Kings of Sorcery

by Robert Ryan

  Harak: war – peace

  War can exist without peace. But peace cannot endure without war, or the threat of war, because always there will be those that seek to steal, or enslave, or conquer. War also gives birth to invention. Yet too, it kills the young and the strong and those that one day may otherwise have achieved greatness. But this also is true. War brings vigor to the nation, training the strong in mind and body, giving them discipline and skill. Peace allows the weak to prosper. This in turn makes a society susceptible to those that would bring war. And yet, above all, it is in the heart of most people to seek peace. Yet the leaders of nations, though few in number, bring the many to battle.

  This then is the moral: war and peace are two sides of the one coin. The wise prepare for war when peace reigns, as also they prepare for peace when war strides across the land. Only fools expect one state or the other to prevail without cessation.

  Rasallher: mountain peak – valley

  High atop the mountain, a man looks down and surveys the majesty of the world. “It is beautiful,” he says. That same man, days before, looked at the mountain peak from the valley beneath its shadow. “How beautiful,” he said. “What a creation of majesty!” The mountain and the valley are the same. The man is the same. Only his perspective has changed. It is no different with mountains than anything else. A man may invest his fortune only to lose it. But having lost it, he may say “such is life. I will rebuild my empire.” Or he may take his own life. It is perspective only.

  This then is the moral: in dealing with friends, family, warriors, rivals, other empires, put yourself in their shoes. Discern their perspective. Understand them. Then you can better predict what they will do. And also, in this manner, you will learn of yourself.

  Hassah: water – dust

  Of dust, the earth is made. To dust, all life returns. Nothing is so barren as the dry sands of a desert, yet even in the arid waste life blooms. How so? The gift of water. When it rains life springs to action. A great race commences. Live. Breed. Send offspring into the world. Then comes again the time of sleep. Deep in the soil life burrows and protects itself. There, dormant, it waits through the long years of drought. Until the water comes again. Then once more the great race commences.

  This then is the moral: even the witless seed and the dumb animal knows when to act and when non-action is required. The wise man follows nature’s example. Act when it is propitious to do so. Hold back, wait, show patience when it is not. In this way, the wise turn the cycles of nature and the tides of human affairs to their advantage.

  Durath-har: earth – air

  Of the earth, life is born. It nurtures plants and animals, which in turn nourish man. Yet it is from the air that rain falls and through the sky that the sun shines. Without which no life can prosper and all the land would be barren as it is in a cave. And even as the earth is still, unmoving and unchanging, the air flits and drifts and grows hot and cold, ever transmuting. Yet what is earth by itself, or air on its own? Nothing. Nowhere places void of life.

  This then is the moral: all forces on earth and heaven meet, and in that meeting opportunity is birthed. Rain gives rise to new growth. Heat withers grass and tree and shrub, but the desert flowers bloom where once the grass grew. Until the grass rises in its turn and smothers the land once more. Seek to anticipate the cycles of life and the hearts of men. When the cycle shifts, opportunity has already passed.

  Orok-hai: the hanged man – the fugitive

  Men are hanged in the empire for certain offences. Yet it is human nature to want to avoid penalties for crime. Some, though, on being caught will admit their guilt. Are these wise men or fools? Is it better to admit guilt and die with a satisfied conscience than to try to hide a crime? And what of the criminal who escapes, yet repents, and later does good in the world? Yet also there are those that are caught, admit their guilt, but remain unrepentant. The heart of a man is a dark place, a mystery greater than the thousand stars.

  This then is the moral: in dealing with people expect that which is unexpected. The condemned may fight all the harder despite knowing they cannot win. Or the victorious tyrant may be magnanimous. But if you study them, learn how they have behaved in the past, and then you will better know how they will react in the future. Some men were born to be hanged.

  El-haran: the wanderer – the farmer

  In the heart of people is a desire to see new things. When the ibis gather and of a sudden flock north, do we not wish to go with them? The call of strange skies, the lure of the next hill, the next valley, the next wood or the taste of a new spring is strong. Such things sing to us and fill our hearts. Yet also something else takes root in our soul. The love of the land to which we are born. It is in our blood. We feel it in our feet as we tread the soil. It is in the familiar air we breathe, and being deprived of this land our spirit weakens even as a man falters that struggles to catch his breath.

