poss.
h’Argaillanaich
; “of Clan Argyll”). Member of the Caledonach Confederacy. The clan’s name tracks to the former County of Argyll, Scotland, though at this point in the story, the clan hasn’t yet expanded in that direction. Banner: two silver mourning doves in flight, on dark blue. Cloak pattern: dark blue crossed with saffron and scarlet. Gemstone: sapphire. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
ar gailleann
(“our tempest”).

Armorica (Latin).
Brytoni-settled region of Brittany, France.

Astarte.
Morghe’s black mare, named for the Eastern Mediterranean fertility goddess from which Easter derives its name. Origin: Greek
aster
(“star”).

Attacot(s) (Latin).
Scáthaichean:
Aítachait
. Name applied to one or more inhabitants of the western portion of Eireann.

Attacotti (Latin).
Scáthaichean:
Aítachasan
. Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of the western portion of Eireann.

Aurelia (pl. Aurelii; Latin).
One of the original Roman patrician families; its progeny includes 2nd-century A.D. Roman emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, and in this story, Ambrosius Aurelius Constantinus, Merlinus Aurelius Ambrosius Dubricius, Vetarus Aurelius Constantinus, Arturus Aurelius Vetarus, and Morganna Aurelia Vetara.

ave (Latin, “hail”).
Commonly used as a greeting, or as an invitation for someone to enter a room.

badge.
Rank insignia worn by members of the Brytoni army: a cloak-pin fashioned in the shape of the legion’s symbol (e.g., dragon). Enlistees’ badges are bone or hardwood. Officers’ badges are wrought of different metals depending on rank and are ringed by green (infantry), red (cavalry), or blue (navy) enamel, or a combination thereof, to indicate breadth of command. If the officer is of the nobility, the badge includes a gemstone representing the clan’s dominant color.

Badger Cohort.
Latin:
Cohortis Meles
. Unit in the Brytoni army occupying Senaudon.

banasròn (BANas-rone; Caledonaiche, “woman’s head”).
Euphemism for female genitalia. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
ban
(“woman”),
sròn
(“headland”).

bannock.
Small, hard cake made from barley or oat meal and cooked on an open griddle.

Bear of Lothian, the.
Symbol of Clan Lothian of Gododdin, a rampant amber bear on forest green. Also called the Lothian Bear and the Amber Bear.

beathach (BAYah-tach; Caledonaiche, “beast”).
Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

1. An element of the Caledonaiche term for “Pendragon,”
   Àrd-Ceann Teine-
   Beathach
   Mór.
   
2. An epithet often used affectionately.
   

Belteine (bel-TEE-neh; pl. Beltean; Caledonaiche, “Passion Fire”).
Brytonic:
Beltain
. Fertility ritual celebrated by non-Christian Caledonaich and Breatanaich culminating on May 1 with firelight activities that would make a Ròmanach orgy participant blush. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
boil
(“passion”),
teine
(“fire”).

Bernicia (Latin).
Brytonic:
Brynaich.
Coastal Angli-controlled territory east of Gododdin.

Berwych (Old English, “Barley Farmstead”).
Caledonaiche:
Bearruig
(“Pursuit to the Precipice”). Angli-controlled fortress on the border of Gododdin, corresponding to present-day North Berwick Law conical hill in East Lothian, Scotland. Caledonaiche name implies something along the lines of “last-ditch defense” and is inspired by Scottish Gaelic
Bearruig
(“Berwick”),
bearradh
(“precipice”),
ruaig
(“a pursuit”, “defeat”).

betony.
Medicinal herb.

betrothal-band, -mark.
Caledonaiche:
lorg a’bhanais-geall
(fem., “mark of the betrothal;” m.,
aileadh a’bhanais-geall
). A tattoo roughly one inch wide, depicting two ropes braided together, usually painted with dye extracted from the woad plant. By Caledonach custom, this mark is inscribed around the left wrist of the àrd-banoigin and her future consort as a visible display of their promises. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
lorg
(“mark,” fem.),
aileadh
(“mark” or “scar,” m.).

bian-sporan (Caledonaiche, “pelt-purse”).
The accessory crafted from an animal’s pelt collected during the deuchainn na fala rite, symbolizing a young warrior’s passage into adulthood. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
bian
(“animal skin”),
sporan
(“purse”).

Boar of Moray, the.

1. Symbol of Clan Moray of Dalriada, a black boar on a field of gold; also referred to as “the Black Boar.”
   
2. Nickname of Urien map Dumarec.
   

bonding ritual.
Caledonaiche:
dean am bann naomh
(“make the holy bond”). The Caledonach ceremony wherein the àrd-banoigin is tattooed with her consort’s clan-mark and he with hers. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
dean
(“to make”),
am bann
(“the bond”),
naomh
(“holy”).

