As one, the fighters stopped and moved into standard formation, perfectly ordered rows that stretched back to the massive room’s doors. The Warriors looked almost identical, each dressed in the same uniform; formfitting black tunic and pants, black scarves covering their faces, leaving only their eyes showing.
Some eyes glowed with dragon’s magic, others did not.
As soon as they took formation, every person on the floor gave a single stomp of their right foot, creating a thunderous, intimidating boom. It gave me great pleasure to imagine that Shandar himself would have heard that sound from his throne of evil in the Dark Realm.
Silence descended on the room then, and it felt like everyone there was holding their breath.
“First Warrior Panatrin Algoran will now speak,” Annis announced.
The hundreds of Warriors of the Shadow, each one sworn to the Shadowsword, saluted, right hand pressed to their heart.
Waiting for me to speak.
Waiting for her. For the weapon that would deliver us from Darkness itself.
Yes. She would have to accept it all.
End of the first book of
SHADOWSWORD’S HAREM
Glossary
Proper Terms and Pronunciations
A NOTE ON THE SUVIA KYAN RACE:
Also called Dragonlords, the name Suvia Kyan literally means “Children of the Dragon.” The name is rooted in the belief that all Suvia Kyans are descended from the same dragon, Sarconis. Thus, Sarconis is often referred to as the Great Dragon, and many Dragonlords worship him as their divine God.
The Suvia Kyan magical system is separated into three powers, each originating from one of the three breeds of dragons. Every Dragonlord possess the ability to wield one of the three powers, Fire, Water, or Wind.
The dragons from which Suvia Kyan magic is believed to have originated are now extinct, the last such dragon reportedly having died over a thousand years ago.
Ancient stories tell that Suvia Kyans once had the ability to shift into dragons at will, however, none has been able to shift in nearly a thousand years.
Renowned within the supernatural community for their secrecy, Dragonlords rarely allow outsiders to know much about their culture or customs. So secretive are they, that only a small number of humans know they exist. Of those, few, if any, even know where Suvia Kyans live, except that they call their home The Sacred Ground, or, in the Suvia Kyan tongue, Sal Saya Zar.
By most, Suvia Kyans are believed to be deceitful and manipulative by nature. They refuse to aid those outside their race without exacting a price, which is never the price to which the seeker believes they agreed. This has given rise to the saying, “A Dragonlord’s help always comes with a price no one wants to pay.”
It’s common knowledge that Suvia Kyans carry a deep-seated hatred of humans, as well as for those of supernatural races, such as weres and the Fae. At the same time, there are organizations throughout the human world, such as law enforcement agencies, who have allied themselves with Dragonlords in secret. The reasons Suvia Kyans permit these alliances are usually kept secret from all but the Dragonlords involved.
Many of the customs Suvia Kyans adhere to appear extremely archaic to humans, especially when it comes to women. Female Dragonlords are rarely allowed outside the Sacred Ground. The proper Suvia Kyan term for a female of their race is believed to be shyen. The exact translation of the word is known only to the Suvia Kyan people.
Adam Griffin: The name Helena Griffin’s father was given at birth, though he has changed it many times. The current alias he’s using is Xavior Aaron. See Helena Griffin.
Amasynth: (AM-a-SINTH) Helena Griffin’s mother. Her maiden name is unknown, even to her husband.
“Ana tan tyuk.” (ANN-ah TAN TIE-ik) A Suvia Kyan phrase believed to be used to calm horses. The meaning is largely unknown to non-Suvia Kyans.
Annis Tandrin Robar: (AN-iss TAN-drin ro-BAR) Second in Command to Panatrin Algoran within the Warriors of the Shadow. See Panatrin Algoran; Warriors of the Shadow.
Demon Wolf: See Rakar.
Doman: (DOE-man) A title used for Hassik Zale by one of his men. Used as an honorific, so, “Doman Hassik.”
dragonfire: The magical fire once breathed and manipulated by the now extinct dragons from which those of the Suvia Kyan race who can wield Fire inherit their power. Dragonfire burns hotter and longer than regular flames. Suvia Kyans who possess fire magic are known as Firewalkers.
Dragonlord: A name commonly used for the Suvia Kyan race, both by their own people, and by those of other races. The name is used for both men and women, although it can also be gender-specific, referring to the men of the Suvia Kyan people. The proper name for a female Suvia Kyan is believed to be shyen. See shyen.
dragonsign: All Suvia Kyans have a tattoo-like representation of the dragon from which their magic stems somewhere on their bodies. Known as a dragonsign, the mark can appear anywhere, and is colored and shaped in accordance with whichever of the three breeds of dragon whose magic they posses.
