Intimations of Evil (Warriors of Vhast Book 1)

by Cary J Lenehan

  Panic: the smaller moon of Vhast. It orbits in 28 days.

  Pavitra Phāṭaka: capital and largest city of Haven. It is made up of the riverbanks at the wide mouth of the Rhastaputra River and many islands in the river. The islands are connected by bridges and ferries. It also houses the University, which is the premier magical training site west of the mountains.

  Peelfall: a large town in Haven on the Rhastaputra. It is the most northerly of the major settlements and separated from Garthang Keep by forest. The riverbank south of it has been cleared and is dense with people.

  Pope: head of the Catholic Church.

  Plague, the: see Burning, the.

  Platys Dromos: the Imperial Freight service of Darkreach. They shift heavy loads of important materials and cover 32km in a day in flat terrain.

  Pūrvī Taṭa: the eastern shore of the Rhastaputra River at Pavitra Phāṭaka.

  Rakis lacoum: a sweet jelly-like confection common in the Caliphate and Darkreach. In English a version of it is called Turkish Delight.

  Recorder: a senior university official in Haven in charge of all the staff and students at the university.

  Rhastaputra River: the largest river in The Land. It drains from the north-west hills down to Haven along the base of the Southern Mountains and so provides drainage to much of the wettest areas. It is navigable for most of its length to Evilhalt.

  Richfield: see Brickshield

  Riq: a small finger drum.

  Roving Insackharl, the: an inn at Mouthguard.

  Samalaiṅgika: Hindi for a lesbian.

  Sacred Gate: see Pavitra Phāṭaka

  Sasar: a mining town on the west of the Great Plain. They mine iron ore and the town is covered in dust from the mine.

  Scholars Isle: see Vidvānōṁ Dvīpa

  Sesterces: A silver coin from Darkreach that weighs 25g and is worth 150 nummus.

  Seven: Hobgoblin legends maintain that there are seven old Gods and an unknown number of Eldest ones.

  Seytanyi: depending on context this Arabic term may mean Satan or any of the major demons.

  Shaman / shamanka: mages and religious leaders of the Kara-Khitan.

  Shelike: a large town in Haven upstream of the capital. It is the centre of the elephant trade.

  Silentochre: This is a large town at the head of the Oirmt Reach and the mouth of the Oirmt River in Darkreach.

  Slain Enemy, the: the newly renamed tavern in Evilhalt.

  Snake: not only the animal, but also a Clan of the Kara-Khitan

  Somniofulgio: A pernicious vine found in the jungles. It has climbing claws and will attach to anything. If its leaves are collected at night they may be dried and smoked as a mild hallucinogen. The smoke is aromatic and has a sweet smell.

  Southern Mountains: the entire mountain chain from the Darkreach Gap to the southern seas. This is over two-thirds of its length.

  Southpoint: The most southerly settlement in Darkreach, usually reached only by sea. It is on the Demaresque Creek at the head of a small bay with a fairly narrow but deep inlet.

  Spearleaf: This is a short plains dwelling herb with upright stems with spear-blade shaped leaves coming straight from them. It has a cluster of white flowers at the top and has green berries. A potion may be made from its roots, which is a poison. A second potion may be made from its leaves, which cures sleeping sickness. Its berries may also be eaten and they are a strong hallucinogen.

  Subadar: the lowest Havenite Officer rank.

  Sundercud Creek: a watercourse in the north-west that marks the southern boundary of The Brotherhood.

  Superhumeral: a detachable collar used in Darkreach formal costume and by priests of both Catholic and Orthodox Churches. It is at least embroidered and is often heavily jewelled.

  Swamp, the: known to its inhabitants as The Confederation of the Free, this is the area of jungle and swamp morass and tangled rivers between haven and the Southern Mountains. Its inhabitants have a notoriously light-fingered approach to other people’s property.

  Tagma: In Darkreach the basic unit of the land-based military is a patrol of 12 men (or women). Twelve of these form a company (or tourma if cavalry) with one of them as a command element. Ten companies or tourma make a kentarkhion or century. A tagma is made up of ten Centuries or Kentarkion. Four Tagmata make up a Regiment. A Tagma may contain cavalry, infantry and/or engineers.

