Nyx in the House of Night
Page 20
Okay, that sounds easy: I just take what a guy tells me and turn it into my own fiction. Uh, not so. Especially not so if the “guy” and his Clan consider you their shenachie. I want to do Clan Wallace proud, and I’d never been so nervous in my professional life as the day Seoras read the manuscript of Burned, the book in which the Wallace history first began to weave into the House of Night world. Let me be very clear: I’ve fictionalized the history of Clan Wallace. I’ve worked my version of it into the mythology of the House of Night world, just as I’ve worked Cherokee tradition into that world. Neither are meant to be accurate representations of actual history. I do hope that through my creation of the House of Night mythos I have demonstrated the respect and love I feel for both cultures—my greatest desire is for my storytelling to reflect that.
I was intrigued about the respect Clan Wallace showed and still shows women, and I asked Seoras to expand on the historical significance of the idea that their Clan protected Scotland’s Ace. I think readers can easily recognize how I incorporated his words into the world of the House of Night through my creation of the Warrior Guardians. And, yes, the fictional Seoras is definitely based on the real man, who Kristin, like Aphrodite, affectionately calls The Shawnus. I also admit that there are definite similarities between my fictional Sgiach and me, especially as I describe the bond between the Queen and her Guardian. It may be indulgent, but I like to believe adding pieces of my real world to my fictional world makes for a more authentic story. It certainly makes it more fun to write!
Here is Seoras’ story:
The Wallace, Wall-ace, were part of the race of people inhabiting Scotland’s Midwest coastlands at the sea mouth of the Clyde (Alcluid). They were known as the Strathclyde Britons, whose central castle/fortification was DunBriton (today known as Dumbarton). The King was known as the Ard Righ, or High King: full title Artur ard Righ. Artur (from Arturus) means the Bear. His queen was titled Bann Righ, or the Ace.
The Artur ard Righ sent to all the Clans for their best warriors, male and female, a gathering of the finest of the nation’s dedicated warrior class. They put their lives before any threat to the Ace, Bann Righ, who represented all that was precious to the peoples of Strathclyde and guarded the iconic symbols and religions of the race at all costs against Roman, Saxon, or any other enemy.
An Ace primarily is represented in the living body of the ancient nation’s Queen, who was also of warrior stock and traditionally a trainer of the young blood, or future kings and queens. But the word ace also refers to the iconic symbols of the race. The Guardians carried these totemic symbols to war, and so were the heart of the people. When not at war, these aces were placed originally at the foot of the Antonius wall by the Guardians, who derived their clan name, Wallace, from this action: Wall/Ace.
This brings me to the role of women in the Clan, both ancient and modern. It’s funny that outsiders see only the surface: big, strong, kinda dodgy-looking men who seem invulnerable and anything but matriarchal. The truth is far from it. A true Clan warrior reveres and respects his woman, and the Clan women, with his heart and soul and body. Here’s how Seoras describes it:
The status of women among the Clan, both ancient and modern, has its basis in the powerful obligation we feel to protect and serve that begins as a boy and then develops into the soul of a man. A woman is worldly stability and procreation of the race. She is recognized in spirit. Her intellect is given equal merit and standing in our society, as can be seen in the genealogy of the Scots in particular. They’re known as a small but ferocious race of men but in actuality serve a matriarchal belief system. Simply put, your father may be in question, but you would always know your mother.
THE HANGING TREE
The romantic subject of Scottish Clansmen respecting their women is a lovely lead-in to my very favorite research tidbit from the Isle of Skye: the hanging tree.
On this cold, rainy day, Seoras and I were driving around Skye on our own, and we discovered an amazing grove, which I completely re-created for Nyx’s Otherworld and used as a temporary haven for Zoey, Heath, and Stark in Burned. But what drew our attention to the grove was the tree that stood like a beacon before it. Once again, in the House of Night world, fiction closely mirrors real life. When I describe the hanging tree in the House of Night I am describing this very tree on the Isle of Skye.