For example, a Firewalker, a Dragonlord who’s magic lies in fire, has the ability to conjure fire as though from nothing, as well as to control flame. Firewalkers bare a red dragonsign in the shape of the fire dragon. A Watermaker has the ability to conjure and control water, and he or she bears a blue dragonsign, represented by a water dragon. Windwielders can manipulate and conjure wind, their dragonsign a golden wind dragon. Many Suvia Kyans, if not all, believe that one’s dragonsign is a reflection of the spirit of the dragon that lives within him or her.
dragonsteel: A Suvia Kyan metal forged in dragonfire and, thus, believed to have magical properties. Humans who have studied the metal have found no known way to damage or destroy anything made from dragonsteel, nor has anyone discovered how Suvia Kyans create it.
dragonsteel cuffs: Handcuffs used by Suvia Kyans who serve on the Dragonwatch Guard to bind humans and other non-Suvia Kyans. When worn by humans who possess magic, the cuffs sever the wearer from their power until they’re removed.
Dragonwatch Guard, the: A Suvia Kyan organization that serves as law enforcement over both the Suvia Kyan people, and, when they deem it necessary, other races. Similar to human police, the Dragonwatch Guard was originally intended to uphold the law of the Suvia Kyan people, as well as defend humans and Dragonlords against evil. Over time, the organization became corrupted, their purposes twisted to serve selfish and ignoble ends. Instead of defending the weak and protecting the innocent, many who serve choose to terrorize and even kill humans for amusement.
Currently those on the Dragonwatch Guard see it as their responsibility to seek out and destroy all forces of evil, as well as to exact justice upon those whom they believe have committed a crime against their people. It is said that members of the Dragonwatch Guard often bring justice whether outsiders want their interference or not, and regardless of the beliefs of any non-Suvia Kyan parties involved. Also less formally called the Dragonwatch.
Dragonwatch Guardsman: The title given to those who serve on the Dragonwatch Guard. Suvia Kyans who serve are also informally known as Guardsmen.
Elemental: An ancient, immortal race of supernatural beings whose powers are thought to be linked to some, perhaps all, elements. Before Shandar’s imprisonment in the Dark Realm, there were thought to have been thousands of Elementals, but following Shandar’s attack, most were wiped out so that only a few remain. Similar to the powers of Dragonlords, they could control elements such as water, fire, and air (referred to as Wind by Suvia Kyans), but some could control other elements, such as metals, minerals, and plant life. See Shandar.
Fae: (FAY) A race of ancient, immortal beings who possess powers those of other races can scarcely imagine. Reclusive, choosing to remain hidden from the world, and strictly refusing to involve themselves in the affairs of all other beings, their powers are thought to be tied to elements and nature. Notoriously mischievous and given to pranks, by most, the Fae are thought to have been extinct for hundreds of years.
&
nbsp; Firewalker: See dragonsign. See also dragonfire.
First Warrior: The leader of the Warriors of the Shadow. The position is currently held by Panatrin Algoran. See Panatrin Algoran; Warriors of the Shadow.
galsik: (GAL-sik) Humanoid creatures bred specifically to hunt humans. Produced with a mix of human and demonic characteristics, galsiks serve as hunters for the Shandarian Horde. They are able to detect trace amounts of human blood, often days after the trail has gone cold. Grey-skinned, with disproportionately long arms and legs, they walk hunched on all fours. When attacking, retractable hollow spikes hidden in their forearms protrude from their wrists, injecting prey with venom similar to a snake’s. They have a venomous bite, also comparable to a snake. Galsik venom can kill a human male within hours, and there is no known antidote.
Great Dragon, the: The name used for Sarconis by Suvia Kyans who worship him as their god. Less formally, “the Dragon.”
Hassik Zale: (HASS-ik ZALE) A high-ranking member of the Dragonwatch Guard. A Firewalker.
Helena Griffin: (Hel-LAY-ah GRI-fin) A human woman who makes her living hunting and destroying evil creatures, many of which are tied to Shandar, or are followers of him. She refers to herself as a monster hunter. Helena possesses magic that, thus far, appears to be elemental in nature, powers she’s long since learned stem from being a witch. Born to a human father without magic, she inherited her magical abilities from her mother. Like her father, she uses many aliases.
Hunter Boyd: A detective who serves in the New York City Police Department.
Kyas Danshar: (KAI-ess DAN-shar) A Dragonwatch Guardsman, once a commander on the Dragonwatch. A Windwielder.
Mien Han: (MINE HAN) In Suvia Kyan, “The Shadow Realm.”
Ngtara: (ing-TAR-ah) The Guardian of the Sword of Sarconis. Formally known as Ngtara, Fae of Fren, some say she’s the last Fae. She’s been trapped in the Cave of Mien Han for thousands of years, some say since the dawn of time.
Panatrin Algoran: (PAN-ah-TRIN al-GORE-an) Commander and head of the Warriors of the Shadow. A Watermaker Dragonlord. He is informally known as “Pan.”
Rakar: (RAY-kahr) A Demon Wolf who serves as the messenger of Shandar. In the time before the Dark Realm was closed imprisoning Shandar, Rakar served as the commander of the Shadarian Horde, and chief to his wolf minions. According to the few records that exist, Rakar led the ravaging forces of Shandar across many realms. At that time, he was also said to have been a companion to the most powerful witches of the age. See Shandar.
