Kingdom Blades (A Pattern of Shadow & Light 4)

by McPhail, Melissa

  Sorceresy (also Vestian Sorceresy) The predominant school of Adept learning in the far eastern land of Vest. The Vestian Sorceresy believes all Paths of Alir have equal merit, but they’re known for their Blackshard Council and its extensive exploration of mor’alir (the Path of Shadows).

  Stanza segreta (Caladrian, secret room) The term given to a leis which a Nodefinder has pinned to his personal life pattern or to an object in his possession, the use of which allows the Nodefinder to secret away or store items for later use. Colloquially called a “coach.”

  Strand (strand´) n. [Agasi, strônd] 1 Any of the parts that are bound together to form a whole [the strands of one’s life] 2 Referring to any of the five composite aspects of elae and its five attributive fields of energy (respectively: strand 1:creative energy, 2:kinetic energy, 3:variant energy, 4:energy of thought, 5:elemental energy).

  Tethys – Goddess of the Sea worshipped by sailors, especially from the Island of Jamaii.

  Thread (thred) n. [Old Alæic thræd, to bind] A colloquial term used when speaking of a group of four men of a specific race, as opposed to a string, which is a grouping of six.

  Tiern’aval (teer´- navol´) n. [origin unknown] An island city, one of the Free Cities of Xanthe, which vanished at the end of the Adept Wars circa 597aV. The city’s fate remains a mystery.

  T’khendar (tuh – ken´dar) n. [origin unknown] The realm created by the Adept wielder Malachi ap’Kalien out of Alorin’s own aether, which sacrilegious act resulted in fierce denouncement from the Council of Realms and indirectly, his later madness.

  Truthreader (trooth´ rēd er) n. [Old Alæic treowe, true + raedan] An Adept of the fourth strand of elae who is able to hear (and sometimes see) the thoughts of others and is thereby able to discern the time, place and form of any occurrence in their memory, i.e. its truth.

  Tyriolicci (teer´e-oh – lee´chee) One of the Wildling races of the Forgotten Lands. See Whisper Lord.

  Vestal (vest´-al) n. [Cyrenaic, vestir, to endow] 1 An Adept elevated and empowered with the responsibility of enforcing the laws, regulations, activities and codes of his respective strand of elae, and of overseeing all Adepts subject to it 2 One of five highly-trained and advanced Adepts elected as voting members of the Council of Realms, ranking just below the Seat of the realm in authority.

  Weld (weld) n. [Cyrenaic, welden, to be strong] The most major joints in the Pattern of the World. All leis and nodes connect through a weld, thus a weld allows travel to any location. Welds also form the joints between the realms and thus allow travel from realm to realm.

  Whisper Lord n. [Collq.] One of the Wildling races (also called Tyriolicci) known for their frenzied fighting style and ability to make small skips through time.

  Wielder (wēld´ər) n. [Cyrenaic, welden, to be strong < Old Alæic, valere, a show of strength] A person of any race who uses patterns to compel one or more strands of elae, thereby influencing the strand’s properties to create the effect he has postulated; a sorcerer in the realm of Alorin. Adepts and men alike become wielders through intensive training and study.

  Wildling (wahyld´-ling]) n. [Old Alæic wilde] 1 (Collq) An Adept of the third strand of elae 2 Any of the twenty-seven non-human races whose native abilities are attributed to the third strand of elae but who may or may not be possessed of paranormal abilities.

  Zanthyr (zan´thur) n. [Old Alæic] An elusive Adept of the fifth strand of elae; zanthyrs can shapeshift between two forms: one human, one animal. Many have been seen to work elae. The extent of their abilities is unknown.

  The Sormitáge Ranks

  (in ascending order)

  The Docian Collar: yoked to the honest study of elae. Adepts wear the Docian collar from their earliest years until they pass the Catenaré Invocation Trials, often a span of five to eight years.

  The Catenaré Cuff: chained to the dutiful service of elae. Adepts wear the Catenaré cuff until they pass the Maritus Invocation Trials, usually a span of three to four years.

