The Mirror And The Maelstrom (Book 4) (36 page)

Raeve shot an alarmed look at her husband.

“The king!” she gasped.

Kael stood with a twinkle in his eye.

“And a bed,” boomed a second voice. “This leg of mine does not take kindly to hours in a saddle.”

Raeve’s eyes grew even wider.

“And ... the other king!”

“He always did prefer to walk,” came a voice from the backdoor to the stables.

Teeg swept in from the yard with a grand bow. The Lady Jenpry followed closely. She approached Raeve with a sweet smile.

“Come, my dear,” she said as she wrapped an arm around the stunned young woman. “You worked hard enough today. It is time for a break. There is someone here who talked of nothing but this kitchen during our whole journey. He shall prepare the welcome feast.”

Cefiz stepped through the doorway brushing the dust of the road from his clothing. He looked up at Kael as he unhooked a clean apron from a wall peg.

“Well laddie, let’s get a move on,” growled Cefiz “I’ve got a meal to prepare and those tables aren’t going to set themselves.”

Jenpry led a mute Raeve past Kael into the common room. Kael stood grinning at Cefiz as the man stoked the flames of the wood stove and checked the larder for provisions. When the Guardsman spun back and saw Kael still standing there, he frowned deeply.

“We’ve got two dozen new guests to provide for,” grumbled Cefiz. “Ranging from a thousand year old Elf to a new born babe and this is the only inn I know of in all the lands which boasts exactly the kind of hospitality its name implies. Now if your majesty is so inclined, let’s truly see some of your King’s service.”

Kael chuckled, then suddenly his brow furrowed.

“A new born babe ... ?”

Cefiz stopped his preparations for a moment, grinned and winked at Kael. The young man’s eyes went wide. He laughed and dashed into the common room of The King’s Service as a boy of about five streaked past him into the kitchen.

“Uncle Cefiz!” Kael heard his son cry with delight.

“Aemmon!”

GLOSSARY OF CHARACTERS AND LOCATIONS

Ader:One of the second generation of Seraphim created by Avra to fill the gap after Awoi and Amird left the Nearing World. Ader represents the voice of Avra, commanding those on this world who will follow. Ader uses many aliases throughout the lands, including Jasper.

Aemmon Brelgson:The second son of Brelg, an innkeeper in the small town of Kelky. Aemmon was killed by the Malveel Methra while camping in the Nagur Wood.

Alel:One of the second generation of Seraphim created by Avra to fill the gap after Awoi and Amird left the world. Alel represents the Ear of Avra, hearing all the prayers and praise of his people. Alel resides in Forend, the original world of all Elves.

Amird:One of the first two Seraphim created by Avra to help and support the human race. Amird represents the intellect and creativity of the Creator. Amird turned on his Creator, murdered his brother Awoi and leads the forces of Chaos in an attempt to overthrow Avra’s power.

The Anvil:The military of the Keltaran Empire. All Keltaran men past a certain age are members of the Anvil. The Anvil is separated into units known as Hammers.

Astel:Once thriving kingdom on the plateaus to the east of the Mirozert Mountains. The warlock Izgra and his Ulrog stone men have conquered Astel. The palace and ruins surrounding it have been renamed Kel Izgra. It has become the seat of Chaos’s power on the Nearing World.

Avra:The Lord God and Creator of this world and countless others.

Awoi:One of the first two Seraphim created by Avra to help and support the human race. Awoi represents the heart and compassion of the Creator. His brother Amird murdered Awoi. Awoi is the father of Hrafnu the giant, first of the Keltaran people.

The Black:Manfir’s battle mount. Also referred to as the Prize by the Eru. A battle tested and high spirited animal.

Brelg Kelson:Owner of a small inn, “The King’s Service”,  in the town of Kelky. Raising two sons. Brelg is a retired sergeant of the Zodrian Guard and a highly respected military strategist.

Cefiz:The cook at “The King’s Service” in Kelky. Cefiz is a retired lieutenant of the Zodrian Guard and a former member of a highly decorated unit referred to as “The Orphans”.

Chani:General and Commander of the Grey Elf army.

Chimbre:Mysterious figure Kael spies upon. Chimbre is the grandson of Sprite. The Sprites are a group of Elves who left Luxlor to find their destiny in the Toxkri Swamp.

The Cliebruk:The mountain brook that flows from the peaks of the Zorim through the mountain city of Keltar and the valley of Hrafnu. It forms a pool at the gates of Hrafnu.

Corad Kingfisher:King of the island Kingdom of Rindor.

Counselor:A figure directing the actions of the Borz Windriders.

Delvi:A small enclave on the shores of the Lake of Calm Waters (Lake Eru) in the heart of the Eru plains. It houses the archives of the Delvin Scribes.