  This then is the moral: the hearts of people are divided. They will sometimes say one thing, yet do another. At one moment they are kind, at the next vexatious. A thief may do a noble deed, and an emperor steal from the poor. Such is the dichotomous nature of humanity. But people act under the influence of their internal impulses or external stimuli. The wise man studies these internal and external rhythms in their associates and enemies. Therefore, they can better predict how a person will react under what forces.

  Fallon-adir: soaring eagle – roosting sparrow

  It is a fact universally known to mankind that eagles soar in the sky, wheeling, circling, riding the waves of air with nobility. But the sparrow is a creature that chatters away in shrubbery. It is plain. It is the least beautiful of birds. It gathers in flocks for it is timid and there is safety in numbers. Therefore, the eagle is admired and the sparrow a pest. Yet, is it not also true that the eagle is an opportunistic feeder that hunts or scavenges carrion as circumstances dictate? Is this then more noble than a sparrow? Is the eagle to be admired more because of its size? Is the sparrow lesser because it congregates as a community?

  This then is the moral: all creatures and things have their place under the sun. Beware of false assumptions, unearned grandeur, reputations and the prideful opinion of others. Watch, learn, study and draw conclusions based on fact and untainted opinion. Test your discoveries against reality. This is the path to wisdom.

  Urhash-hassar: multiplicity – nadir

  Life teems in soil, air and water. Yet catastrophe comes in its turn through flood, drought, earthquake and sickness. Disaster razes life and destroys worlds. Yet from calamity new life rises, different, stronger. What then is the normal state of affairs of humanity? Is it multiplicity? Shall we spread over the earth, leveling forests, drying swamps, harvesting river and sea until the teeming waters are emptied and the tread of our boots tramps all the world? Or shall we in turn succumb, our bones and flesh nourishing the soil for new life? In days of old it is rumored civilizations existed before us. The tales tell that they were stricken down. And well may we wonder if they in their turn heard rumors of those that went before.

  This then is the moral: it is foolish to believe in gain without loss and endless growth. It is not the way of nature. Yet also it is foolish to believe in defeat and oblivion. The wise man hopes for one and strives to prevent the other. The sage accepts all fates, and thereby rises above them. That person can smile in the face of nadir and feel the sadness of multiplicity – yet is chained by neither.

  Appendix B: Encyclopedic Glossary

  Note: the glossary of each book in this series is individualized for that book alone. Additionally, there is often historical material provided in its entries for people, artifacts and events that are not included in the main text.

  Many races dwell in Alithoras. All have their own language, and though sometimes related to one another the changes sparked by migration, isolation and various influences often render these tongues unintelligible to each other.

  The ascendancy of Halathrin culture, combined with their
widespread efforts to secure and maintain allies against elug incursions, has made their language the primary means of communication between diverse peoples.

  For instance, a merchant of Cardoroth addressing a Duthenor warrior would speak Halathrin, or a simplified version of it, even though their native speeches stem from the same ancestral language.

  This glossary contains a range of names and terms. Many are of Halathrin origin, and their meaning is provided. The remainder derive from native tongues and are obscure, so meanings are only given intermittently.

  Often, Duthenor names and Halathrin elements are combined. This is especially so for the aristocracy. Few other tribes of men had such long-term friendship with the immortal Halathrin as the Duthenor, and though in this relationship they lost some of their natural culture, they gained nobility and knowledge in return.

  List of abbreviations:

  Cam. Camar

  Comb. Combined

  Cor. Corrupted form

  Duth. Duthenor

  Hal. Halathrin

  Kir. Kirsch

  Prn. Pronounced

  Alithoras: Hal. “Silver land.” The Halathrin name for the continent they settled after leaving their own homeland. Refers to the extensive river and lake systems they found and their wonder at the beauty of the land.

  Anast Dennath: Hal. “Stone mountains.” Mountain range in northern Alithoras. Source of the river known as the Careth Nien that forms a natural barrier between the lands of the Camar people and the Duthenor and related tribes.

