Paths of Alir (A Pattern of Shadow & Light Book 3)
Page 103
A knock came, rooms away. He heard the distant door open and close and footsteps passing from tiled floor to carpet. Then he felt a presence arrive.
Gydryn turned his head. The man who stood in the portal was of medium build and height and wore a grey and black-striped turban. Dark eyes, deeply lined, regarded him shrewdly above a prominent nose and a heavy beard flashed with grey. He wore reserve like a cloak.
“Your Majesty.” He pressed a hand to his heart and bowed his head respectfully. “I am Rajiid bin Yemen al Basreh, Prime Minister of the Akkad, and we have much to discuss.”
***
When dawn broke upon the day, Pelas left Tanis to see a meal prepared for them. Tanis lay still atop the cliff, bathed in the light of a gilded sky. There was one last thing he had to do.
The knowledge hadn’t been in his lessons from his mother, yet he knew instinctively how to find the bond he shared with her, how to use it to travel the distance in a single thought.
And now…now he knew it was time to do so.
Letting his mind explore those wide vistas which joining minds with Pelas had opened to him, Tanis reached out across the bond—tentative, hopeful, jittery with anticipation. He’d bound himself to a Malorin’athgul just hours ago. Contacting his mother ought not to cause such unbridled nervousness.
Just when he thought he’d gotten it wrong, he felt her presence open to him, like a flower of light blooming in his mind. Her mental touch was so similar to the idea he’d formed of her during her lessons, and yet so much more.
Then he heard her voice, perceived her smile, and felt the warm sensation of an ethereal caress. Suddenly he was a babe in her arms again. He didn’t ever want to be anywhere else.
Tanis, love of my heart…
Mama!
###
Appendix
The Laws of Patterning
(Laws 1-12)
1. KNOW the effect you intend to create.
2. What applies to one applies to all.
3. Create newly each effect.
4. Positive determinism is necessary to the intended effect.
5. A wielder is limited by what he can envision.
6. Energy responds to positive thought.
7. A wielder succeeds in the alteration of energy, space and time in inverse proportion to his agreement with the material universe.
8. All patterns are the result of effort channeled along a specific vector; thus, patterns are the product of force.
9. Do not counter force with force, channel it.
10. Energy cannot be unmade, merely transformed.
11. All things are formed of patterns.
12. A pattern need not be perfect, but the wielder’s concept of it must be.
The Esoterics
(A sampling)
1. Absolute Being is the entire concept of actuality. Corollary: Absolutely Being is the exact form, material composition and position in space as modified by time.
2. Patterns lay within the boundaries of Absolute Being.
3. The wielding of Form must encapsulate Absolute Being.
4. Time results from the application of an intention that matter and space will persist. Thus, time and space are monitored by Absolute Being.
5. Absolute Being must equal the scope of a wielder’s concept of effect.
11. A wielder is limited by what he can envision himself envisioning.
12. Space, energy, time and form are the result of thought applied to intention.
15. Doubt of intention results in diminished effect on a gradient scale.
20. The strands are divisions of energy as applied towards creation of life, form, time, thought, elements. Thus, all laws of patterning follow also the laws of energy.
21. Actuality is monitored by the wielder’s point of view. Reality is monitored by collective thought agreement.
22. Illusion becomes reality when a) collective agreement is achieved on the existence of the illusion and b) when enough agree that the illusion should persist.
