stinger. Sharp-nosed security drones that catalogue and ping monikers. They scan for unauthorized personnel and for soldiers who are in the wrong areas for their service-level access.
Stone Forest Base. A military Sword-Fated Base consisting of treelike structures upon which air-barracks ships dock. It’s located in the city of Iron in the Fate of Swords, near the border of the Fate of Virtue and the Fate of Atoms.
Strato. A secondborn Sword soldier rank in the military. It is one level above a Tropo and one level below a Meso. Midnight-blue uniforms. It is Hawthorne’s rank when he meets Roselle. (Tropo, Strato, Meso, Thermo.)
strike port. Located at the end of the hilt, this is the access point or source from which a fusionblade or hydroblade glows with golden energy.
summoner. Another name for a beacon.
Temperance. A small hamlet in the Fate of Virtue.
Thermo. A secondborn Sword soldier rank in the military. Highest rank. It is three levels above a Tropo. Sky-blue uniforms. (Tropo, Strato, Meso, Thermo.)
Tourmaline Mountains. A mountain range that surrounds the Twilight Forest Base.
Transition Day. A day in early autumn that happens annually, wherein eighteen-year-old secondborns are required to report to a processing Base set up by the Fates of the Republic to be indoctrinated into governmental service. Sword-Fated secondborns report to the nearest “Golden Circle” just outside of each Forest Base for processing. For a multitude of reasons, families bring their Sword-Fated secondborns to these Bases years too early, as young as ten years old. Parents often fear their secondborn will harm their firstborn to gain power and position in their society. Many parents don’t want to grow attached to their secondborn, knowing they are to be given up later.
Tree Fort. The tower on a Forest Base that gives airships clearance to take off and land. Air traffic control at the military Bases.
Tree. A tree-shaped military building used by Sword-Fated personnel. Firstborn officers and high-ranking secondborn officers reside in apartments or air-barracks in glass Trees, while subordinate soldiers reside in apartments or air-barracks in concrete and steel Trees.
Tritium 101. Roselle’s Sword regiment/air-barracks. Also known as T-101.
troopship. A large airship that transports soldiers to and from war zones or other military duties.
Tropo. A secondborn Sword soldier rank in the military. Lowest rank. Beige-and-brown uniforms. Roselle’s rank on her Transition Day. (Tropo, Strato, Meso, Thermo.)
turner. A snitch; in particular, a secondborn who betrays the confidence of another secondborn or who reports another secondborn’s infraction of a rule or law.
Twilight Forest Base. A military Sword-Fated Base consisting of treelike structures upon which air-barracks ships dock. It is located in the Fate of Swords near the border of the Fate of Stars and the Fate of Seas. It is surrounded by the Tourmaline Mountains.
Tyburn Fountain. A fountain in Westerbane Heath that depicts the West Wind demigod, Tyburn, defeating Hyperion, the demigod of water. The fountain contains a secret passage that leads to Tyburn’s Temple on the grounds of the Sword Palace. The statue of Roselyn, part of the fountain, points the way to the hidden door.
Tyburn. A demigod known as the Warrior of the West Wind. He defeated Hyperion, the demigod of water, giving water to his people.
Tyburn’s Temple. The domed stone building located on the grounds of the Sword Palace in the Fate of Swords.
underdeck. The sublevel between floors on an airship housing Stone-Fated workers. It has passageways used only by Stone-Fated workers.
Vahallin Sea. The sea that borders the Fate of Swords, the Fate of Stars, and the Fate of Seas.
vector spinner. A centrifuge device that simulates g-forces on pilots.
Verringer. A very expensive airship with the ability to dock on land, water, and air.
Vicolt. An antiquated hovercar made of chrome and glass that the aristocracy of the Sword Palace uses in ceremonial processions.
virtual access. 3-D visual access to an individual in real time via drone cameras that constantly document the individual’s life.
visual screen. A television-like viewing apparatus that can be flat or holographic, as large as the side of a building or as small as a thumbnail.
Westerbane Heath. The public park on the west side of the Sword Palace in the capital city of Forge, Fate of Swords. The park contains the Tyburn Fountain, an ancient monument to the warrior god Tyburn.
Wingers. Advanced fighter aircraft.
Acknowledgments
Jason Kirk, that sunny day at Amazon in July 2015 sparked all of this. Thank you for your words of wisdom and inspiration. I’m eternally grateful.
Thank you to the best agent in the world, Tamar Rydzinski. Without your guidance, Secondborn would not have been possible.
To the staff of 47North and Amazon, it is a great honor to work with all of you. Thank you for making my dreams come true.
Tom, Max, and Jack, you are my heart. “I love thee best, oh, most best, believe it.”
Mom, thank you for always reading my manuscripts before anyone else and giving me your strongly worded opinions. Honesty is love.
To the Four Horsemen of Facebook, no one gets me like you ladies do. Where would I be without you?
Amber McClelland, thank you for always being a shoulder to lean on (or cry on?) when deadlines loom nearer. You have the best take on life. I’m grateful for your friendship.
Dad, may you be at peace.
Thank you, God, for Your many blessings.
About the Author
Photo © 2016 Lauren Perry of Perrywinkle Photography
Amy A. Bartol is the award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of The Premonition Series, The Kricket Series, and a short story titled “The Divided.” She lives in Michigan with her husband and two sons. For more on Amy and her work, visit her website, www.amyabartol.com.
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