Kyrin lifted her chin, with a grin. “I will see your face across my blade again.” Would Seliam speed Tae’s letter hidden inside the book to Huen? The caliph did cultivate trade with the Eastern lands.
Seliam gave her a cautious smile and kicked his loaded beast after Sirius’s camels.
There was a glimmer of orange and black among the baggage beasts—a flash of sun on beating wings. The falcon cried, climbing higher into the air. The tiger coughed, a hoarse sound of contentment. Seliam closed the gap between the camels as the men and women of Ali’s house called, “As salaam alaykum!”
Kyrin stepped onto the road and knelt. She was outside the wall. The air smelled of rich green, the free wind, and new things. Cicero nudged her hand and she stroked his soft coat—it was not yet time to run. He whined deep in his throat.
“You are ready.” Tae’s voice had woken her with the sun. She was to learn the sword with Jachin, for Tae thought it good for her to have another teacher. Kyrin smiled. When she saw her father’s face she would know how to hold a blade, and she would pull a heavier bow. Tae’s words warmed her with the heat of healing, though not so sharp as the Master of the stars’ words, which shattered her chains.
Kyrin rubbed Cicero’s ears. She would study the Book in her lessons, for Ali had ordered her to learn the scribe’s pen. She did not think she would be good at it.
Awkward and ugly with fledgling feathers—not good at catching the wind, were young falcons—but the Master of the wind called. With her finger Kyrin drew in the drying earth, then rose and touched her black earring.
The falcon spread her wings. She would dare the challenge of the drop and the vast world before her eyrie. Though storms beat her down, a bolt of wet feathers, the wind would catch her. And bear her to the heights.
34
After Words
Crossover: Find the Eternal, the Adventure.
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35
Glossary
*These terms and names span the world of the Chronicle. Not every entry or book will have every word. Mispronunciations and mistakes are my own. For easier pronunciation I have reduced some words to phonetic spelling. May contain slight spoilers. Enjoy the adventure!
Britannia:
Armsman—“Arms-mun” a lord’s sworn man who protects the lord’s person and stronghold
Bells—Lauds “Lawds” (just before dawn), Prime (just after daybreak), Terce “Terse” (third hour), Sext (sixth hour), Nones “Nons” (ninth hour), Vespers (eleventh hour), Matins (just after midnight)
Britannia—“Bri-tan-ee-uh” ancient name for Britain
Brooch—”Broach” a pin often worn in pairs—used for cloaks
Death touch—death thought to be brought by a single blow. Possible with a strong man trained in Subak—more often the culmination of several deadly nerve points or blows
Eagles—“E-gulls” an ancient name for Romans
Evil eye—Ali believes Kyrin can bring evil with her amber stare that darkens with her emotions. He brands her with a jet earring in her ear, besides his bronze ring of ownership in her other ear
Eyas—“Ee-ass” a young falcon in the nest
Eyrie—“Ear-ee” a falcon’s nest high on a cliff
Falcon, Peregrine—“Pear-uh-grin” the bird Kyrin loves, which draws her to follow the Master of the stars
Falcon dagger—a mysterious dagger shaped like a falcon that Kyrin finds hidden in a cloak on her murdered mother’s breast
Girdle—“Grr-dul” a kind of belt for women—often braided of leather or linen
Hose—like leggings, for men—fastened by cross garters attached to leather shoes
Kirtle—“Kur-tul” another name for women’s long tunics
Mantle—“Man-tul” women’s wrap—like a poncho with a central hole for the head
Seven-day—another name for a week
