The Boy with One Name
Page 25
Mistletoe and Rowan A specific mix of berries from both the mistletoe plant (white berries) and the rowan tree (red berries), which can be used to inflict damage on certain creatures in the Badlands. The mix can be used in form of a paste, as a dried powder or even as pellets.
Moon-Bathing Moon-Bathing is an act performed by all types of shapeshifters whereby they bask in the moon’s light, using its power to transform from human to creature and back again whenever they wish. Therefore, shapeshifters do not need a full moon to change into a creature but merely need to keep the effect of moonlight on their bodies ‘topped up’.
Moon Globe Moon globes are very rare with only a handful thought to be in existence. How they came to exist is mired in mystery. They are spherical as the name suggests and about the size of a small apple. The glow that a moon globe emits is akin to the pearlescent light of the moon, hence the name. Quite what makes them glow is not known given that the scarcity of the objects makes study almost impossible. However, various Badlanders have postulated theories about them. The most detailed studies on moon globes were carried out in the early 20th century by Piers van Anhelm who came to the conclusion that they are fashioned from fragments of meteors that have landed on earth. Very few Badlanders have ever used a moon globe and ownership of them is kept a secret. The reason they are so valued is that they can be the only way to open certain concealed doors or entrances, meaning that something extremely valuable can be locked away securely.
No-Thing A No-Thing is a term for any Badlander when the magic inside them has become corrupted. Magic may change to something dark and subversive if a person is bitten by certain types of creature (most commonly a Witch), or if the magic itself warps into something rotten because of evil intent within the Badlander themselves. Once corrupted, the magic will allow its user to perform Dark Magic, known as áglæccræft. This type of magic has not been examined by Badlanders very often because the study of it can be very dangerous and lead to infection. Therefore, its power and potential is little known or understood. One thing that is well known, however, is that Dark Magic requires blood to ‘power it’ up and allow the No-Thing to use it. Thus, No-Things are always on the lookout for people or animals to drain of their blood. It is thought that there is some connection between No-Things and Vampires but so far there has been no conclusive proof for this.
One Eye A One Eye is one of the very few creatures the Ordnung allows Badlanders to use to help them on their hunts, having the skill for sensing unnatural and dangerous things. They are akin to a sprite or fairy (ælf in Anglo-Saxon), having wings and a diminutive stature. However, there are two key characteristics that differentiate a One Eye from these types of creatures: the big single eye in the centre of its forehead and a set of large, sharp teeth, which only come to prominence when bared. The colour of the eye is used to define the various types of One Eye that exist. In the wild the creatures are aggressive and have to be tamed by Badlanders using a four-leaf clover. Over time, One Eyes can be trained to become obedient and willing servants to their owners.
Ordnung (GERMAN) A German word, meaning ‘order’, ‘discipline’, ‘rule’ or ‘system’, Ordnung is used by Badlanders to describe the strict code of rules their Order must follow. It was a term adopted by Badlanders in the early 15th century when new rules for the Order were established.
Phoenix Powder A regenerative powder used to heal wounds and clean out any nasty magical infection that might be lingering. The powder is created by removing a small portion of a Phoenix’s ashes after it has combusted into flames, and died, before regenerating. This ash is then mixed with a variety of different elements to allow it to be suitable for human use. It is thought that high demand for the powder has led to the near extinction of the Phoenix.
Poppet A small doll or figurine that is created to represent a person with a view to controlling or cursing that individual. It can be made from a variety of materials such as clay, wood or metal. Poppets are usually used by Witches to control their acolytes. The most common type of Poppet that Witches use is the Blood Poppet, a hollow clay figure, which is filled with the blood of the person it represents.
Rosemary and Salt A common mixture of two substances that Badlanders use as an all-purpose weapon against many creatures. It can cause burns on a variety of monsters. If sprinkled on the ground around the user it can also form a protective ring that repels many different creatures.
Rye drops/Bluebell Syrup/Rose Petal Powder A variety of natural substances used in different forms to protect against the many types of Witches.
St John’s Eve Falling on the 23rd June, on the eve of Midsummer’s Day, although a Christian celebration (taking its name from St John the Baptist), St John’s Eve is also closely associated with the summer solstice, which means it incorporates pagan traditions. It is considered a most auspicious day for Witches and their Wiccacraeft. Many Witches will perform celebratory rites on St John’s Eve to enhance their magical power, with the hour after midnight considered to the most symbolic and powerful time to do this (For further reading on the subject try The Power of the Hour by CJ Larssen).
St Crosse College, Oxford St Crosse College, founded in 1450, is one of the colleges that make up the University of Oxford, one of the oldest universities in the world. The college admits undergraduate and graduate students. It has groomed four prime ministers as well as numerous lords, clergymen and scholars. What is not written in the guidebooks of the college (available for four pounds and fifty pence from the black wire shelves inside the main gate) is the legacy of its Badlander scholarship.
Ever since the foundation of the college a Badlander research fellowship has always existed. The Badlander holding the position of ‘resident research fellow’ is entrusted with the primary aim of researching rare creatures, studying the combat techniques, weapons and magic that might be most effective against them.
No questions are ever asked about the fellowship on account of a generous and anonymously run Trust that funds the position. The Trust also donates generously to the college, and even the University, whenever there is a need. The research fellow is resident for three years at the college and is required to be discreet at all times about Badlander affairs given that he is living amongst ordinary people. He is allowed to participate fully in normal life as required however most keep themselves to themselves.
