by C S Marks
Duinar (DOO-ee-nar): Asarla who founded the northern realm of Men known as Tuathas. He appeared to be very old, with a long snow-white beard and a lined, weathered face. He fostered Aincor Fire-heart as an infant, naming him Caladon, and later sent him to Tal-elathas. An earth spirit, he is known as “The Guide”.
Eádri (Ay-AH-dree): The Evening Star. Also a rune meaning “Light”
Eádros (Ay-AH-dross): Elven-realm, also known as the Realm of Light. From eádra (light).
Elàni (El-LAN-ee): Elves.
Èolar (AY-oh-lahr): High-elves who achieved the highest level of learning and skill. They were the largest and most powerful Elves, and were known as “Warrior-scholars” because of their intense curiosity and love of learning. From Èolas (knowing).
Faelani (Fay-LAH-nee): Eolarin Elf, sister of Vathan, life-mate of Aincor Fire-heart. Her name means “feminine”, from “Faela”(She-elf).
Kotos (KO-tos): Asarla of Tal-elathas, known as “The Persuader”. He can see into the hearts and minds of those he encounters. Kotos is a fire spirit. His hair and eyes are raven-black, and his complexion is golden-brown. His name means “powerful”.
Léiras (LEH-ee-ras): Asarla, friend and mentor of Dardis. He instructed Dardis in the making of objects that could be endowed with magical properties. A water spirit, Léiras possesses powers of premonition—his visions almost always come to pass. He is a ghostly-white, slender figure with long, pale golden hair and nearly colorless blue eyes. Name means “The Far-sighted”.
Rûmm (RHUM): Ancient and Great Dwarf-realm, known as the Deep Delving, which was lost in the War with the Eádram. From Rûm- (to delve).
Shadow (the): A terrible, evil manifestation of Lord Wrothgar, the Shadow frightens even its Dark Master. It surrounds enemies with clouds of illusion, causing them to turn on one another. The Shadow is invulnerable, and it devours the souls of its victims.
Shadowmancer: Wrothgar, the Dark Power of Alterra. He is thought by many to be an extremely powerful, black sorcerer, hence the name. His true nature and origin is unknown. He can appear in nearly any malevolent form he chooses, but he prefers to appear from within a peculiar black fire which is seen nowhere else. He is also sometimes referred to as the “Black Flame”.
Tal-ailean (Tal-EYE-lee-ahn): Elven-realm located in the Monadh-ailan. It is inhabited by various small, secretive groups of Cúinar known as the Elàni-ailan (green-elves). From tal- (realm) and ailan (green).
Tal-elathas (tal-EL-a-thas): Ancient realm of the Èolar, it was the greatest center of invention and discovery that has ever been. At one time there were no less than three Asari residing there: Leiras, Baelta, and Kotos. From tal- (realm) and elathas (wisdom).
Talon: Closest friend to Aincor Fire-heart, Talon always fought at the right hand of the King.
Tal-sithian, (SITH-ee-ahn): Green forested island in the great Lake known as the Linnefionn; the Elven-realm of the Asarla known as Arialde. From sithion (deer). It means “realm of deer roaming.”
Thayel (THAY-el): False name taken by Faelani in an effort to conceal her identity from Aincor. Faelani disguises herself as a wagon driver and speaks in a false, gravelly voice.
Tuathas (TOO-ah-thas): Greatest of all realms of Men, Tuathas alone possessed an Asarla. Because of this they were more enlightened than other men. The Tuathar were commonly known simply as “Northmen”. From “Tuath” (north).
Tuathar (TOO-ah-thar) sing. Tuathan: Men of the Northern Realm of Tuathas, lost in the rising of the Great Fire-mountain. Name means “north-man”, from tuath (north) and aridan (man). Because of the influence of their Asarla, they are tall and comely, hardy and strong.
Ulcas (UL-cas), sing. Ulca: Evil servants of Wrothgar, they are undoubtedly perversions of other races. They are varied, and some are quite formidable in battle, but most can prevail only through sheer numbers. All are ugly and completely hairless, with mottled, diseased skin. They dislike sunlight and live in dark places, marauding after nightfall.
Vathan (VAY-than): Brother of Faelani and warrior of Tal-elathas. Vathan has served since before Aincor was born. He serves faithfully in Aincor’s army, but does not particularly like him. His son, Aldamar, is the closest friend of Asgar, Aincor’s elder son.
Wind-walkers: Stealth messengers sent forth by Vathan to warn the enlightened realms of the upcoming war. Vathan does this in utter defiance of Aincor.
Wrothgar (ROTH-gar): Evil Being of Alterra, also known as the Shadowmancer and the Black Flame. Name means “Dark Fury”. From wroth (fury, wrath) and gor (dark).