Stronghold key—a large key that signifies authority over a stronghold—women often wore them on their girdles
Sigil—“sig-ill” a sign or mark on a letter, garment, or pennon, often indicating a house name or rank
Tunic—“Tune-ick” medieval shirt-like or robe-like garment worn by men and women—worn over an undergarment or shirt, often of linen, flowing to the knee for men and the feet for women
Names of important characters:
Aart—“A-art” Kyrin’s horse—means like an eagle
Alaina Ilen—“A-lay-nuh I-len” Kyrin’s peasant sister, closer than blood—means one who harmonizes, noble, stone
Aunt Medaen—“Ma-day-en” her father’s tart-tongued sister who Kyrin hears in her head more than she’d like
Father Ulf—Kyrin’s uncle, a Benedictine monk pivotal to events in Falcon Flight
Brother Rolf—“Rawl-f” sympathetic monk who plays a part in Cierheld’s fate
Berd—young armsman in training who becomes Kyrin’s first armsman
Celine Loring—“Suh-lean Lore-ing” childhood friend who antagonizes Kyrin—I liked the name for a red-haired girl
Etain—“E-tain” Alaina’s mare in Araby—means fairy
Esther—a stronghold daughter—and Kyrin’s beautiful rival
Cernalt—“Sir-nalt” old armsman and hawkmaster to Lord Dain Cieri
Dain Cieri—“Dane Si-eery” Kyrin’s father—his name fit the time and place, to my mind
Willa—“Will-a” Kyrin’s mother—the name fit her gentle strength
Elinor—Kyrin’s step-mother—in honor of Sam’s Elinore—it sounded right
Gwenith—“Gwen-ith” the saluki pup that Alaina gives Kyrin—means blessed
Hal Loring—Celine’s father and Kyrin’s first student in Britannia
Kyrin Cieri—“Kai-rin Si-eery” I liked the sound—the name reminds me of dark hills, Celtic times, and Elizabeth Moon’s Paksenarrion
Lord Bergrin Jorn—“Bur-grin Jorn” Myrna’s brother, who holds Kyrin captive for a time, who is an ally in war
Lord Ludwin Mornoth—“Lud-win More-noth” Cierheld and the strongholds’ nemesis
Lord Nidfael Keffer—“Nid-fi-el Keff-er” Mornoth’s second in command—Kyrin’s nemesis
Margye—“Marg-ye” an old woman Kyrin helps who later is instrumental in saving Tae
Meric—“Mare-ick” Kyrin’s step-brother—his name fits his scholarly bent and nature
Myrna Jorn—“Mur-nuh” Kyrin’s friend—means tender
Nell Trinley—a girl with a mismatched wandering eye that Kyrin rescues, who becomes a healer
Nith—first armsmaster and armsman—first in command of Cierheld
Ragad—“Ra-gad” shipmaster of the Howler—Sirius Abdasir’s ship that brings Kyrin on quest to find Hamal
Scop—“Shop” an ancient term for a minstrel or bard
Seliam—“See-li-am” the wazir’s slave—an askar who threatens everyone Kyrin loves in Falcon Heart
Sirius Abdasir—“Sear-ee-us Ab-da-sir” wazir to the caliph, who holds the secret of the falcon dagge
r—threatens to destroy Kyrin and all of Cierheld
Talik—“Tal-ick” a messenger between the strongholds who rescues Kyrin, loves her, quarrels with her
The Master of the Stars—the meaning of this name is for you to discover
Wolfship warrior—another name for a Viking
White Christer—a Viking’s name for one who follows Christ
§
Araby/Arabia:
Aba—“Ab-uh” Araby women’s cloak
Aneza—“A-nez-uh” a tribe of Araby people in Kyrin’s world
Askar—“Ass-car” fighter, warrior
Bisht—“Bi-shit” Araby men’s cloak
Bedu/Bedouin—“Bed-du” or “Bed-o-in” a name for those who live in the desert
Caliph—“Kal-iph” Araby ruler in Baghdad
Dalil—“Dal-lil” a caravan guide, often across the desert
Djinn—“Jin” jinn, genie, jinni
Empy Quarter—Al Ramlah, the ocean of sand south and inland of the coastal mountains
Hattah—“Hat-tah” desert women’s light head covering—not a veil, though it can be used to cover the face
Kaffiyeh—“Ca-fi-yuh” Araby men’s head covering
Mahr—“Mar” desert maiden’s dowry, often precious metal anklets, bracelets, and coins sewn into a bridal headpiece or veil
Nargeela—“Nar-gee-la” a water pipe