  Aranloth: Hal. “Noble might.” A lòhren of ancient heritage and friend to Brand.

  Arell: A famed healer in Cardoroth. Companion of Brand.

  Arnhaten: Kir. “Disciples.” Servants of a magician. One magician usually has many disciples, but only some of these are referred to as “inner door.” Inner door disciples receive a full transmission of the master’s knowledge. The remainder do not, but they continue to strive to earn the favor of their master. Until they do, they are dispensable.

  Asaba: Kir. “White stone – marble.” A disciple of Horta, but not of inner door status.

  Azanbulzibar: A fabled city in the far south of Alithoras.

  Baldring: Duth. “Fierce blade.” Once a lord of the Duthenor. Father of Galdring.

  Black Talon: The sign of Unferth’s house. Appears on his banner and is his personal emblem. Legend claims the founder of the house in ancient days had the power to transform into a raven. Disguised in this form, and trusted as a magical being, he gave misinformation and ill-advice to the enemies of his people.

  Brand: Duth. “Torch.” An exiled Duthenor tribesman and adventurer. Appointed by the former king of Cardoroth to serve as regent for Prince Gilcarist. By birth, he is the rightful chieftain of the Duthenor people. However, Unferth the usurper overthrew his father, killing both him and his wife. Brand, only a youth at the time, swore an oath of vengeance. That oath has long slept, but it is not forgotten, either by Brand or the usurper.

  Breath of the dragon: An ancient saying of Letharn origin. They believed the magic of dragons was the preeminent magic in the world because dragons were creatures able to travel through time. Dragon’s breath is known to mean fire, the destructive face of their nature. But the Letharn also believed dragons could breathe mist. This was the healing face of their nature. And the mist-breath of a dragon was held to be able to change destinies and bring good luck. To “ride the dragon’s breath” meant that for a period a person was a focal point of time and destiny.

  Brunhal: Duth. “Hallowed woman.” Former chieftainess of the Duthenor. Wife to Drunn, former chieftain of the Duthenor. Mother to Brand. According to Duthenor custom, a chieftain and chieftainess co-ruled.

  Callenor: Duth. One of several tribes closely related to the Duthenor. This one inhabits lands immediately west of the Duthgar.

  Camar: Cam. Prn. Kay-mar. A race of interrelated tribes that migrated in two main stages. The first brought them to the vicinity of Halathar, homeland of the immortal Halathrin; in the second, they separated and established cities along a broad stretch of eastern Alithoras. Related to the Duthenor, though far more distantly than the Callenor.

  Caraval: Hal. Comb. Duth. “Red hawk.” A childhood companion of Brand.

  Cardoroth: Cor. Hal. Comb. Cam. A Camar city, often called Red Cardoroth. Some say this alludes to the red granite commonly used in the construction of its buildings, others that it refers to a prophecy of destruction.

  Careth Nien: Hal. Prn. Kareth ny-en. “Great river.” Largest river in Alithoras. Has its source in the mountains of Anast Dennath and runs southeast across the land before emptying into the sea. It was over this river (which sometimes freezes along its northern stretches) that the Camar and other tribes migrated into the eastern lands. Much later, Brand came to the city of Cardoroth by one of these ancient migratory routes.

  Char-harash: Kir. “He who destroys by flame.” Most exalted of the emperors of the Kirsch, and a magician of great power.

  Conmar: Cam. An alias of Brand.

  Dernthrad: Duth. “Head shield – a helm.” A farmer of the Duthgar.

  Dragon of the Duthgar: The banner of the chieftains of the Duthenor. Legend holds that an ancient forefather of the line slew a dragon and ate its heart. Dragons are seen by the Duthenor as creatures of ultimate evil, but the consuming of their heart is reputed to pass on wisdom and magic.

  Drunn: Duth. “Man of secrets.” Former chieftain of the Duthenor. Husband to Brunhal and father to Brand.

  Durnloth: Duth. Comb. Hal. “Earth might.” Young sheep herder of the Duthgar.