Dramatis Personae
The Five Vestals
Alshiba Torinin—the First Vestal and Alorin Seat, an Adept Healer
Dagmar Ranneskjöld—the Second Vestal, a Nodefinder
Seth Silverbow nach Davvies—the Third Vestal, an avieth of the Wildling races
Raine D’Lacourte—the Fourth Vestal, a truthreader and raedan
Björn van Gelderan—the Fifth Vestal, also called the First Lord
The Malorin’athgul
Darshanvenkhátraman (Dar´shan – vin ka´tra mahn) called Darshan
whose name means Destroyer of Hope; also known as the Prophet Bethamin
Pelasommáyurek (Pe´las – oh my´yur eck) called Pelas
whose name means Ender of Paths; also known as the artist Immanuel di Nostri
Rinokhálpeşumar (Rin´och – cal pesh´oo mar) called Rinokh
whose name means The Mountain That Flames
Shailabhanáchtran (Shale´ – ah bah nock´trun) called Shail
whose name means Maker of Storms
The Sundragons (Drachwyr)
Dhábu’balaji’şridanaí (Da´boo – ba lah´gee – shree´da-nye) called Balaji
whose name means He Who Walks The Edge Of The World
Şrivas’rhakárakek (Shree´vas – rah kar´akeck) called Rhakar
whose name means The Shadow Of The Light
Jayachándranáptra (Jai´ah – shan´dra – nap´tra) called Jaya
whose name means Rival Of The Sun
Ramuhárikhamáth (Rah´moo – hareek´amath) called Ramu
whose name means Lord of the Heavens
Amithaiya’geshwen (Ami-thi´ya – gesh´win) called Mithaiya
whose name means The Bosom of God’s Nectar
Náeb’nabdurin’náiir (Ni eb´– nab dur´en – ny´ear) called Náiir
whose name means Chaser Of The Dawn
On Tanis’s travels in Agasan
Phaedor—a zanthyr
Madaé Lisbeth—Seneschal of the Villa Serafina
Madaé Giselle—Head cook of the Villa Serafina
Nathalia—a cook at the Villa Serafina
Loghain—a Tyriolicci (called Whisper Lord by the races of men)
Dional—Huntmaster of the Villa Serafina
Kendir—A huntsman at the Villa Serafina
Birger—Tanis’s valet at the Villa Serafina
Liam van Gheller—Endoge of the Sormitáge
Felix di Sarcova della Buonara—a Devoveré Nodefinder studying at the Sormitáge
Malin van Drexel—a Nodefinder working on his Maritus thesis at the Sormitáge
Isahl N’abranaacht—a literato at the Sormitáge University
Monseraut Greaves—Imperial Historian and maestro at the Sormitáge University
Giancarlo—A truthreader in the service of the High Lord of Agasan
Vincenzé—An Adept Nodefinder and wielder in service of the High Lord of Agasan
Sinárr—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms
Agasan’s Imperial Household
Valentina van Gelderan—Empress of Agasan
Marius di L'Arlesé—High Lord of Agasan, Consort to the Empress
Nadia van Gelderan—Princess-Heir of Agasan
On Ean’s Travels
Isabel van Gelderan—Epiphany’s Prophet, High Mage of the Citadel, sister to Björn
Immanuel di Nostri—An artist and painter from the Fourth Age; Pelas’s alias
Dareios Haxamanis—Prince of Kandori
Ehsan Haxamanis—Princess of Kandori
Yasmin Haxamanis—Princess of Kandori
Nîga Haxamanis—Mother to Dareios
Bahman—Cousin to Dareios
Naveed—Brother by marriage to Dareios
Dorn, Baz, Lem and Poul—men in service to Isabel
In T’khendar
Carian vran Lea—a pirate of Jamaii, an Adept Nodefinder
Gwynnleth—an avieth from Elvior
Julian d’Artenis—a fifth-strand
Adept from Jeune, Veneisea
Markal Morrelaine—a wielder, one of the First Lord’s three generals
Balaeric de Parma—a pirate from Alorin, now a gypsy Iluminari
Bjorn’s Council of Nine
Björn van Gelderan—the First Lord and Alorin’s Fifth Vestal
Cristien Tagliaferro—an Adept truthreader
Anglar Tempest (deceased, revived as a Shade)
Dunglei ap’Turic (deceased)
Parsifal D’Marre (deceased)
Arion Tavestra (deceased)
Markal Morrelaine—a wielder, one of Björn’s three Generals
Ramuhárikhamáth—a drachwyr, one of Björn’s three Generals
Malachai ap’Kalien (deceased)
The Fifty Companions (those known to be living)
Pavran Ahlamby—a truthreader
Usil al’Haba—a Nodefinder
Elien ap’Gentrys—an Adept wielder
Gannon Bair—a truthreader
Karienna D’Artenis—an Adept Healer