Nasrany—“Nas-rany” infidel unbeliever
Nur-ed-Dam—“Nur-ed-dom” oath of the Light of Blood—blood-feud oath
Reem—the black-horned gazelle and others
Shaheen—“Sha-heen” Arabic for a falcon, also the name given to Kyrin
Sheyk—“Shay-ick” a desert leader of a tribe, such as Gershem Ben Salin of the Twilket tribe
Souk—“Sook” an Araby market
Thawb—“Thaw-ub” Araby tunic
Twilkets—“Twil-kets” an enemy tribe until events bring unforeseen secrets to light
Umar’s Hand—“Oo-mar’s Hand” Umar’s pack of salukis he trained against their gentle nature—to hunt men
Wadi—“Wad-ee” a watercourse, often dry except during the rainy season
Wazir—“Wah-zeer” advisor to the caliph
Names of important characters:
Ali Ben Aidon—“Alee-ben A-don” Araby slaver—a common Arabic name I didn’t find the meaning of
Basimah—“Bass-i-mah” means one who smiles
Cicero—“Siss-er-o” Kyrin and Alaina’s saluki—named after a wise man
Faisal—“Fi-sal” desert prince of the Twilkets who loves both Kyrin and Alaina—means a wise or just judge
Farook—“Fa-ruke” wazir’s slave forced to betray Alaina—means one who can distinguish right and wrong
Gershem Ben Salin—“Ger-shem Ben Sa-lin” Twilket sheyk, enemy, and Faisal’s grandfather—I liked the name
Hafiz—“Ha-feez” first warrior to Gershem, and Alaina’s opponent in Lance and Quill—means the guardian
Hala—“Hall-uh” Sirius Abdasir’s daughter—means a halo around the moon
Hamal—“Ha-mall” the wazir’s lost traveler—means as gentle as a lamb
Jachin—“Ja-chin” Ali’s bodyguard and Tae’s friend—I liked the sound for a friendly Nubian
Kentar—“Ken-tar” caravan guide and Tae’s eyes and ears—I liked the name from McKinley’s The Blue Sword
Mey—“May” Shahin’s wife and Rashid’s mother—I liked the sound of the name
Nara—“Nar-uh”Umar’s Egyptian mother, Ali’s cook, and Kyrin’s ally in Ali’s house
Nimah—“Nim-uh” first to welcome Kyrin and Alaina to Ali’s house—means blessing
Neddra—“Ned-druh” Aneza girl who admired Kyrin’s falcon dagger—the sound drew me
Qadira—“Ka-deer-uh” head concubine in Ali’s house—means powerful one
Rashid—“Ra-shid” the young sheyk’s son—means the well guided
Sahar—“Saw-har” Faisal’s red saluki—means the dawn
Sarni—“Sar-nee” means the elevated one—the name a desert prince gives Alaina
Shahin—“Sha-hin” sheyk of the Aneza, who shelters Kyrin during the desert war for saving his son, Rashid
Truthseeker—the falcon eyas the Aneza tribe gives Kyrin
Umar—“Oo-mar” Ali’s treacherous and unacknowledged son—means flourishing, long-lived
Zahir—“Za-heer” Faisal’s stallion—means shining, radiant
Zoltan—“Zol-tan” Nimah’s brother—means a ruler
§
Land of the Morning Calm/Korea:
Ap bal Chagi—“Op-ball-chagi” front-kick—a snapping kick that best attacks the groin or stomach
Barow—“Ba-row” return to starting position
Chin—“Chi-in” an ancient name for China or Chinese
Death touch—death thought to be brought by a single blow. Possible with a strong man trained in Subak—more often the culmination of several deadly nerve points or blows
Dojang—“Doh-jong” a place of learning for Subak
Dwi Chagi—“Dwee-chagi” a back-kick—the strongest kick, this one stops an attacker like a stone wall
Hsuing Nu—“Hu-soo-ing-nuw” an ancient name for Mongols or the people of the North, the Steppes
Hwarang—“Huh-waa-rang” flowering warrior or leader of 500 to 5,000 rangdo—one trained in martial arts, literature, the arts, sciences, and one hundred and eight different weapons
Jun be—“June-bee” stance ready for attack—several variations
Kuksun—“Kook-sun” commander, a general—who led by example
Naryu Chagi—“Nari-yu-chagi” an axe-kick or spinning kick—often used to attack enemies on horseback
Open hand—attack with the fingers, palm, or knife-edge of the hand to eyes, temples, neck, etc.
