Like Fire Through Bone

by E. E. Ottoman

  He wanted Markos. He was not ready to live with him but he wanted Markos in his life in every other way. Maybe next they’d have a proper dinner. They could take their time, sit in the garden, talk about their pasts, what they wanted from the future or simple, ordinary things. He did not know if Markos liked to read, what he read or what he did when he wasn’t working. Maybe Markos could teach him to ride better or they could go to Markos’s villa in the country. They had the time and the freedom now, they could do any of that.

  They could learn to move forward together. If Markos was posted at the border again Vasilios would write him and wait.

  After the traveling around the countryside, the terrifying dreams and unbelievable things they had been through together, it seemed strange to want this, a quiet, normal life. Yet he did want it, and he wanted it with Markos.

  Maybe it would not work out between them. He prayed that it would but perhaps it would not. One could never truly see the hand fate and luck dealt them, but even if he were never to see Markos again, his life would go on.

  His decisions were his to make, even if he did not know what the future would hold. The rest of his life was undecided and as yet unplanned for.

  Vasilios found he rather liked it that way.

  Glossary

  These appendices explain and define terms and concepts specific to the world of the novel. While some of these words may have different meanings, they are presented here in the context of this story and the fictional world in which it is set. These appendices are not meant as a comprehensive list of terms and concepts used throughout the novel but to highlight information of particular interest or importance.

  IMPORTANT TERMS:

  Eunuchs: Eunuchs are males who have been fully castrated, involving the removal of both the penis and testicles. Within the Empire, eunuchs are nearly always slaves or at least begin their lives as eunuchs in bondage. They are not legally considered men, and therefore, they cannot carry swords, inherit property, marry, or own land. Eunuchs are not technically considered women either, although society considers them more like women than men. For instance, eunuchs must use the women’s side in public baths and latrines. There are two kinds of eunuchs: jewels and castratos.

  Jewels: A jewel is a eunuch who is castrated before puberty. Jewels are selected at an earlier age mostly based on physical beauty. They are then castrated, trained, and sold at quite a high price. Jewels are a type of concubine and thus are expected to serve their masters sexually, but they are also considered symbols of wealth and good taste. Because they are highly valued possessions meant to entertain and beautify, jewels are often trained in art or music as well as how to dress and present themselves to be the most aesthetically pleasing. Jewels are considered the height of beauty, and women—especially female concubines—will often attempt to dress and act like them. Generally a jewel will serve his owner from the time he is about twelve or thirteen to the time he is in his midtwenties. Jewels are considered at their most sexually desirable during their mid to late teens. Once they reach their midtwenties, jewels will often be considered no longer sexually desirable and become a household eunuch, usually assigned to serve the house’s mistress or one of the female concubines.

  Castratos: A castrato is a eunuch who is castrated after puberty. Often professional slavers will castrate a small number of slaves who are in their early to midteens to sell as castratos since eunuchs are worth far more than other slaves. Castratos are sometimes prisoners of war taken from other lands and sometimes not. Very rarely a slave will be castrated when he is no longer a teen. This is generally frowned upon since it is believed they are harder to train. Castratos are well educated and work as secretaries, bookkeepers, and household overseers. They are considered better than other slaves or even freemen at handling financial matters because eunuchs are believed to no longer have sexual desires or the capacity for receiving sexual pleasure, so therefore, they can concentrate more and think clearer than noncastrated men.

  Eunuchs’ double names: All eunuchs are stripped of their name—both surname and given name—when they are castrated. Instead they are given two names, a male name and a female name to represent their new identity of being between genders.

  Female concubines: While a man is only permitted to have one wife, he may have multiple concubines along with jewels. Like with jewels, having concubines is a symbol of wealth and prestige. Concubines often live in their own section of the house with their own servants, who are usually ex-jewels. Concubines must, by law, be well cared for; however, unless they are specifically provided for in the master of the house’s will, they will get nothing and be turned out on the street. Their children will also be considered illegitimate and therefore, have no inheritance.

  The Bishop of the Imperial City: The Bishop is the highest-ranking religious leader in the Empire. Below him is a council of bishops representing each of the provinces within the Empire. In truth, it is this council that makes most of the church decisions, although the Bishop of the Imperial City does have the power to overrule decisions. He is appointed by the Emperor, with agreement from the council, and his appointment is for life. He is referred to as either the Bishop or the Patriarch. He presides over all religious ceremonies involving the Emperor and acts as spiritual advisor for the Emperor.