Wyrrin: (WIR-rin): Healer of Tal-elathas who serves as Aincor’s second during the challenge of single combat.
About C.S. Marks
C.S. Marks has often been described as a Renaissance woman. The daughter of academic parents, she holds a Ph.D. in Biology and has spent the past two decades teaching Biology and Equine Science. She is currently a Full Professor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in west central Indiana.
She began writing shortly after the untimely death of her father, who was a Professor of American Literature at Butler University. A gifted artist, she has produced illustrations and cover art for all three books. She plays and sings Celtic music and a few examples of her songwriting may be found within the pages of Fire-heart. She enjoys archery, and makes hand-crafted longbows using primitive tools.
Horses are her passion, and she is an accomplished horsewoman, having competed in the sport of endurance racing for many years. One of only a handful of Americans to complete the prestigious Tom Quilty Australian national championship hundred-mile ride, she has described this moment as her finest hour.
She has been happily married for nearly three decades. She and her husband, Jeff, share their home with ten dogs (predominantly Welsh Corgis) and five horses. They live deep in the forest, where there are miles and miles of trail riding to be had.
Ebook available now, in print 2013!
Elfhunter
This is the tale of Gorgon Elfhunter, a monstrous, mysterious creature who has sworn to destroy all the Elves of Alterra—until none remain. It is the story of Wood-elven heroine Gaelen Taldin, who has sworn to rid her world of the Elfhunter even as she is hunted by him. The conflict between them creates a tangled web that blurs the line between Light and Darkness, love and obsession, free will and fate. Filled with moments both tender and terrifying, thrilling yet thought-provoking, it is a timeless epic fantasy suitable for readers of all ages. Join the Company of Elves, dwarves, mortal men, and delightfully intelligent horses. Come to Alterra—the “World that Is”.
Newly remastered by Parthian Press, with illustrations by the incomparable Hope Hoover, this second edition will intrigue and delight fans of the series as well as those who have yet to discover it.
“Best villain since Darth Vader!”
“Truly captivating! The eloquence with which C.S. Marks writes is extraordinary.”
“Breathtaking. Brutal. Brilliant.”
Fire-heart
In the Second of the Tales of Alterra, the World that Is…
…the Company embarks on a thousand-mile odyssey through vast lands both savage and civilized, where they encounter a great variety of strange, sometimes hostile people. Their eyes are opened to many wonders, but evil lurks at every turn as destiny takes them onto unexpected paths. Battling through blood, treachery, fire, and thirst, they reach a safe and peaceful haven only to face the ‘Scourge’—a terrible army of the worst dregs ever to roam the desert—and its nearly insurmountable weapon. Meanwhile, Gaelen of the Greatwood has summoned Gorgon Elfhunter to follow after her, knowing that the journey has only delayed their final reckoning. Should he find her, even the strength and will of the Fire-heart might not be enough!
Ebook coming in 2013
Ravenshade
In the third of the Tales of Alterra, the World that Is…
…the Elfhunter is forced into a confrontation with Gaelen of the Greatwood, setting into motion a tale of deceit and betrayal fro
m which neither may emerge. In an effort to prevail over his wily enemy, Gorgon forms a powerful, poisonous alliance with an ancient, sinister force darker and deadlier than any the Company has yet known. Each side must weave a web of deception that ultimately drives them deep into the ruined northern lands, even as the World of Alterra is plunged into war. Will the armies of Lord Wrothgar overwhelm all who stand against them? Does the fate of the Light rest on the shoulders of one small Wood-elf as Gaelen strives to defeat the Elfhunter at last? At the heart of it all is the Stone of Léir and the mighty but forlorn spirit trapped within it.
Ebook coming in 2013
Outcaste
The first in the new Alterran series:
Undiscovered Realms
The Defenders of Light despise you.
The Powers of Darkness would doom you.
What if you discovered that your ancestors committed the most shameful atrocities in history? What if your only chance to climb from the darkness of the past depends on the good graces of
your enemies? How will you convince them to aid you when they kill your people on sight?
You are the last hope of a struggling race, beset from all sides. No one wants you—everyone wants you dead. You have made your case before the Council of the Wise, but just as the first fragile trust begins to form, it is shattered. How can your former enemies ever trust you again? Will you find your way back into the Light or be forever Outcaste?
The latest from award-winning author C.S. Marks, Outcaste is the first in a new series beginning twenty years after the ending of the Elfhunter trilogy. A riveting tale told in the classic epic style, it is suitable for readers of all ages. Join the Company of intrepid adventurers (and delightfully intelligent horses). Come to Alterra, the World That Is.
Coming in 2014
Table of Contents
FOREWORD
Prologue: The History of the Fire-heart
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Epilogue—the Aftermath
Glossary
About C.S. Marks