Laira di Giancora—an Adept Healer
Mian Gartelt—an Adept Healer
Viernan hal’Jaitar—an Adept wielder
Socotra Isio—a Nodefinder
Ledio Jerouen—an Adept Wildling
Dore Madden—an Adept wielder
Mazur of Elvior—an Avieth of Elvior
Franco Rohre—a Nodefinder
Delanthine Tanner—an Adept wielder
Thessaly Vahn—An Adept Healer
Devangshu Vita—a Nodefinder
Niko van Amstel—a Nodefinder
Members of the Royal Family of Dannym
Gydryn val Lorian—King of Dannym
Errodan Renwyr n’Owain val Lorian—Queen of Dannym
Ysolde Remalkhen—the Queen’s Companion; a Fire Princess from Avatar
Ean val Lorian—Prince of Dannym, the youngest son
Trell val Lorian—Prince of Dannym, the Queen’s treasured middle son
Sebastian val Lorian—Prince of Dannym, oldest son and heir to the Eagle Throne
Creighton Khelspath—ward of Gydryn, blood-brother to Ean (now a Shade)
Ryan val Lorian—brother to Gydryn, posted as Dannym’s Ambassador to Agasan
Fynnlar val Lorian—son of Ryan, the royal cousin
The Warring Princes & Their Allies
Emir Zafir bin Safwan al Abdul-Basir—Akkadian Emir, Unifier of the Seventeen Tribes
Rajiid bin Yemen al Basreh—Prime Minister of the Akkad
Radov abin Hadorin—Ruling Prince of M’Nador
Viernan hal’Jaitar—Radov’s wielder (see The Fifty Companions)
Taliah hal’Jaitar—daughter of Viernan; an mor’alir Adept
The Prophet Bethamin (also known as the Malorin’athgul Darshan)
Dore Madden—an Adept wielder serving the Prophet (see The Fifty Companions)
Raliax—a Saldarian mercenary serving Dore Madden
The Karakurt—a female truthreader, leader of an infamous ring of assassins
Fazil—Captain of the Guard at Darroyhan
Hafiz—a sailor at Darroyhan
Thrace Weyland—an Adept truthreader and purveyor of information
The King of Dannym’s Cabinet & Guard
Morin d’Hain—Spymaster
Donnal val Amrein—Minister of the Interior
Mandor val Kess—Minister of Culture
Vitriam o’Reith—truthreader to King Gydryn
Kjieran van Stone—(deceased) Agasi truthreader; killed on assignment in Tambarré
Rhys val Kincaide—Lord Captain of the King’s Own Guard
Jasper val Renly—a captain in the Dannish army in M’Nador, elder brother to Bastian
Bastian val Renly—a lieutenant in the King’s Own Guard, younger brother of Jasper
Cayal—a soldier in the King’s Own Guard, taken hostage in the Kutsamak
Dorin—a soldier in the King’s Own Guard, taken hostage in the Kutsamak
Brody the Bull—bodyguard to Fynnlar val Lorian, taken hostage in the Kutsamak.
Of the Peerage of Dannym & Their Households
Gareth val Mallonwey—Duke of Towermount and General of the West
Tad val Mallonwey—Heir to Towermount
Katerine val Mallonwey—daughter of Gareth, engaged to Creighton Khelspath
Lisandre val Mallonwey—daughter of Gareth
Loran val Whitney—Duke of Marion and General of the East
Killian val Whitney—Heir to Marion
Melisande d’Giverny—(deceased) mother to Alyneri
Prince Jair—(deceased) Prince of Kandori, father of Alyneri
Alyneri d’Giverny—Duchess of Aracine, an Adept Healer
Tanis—an Adept truthreader, Melisande’s ward
Farshideh—(deceased) a Kandori midwife, Seneschal of Fersthaven
Stefan val Tryst—Duke of Morwyk
Wilamina—Dowager Countess of Astor
Ianthe d’Jesune val Rothschen—Marchioness of Wynne
Wilem val Rothschen—Marquess of Wynne
The Contessa di Remy—wife of the Agasi Ambassador’s Aide
The Seventeen Gods of the Akkad
Jai’Gar—the Prime God
Azerjaiman—the Wind God
Sons of the wind god—North son, Shamal; South son, Asfal; East son, Sherq
Daughter of the wind god—West daughter, Qharp
Shamash—God of Travelers and the Poor
Inanna—Goddess of War
Naiadithine—Goddess of Water
Enlil—God of Earth and Agriculture
Inithiya—Goddess of Restoration (Spirit)
Angharad—Goddess of Fortune (Fate)
Thalma—Goddess of Luck (Virtue)
Huhktu—God of Bones
Baharan/Baharani—The two-headed God of Blood/Goddess of Birth
Ha’viv—the Trickster God, patron of thieves
Glossary of Terms
Underlining within definitions denotes words that may be found in this glossary.