Pil Sung—certain victory through courage, strength, and indominable spirit
Poomse—“Poom-say” a sequence of training techniques done in flowing order—often with hidden echniques
Rangdo—“Rang-doh” a martial art student—who learned under a hwarang master and followed Sesokokye
Seajok—“Say-jock” command to begin (the fight, etc.)
Seon—“Say-on” Tae left it to follow the Master of the Stars—means the way of Zen
Sesokokye—“Say-sok-o-kye” be loyal to your country, honor your parents, be faithful to your friends, never retreat in battle, use good judgment before killing any living thing. (My English pronunciation.)
Subak—“Soo-bok” Tae’s way of the warrior—hand technique
Tiger—a beast of shadow and flame that haunts Kyrin’s dreams
Yeop Chagi—“Yee-op chagi” side-kick—can cripple, used against the knee at an angle
Names of important characters:
Huen—“Hu-en” Tae’s wife—I liked the sound of this one
Jun-ho Tsing—“Jun-ho Te-sing” rebel kuksun who honors Tae when he is cast outside his village as a traitor
Ryung-suk—“Ree-ung Sook” Tae’s son born while he is in exile—means bright rock
Paekche Kim—“Pack-chi Kim” Tae’s father-in-law who exiled him—I liked the name but didn’t find the meaning
Tae Chisun—“Ty Chee-sun” Tae was the first name of my Ji Do Kwan TKD grandmaster. I also liked the sound for a hero
Woon Chong—Tae’s treacherous hwarang master
36
Falcon Flight Peek 1
Ruse
A prince’s ruin. ~Proverbs 14:28
Kyrin Cieri forced down her sigh and strode toward the curtains of the Blue Flower room and the silent hunter within. More than two years of slavery, and five years since her twelfth name-day. No word of home, her Britannia of rushing
streams and whispering oaks, or of her father, Lord Dain Cieri of Cierheld.
And no way of escape. Tae told her the circle of circumstance was not yet complete. Alaina said the next stitch of the Master of the Star’s pattern was unclear. Ali Ben Aidon guarded his slaves too well.
Though in Britannia it would be long after Compline, no monks’ bells rang in this land, from Ali’s fruitful wadi to the hills with their invisible stark mountains behind, to the burning desert and the distant sea. The patches of night in the high, thin windows of the Blue Flower room faced west, without stars. Beneath, a pale marble hunter bent his head. His bow hung in his hand above a fountain built into the floor, his hunt forgotten. Water flowed around his sandaled feet, chuckling with secrets.
Beside him a small naked tree stretched red branches toward the stars. It was dying. And with it, her hope.
Would she ever walk in Cierheld again with her father? Of course Esther would say she never had a first daughter’s qualities—one who bore the old blood in her veins—and maybe she had not. Yet no one from home could call her “sprite” now, though she yet carried the blood of the hills in her slight bones and dark eyes and hair. She was stronger than they dreamed. But she could not return to her people, her land, for her stronghold key rusted away in Ali’s possession. She would not see her father again—and Cierheld would die with him.
Stronghold first daughter. She had never felt like one. Kyrin bit her lip. Yet one thing of Britannia remained to her, no, two things.
She glanced at Alaina beside her. Her thick red-gold braid swung against her leather body armor and across the shoulders of her white thawb. Alaina Ilen, dearer than blood, sister by the bond of salt and sacrifice, forged under the threat of death. She was first.
Created by Alaina’s own hand, her tunic was intricately embroidered with swords and flowers that graced her collar and trouser hems with delicate blue and red. The staff she held was a harsh line, dividing blades and beauty.
Kyrin’s lips quirked. She’d caught a hard blow from Alaina’s weapon in their last training bout, before she wrested it away. The wood was smooth as silk from her sister’s use except for the leather handgrips. What new trick of the staff would Alaina bring against her this night, besides proven mastery of the scribe’s pen and her embroidery needle?
Falcon Heart: Chronicle I an epic young adult fantasy series set in medieval times Page 37