by Sarah Ash
torii gateway to a shrine (the boundary between the mortal world and the world of spirits)
tsubaki mochi camellia rice cake
wagashi traditional sweet served with tea
yamabushi mountain holy man
yōkai supernatural creature, ghost, or monster (not necessarily evil or ugly)
yukata light, informal summer kimono, worn by both men and women
Honorifics
-chan affectionate term used toward children, girls, close friends, and family
-kun address used when speaking to a younger boy or man
-sama term of respect
-sensei title and honorific, used for anyone expert in a certain field (i.e. medicine, teaching, etc.)
Cast List
Cipangu is the name that Marco Polo gave to the country we now recognize as Japan. However as much of Marco Polo’s writings is now thought to be speculative fiction, so Tide Dragons, which is set in Cipangu, should be read as an historical fantasy inspired by the myths and legends of Heian Japan.
Clan of the Black Cranes (Black Crane – Kurozuro)
Kaito/Kai, younger brother of the clan lord, 17
Sakami, 17, a servant girl
Shun, 21, her elder brother, an archer
Hiroki, 31, another archer
Mai and Mami, 17, kitchen girls and twins
Kenta, 13, kitchen boy
Clan of the Red Kites (Red Kite – Akatobi)
Lord Toshiro (Akatobi no Toshiro)
Naoki, his son and heir, 18
Masao, 20, Lord Toshiro’s illegitimate son
Okitane, Lord Toshiro’s senior retainer
Raiko, 17, Okitane’s son and Naoki’s retainer
Yūdai, master of martial arts
Yūgiri Hisui, 21, a shaman healer
Yosanosuke Hisui, his father
Yoriaki, Kite Shadow Master
Chikaaki, senior shinobi
Kinkiyo, Master Swordsmith and Armorer
Beniko, his daughter, Saburo’s widow
Ren, her young son
The Imperial Court
Emperor Hotaru, 32
Empress Ayaka, his first consort, 16
Reika, her maid and bodyguard, 18
Lady Ochiba, 21, chief lady-in-waiting
Lady Miruko, 16 and Lady Hakase, 20, ladies-in-waiting
Lady Saisho, 32
Admiral Higekuro
General Nakakuni
Captain Yorisada
Princess Omiya, Ayaka’s mother
Lord Nagamoto, the Minister of the Right, Ayaka’s father
Lord Kiyomori, the Minister of the Left, Leader of the Mori Clan
Kobai, 13, the emperor’s page boy
In Exile
Suzaku, 34, the deposed emperor
Princess Yasuko, his consort
Prince Norihira, 5, their son and heir
Princess Asagao of the Black Cranes
Takeru, her elder son and Lord of the Black Cranes, 22
General Tachibana, Princess Asagao’s right-hand man
Isamu, 19, Takeru’s squire
Susumu, 17, his younger brother
Rikyu, 22, Black Crane archer and bodyguard
The Tide Dragon Temple and Monastery
Abbot Genko
Seishi-sensei, Kaishin’s mentor and tutor, an elder healer monk
Captain Garyo, leader of the warrior-monks
Immortals
Inari, the rice goddess
Honou, Sakami’s fox-familiar
Yukiko and Kane, Inari shrine guardians
Lady Chinatsu – White Celestial Fox, guardian of the capital Inari shrine
Lord Korechika – Black Celestial Fox, guardian, her partner
Kurika, a fire kami
Uguisu, White Nightingale, Hotaru’s shikigami
Prince Shiohiru, the White Tide Dragon of Ebb
Prince Shiomitsu, the Blue Tide Dragon of Flood
Acknowledgments
My thanks to:
Colin Murray for all his editorial expertise
Marcelle Natisin, for the amazing cover art and dragon chapter heading
Sarah Feinerman, for the cover lettering
John Richard Parker, my agent for many years
Diana & Matt Horner, Chantal Chevalier and all at eBook Partnership
My husband Michael
Sarah Ash
www.sarah-ash.com
Moths to a Flame
Songspinners
The Lost Child
The Tears of Artamon Trilogy
1/ Lord of Snow and Shadows
2/ Prisoner of the Iron Tower
3/Children of the Serpent Gate
Alchymist’s Legacy
1/ Tracing the Shadow
2/ Flight into Darkness
Tide Dragons
1/ The Flood Dragon’s Sacrifice
2/ Emperor of the Fireflies