  The Maritus Bracelet: married to the courageous exploration of elae. Adepts wear the Maritus bracelet until they’ve completed their Maritus thesis and passed the Devoveré Invocation Trials for their strand, usually a span of five to ten years.

  The Devoveré Ring: devoted to the just and virtuous practice of elae. Adepts are awarded their Devoveré ring upon successful completion of the Devoveré Trials.

  A stacked Adept– referencing an Adept who has gained more than one ring in the discipline of a single strand.

  A bracketed wielder – referencing an Adept who has gained a Devoveré ring for each strand of elae and thereby wears a ring on every finger of his or her right hand. A bracketed wielder has ascended from Docian to Devoveré on every strand of elae.

  A rowed wielder – having gained a bracket on both hands. A rowed wielder has ascended first from Docian to Devoveré in every strand, then again ascended through the same ranks specializing in the wielder’s craft of Patterning, learning to apply the Laws and Esoterics to each strand of elae, as well as building his or her repertoire of associated patterns.

  The Laws of Patterning

  (1-17)

  1. KNOW the effect you intend to create.

  2. What applies to one applies to all.

  3. Create newly each effect.

  4. Positive determinism is necessary to achieve the intended effect.

  5. A wielder is limited by what he can envision.

  6. Energy responds to positive thought. Corollary: Patterning is most effective at the level of thought.

  7. A wielder succeeds in the alteration of energy, space and time in inverse proportion to his agreement with the material universe.

  8. All patterns are the result of effort channeled along a specific vector; thus, patterns are the product of force.

  9. Do not counter force with force; channel it.

  10. Energy cannot be unmade, merely transformed.

  11. All things are formed of patterns.

  12. A pattern need not be perfect, but the wielder’s concept of it must be.

  13. Intention monitors solidity, solidity monitors structure.

  14. Exact duplicating forces, in opposition, will nullify structure.

  15. Talismans magnify intent.

  16. Talismans form the bridge of cause and effect.

  17. The use of talismans must focus force without limiting scope.

  The Esoterics

  (Covered so far)

  1. Absolute Being is the entire concept of actuality. Corollary: Absolutely Being is the exact form, material composition and position in space as modified by time.

  2. Patterns lie within the boundaries of Absolute Being.

  3. The wielding of Form must encapsulate Absolute Being.

  4. Time results from the application of an intention that matter and space will persist. Thus, time and space are monitored by Absolute Being.

  5. Absolute Being must equal the scope of a wielder’s concept of effect.

  6. Absolute Being is necessary to the creation of space. Corollary: Energy cannot exist without Absolute Being.

  7. Solidity is monitored by Absolute Being.

  8. Absolute causation is fundamental to Absolute Being.

  9. Pure concept always overwhelms linear translation.

  11. A wielder is limited by what he can envision himself envisioning.

  12. Space, energy, time and form are the result of thought applied as intention.

  13. Energy can be unmade only within the space of Absolute Being; corollary: a wielder can unmake his own energy but not the energy of another.

  14. Exact duplicating thought, with the same energy, in the same time, will nullify reality and actuality.

  15. Doubt of intention results in diminished effect on a gradient scale.

  20. The strands are divisions of energy as applied towards creation of life, form, time, thought, elements. Thus, all Laws of Patterning follow also the laws of energy.

  21. Actuality is monitored by th
e wielder’s point of view. Reality is monitored by collective thought agreement.

  22. Illusion becomes reality when a) collective agreement is achieved on the existence of the illusion and b) when enough agree that the illusion should persist.