  LOCATIONS:

  Northern Islands: Located on the far northwestern border of the Empire, the Northern Islands are populated by several cultures known to be skilled warriors and shipbuilders. They have been at war with the Empire periodically and have always managed to hold off invasions. Because of this, the northwestern border is considered the most dangerous and unstable border of the Empire. The Empire and several key clans of the Northern Islands have a peace agreement, but the situation remains tenuous. Mercenaries from the region who venture into the Empire are highly sought after and prized as bodyguards. They have unusually pale skin and often blond or red hair.

  The Island of the Wolf: The largest and the most aggressive of the Northern Islands is the Island of the Wolf. Warriors from the island are known as Northern Wolves and are feared throughout the Empire. Most men and often women are trained as warriors, which is considered the most honorable profession. These people are not Christian, but instead are polytheistic with strong religious and cultural taboos against magic of any kind. Thus magic is almost unknown among the people from this island.

  The Gray Isles: A collection of smaller islands, known as the Gray Isles, along with the Island of the Wolf make up the Northern Islands. The clans who live on these small islands are also known for producing excellent warriors. While they are also polytheistic, they worship different Gods than do the inhabitants of the Island of the Wolf. The people of the Gray Isles also rely heavily on magic, which is considered an everyday part of life. They and their neighbors have often been at war, although they are not above uniting to fight off the Empire’s invasion.

  The Southern Islands: Like the northwestern border, the southern sea is home to a collection of islands that border the Empire. These islands, however, are sparsely populated and contain mostly small villages of people who make their living fishing, farming, and raising goats. The Empire invaded these islands several decades earlier, and while the population fought, almost literally to the last man, they were overwhelmed. Very few of the original population still remain, since most were either killed or taken as slaves. The peoples of the Southern Islands are also polytheistic and worshipped not only a pantheon of Gods but also held a complex system of taboos and rituals to protect against bad luck.

  Nisii: The island of Nisii, where Vasilios was born, is the largest of the Southern Islands. Its population was almost completely wiped out during the war against the Empire to the point where it can no longer sustain itself. Most of the orchards, farmland, and all of the villages on the island were burned to the ground by the Imperial Army at the end of the war.

  The Flower Empire: The Flower Empire borders the Empire to the east. It is extremely old, t
echnologically advanced, and isolationist. It is geographically larger and has a greater population and standing army than the Empire. Because of this, the Holy Empire has never been at war with the Flower Empire, but they do hold multiple trading agreements.

  WARDROBE:

  Belts: Most people wear belts that not only give a tunic more tuck and shape but are also used to hang pouches or weapons. Usually the belts are made of cloth, but some people are able to afford leather. The highest members of court sometimes wear belts made of linked discs of metal, but such accessories are extremely costly and thus rare.

  Cloaks: In winter cloaks are worn by all classes and are almost exclusively made of wool. They are also part of the standard military uniform. Cloaks fasten, with either a tie or a pin, around the neck and often have a hood to shield the face.

  Jewelry: It is not uncommon for both men and women of high rank to wear rings, bracelets, necklaces, and sometimes even heavy earrings made of precious metals set with stones. Women often wear hairpins made of either wood or metal. Brooches or pins are also sometimes used to hold cloaks closed in the winter. All eunuchs wear tiny hoops in both ears, often of silver, which visibly mark them as eunuchs. Most of the lower classes do not wear jewelry at all.

  Long Tunics: Within the Empire, both men and women wear ankle-length tunics that fall straight from the shoulders and have wide sleeves. These garments are usually made of wool, but the upper classes often wear more costly linen, and the very wealthy sometimes prefer silk. These garments can be embroidered or have brightly colored woven edgings. The lower classes wear undyed cloth, while the more affluent enjoy clothes in varied and often bright colors.

  Military Uniforms: Soldiers wear short tunics, trousers, and boots. Over their clothing, they wear chain-mail shirts, steel greaves, which protect the leg from the knee down, and hard leather vambraces, which protect the lower arm. They also wear a helmet with a domed cap and nose guard. All soldiers carry swords and are issued cloaks, which are worn ceremonially and practically in colder weather.