Seoras stopped his vehicle and pointed at the tree, which was a hawthorn and a rowan wrapped together. He said, “Aye, that would make a fine hangin’ tree.”
Okay, as an American I gave him a horrified look. A hanging tree? In front of a serene, mystical grove? How awful! He was quick to see that we’d had a cultural communication error, so he went on to explain:
Hanging trees are trees of special significance to Scottish Clan folks. A hanging tree is usually of hawthorn, elm, or oak but can be any long-lived tree where Clan folks of the auld religions would hang a piece of material or object, and sometimes even food for the sibh (fairy folk), and simply make a wish, with sincerity, in the hope that wish may come true, also knowing that the wish in its least effect is blessing someone with good health or fortune. A wish is never wasted. Generally it would be for the wellbeing of family or others. Sometimes folk would hang bandages to foster the help of the little people to remedy an injury or illness. Some would hang baby clothes, hoping for pregnancy.
The most famous hanging trees in Scotland are at the Black Isle across from Culloden Moor near Inverness. These are reckoned to be hundreds of years old. Many are near springs or running water to invoke the water spirits. Some are near burial grounds where the energies and juices of the burials were taken into the tree for nourishment. Hence the habit of touching wood for luck: if you touch a tree near where a friend or ancestor is buried, you touch the part of that person that is still there in spirit.
Another use for the hanging tree was to symbolize the union of “marriage” between two people. They both would take a strip of cloth and then tie a knot, binding the two of them together, safe in the knowledge that only they can untie the knot. The only known Clan to practice this ancient tradition today is the Clan Wallace. For the past twenty years we have inaugurated trees from Shehallion in the center of Scotland to those on the by-ways of all four corners of the land. So, in Scotland, you will always be close to a wishing or hanging tree, if you look for them.
And I promise you, House of Night fans, if you go to the Isle of Skye and follow a one-lane road where, on your left, a grove stretches down a sloping ridge like the back of a sleeping dragon, you will see at its head a tree, hawthorn and rowan joined, that is decorated by strips of cream and gold cloth from an American author tied with the earthen-tone plaid of a Scottish Clan Chieftain, binding the two of us together. If you find it, friends, please stop and add your own wishes, dreams, and fondest desires to the tree. It will welcome you, just as I welcome you to the rich and varied history that has become the Cruithne tied lovingly with the House of Night.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again . . .
[1] The Gaelic I use is mainly from the Dalriadic and Gallovidian languages from the west coast of Scotland and the northeast coast of Ireland. This dialect is commonly referred to as Gal-Gaelic or GalGael.
[2] Alan Torrance isn’t only a Clan member and a historian, he is also an exceptionally talented artist. It is his work that illustrates this book!
{ Behind the House of Night Names }
What’s in a name? Well, after reading how P.C. Cast discovered and wove the Cruithne myths into her tales, you now know that much time and research has gone into creating the intricate plotlines of the House of Night novels. The same is true for the names of the characters.
Below is an appendix of the more intriguing names in the series. You won’t find everyone’s here; with some names, like Heath Luck or Erik Night, what you see is what you get. But for others, we’ve untangled the historical, mythological, and pop culture ties—inwtentional and incidental—that give these characters’ monikers
a little extra magic.
THE FLEDGLINGS
Zoey Redbird
Zoey (Greek) life; Redbird in Cherokee myth, the Redbird is the daughter of the Sun
In the House of Night . . .
During their first meeting in Marked, Nyx calls Zoey u-s-ti Do-tsu-wa, or “little Redbird.” Redbird is also the last name of Zoey’s grandmother Sylvia, and when Zoey enters the House of Night, she takes this name as her own.
In mythology . . .