  Dramatis Personae

  The Five Vestals

  Alshiba Torinin—the First Vestal and Alorin Seat, an Adept Healer

  Dagmar Ranneskjöld—the Second Vestal, a Nodefinder

  Seth Silverbow nach Davvies—the Third Vestal, an avieth of the Wildling races

  Raine D’Lacourte—the Fourth Vestal, a truthreader and raedan

  Björn van Gelderan—the Fifth Vestal, also called the First Lord

  The Malorin’athgul

  Darshanvenkhátraman (Dar´shan – vin ka´tra mahn) called Darshan

  whose name means Destroyer of Hope; also known as the Prophet Bethamin

  Pelasommáyurek (Pe´las – oh my´yur eck) called Pelas

  whose name means Ender of Paths; also known as the artist Immanuel di Nostri

  Rinokhálpeşumar (Rin´och – cal pesh´oo mar) called Rinokh

  whose name means The Mountain That Flames

  Shailabhanáchtran (Shale´ – ah bah nock´trun) called Shail

  whose name means Maker of Storms

  The Sundragons (Drachwyr)

  Dhábu’balaji’şridanaí (Da´boo – ba lah´gee – shree´da-nye) called Balaji

  whose name means He Who Walks the Edge of the World

  Şrivas’rhakárakek (Shree´vas – rah kar´akeck) called Rhakar

  whose name means The Shadow of the Light

  Jayachándranáptra (Jai´ah – shan´dra – nap´tra) called Jaya

  whose name means Rival of the Sun

  Ramuhárikhamáth (Rah´moo – hareek´amath) called Ramu

  whose name means Lord of the Heavens

  Amithaiya’geshwen (Ami-thi´ya – gesh´win) called Mithaiya

  whose name means The Bosom of God’s Nectar

  Náeb’nabdurin’náiir (Ni eb´– nab dur´en – ny´ear) called Náiir

  whose name means Chaser of the Dawn

  The Seventeen Gods of the Akkad

  Jai’Gar—the Prime God

  Azerjaiman—the Wind God

  Sons of the wind god—North son, Shamal; South son, Asfal; East son, Sherq

  Daughter of the Wind God—West daughter, Qharp

  Shamash—God of Travelers and the Poor

  Inanna—Goddess of War

  Naiadithine—Goddess of Water

  Enlil—God of Earth and Agriculture

  Inithiya—Goddess of Love and Restoration (Spirit)

  Angharad—Goddess of Fortune (Fate)

  Thalma—Goddess of Luck (Virtue)

  Huhktu—God of Bones

  Baharan/Baharani—the two-headed God of Blood/Goddess of Birth

  Ha’viv—the Trickster God, patron of thieves

  On Tanis’s Travels

  Sinárr—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms

  Mérethe—an avieth bound to Sinárr

  Rafael—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms

  Baelfeir—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms, aka Belloth the Demon Lord

  Agasan’s Imperial Household

  Valentina van Gelderan—Empress of Agasan

  Marius di L'Arlesé—High Lord of Agasan, Consort to the Empress

  Nadia van Gelderan—Princess Heir of Agasan

  Giancarlo—a Caladrian truthreader in the service of the High Lord

  Vincenzé—a Caladrian Nodefinder and wielder in service of the High Lord

  Francesca da Mosta, Commander of the Imperial Adeptus

  Lieutenant di Corvo, First in the Princess Nadia’s Praetorian Guard

  At the Sormitáge

  Liam van Gheller—Endoge of the Sormitáge

  Felix di Sarcova della Buonara—a Devoveré Nodefinder studying at the Sormitáge

  Malin van Drexel—(missing) a Nodefinder working on his Maritus thesis

  Isahl N’abranaacht—(aka Shailabanáchtran) a literato at the Sormitáge University Monseraut Greaves—Imperial Historian and a maestro at the Sormitáge University

  On Ean’s Travels

  Isabel van Gelderan—Epiphany’s Prophet, High Mage of the Citadel, sister to Björn

  Dareios Haxamanis—a Prince of Kandori

  Ehsan Haxamanis—a Princess of Kandori

  Sheih—a mor’alir Adept from the Vestian Sorceresy

  Bjorn’s Council of Nine

  Björn van Gelderan—the First Lord and Alorin’s Fifth Vestal

  Cristien Tagliaferro—a truthreader

  Anglar Tempest—(deceased) a Nodefinder (revived as a Shade)

  Dunglei ap’Turic—(deceased) an Adept wielder

  Parsifal D’Marre—(deceased) a Nodefinder

  Arion Tavestra—(deceased) a fifth strand Adept, one of Björn’s three generals

  Markal Morrelaine—a na’turna wielder, one of Björn’s three generals

  Ramuhárikhamáth—a drachwyr, one of Björn’s three generals

  Malachai ap’Kalien—(deceased) a fifth strand Adept from Daneland

  The Fifty Companions (those known to be living)

