by D. A. Metrov
Lord Aviamore (a.k.a. Vada)—Brighton Aviamore's father; human; last descendant of the original explorers who were stranded on the Lost Isle of Perpetua several generations earlier.
Magradore Falcon—a giant bird of prey related to the species Falco peregrinus; average height just under two leapspans (or fifteen feet); wingspan typically six leapspans (forty-eight feet). Their typical diet consists of goats, cliff trolls, and giant sea pike.
Malgor—a mutant Vampire bat nearly as large as a Magradore falcon.
megaboars—(Book II) Huge elephantine creatures with massive, clawed feet; all four limbs enhanced by exoskeletal steam pistons; possessing enormous warthog heads with fighting tusks.
Mitor—a small, steam propelled, flying robot.
microal—a mineral substance that can be converted into a fuel source known as wheal.
monkrats—the most common creatures on the Isle of Perpetua; scruffy creatures resembling giant lemmings; average height approximately one half leapspan (four feet).
"ney"—command for a Magradore to rise from his belly, but only part way so his rider can cinch his saddle belts beneath him.
Perpetua—a lost island paradise thought to lie somewhere between Norseland and Jan Mayan in the North Atlantic Ocean.
rotopods—(Book II) steam-powered, animal/machine hybrids designed after the common spider (roughly the size of a monkrat) with eight double-edge razor legs able to traverse virtually any surface. They possess rat-like heads with venomous fangs and keen noses; whirly blades positioned on their humped backs allow them to fly in packs.
"stoop"—command for a Magradore falcon to drop to his belly so his rider can mount.
Teidalbaden— a steam-powered flight unit that contains an altitude and air pressure meter, a three-dimensional compass, and a long-distance, wireless telegraph device. Straps onto the neck of trained Magradores sitting just above the bird's saddle horn.
terra—command for a Magradore to land
terrameter—a unit of measurement (approximately one mile).
"up now"—command for a Magradore to stand fully upright in preparation for take off.
Valkyrie—the only remaining community on Perpetua; located on the far western shore of the isle; populated primarily by monkrats.
Valkyrie Heights—the plateau region to the north of the Valkyrie township.
wheal— a highly efficient fuel source made from microal ore. Wheal burns almost indefinitely and generates enormous heat, so very small amounts can power microscopic as well as gigantic steam engines. Hence steam engines power almost everything imaginable from wrist watches to trans-global air vessels the world over.
Willowmena (a.k.a. Lizard Bill)—a young, human female; shipwreck survivor. Brighton Aviamore's love interest.
Wolfstalks—tall, thin giants with lupine heads that are part timber wolf, part lop-eared spaniel; torsos covered with dark brown dog hair. From the waist down to their long, humanoid feet, they are coated with spotted fur that resembles leopard skin. They speak a language no one had ever been able to translate. Deceptively strong, they fight by throwing hut-sized boulders. Loyal citizens of Valkyrie, they can grow up to three leapspans (twenty-four feet) in height.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
D. A. Metrov
D. A. Metrov is a writer, filmmaker, and fine arts painter. Born and raised in Southern California, he has lived in New York City, Los Angeles, and now resides in Santa Barbara with his wife Maureen and one ornery, black cat. He loves animals and nature, and can be found riding his mountain bike at Ellwood Bluffs almost any day of the year.
You may write him at: [email protected]. Please leave your review on Amazon.com. And make sure to join our mailing list on www.lightmasters.net to learn about his other books, and to become eligible for prizes & giveaways. Thanks for reading FALCON LORD!