  Tahlin: This is a small species of jungle shrub up to 1 metre tall. Its leaves, when boiled, produce a waxy substance that is compounded to make a depilatory cream, which is usually yellow. It also acts as a skin balm and can sometimes clear up rashes, acne and similar. It has mild antiseptic properties and can be compounded with other herbs for a mixed effect. It smells similar to roses. It is a difficult plant to grow and there is very limited success in growing it commercially.

  Talent: a coin of the independent villages, it is made of gold and weighs 20g. It is worth 2,000 follis.

  Tar-khan: the leader of a Clan.

  Temple Island: see Mandira Dvīpa

  Terror: the larger moon of Vhast. It has an orbit of 36 days and determines the months.

  Thrall: one of the terms used to denote a slave, a thrall has different rights and duties in different cultures. In Freehold it is for life, in the Brotherhood for many generations and in Wolfneck for a fixed term.

  Toppuddle: This is a small town of several thousand on the Oban River in Freehold. It is ruled by Archibald Neville, Baron Toppuddle, who has some Royal troops in addition to garrison. The town currently has a small incomplete wall that is being finished. It is the seat of a Bishopric at the cathedral of St Basil the Great. It owes its existence to agriculture and manufacture of anything that needs water and water power. It has extensive water-powered mills using a series of aqueducts and waterways and tanneries, vellum making, and paper making. There is a small mint, permanent market, a farmer's market each day except Krondag and an annual fair celebrating some noted local martyrs (the Blessed Martyrs of Toppuddle) that culminates on Pancake Pali with a big parade. There are wharves for river boats and a large area set aside for caravans that cross the plains.

  Tuman: a part of a Kara-Khitan Clan and ruled by a Su-Khan. It will generally have around a hundred effective combatants.

  Vinice: a very large Havenite town on the Rhastputra between Peelfall and Shelike.

  Unguent: an ointment.

  University of Pavitra Phāṭaka: the main site for mage training outside Darkreach.

  Vidvānōṁ Dvīpa: or Scholar’s Isle, site of the University and home to many mages and people who work in that area.

  Walla: any cloth made from the wool of llamas, alpacas or similar animals. It is significant to some mages.

  Wanderjahr: the Year of Discovery for the Kara-Khitan. A person about to become an adult will take a year to travel where they will to help find their destiny. They wear special marks to show that they are above normal violence and feud. Most stay within the land of the clans, but there is no restriction. This is one of the most important Rites of Passage for that society.

  Westway: a small hamlet being built to the west of Evilhalt.

  White World, the: the Arctic lands of Vhast. Most people are unaware of its existence. Called the Northern Waste by the people of Wolfneck.

  Wolfneck: A small town with a wooden palisade on an earth rampart in the forest at the mouth of the Methul River. The forests around it produce furs in abundance and much fishing and whaling take place in the waters around here. Unusual in that the main language used is Darkspeech (with a distinct local accent) due to it once having belonged to Darkreach. All of the population are part Kharl.

  Wootz: a form of steel that creates an effect like Damascening or pattern-welding. It makes a superior weapon or piece of armour that is very resistant to breaking or penetration and keeps a good edge.

  Yãqũsa: This is a small town on the Khãbũr Rũdh (or river). It is the most northerly settlement in the Caliphate.

  Yuggel River: a river leadi
ng from the northern mountains to the Methul. The Dwarf village of Diamondroot is beside it.

  Zils: small cymbals attached to the fingers and used by dancers.

  Cast

  Amin Ramanujan: junior battle mage at Garthang Keep and part of Rani’s escort north.

  Amos: younger brother to Stefan, leatherworker in Evilhalt.

  Anani Roy: Innkeeper of the Fisherman’s Arms in Erave Town.

  Anastasias, Father: senior Orthodox priest at Evilhalt.

  Antonio: caravan guard to Bianca’s caravan. Horse is Firestorm.

  Arthur: a young guard in Evilhalt.

