Hevda: Goddess of spirit and will, Hevda is extremely powerful and a little frightening. She is not considered evil, but invoking her is dangerous in the sense of biting off more than you can chew; she responds to her worshipers’ requests, but often in unexpected ways, and sometimes in ways the supplicant doesn’t like. As a result, people who call on her are generally desperate, and despite her superficial appearance of indifference, Hevda is generous with her aid and known to help the weak and downtrodden.
Hevda accepts as sacrifices acts of self-deprivation that require willpower to maintain, such as fasting or breaking a habit. Her symbol is the Eye—two arcs with a pinpoint pupil in the center—which is often carved or painted on things people want Hevda’s attention to pass over, the idea being that if she sees the symbol, she will believe she’s already watching over it.
The worship of each god has gone in and out of vogue during the centuries, reflecting to a degree the Ruskald national character of the time. At present (the fifty-year span between Servant of the Crown and Agent of the Crown) there is a strong divide between male and female roles, with men worshiping Balderan and women worshiping Sigerda.
VI. Holidays
The solstices and equinoxes are particularly important to Tremontanans due to how the lines of power are affected by them. They are at their strongest at the solstices (the Tremontanan holidays of Midsummer and Wintersmeet) and at their weakest at the equinoxes (Harvest and Springtide).
Wintersmeet: the biggest festival of the year. Though customs vary throughout the country, it is a time of gift-giving and celebration, with lots of parties and dances. It is considered good luck to get betrothed on Wintersmeet Day.
Springtide: A time of new beginnings. One universally celebrated tradition is a thorough housecleaning, which usually leads to Spring Fairs in which people sell things they’ve made over the winter or things they no longer need. Marriages are never performed at Springtide because of how weak the lines of power are, despite the symbolism of the new beginnings.
Midsummer: A more religious holiday than Wintersmeet. Tremontane does not have an official clergy or church, as there is no one in ungoverned heaven to receive their devotions, but Midsummer is a time for people to consider their lives, make new goals, reconcile with others, and commit to changing bad behaviors. It is considered lucky to get married on Midsummer Day.
Harvest: Though this holiday always occurs on the autumn equinox, its celebration varies widely from year to year and in towns and cities across Tremontane because it is intended to reflect a community’s needs and wishes. Most often it is simply a celebration of the harvest, with feasts and community gatherings. In places less dependent on the harvest, it’s a symbolic, sometimes perfunctory observation. Some towns don’t celebrate it at all.
About the Author
Melissa McShane is the author of many fantasy novels, including the Crown of Tremontane series, beginning with SERVANT OF THE CROWN; The Extraordinaries series, beginning with BURNING BRIGHT; the Company of Strangers series; and THE BOOK OF SECRETS, first in the Last Oracle series.
After a childhood spent roaming the United States, she settled in Utah with her husband, four children and a niece, four very needy cats, and a library that has finally overflowed its shelves. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, which is much more fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have.
You can visit her at her website www.melissamcshanewrites.com for more information on other books.
For information on new releases, fun extras, and more, sign up for Melissa’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/brannP
Also by Melissa McShane
THE CROWN OF TREMONTANE
Servant of the Crown
Exile of the Crown
Rider of the Crown
Agent of the Crown
Voyager of the Crown
* * *
THE SAGA OF WILLOW NORTH
Pretender to the Crown
Guardian of the Crown
Champion of the Crown
* * *
THE HEIRS OF WILLOW NORTH
Ally of the Crown (forthcoming)
Stranger to the Crown (forthcoming)
* * *
THE EXTRAORDINARIES
Burning Bright
Wondering Sight
Abounding Might
* * *
THE LAST ORACLE
The Book of Secrets
The Book of Peril
The Book of Mayhem
The Book of Lies
The Book of Betrayal
The Book of Havoc (forthcoming)
* * *
COMPANY OF STRANGERS
Company of Strangers
Stone of Inheritance
Mortal Rites
Shifting Loyalties
Sands of Memory
Call of Wizardry
* * *
THE CONVERGENCE TRILOGY
The Summoned Mage
The Wandering Mage
The Unconquered Mage
* * *
THE BOOKS OF DALANINE
The Smoke-Scented Girl
The God-Touched Man
* * *
The View From Castle Always
* * *
Emissary
* * *
Warts and All: A Fairy Tale Collection
Tales of the Crown Page 44