Adendigaeth (aden´– di gay´uth) [Old Alæic] 1 Rebirth, regeneration 2 A festival in celebration of the Winter Solstice lasting varying lengths but traditionally ending on the Longest Night.
Adept (a´-dept) n. [Old Alæic] 1 One born with the instinctive ability to sense and compel one of the five strands of elae 2 A race of such persons, each with attributes intrinsic to the strand of elae that modified them [an adept of the third strand] 3 A Healer, Nodefinder, Truthreader, or Wildling.
Alir (ah -leer´) n [Agasi] 1 lit: heart-light 2 The path followed by an Adept during the course of his life; also referred to as the path of destiny, especially in the vernacular of the Palmers 3 Indicating either of the two valid paths of elae able to be followed by an Adept inducted into the Vestian Sorceresy. See also hal’alir and mor’alir.
Angiel (ahn gēl´) n. [Old Alæic] The Maker’s two blessed children, Cephrael and Epiphany, who were made in the Genesis to watch over His worlds.
Ascendant n. [Cyrenaic ascendere, to climb] A priest or cleric serving the Prophet Bethamin. Ascedants are marked by tatooes denoting their rank and function.
Avieth (ay´ vee uth) n. [Old Alæic, bird] A third-strand Wildling race of shapeshifters with the ability to asssume two distinctly separate forms: human and hawk.
Awaken (ah wā´ ken) v. [Old Alæic] Adepts who have Returned awaken to their inherent abilities usually during the transition of puberty but sometimes as early as two years of age.
Balance (bal´ans) n. [
Catenaré (ca-ten ah´-ray) n. [Old Alæic, catēna, a chain] The second ranking of Adept enrolled a
t the Sormitáge University. Adepts wear the Catenaré cuff until they pass their invocation trials to advance to Maritus status, usually a span of five to ten years of study.
Cephrael (sef´ray-el) n. [Sobra I’ternin] The Maker’s blessed son. Ascribed as the Hand of Fate, Cephrael is responsible for administering the Maker’s ultimate justice. See also Angiel.
Companions – See Fifty Companions
Devoveré (de-voh ver´-ay) n. [Old Alæic, to vow] The fourth ranking of Adept enrolled at the Sormitáge University. Adepts are awarded their Devoveré ring (often called a Sormitáge ring) upon successful completion of the Devoveré Trials. Gaining a Devoveré ring automatically entitles an Adept to membership in the Guild respective to their strand.
Docian (dos´ see-an) n. [Old Alæic docilis, readily taught, equivalent to doc (ēre) to teach + -ian] The first ranking of Adept enrolled at the Sormitáge University. Adepts wear the Docian collar from their earliest years until they pass the invocation trials to advance to Catenaré status, usually a span of five to eight years.
Drogue wolf (droag) n. [Origin unknown] A sentient animal, larger and more intelligent than a common wolf, which roams the mountains of Agasan. It is most often found in the Navárrel, the Geborahs and the wild ranges of the Hallovian plateau.
Drachwyr (drak´wēr) n. [Old Alæic] An Adept of the fifth strand of elae: the drachwyr were banished to the icy edges of the realm in the year 597aV. Also called a Sundragon.
Elae (e-lā´) n. [Old Alæic, elanion, life, force; the power of life] 1 The itinerant (roaming) energy that, in its accumulation and formation, creates the pattern that becomes the foundation of a world 2 Pertaining to any of the five codified strands of this energy, each with distinctly separate attributes.
Epiphany (ē pif´fany) n. [Sobra I’ternin] The Maker’s blessed daughter. Epiphany is the speaker of the Maker’s will and is often turned to in prayer by those seeking divine blessing. See also Angiel.
Espial (espy´-al) n. [Cyrenaic espyen