  Astrid Tostisdottir (the Cat): A part Kharl girl from Wolfneck, in the far north of The Land. She is fleeing an unwelcome marriage to Svein. Experienced at sea and as a fisher, she is now a Ranger. Attractive but for a strong jaw and lengthened incisors (she has a strong bite). She is tall and statuesque, with pale blonde hair. Her mother has been dead many years, her father is Tosti. She can lap up drinks and purrs when having sex.

  Ava: servant at ‘The Dead Enemy’ in Evilhalt.

  Ayesha: A ghazi or assassin of the Caliphate. She is one of the rare women of that culture who is allowed independence and has received an education at Misr al-Mãr as a Ghazi (Holy Warrior). In return she must obey any order of those who are placed above her. Part of her education is to give her cover as entertainer. She is the minor daughter of Hãritha, the Sheik of Yãqũsa. She is short, slim, very attractive, bright, ambidextrous and has superb senses and a beautiful soprano voice. She has black hair and eyes and a tiny waist. Good at climbing and tracking, can ride well. Usually uses knives (including to parry), can use bow and horse mace.

  Basil Akritas or Kutsulbalik (nickname from great-grandfather): Is a mostly human (one sixteenth kharl) who appears as a youth just out of his apprenticeship (although he is ten years older). He is an experienced member of the secret police (or Antikataskopeía) of Darkreach and is of the Orthodox faith (as it is practiced in Darkreach). He comes from Southpoint from a military family.

  Bianca: She is a foundling from Trekvarna. She is a stablehand and learning trader who can sing well and play a flute. She is good at working with horses (and horses love her) and can cook. Intelligent and average appearance, uses daggers and sling. Can smell treachery. Sworn an oath to St Ursula to avenge the death of Rosa. Horses are Sluggard, Sirocco & Firestar. Sings husky contralto.

  Christopher, Brother: A newly graduated Orthodox priest. He was born in the north of The Land at one of the hamlets of Greensin. Staff enchanted against evil.

  Cosmas Camaterus: Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church for the south of The Land (from Evilhalt and including the southern independents). He is based in Erave Town. He is tall with a large beard. He is usually happy and smiling.

  Cynric the Smith: Mayor of Erave Town, father of Godiva.

  Dharmal: Dwarf and leader of the brigands who attack Bianca’s caravan. He rules Mousehole and acts as the main servant of the Masters in The Land.

  Francesco: a merchant of Bianca’s caravan. A dealer in books (among other things), he had what Dharmal was searching for, a very old atlas of the southern mountains that shows where Dwarvenholme is.

  George, Father: A newly graduated priest in Erave Town. He travels with Rani to Evilhalt. He is married to Godiva, daughter of Cynric the Smith and went to seminary with Brother Christopher and is his friend.

  Giorgio, Father: younger Orthodox priest at Evilhalt.

  Giacomo: guard of a caravan containing Bianca. Betrayed caravan to Dharmal. One of the rapists and killers of Rosa. Friend of Mongtu.

  Godiva: daughter of Cynric the Smith, married to Father George.

  Gudrid: girl of Wolfneck, greenish skin, friend of Astrid.

  Habib Asen: merchant from Antdrudge in Darkreach. Employs Theodora and Basil as guards.

  Hamid: cobbler from the Caliphate now living in Erave Town. He plays an oud. He is the father of Ibrahim.

  Hãritha: the Sheik of Yãqũsa in the Caliphate and father of Ayesha.

  Helga: girl of Wolfneck with a very Kharl-like appearance.

  Howard: stableboy and bodhran player at ‘The Dead Enemy’ in Evilhalt.

  Hrothnog: The immortal God-King of Darkreach.

  Hulagu: A young Khitan tribesman with ten toes. His tribe and totem is the Dire Wolf. Skilled bushman, tracker and hunter, very intelligent, he has very acute senses. Uses bow, mace and shield, lance and darts. He can teach. Has a destiny predicted by Nokaj. His horse is Kirghiz, two horses from bandits.

  Ibrahim: Muslim born and living in Erave Town. He plays a riq (small drum). His father is Hamid.

  Indira: a petite and attractive cavalrywoman, second in command to Sanjeev Dahl.

  Kale: one of Theodora’s Granmer’s (female ancestors). She is six hundred years old, but looks to be thirty.