Delvin Scribes:A group of men dedicated to observing and recording all that takes place in the Nearing World. A prelate who directs all their efforts leads the Order of Delvi. The Order also has been known to prognosticate future events within their writings. The Book of Delvi is a collection of written works compiled by the Delvin Scribes. Their leader is the Prelate Nostr.

Diom:Grey Elf soldier in charge of the bridge over the Efer River set in the heart of the Nagur Wood.

Eidyn Valpreux:Grey Elf heir to the throne of Luxlor. Accomplished soldier and officer in the Grey Elf Army. Companion, friend and cousin of Kael.

Eirtwin Admir:Queen of the Grey Elves of Luxlor. Wife of King Leinor Valpreux. Mother of Eidyn Valpreux.

Ellow:Former commander of the Zodrian supply corps. Ellow was ostensibly killed by a group of Keltaran soldiers who ambushed him and his aide, Colonel Udas, at Rimdar Pass.

Eru:Nomadic tribesmen of the eastern plains. They protect long stretches of the North Country from invasion by the Ulrog Horde. They are master horsemen and have extensive herds of the animals.

Fenrel Stormbreaker: Captain of the King’s Guard in Keltar. Heir to the throne now that his brother has been exiled.

Flair:A young man and hand at his grandfather Hamly’s ranch. Initiate into the Zodrian Guard.

Grannak Stormbreaker:King of the Keltaran people.

Granu Stormbreaker:Exiled prince of the mountain Kingdom of Keltar. Son of Grannak Stormbreaker. Brother of Fenrel Stormbreaker. Chief Abbott of the Monastery of Awoi.

Gretcha:An ancient princess of the Zodrian kingdom. She was born unusually large and grew to a giant stature. Her father first kept her locked up, then banished her from the kingdom.

The Guard:The military of the Zodrian Empire. Recruits are selected and volunteers are typically rejected. It is quite an honor to be selected for the Guard.

Hamly:An old man used by Brelg to perform odd jobs around the inn.

Hilro:A mysterious figure that patrols the Nagur Wood.

Hindle:Blacksmith’s apprentice in the town of Quay.

Hrafnu:The son of Gretcha and the Seraph Awoi. He is the father of the giant Keltaran race. Hrafnu is the son of the Seraph Awoi and the Zodrian princess Gretcha.

Ituan River:A great river that gets its start in the Zorim Mountains to the west of Zodra. The river flows west to east across the lower third of Zodra and washes into the vast waterways of the Toxkri Swamp.

Izgra the Half-Dead:Warlock and worshipper of the Deceiver. Izgra is a usurper on the throne of Astel. The warlock has taken the reins of control over the minions of Amird upon the Nearing World.

Jasper:An old tinker and tradesman who travels amongst the villages in the south of the kingdom of Zodra providing goods and services to the people.

Kael Brelgson:The eldest son of Brelg, an innkeeper in the small town of Kelky.

Kelky:A small village in the southernmost part of the kingdom of Zodra. Kelky’s location has made it a forgotten outpost of the great kingdom.

Keltar:City and surrounding lands set within the steep peaks of the Zorim Mountains. Keltar is inhabited by a race of people known for their extraordinary size and heartiness. At war with Ulrog invaders from the north and in a centuries long blood feud with the Zodrian kingdom.

Krin: An Ulrog High Priest under the command of Vespewl.

Leinor Valpreux:King of the Grey Elves of the Kingdom of Luxlor. Husband to Eirtwin Admir, Queen of the Grey Elves. Father of Eidyn Valpreux.

Lilywynn:Mysterious girl Kael encounters on his journey north. Lilywynn is the daughter of Jenpry Sprite.

Lintos:A captain in the Rindoran army.

Lucyn Kingfisher:Queen of Rindor. Sister of Queen Tay of Zodra. Aunt of Prince Manfir.

Luxlor: Kingdom of Grey Elves set in the heart of the Southern Nagur Forest. Luxlor is a secluded and isolated kingdom.

Macin of Zodra: Current king of Zodra.

Malveel: Amird the Deceiver began his rebellion against the Creator by fashioning beasts to enforce his will upon the Nearing World. The thirteen Malveel rule all the minions of Amird.

Manfir of Zodra:The prince heir to the throne of the mightiest nation in all the world, Zodra.

Mestor and Wist:Former rulers of the kingdom of Astel. Overthrown by Izgra the Half-Dead and his army of Ulrog Hackles.

Methra the Worm:The 5th of the thirteen Malveel. Methra was once a powerful Malveel Lord, but failures and indecision have marginalized that power. Now, he does the bidding of Sulgor in hopes that it will ingratiate him with the Malveel king. Methra perished in the Nagur Wood at the hands of Hilro. He languishes in the burning mists of Chaos.