The position of research fellow, despite being highly regarded is considered by some to be a ‘poisoned chalice’ (a direct quote from Getting Cross with St Crosse by AJ Heap) because adaptation back to life as a Badlander after living amongst ordinary people can prove difficult and there is a history of mental health issues associated with fellows in later life. The Badlander research fellow also has the difficult duty of looking after Charles Du Clement, a Lich (See Charles Du Clement).
Scrying Scrying is the act of observing a person or location. It is an ancient skill that is largely vocational, meaning those Badlanders with a natural talent for scrying are drawn to trying it, usually through feeling an urge to hold a scrying object that is nearby. However, scrying still requires a great deal of practice and years of learning to perfect it. A person may only scry on a person they have met before or on a place they have visited previously.
The most common tool for a Badlander to use when scrying, is a mirror made for the purpose, although other objects such as glass balls, polished tabletops and fragments of glass can be used. Scrying mirrors come in all shapes and sizes and can be used as communication devices and even as portals if the scryer has sufficient skill. A mirror usually works more effectively if a polish is applied to the glass (See Heaton’s Old Familiar Scrying Polish).
Sing-Songs Sing-Songs contain pieces of music that have been written down and then transformed into audio through magic. When its hard outer shell is cracked open, the Sing-Song will release the music inside it, which traditionally has a dreamy and magical quality to it that induces sleep. Badlanders will use Sing-Songs as a defence against creatures to lull them to
sleep. Some Badlanders will also use them at night if they are struggling to sleep, a common side effect when working too hard or suffering trauma from their work. However, when employed for personal use, a low strength Sing-Sing must always be used since high strength ones can lull a person into a sleep from which they might never wake up.
Silver Silver is a useful and effective substance against a wide range of creatures in the Badlands and can inflict serious damage. It can be used in a wide number of ways, for example, as bullets for a gun or fashioned to make silver spikes or indeed items that can be worn by Badlanders such as knuckledusters. Ball bearings fired by catapult are one way for apprentices to use silver as a weapon when magic is unavailable to them.
Slap Dust A way of travelling from one place to another instantaneously. After a small amount of dust has been placed in the palm of one hand, all the user has to do is announce where they want to go, then slap their hands together, and they will travel to their desired location. The dust originated from a combination of charms that were mixed together by early Badlanders in the late 9th century and has been used ever since. It is particularly useful for apprentices who have not yet Commenced and cannot therefore use magic to travel. There are many different grades and strengths of Slap Dust available to purchase.
Although the dust offers a lightning-fast and efficient mode of transport, it does have its problems. Common issues are judging the right amount of dust required for a particular journey, materialising in too confined a space, lack of secrecy because the user must announce where they are going and being seen by ordinary people by accident (see Memory Leech for a useful way to combat this problem). There is also some evidence to suggest that using the dust has an unhealthy effect on the body if used too often (A good source for more information on this subject is Why Dust Might be Bad for You by J Heaslip).
Swamm (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘fungus’ or ‘mushroom’.
Whelp Whelps are rare and generally tend to be failed apprentices who have shown particular traits of loyalty and who are considered too useful by their Masters to be returned to the care of normal people. In very rare situations a Whelp may be Commenced later in life if they have shown great aptitude and deserve their chance at using magic.
Wiccacraeft (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘Witchcraft’. It refers to the magic that a Witch uses, which is considered to be evil and corrupt compared to the magic that Badlanders use.
Wuduæppel (pl. wuduæpplas) (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘wild apple’.
This is a very controversial object because it allows the person eating the fruit to transform temporarily into a creature of their choice. This can be very useful in times of combat or for investigative purposes but it is considered a highly contentious act because becoming a creature, whatever type it might be, is considered to be a deviant act by many Badlanders. Because of divided opinion among Badlanders, the Ordnung states that eating the fruit requires consent of the Order first and without it a person is open to punishment. Trees that produce the fruit are grown in highly secret and well-guarded plots and no Badlander is allowed to grow a tree themselves. The fruit can only purchased from Deschamps & Sons where each purchase is recorded and a list of owners is available for consultation by high-ranking Badlanders.
Wyrd (pronounced like the common English word ‘weird’) (ANGLO-SAXON)
Wyrd is the name in Anglo-Saxon given to the concept of fate or personal destiny, which cannot be resisted. It is a noun formed from the verb weorþan (pronounced we-or-than) which means ‘to come to pass’, ‘to become’, or ‘to happen’.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Books are never written alone even though the author’s name is the only one that appears on the cover so I would like to thank the people who have helped me to write this novel.
For all their input and time spent reading various drafts a big thank you to Bella Honess-Roe, Nick Roe, Cavan Ash and Davina Morgan-Witts. Thanks also to my students at Falmouth University for teaching me a few things. In particular, thank you to Daniel Hunt, Abigail Martin and Alice Benham for reading my manuscript.
I am indebted to my editor Jane Griffiths for all her guidance and wisdom about how to improve the story from its first beginnings all the way through to the final draft.
Thank you also to Jack Noel who designed such a fantastic cover.
Many thanks too to my agent, Madeleine Milburn, for all her help in making sure my idea became a book.
I could not have written this story without support and love from Diana, Katherine and Joanna.
Thank you, most of all, to Priscilla for all her belief, patience and love.
First published in Great Britain in 2017 by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd
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Copyright © 2017 Rupert Wallis
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The right of Rupert Wallis to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
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