by Zamil Akhtar
Second Keldanese Uprising
The Keldanese rebellion against the Continental Empire of Devshirme four years ago that led to the destruction of Kerb, as well as a coup and the coronation of a new Shah.
Selukal House
The royal family of the Continental Empire of Devshirme, said to number in the thousands.
Separah
A coastal city in the west of the nation of Devshirme.
Shah (Shahanshah)
The King of Kings, ruler of the Continental Empire of Devshirme and thus all of Eden.
Shalwar
A long, baggy shirt that reaches to the thighs, widely used throughout Eden by men and women.
Sheikh
An esteemed, elder man of learning and wisdom.
Shirma
An offensive term used to refer to Shirmians.
Shirmian
The language of the Shirmian people and the lingua-franca of Eden.
Shirmian Settlements
Highly secure zones along the Deep Blue shore exclusively for Shirmian residents of Keldan.
Sogd
A sparsely populated and mountainous region of Devshirme.
Sons of the Deep
A rebel group fighting for Keldanese independence from the Continental Empire.
South Almaria Deployment Base (SADB)
A major Continental Army military base a short train ride from Qindsmar.
Spectrum
A live, mental map that displays one’s surroundings — requires a twicrys and spectrum ping to generate.
Summit Complex
The main headquarters at the South Almaria Deployment Base.
Sunsink
A large, rotating motor that contains a crystal, used mainly inside levships to generate power.
Talwar
A slightly curved long-sword used mainly by Almarians.
TEX
A leading corporation that makes weapons, machines, and conducts experimental research, headquartered in Ekrah, Devshirme.
TEX Mandate
A decree from the Shah of Devshirme that authorizes the TEX company’s private military to occupy and control parts of Keldan.
Time Service
A radio frequency that can be pinged by anyone with a twicrys in order to determine the time.
Train Service
A radio frequency that can be pinged by anyone with a twicrys in order to learn when trains are arriving and departing.
Twicrys
A tiny jewel sewed into the wrist used to channel sunlight into energy for communication, fighting, and powering machines.
Twinsen
The currency used in Devshirme.
Universal Hours of Rest (UHR)
The hours from 22:00 to 04:00 when the people of Eden usually sleep. The sun never sets in Eden, so there is no night, only UHR.
War of the Poets
A war between Devshirme and Almaria that ended sixty-four years ago with a decisive Shirmian victory.
Waterbird
A large, ostrich-sized bird that lives in the water. Can be tamed and used for transportation across rivers and lakes.
Way
A group of religious devotees under the instruction of a sheikh.
Yanisari
An elite order of slave soldiers that report directly to the Shah of Devshirme.
About the Author
Zamil Akhtar is an indie author and blogger living a location-free lifestyle. He can be found in Boston, Dubai, or Manila depending on the time of year. Of Pakistani-heritage, he grew up in the Middle East and moved to Western Massachusetts when he was thirteen, and his varied upbringing colors his fiction. He has a BBA in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts and an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. His loves are videogames, science-fiction and fantasy novels, HBO dramas, and Southeast Asia. Check out the latest from him at ZamilAkhtar.com and add him on Twitter @zamakhtar.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Map
1 | PROMISE
2 | UNFAMILIAR CEILING
3 | THE GRAVE
4 | ALMARIAN CHICKS
5 | DETOX
6 | MINDWRITER
7 | ABBA
8 | YOUR SOUL TOO
9 | THE WAY HOME
10 | LEPER
11 | RED GIRL BLUE GIRL
12 | LITTLE BRO
13 | THE OPENER
14 | MIDNIGHT
15 | THE DROWNED SUN
Glossary
About the Author