  Duthenor: Duth. Prn. Dooth-en-or. “The people.” A single tribe (or less commonly a group of closely related tribes melded into a larger people at times of war or disaster) who generally live a rustic and peaceful lifestyle. They are breeders of cattle and herders of sheep. However, when need demands they are bold warriors – men and women alike. Currently ruled by a usurper who murdered Brand’s parents. Brand has sworn an oath to overthrow the tyrant and avenge his parents.

  Duthgar: Duth. “People spear.” The name is taken to mean “the land of the warriors who wield spears.”

  Elùgai: Hal. Prn. Eloo-guy. “Shadowed force.” The sorcery of an elùgroth.

  Elù-haraken: Hal. “The shadowed wars.” Long ago battles in a time that is become myth to the Duthenor and Camar tribes.

  Elùgroth: Hal. Prn. Eloo-groth. “Shadowed horror.” A sorcerer. They often take names in the Halathrin tongue in mockery of the lòhren practice to do so.

  Ermenrik: Duth. “Tallest tree in the forest.” Trusted servant of Unferth.

  Galdring: Duth. “Bright blade.” A lord of the Duthenor. Son of Baldring.

  Garamund: Duth. “Spears of the earth – trees.” An old warrior of the Duthenor.

  Gingrel: Duth. “Yellow river – a river mined for gold.” A Callenor vassal to Unferth. Given lordship of a hall by the usurper.

  God-king: See Char-harash.

  Grinder: A man-like creature of Duthenor legend that haunts fells and fens. Said to be born of a lightning strike in swamp water, but there are other tales of his origin. He hates men, and hunts those who stray into his shadow-haunted lands. Reported to shun weapons, but to kill by the enormous strength of his arms alone.

  Halathar: Hal. “Dwelling place of the people of Halath.” The forest realm of the immortal Halathrin.

  Halathgar: Hal. “Bright star.” Actually a constellation of two stars. Also called the Lost Huntress.

  Halathrin: Hal. “People of Halath.” A race named after an honored lord who led an exodus of his people to the land of Alithoras in pursuit of justice, having sworn to defeat a great evil. They are human, though of fairer form, greater skill and higher culture than ordinary men. They possess a unity of body, mind and spirit that enables insight and endurance beyond the native races of Alithoras. Said to be immortal, but killed in great numbers during their conflicts in ancient times with the evil they sought to destroy. Those conflicts are
collectively known as the Shadowed Wars.

  Haldring: Duth. “White blade – a sword that flashes in the sun.” Sister of Galdring. A shield-maiden.

  Harad: Duth. “Warrior.” An old farmer, and husband of Hromling.

  Har-falach: Kir. “Ruler/heavenly/mystical falcon.” One of the lesser gods of the Kar-ahn-hetep. Often depicted as a man with wings and the head of a hawk.

  Harlach: Etymology unknown, but not considered to be of Duthenor origin. An ancient witch of Duthenor and Camar folklore whose life has spanned hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Reclusive, often wicked and according to some legends the mother of a monster that roams the night hunting and killing men.

  Hathalor: Kir. “Tresses of the sun – a lion’s mane.” One of the lesser gods of the Kar-ahn-hetep. Often depicted as a man with a lion’s head.

  High Way: An ancient road longer than the Duthgar, but well preserved in that land. Probably of Letharn origin and used to speed troops to battle.

  Horta: Kir. “Speech of the acacia tree.” It is believed among the Kar-ahn-hetep that the acacia tree possesses magical properties that aid discourse between the realms of men and gods. Horta is a name that recurs among families noted for producing elite magicians.

  Howe: A large mound of turfed earth, usually covering a stone structure, that serves as a tomb.

  Hromling: Duth. “Frost foam – snow.” An old farmwife, spouse of Harad.

  Hruidgar: Duth. “Ashwood spear.” A Duthenor hunter.

  Immortals: See Halathrin.

  Kar-ahn-hetep: Kir. “The children of the thousand stars.” A race of people that vied for supremacy in ancient times with the Letharn. Their power was ultimately broken, their empire destroyed. But a residual population survived and defied outright annihilation by their conquerors. They believe their empire will one day rise again to rule the world. The kar-ahn element of their name means the “thousand stars” but also “the lights that never die.”