  Pavran Ahlamby—a truthreader

  Usil al’Haba—a Nodefinder

  Elien ap’Gentrys—an Adept wielder

  Gannon Bair—a truthreader

  Karienna D’Artenis—an Adept Healer

  Laira di Giancora—an Adept Healer

  Mian Gartelt—an Adept Healer

  Viernan hal’Jaitar—an Adept wielder

  Socotra Isio—a Nodefinder

  Ledio Jerouen—an Adept Wildling

  Dore Madden—an Adept wielder

  Mazur of Elvior—an Avieth of Elvior

  Franco Rohre—a Nodefinder

  Delanthine Tanner—an Adept wielder

  Thessaly Vahn—an Adept Healer

  Devangshu Vita—a Nodefinder

  Niko van Amstel—a Nodefinder

  On Franco’s Travels

  Alshiba Torinin—an Adept Healer, First Vestal of Alorin and the Alorin Seat

  Franco Rohre—an Adept Nodefinder and Deputy Vestal

  Niko van Amstel—an Adept Nodefinder and Vestal Candidate

  Aldaeon H’rathigian—an Adept truthreader, Seat of the elf realm of Markhengar and Speaker of the Council of Realms

  Mir Arkadhi—an Adept truthreader, Seat of the realm of Eltanin

  Members of the Nodefinder Rebellion

  Carian vran Lea—an Adept Nodefinder and pirate from Jamaii

  Gannon Bair—an Adept truthreader, member of the Fifty Companions

  Ledio Jerouen—a Whisper Lord, member of the Fifty Companions

  Mazur of Elvior—an avieth, member of the Fifty Companions

  Franco Rohre—an Adept Nodefinder, member of the Fifty Companions

  Devangshu Vita—an Adept Nodefinder, member of the Fifty Companions

  Cassius of Rogue—an Adept Nodefinder

  The Ruling Prince of M’Nador and His Allies

  Radov abin Hadorin—Ruling Prince of M’Nador

  Viernan hal’Jaitar—Radov’s Consul and wielder (see the Fifty Companions)

  Taliah hal’Jaitar—(deceased) daughter of Viernan; a mor’alir Adept

  Nassar abin’Ahram—Commander of the forces at Ramala

  Leilah n’abin Hadorin (called Lily)—Radov’s disavowed daughter, princess of M’Nador

  Korin Ahlamby—Leilah’s betrothed

  The Prophet Bethamin (aka the Malorin’athgul Darshan)

  Dore Madden—an Adept wielder serving the Prophet (see the Fifty Companions)

  Raliax—(deceased) a Saldarian mercenary serving Dore Madden

  Demetrio Consuevé—an Adept Nodefinder

  The Karakurt—a female truthreader, leader of an infamous ring of assassins

  Pearl—the Speaker of the Karakurt’s will

  Thrace Weyland—an Adept truthreader and purveyor of information

  In the Akka
d

  Emir Zafir bin Safwan al Abdul-Basir—Akkadian Emir, Unifier of the Seventeen Tribes

  Rajiid bin Yemen al Basreh—Prime Minister of the Akkad

  Farid al Abdul-Basir—Nodefinder son of Zafir, a prince of the Akkad

  Men of the Emir’s Converted

  Loukas n’Abraxis—a combat engineer from Avatar, member of the Emir’s Converted

  Tannour Valeri—an assassin from Vest, member of the Emir’s Converted

  Rolan Lamodaar—an expatriated prince from M’Nador, member of the Emir’s Converted

  Raegus n’Harnalt—a commander among the Emir’s Converted, originally from Avatar

  Nyongo Kutaata—a Shi’ma warrior, a member of the Emir’s Converted

  On Trell’s Earlier Travels

  Yara—an old Kandori woman

  Lord Brantley—(deceased) Earl of Pent, liegeman to the Duke of Morwyk