Winged Magic

by Mary H. Herbert

  Gabria looked up into Helmar’s shining face. “I acknowledge them with all my heart.”

  Bendinor nodded to several people by the tent and, as Gabria watched through her tears, the scarlet banner of the Corin clan was raised for the first time since the massacre and took its rightful place among the twelve clans of Valorian.

  A BRIEF GLOSSARY OF THE DARK HORSE CLANS

  THE CLANS — CHIEF — CLOAK COLOUR

  Corin — none — Red

  Khulinin — Athlone — Gold

  Geldring — Hendric — Green

  Wylfling — Jamas — Brown

  Dangari — Bendinor — Indigo

  Shadedron — Wendern — Black

  Reidhar — Fiergan — Yellow

  Amnok — Terod — Grey

  Murjik — Geric — Purple

  Bahedin — Ryne — Orange

  Jehanan — Sha Tajan — Maroon

  Ferganan — Tirek (Peoren) — Light Blue

  Hearthguard: A chieftain’s personal bodyguards. These men are the elite warriors of the clan and are honoured with this position for their bravery, skill, and loyalty.

  Hunnuli: Magical black horses that can communicate mentally with their magic-wielding riders.

  Meara: The king stallion of the clan’s herds, one that is chosen for its ability to defend the mares and foals.

  Treld: A clan’s permanent winter camp.

  Valorian: Ancient hero of the Dark Horse Clans.

  Weir-geld: Recompense paid in the form of gold or livestock to the family of a person who was murdered or killed in a personal duel.

  Werod: The fighting body of a clan. Although all men are required to learn the rudiments of fighting, only those who pass certain tests make up the werod.

  Wer-tain: The commander of the werod. These men are second in authority only to the chieftains.