Brædæn (BRAY-dane; Eingel/Saxon).
Brydein. Origin: inspired by Old Anglo-Saxon
brædan
(“to extend”), with the modified second syllable to distinguish it from “Brædan.”

Brædan (BRAY-dan; Eingel/Saxon).
Of or pertaining to the Brytoni inhabitants of Brydein. Origin: Old Anglo-Saxon
brædan
(“to extend”).

Bræde (BRAYD-eh; pl. Brædeas, Eingel/Saxon, “roasted meat(s)”).
Slang terms the Angli and Saxons apply to one or more Brytons. Origin: Old Anglo-Saxon.

Braonshaffir (Caledonaiche, “A Drop of Sapphire”).
Gyanhumara’s sword, named for its distinguishing feature. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
braon
(“a drop”),
shaffir
(“of sapphire,” transliterated from Latin
sapphirus
and rendered with possessive form (
sh-
)).

Breatan (BRAYah-tan; poss. Bhreatan; Caledonaiche, “(of the) Bryton”).
Terms used by the Caledonaich to refer to a single Brytoni individual; also may be translated as “(of the) Deceiver.” Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Breatunn
(“Britain” and “British”),
bràth
(“to deceive”).

Breatanach (brayah-TAHN-ach; poss. Bhreatanach, pl. Breatanaich, poss. pl. Bhreatanaich; Caledonaiche, “(of the) Bryton(s)”).
Terms used by the Caledonaich to refer to one or more inhabitants of western and mid-Brydein; also may be translated as “(of the) Deceiver(s).” Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Breatunnach
(“a Briton”),
bràth
(“to deceive”).

Breatanaiche (brayah-tahn-EESH; Caledonaiche, “tongue of the Brytons”).
Term used by the Caledonaich to refer to the Brytonic language.

Brigid.
A deerhound bitch belonging to Loth and Annamar, named in honor of the Brytoni hearth-goddess.

Brydein (Brytonic).
Latin:
Britannia
. Caledonaiche:
Breatein
(poss.
Bhreatein
, “(of) Brydein”). Britain, a.k.a. the Island of the Mighty.

Bryton(s).
Name applied to one or more inhabitants of western and mid-Brydein.

Brytoni.
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of western and mid-Brydein.

Brytonic.
The native language of the Brytons, also known as “Brythonic” or
P-Celtic
in present-day anthropological usage.

buill-coise (bool KWEES-eh, Caledonaiche, “ball-feet”).
Football; i.e., soccer. In this era, the ball is an inflated goat or sheep stomach. The only time the game is played with a human head is in the case of a warrior failing to have his Oath of Fealty accepted by the one to whom he attempted to swear the oath. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
buill
(“ball”),
coise
(“feet”).

Caer Lugubalion (Brytonic, “Fort of Lugh’s Strength”).
Latin:
Luguvalium
(“Lugh’s Valley”). Caledonaiche:
Dùn Lùth Lhugh
(doon LOOT hloo, “Fort of Lugh’s Power”). Brytoni-controlled fortress near the western end of Hadrian’s Wall, headquarters of the Dragon Legion of Brydein, located in what is now Carlisle, Cumbria, England. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
dùn
(“fortress”),
lùths
(“power”), and my invented possessive form of the name Lugh,
Lhugh
.

Caer Rushen (Brytonic, “Rush’s Fort”).
Brytoni-controlled fortress near the southernmost tip of the Isle of Maun, located in present-day Castletown, Isle of Man.

Caerglas (Brytonic, “Green Fort”).
Caledonaiche:
Dùn Ghlas
(“Locked Fort”). Brytoni-controlled fortress on the western end of the Antonine Wall that doubles as a garrison and headquarters of the Brytoni fleet, located in present-day Glasgow, Scotland. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
dùn
(“fortress”),
ghlas
(“locked”).

Caerlaverock (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Dùn Càrnhuilean
(“Fort of the Rock-Elbows”). Roman-fortified and Brytoni-controlled hill-fort and seat of Clan Cwrnwyll, located on the northern bank of the Solway Firth in southwestern Scotland, due south of present-day Dumfries. Site of Arthur’s birth; Ygraine’s home fortress. Triangular Caerlaverock Castle was built atop its ruins in the 13th century; hence my inspiration for the “rock-elbows” Caledonaiche designation. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
dùn
(“fortress”),
càrn
(“rock pile”),
na h’uilean
(“of the elbows”).

Caleberyllus (Latin, “Burning Jewel”).
Arthur’s sword, known through various sources as Caliburnus, Caliburn, Caledfwlch, and Excalibur. This name is my invention, derived from the Latin words
calere
(heat, origin of “calorie”) and
beryllus
(beryl, a classification of gem) as a poetic description of the sword’s distinguishing feature. Technically, a ruby is a cabochon, not a beryl, but I suspect that nobody was making that fine a distinction in the 5th century A.D.