Netur:Eldest son of Hrafnu and Uttren of Keltar.

Nyven (Jilk & Trawney):Cattlemen from the Zodrian town of Trimble.

Olith Stormbreaker:Brother of King Grannak.Commander of the Keltaran army, the Anvil.

Order of Awoi:A religious order of monks dedicated to the ways of the Seraph Awoi. The monks of the order are known for their peace and compassion but are equally adept at defending themselves and considered fierce fighters.

Paerrow Admir:Nobleman in the court of King Leinor in Luxlor. Paerrow often represents the voice of the Grey Elf people in the confines of the king’s court.

Quirg Firebreather:The 9th of the Malveel. Quirg is of the lesser order of the beasts and as all Malveel he is to be feared but he does not command a high rank in their order. He is known to be impetuous and rash. Quirg perished at the hands of Aemmon Brelgson in the Nagur Wood.

Rin: The son of Jasper the tinker. Rin is a silent and expressionless man.

Rtem:An Ulrog High Priest under the command of Vespewl.

Scythtar Mountains:A range of treacherous peaks that runs west to east across the northern reaches of the Nearing World.

Seraphim:Beings created and set upon the Nearing World to care for and direct humans. Often referred to as Guides by the people. The first two Seraphim were Awoi and his brother Amird. The second pair was Ader and his brother Alel.

The Spear:Name given the Rindoran army.

Sprig “The Fox”:Mysterious figure Kael spies upon. A clever and secretive Sprite from the Toxkri Swamp.

Sulgor the Magnificent:The first of the thirteen Malveel beasts created by the Deceiver to be his emissaries on the Nearing World. Sulgor is the King of the Malveel and rules them as they in turn rule the multitude of Ulrog stone men. Sulgor had his power wrested from him by Izgra the Half-Dead.

Tarader:The mightiest of horses. Ader’s mount.

Tay:Rindoran noblewoman married to Macin of Zodra. Manfir’s mother. She has passed away.

Teeg Cin Fair:Old nobleman of the court of King Leinor in Luxlor. Friend of Brelg of Kelky. The Master of Spies. Master of disguise.

Toxkri Swamp:A gigantic maze of bogs, quicksand and jungle. The Toxkri lies on the southern border of the Eru plains. Its geographical distinction lies in its central location. A part of the swamp touches the Derol forest, the Eru plains, the Borz desert, the Nagur Wood and the Southlands of Zodra.

Ulrog:Men fashioned of stone and mud and given chaotic life by the Malveel. The Ulrog army is referred to as The Horde and  units of 13 stone men are packs. An individual Ulrog is often call a Hackle. They populate the Scythtar Mountains. (Knife Mountains).

Udas (The Hero of Rimdar Pass): A Zodrian colonel in command of the supply lines of the Zodrian army (The Guard).

Utecht:An old sergeant in the Keltaran Anvil.

Uttren:Zodrian refugee who became the wife of Hrafnu.

Nearing World:The world created by Avra.

Wynard:Zodrian commander of the cavalry corps.

Yanwin:Kael and Aemmon’s mother who passed away many seasons ago. Princess of Zodra. Sister of Manfir. Daughter of King Macin.

Zodra:The most powerful kingdom in the Nearing World. Zodra has stood for centuries as the main protector of the world against the forces of evil. Both the capital city and the kingdom go by this name.

Zorim Mountains:Mountain range that runs north to south forming the western border of the kingdom of Zodra. Home to the Keltaran kingdom.

GLOSSARY BY LAND OR RACE

ZODRIANS

Zodra:The most powerful kingdom in the Nearing World. Zodra has stood for centuries as the main protector of the world against the forces of evil. Both the capital city and the kingdom go by this name.

Aemmon Brelgson:The second son of Brelg, an innkeeper in the small town of Kelky. The Malveel Methra killed Aemmon.

Brelg:Owns a small inn, “The King’s Service”,  in the town of Kelky. Raising two sons. Former sergeant in the Zodrian Guard.

Cefiz:The cook at “The King’s Service” in Kelky. Former lieutenant in the Zodrian Guard.

Flair:A young man and hand at his grandfather Hamly’s ranch. Recruit in the Zodrian Guard.

General Ellow:Former commander of the Zodrian supply corps. Ellow was ostensibly killed by a group of Keltaran soldiers who ambushed him and his aide, Colonel Udas, at Rimdar Pass.

The Guard:The military of the Zodrian Empire. Recruits are selected and volunteers are typically rejected. It is quite an honor to be selected for the Guard.