  Scarves: Women wear scarves, a single piece of cloth maybe a foot wide, around their shoulders or upper arms. Eunuchs also wear these scarves and are required by law to use them to cover their heads when they are out in public, particularly if they are unaccompanied. This is one of several ways eunuchs are marked visibly as such, since often eunuchs, unlike other slaves, may dress well and present themselves as men of wealth or standing.

  Shoes: Craftsmen and soldiers often wear leather boots. The very poorest of the Empire bind their feet with felted wool or go barefoot. Most people wear slippers, either made of felted wool or, for the nobility, silk. Often these slippers are embroidered or dyed bright colors, and the soles are sometimes reinforced by wood.

  Short Tunics: Short tunics are worn by people from the Northern Islands although common laborers and soldiers within the Empire wear them. They usually fall to midthigh and can be either wool or linen. They are less often decorated with embroidery or trim.

  Trousers: Trousers that fit tight to the ankle but then either blouse out or stay tight to the leg are sometimes worn underneath long tunics, although it is still societally acceptable to go without. Both men and women wear trousers in this manner. With short tunics, trousers are often worn in the Northern style—wide and bloused at the leg and then tied tight with strips of felt from the knee down. Like tunics, trousers are most commonly made from a wool weave, but they can also be linen or very rarely silk.

  LAWS:

  Sodomy Laws: According to the Church and the State, it is illegal for two men to have a sexual relationship. However, there are several exceptions to this general law. Often men in the army will have sexual and even romantic relationships. This is socially considered natural and beneficial, and it is often encouraged by officers. Men cannot continue these relationships after leaving the army, however, and the power dynamic within these relationships is rigid and highly structured with the higher-ranking party taking the dominant role. Eunuchs are also exempt from these laws. A man can sleep with as many jewels as he wants without breaking the sodomy law. Castratos are also exempt under the law since they are not legally men. It is societally frowned upon to have sex with a castrato, although it still happens.

  Laws regarding the treatment of slaves: Any punishment is considered legally acceptable for a slave, including a eunuch. Killing one’s own slave does not incur any legal penalty, but killing another’s slave can lead to legal action, which usually involves a payment equal to the value of the slave. Mutilation and disfigurement are common punishments for slaves who commit major infractions such as stealing or running away.

  Methods of legally freeing a slave: Slaves may buy their freedom from their master by paying what they would be worth if they were to be sold. However, any money made by a slave may be confiscated at any time by his master. An already free party may also buy a slave’s freedom by paying what the slave is worth if the master consents to allowing his slave’s freedom to be bought. Finally the price of a slave may be paid directly to the Emperor, at which point it is up to the Emperor’s discretion to accept the payment and free the slave.

  Laws regarding heresy and blasphemy: Technically all forms of heresy and blasphemy, which is believing or preaching counter to official Church doctrine, are illegal and punishable by death. Blasphemy is the preaching of nondoctrinal views that slightly counter the teachings of the Church. Heresy is preaching something that is strongly against the doctrines of the Church or that differs on a major theological issue, such as the nature of redemption or the role of the priest as intermediary. The Church is mandated to investigate and punish all cases of heresy or blasphemy with any state resources required. In practice, the death penalty for heresy is only used in cases where the Church structure is seriously threatened. Thus high-ranking Church leaders who go against doctrinal teachings, those who amass a large following, or people with heretical views who show an interest in Church politics are imprisoned and/or executed. Cases of blasphemy are hardly ever punished by death, although interrogation and imprisonment may sometimes result. Monastic orders that go slightly against Church teachings, mystics and ascetics, small house churches, or theologians who hold different views on minor theological issues are mostly ignored.

  About the Author

  E.E. OTTOMAN is a geek and a gentleman. E. spends time mostly in libraries doing research, and sometimes, when there is no one else there, dancing in the aisles. E. has always adored speculative fiction, especially paperback fantasy and science fiction. E. loves a good ghost story and thinks every story becomes automatically better if you add tentacles. Overall, though, E. just loves a story that is fun to read. E. is especially fond of writing and reading stories with geeky, queer people doing awesome and sexy things.

  When not writing, E. loves cooking, knitting, cats, coffee, and looking dapper in menswear. E. is actively trying to change the world (and maybe the past) one novel and work of history at a time.

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