  Kitzez: of the Bison, a Khitan who attacks Hulagu as he sets out and is killed by Bianca.

  Koyunlu: of the Dire Wolf, a Khitan who attacks Hulagu as he sets out and was a part of the attack on Bianca’s caravan. He is tortured and executed by Bianca.

  Kraznik: Alat-kharl animal handler for Habib Asen.

  Leonas of Goldentide: He is in exile from Freehold as a heretic. He is Orthodox, but his sister, whom he rescued from execution, is a witch. He is now Captain of the militia of Erave Town. He is a grim man, stocky and with a close-cropped beard. He usually wears half plate.

  Loukia: a cousin of Theodora who is married to another female cousin Verina as well as two husbands.

  Malik: a hunter of the Pack-hunter clan who helps Bianca and Hulagu defeat the bird demons and then escorts them to Evilhalt. He is also Kãhina’s cousin.

  Marakes: son of Toluy, Tar-khan of the Dire Wolves.

  Maryam bint Suliman: owner of the ‘The Grey Doe’, an inn in Ardlark that caters only to well-to-do women of any race.

  Metropolitan: although not named here, the Metropolitan of the North at Greensin is called Basil Tornikes.

  Miriam: many time grand-daughter of Hrothnog and cousin of Theodora. She is married as first wife to Hassan, third son of Sheik Abdul Mohammed ibn Hasid, ruler of the Caliphate.

  Mongtu: guard of a caravan containing Bianca. He betrayed the caravan to Dharmal. Friend of Giacomo.

  Nobah, Master: Innkeeper at ‘The Slain Enemy’ (until recently ‘The Dead Kharl’) in Evilhalt. Employs Howard (stableboy and bodhran player), Ava (servant).

  Nokaj: grandfather of Hulagu, senior shaman to his tuman.

  Ordin: cousin of Hulagu, son of Tulan, Khitan scout.

  Ordu: hetman or leader of Hulagu’s tuman.

  Panterius, General: Darkreach Intelligence.

  Paulo: caravan guard to Bianca’s caravan. Horse is Sirocco.

  Petrus, Brother: a very young monk in the Orthodox monastery.

  Rani Rai, Shri: A woman of Kshatya (warrior) caste in Sacred Gate, capital of Haven who is both an astrologer and a battle mage. She has a minor post at the university. Her grandmother is a fortune-teller and her mother is a minor water mage. Destined to love and marry Theodora. Horses are Lakshmi and Juggernaut.

  Rosa: pretty young animal handler from Freehold. Raped, tortured and murdered. Among the rapists are Giacomo and Koyunlu. Bianca is sworn to avenge her.

  Saidah: an eight-year old girl who works at ‘The Grey Doe’, an inn in Ardlark.

  Sanjeev Dahl: Subadar (junior officer) of cavalry at Garthang Keep, Rani’s escort commander on the way north.

  Salimah al Sabah: alias of Theodora when leaving Darkreach.

  Siglevi the Short: Human Baron of Evilhalt. He uses an axe.

  Simon, Father: chief village priest at Wolfneck.

  Simon of Richfield: a traveller and chronicler from before The Burning and even from before the Schism of the Church. He wrote a book called ‘My Travels Over the Land and Beyond’.

  Sparetha: mother of Hulagu, master horsewoman and trainer, fletcher, very skilled archer. Her mother is ‘from the east’ and was a thrall.

&nbs
p; Stefan: A young soldier from Evilhalt. He is sick of seeing the world pass through his village and he wants to pass through the world instead. From a craft background (leatherworker) he has an inherited magical sword called Smiter.

  Sudacanth Rajnavamurthi, Shri: Maharajah of Haven.

  Svein: man of Wolfneck, suitor to Astrid. He is an ugly (Kharlish appearance), violent drunkard and around 40 years old. He owns a ship and is a rival of Astrid’s father.

  Theodora: Great-great-granddaughter of Hrothnog. She is not entirely Human, a mage and, at 120 years, is far older than the late teens that she appears to have. She is also experienced (and is usually disguised as) heavy cavalry, a Kataphractoi. She uses, as an alias ‘Salimah al Sabah’. Her horse is called Esther. She falls in love with Rani.