by Chris Evans
Visyna tensed in his arms. “What did you say?”
He squeezed her tight. She felt perfect, too. “I told him I was happy, and that I was back where I belong.”
Visyna frowned. “But you hate the forest.”
Konowa leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Forest, what forest? All I see is you.”
She reached up and wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling his face to hers. The touch of her lips on his was warm and soft. They pulled away slowly, and then started walking back down the path hand in hand.
“No sparks,” Konowa said, licking his lips.
Visyna playfully jabbed him in the ribs and as he bent over she wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him to the ground. “I’ll show you sparks,” she said.
Konowa held her tight and did indeed feel sparks. Twice.
If the forest had anything to say, Konowa couldn’t hear it.
He finally realized, he didn’t have to.
Arr An aromatic, if bitter, bean grown in hot climates that when dried and then boiled in water creates a drink that awakens and revives.
Bayonet Typically a ten-inch piece of steel shaped like a dagger and attached to the end of a musket. Used primarily for close-in fighting as a stabbing weapon.
Bengar A large, carnivorous predator weighing up to eight hundred pounds and usually sporting black fur with dull red stripes, large fangs, and a short tail. The full extent of their range is unknown. One male of the species, Jir, has been adopted as mascot of the Iron Elves.
Black powder Also known as gunpowder, it is a mixture of coal, sulfur, and saltpeter that when ignited by a spark creates an explosive reaction. Used in muskets and cannons.
Blood oath Oath taken by the Iron Elves pledging loyalty to the regiment. Due to Major Konowa Swift Dragon’s possession of an obsidian acorn from the Shadow Monarch’s Silver Wolf Oak at the time of the oath, all the soldiers are now bonded to the regiment and increasingly under Her sway, in death and beyond.
Brindo A rare deer species native to Elfkyna known for its floppy ears and distinctive dull black hide of interlocking plates.
Caerna Traditional Hyntaland elf garb of cloth worn around the waist and reaching to the knee. Soldiers in the Iron Elves wear caernas though the officers do not, as they are often mounted on horses.
Cannon A large length of metal tube with a smooth bore that fires projectiles such as iron cannon balls over long distances. Gunpowder is used as the explosive force. Typically made of brass for smaller sizes and iron for larger ones.
Carronade A very large, short-barreled cannon capable of firing a heavy projectile over short distances.
Colors Every regiment in the Calahrian Imperial Army carries two large flags known as the Colors into battle. Usually made of cotton with fine wool stitching, one flag bears the Queen’s royal cypher while the other the regimental crest.
Crute Rock spice chewed by dwarves. The powder is rich in mineral ores and has the side effect of turning the user’s teeth metallic in color.
Darkly Departed The nickname given to the shades of the dead of the Iron Elves.
Dïova gruss Elvish, meaning a lost one, referring to an elf that has bonded with a Silver Wolf Oak and been overwhelmed by the purity of its magical powers.
Drakarri Name for drake spawn that legend suggests were the offspring of the mating between the wizard Kaman Rhal and a she-drake (dragon). The creatures walk on four legs, have large jaws filled with sharp teeth, and spit pure white fire.
Drukar A heavy, angular blade favored by many dwarves over the battle-ax for its ease of use and durability in battle.
Faeraug Also known as dog spiders, these eight-legged creatures attack their prey with a pair of curving pincers at the front of their heads.
Halberd A long pole of perhaps eight feet or more, often topped with a metal spear point and/or ax blade. Carried by NCOs as an easy way to identify them on the field of battle.
Housewife Small cloth or leather pouch containing such items as a needle and thread and used by soldiers to mend their uniforms.
Jewel of the Desert Name of the Star believed to be returning to the Hasshugeb Expanse. Also known as the Blue Star.
korwird A long and thin multi-legged creature with needle-sharp teeth much like a centipede, except korwirds can grow more than twenty feet in length. Previously thought extinct.
Linstock A wooden staff that holds a length of lit cord used to ignite the gunpowder in a cannon.
Maiden Works Dwarf metal foundry specializing in weapons manufacture, especially the drukar.
Muraphant Standing more than fifteen feet tall, with huge ears, a long trunk, and a pair of curving tusks of black ivory, the animal is used in Elfkyna to carry supplies.
Musket A muzzle-loading, smooth-bore firearm that fires lead balls by way of a gunpowder charge placed at the base of the barrel by a ramrod.
Puttee A long strip of cloth used to wrap around a soldier’s leg from the ankle to below the knee.
Rakke A large, bipedal carnivore growing up to eight feet tall and known for its ferocity and willingness to attack any living thing. Once thought to have been hunted to extinction, its return is credited to the magic of the Shadow Monarch.
Ramrod A thin metal rod used to press a lead ball and powder charge down the barrel of a musket.
Red star Also known as the Star of the East and the Star of Sillra, this Star of Knowledge and Power returned to Elfkyna during the Battle for Luuguth Jor.
Regiment The standard military unit of the Calahrian Imperial Army comprising several hundred men armed with muskets and usually led by an officer holding the rank of colonel.
Rok har Elvish for tree’s blood, meaning tree sap. As prepared by the elves of the Long Watch, the liquid acts to give the drinker renewed vitality.
Ryk faur/faurre Elvish for bond brother/sister, referring to the magical bond that is created between an elf and a Wolf Oak.
Saber A long, curved sword used primarily by the cavalry.
Sarka har Elvish for blood tree, one of the sapling offspring of the Shadow Monarch’s Silver Wolf Oak. These trees thrive on the blood of the living.
Shabraque A covering placed over a saddle to protect from wear. This covering is typically colored and embroidered to signify the regiment the rider belongs to.
Shako A tall, cylindrical hat with a leather peak worn by soldiers in the Calahrian Imperial Army. It is typically adorned with a metal badge, plumage, or other devices to identify a particular regiment.
Shatterbow Double-barreled crossbow that fires explosive darts. This is Sergeant Yimt Arkhorn’s main weapon.
Siggers Nickname given to soldiers in the Calahrian Army derived from the silver-green color of their uniform jackets.
Sreex A bird with large, leathery wings and a whiskered muzzle instead of a beak. It was once thought to be extinct.
Wolf oak Ancient tree species able to channel the natural power of the world. They were brought to a state of sentience by the first elves, and since then form a magical bond with elves. Silver Wolf Oaks are rare and channel the purest energy. Elves bonding with Silver Wolf Oaks typically are unable to cope with the energy and become dïova gruss as they lose themselves in the natural order of the world.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Description
Back Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Glossary