Rishtar: (RISH-tahr) An Elemental whose magic lies in the use of fire. See Elemental.
Sacred Ground, The: The name used by Suvia Kyans for the place they call home. In their language, Sal Saya Zar, which literally means, “The Sacred Ground.”
Sal Saya Zar: (SAL say-AH ZAR) The Suvia Kyan term for the home of their race. Since Dragonlords are so secretive, the location of Sal Saya Zar is one of the many mysteries of their people. In Suvia Kyan, literally, “The Sacred Ground.”
Sarconis: (sar-CONE-iss) The first dragon shifter from whom all Suvia Kyans descended, the father of their race. To many Suvia Kyans, he is their divine god. Among those who worship him, Sarconis is known as the Great Dragon. Dragonlords will not speak his name, believing that to do so is considered blasphemous.
sa’si: (sae-zye) A Suvia Kyan blossom. In the Suvia Kyan tongue, “heart blossom.”
Shadowsword, the: The heroine of an ancient Suvia Kyan prophecy. See Warriors of the Shadow. See also Shadowsword Prophecies, The.
Shadowsword Prophecies, The: A series of ancient Suvia Kyan prophecies. Most Dragonlords know nothing of the Shadowsword Prophecies, and among those who do, The Prophecies are often either reviled or revered. Dozens of scriptures pertaining to The Prophecies have been found, but those who know of them believe that the scriptures which have been discovered are but a fraction of the entire prophecy. Warriors of the Shadow devote their whole lives to seeing that The Prophecies are fulfilled. Informally known as The Prophecies.
Shandar: (shan-DAR) The root of all evil. He resides within the Dark Realm, where he was imprisoned over a thousand years ago. Among Suvia Kyans, he represents a devil figure, the antithesis of the Great Dragon, and the Dark Realm stands as their version of Hell. To those in allegiance to him, Shandar is also known as The Dark Lord.
Shandarian Horde, the: (shan-DAR-ee-an) The huge army of Shandar that once ravaged the Realms before their master was imprisoned in the Dark Realm is known as the Shandarian Horde. Many breeds of Demons and weres are believed to have been part of this army, as well as galsiks, vampires, and many other creatures rooted in evil.
shyen: (shy-EN) Believed to be the proper term for a Suvia Kyan female. In accordance with Suvia Kyan customs, their women are rarely permitted to leave the Sacred Ground. The exact translation of the word is known only to the Suvia Kyan people. See: Sacred Ground, the.
Sword of Sarconis, the: A powerful blade, said to have been forged with dragon’s magic by Sarconis himself, and held within a place known as The Shadow Realm, or “Mien Han” (MINE HAN) in Suvia Kyan.
Suvia Kyan: (SUE-vee-AH KYE-an) A race descended from long-extinct dragons. As a result of their ancestry, Suvia Kyans possess the magic that dragons once had. Legends proclaim that long ago they could shift into dragon form at will, but none has been known to do so in over a thousand years. Larger and stronger than humans, with better senses, each Suvia Kyan possesses the ability to wield one of the three dragon powers, Fire, Water, or Wind. In the Suvia Kyan tongue, literally “Children of the Dragon,” in deference to the Great Dragon, Sarconis. They are also called Dragonlords. See Sarconis.
Tondar: (TON-dar) In the Suvia Kyan tongue, “Wind Runner.”
Warriors of the Shadow, the: The organization devoted to the fulfillment of the Shadowsword Prophecies. Warriors of the Shadow see it as their duty to protect the Shadowsword and ensure that The Prophecies are carried out no matter what. Those sworn within the order believe one must be willing to sacrifice everything for the Shadowsword and The Prophecies if it is required, even giving up their own lives if necessary.
Watermaker: See dragonsign.
Windwielder: See dragonsign.
witch: In the days when the Shandarian Horde ravaged the Realms, there were women who were said to follow Shandar, gaining the power to wield magic through a mystical bond with him. These women were, and still are, known as witches. According to legend, a witch’s power lies mostly in the elements, but they were also said to have other abilities such as glamours and curse-casting. In many stories, they walked with wolves, took vampires as mates, could turn into bats or dogs, and controlled various vermin, such as rats and mice.
Dragonlords view witches as a blight upon the world. Those the Dragonwatch Guard do not hunt and destroy, they enslave, forcing them to serve as weapons whose powers are controlled by Guardsmen. How the Dragonwatch obtains control over a witch’s power is unknown. The term “witch” is usually applied only to humans. The term is meant to apply to women, but it can be applied to both genders. When the term is used for women only, males with the same powers are known as wizards. There is no known case of a wizard being enslaved as a weapon by the Dragonwatch, and the punishments for females who are connected to Shandar are often far more brutal than for the men.
witch weapon: A term used for females, specifically those who posses magic linked to Shandar, who are enslaved to the Dragonwatch Guard for the purposes of using their power as a weapon in battle. How the Dragonwatch obtains control over the witch’s power is unknown. There is no known case of a male being enslaved to the Dragonwatch for this purpose.
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