Jealous that the people of Earth could look upon her brother the Moon without squinting, the Sun sent down a vicious heat wave to kill them. To stop her, the people sent two snakes to attack the Sun during her daily visit to her daughter’s house in the middle of the sky. The copperhead snake failed, but the rattlesnake, overly eager to complete the task, accidently struck the Sun’s daughter and killed her. Grieved, the Sun left the world to mourn, plunging everything into darkness. Seven men were sent to the Ghost World to retrieve Redbird’s spirit, put her in a box, and bring her home without opening it. But near the end, they cracked the lid to make sure she hadn’t smothered, and a redbird flew out and away.
Of note . . .
Ironically enough, given that Zoey is a vampyre, this myth is meant to explain why people cannot be brought back from the dead. That is, of course, not the only irony here: though Zoey is a daughter of Nyx, the Goddess of Night, she is named after the daughter of the sun.
Aphrodite
(Greek) risen from the sea
In mythology . . .
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of beauty, love, and sexuality. Her name is taken from the Greek word aphros (sea foam) and refers to her birth: she rose from the sea where the castrated member of Ouranos (the sky and father of the gods) was tossed.
In the House of Night . . .
By far the prickliest of Zoey’s circle, Aphrodite shares common traits with her namesake. Both are extraordinary beautiful and known to exhibit ferocious pride, haughtiness, and jealousy when they feel their status is threatened by another woman.
Of note . . .
When Aphrodite’s roommate first came to the House of Night she took the name Venus, the Roman version of the goddess Aphrodite.
Damien
(Greek) to tame
In the House of Night . . .
Damien is the studious one in Zoey’s circle. He is often the most levelheaded and objective—dare we say tamest?—of the bunch.
In reality . . .
Damien is based on P.C.’s former student and research assistant, John Maslin, who found the quote from Hesiod about Nyx and the House of Night that begins Marked, the first book in the series. As fledglings who are Marked get to choose their own name, P.C. offered John the same opportunity. Thus we have Damien, a fledgling with an affinity for air and research.
Erin
(Irish) derived from Éirinn, meaning “Ireland”
In the House of Night . . .
Erin is the blonde half of the infamous Twins and has an affinity for water.
Of note . . .
Given Erin’s affinity for water and the Irish and Cruithne elements that appear in the later books in the series, it seems appropriate that she shares a name with one of the largest islands in the world.
Deino, Enyo, Pemphredo
(Greek) Deino (terrible), Enyo (warlike), Pemphredo (wasp)
In mythology . . .
In Greek myth, the Graiai or “Gray Sisters” are sea-daimons and sisters to the Gorgons (of which Medusa is probably the most famous). Either two or three in number, depending on the myth, the Graiai are said to share one eye and one tooth among them. By stealing their eye, the hero Perseus was able to find the three objects needed to kill Medusa.
In the House of Night . . .
Deino, Enyo, and Pemphredo are the three fledglings who make up Aphrodite’s inner circle of friends in Marked. They are unaffectionately labeled “the Hags from Hell” by Erin and Shaunee.
James Stark
James Stark taken from the character Jim Stark, James Dean’s character in Rebel Without a Cause
In the movie . . .
Rebel Without a Cause has become a cult classic for generations of “misunderstood teenagers” and James Dean in that red windbreaker the symbol of living fast and dying young.
In the House of Night . . .
It’s unclear if James Stark also took his first name from James Dean, but it is certain from the moment he is introduced in Untamed that he is a bit of a rebel. Incidentally, the archer also “dies” very young. (Luckily, he is resurrected and eventually finds his way back to the Light in Hunted.) Stark’s original surname was MacUallis, which marked him as one of the Guardians of the Ace (see Seoras).
Of note . . .
Red windbreaker, red vampyre. Coincidence? We’ll leave that up to you
Jack Twist
Jack Twist taken from the character Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain
In the movie . . .
Brokeback Mountain is the story of two cowboys who fall in love and must keep their relationship hidden, mostly through the means of unhappy marriages. Jack Twist is by far the more outgoing and passionate half of the couple. This may or may not have contributed to his death, which was either from changing a tire that exploded or his being beaten to death after his sexuality was discovered.
In the House of Night . . .
Jack Twist is the bubbliest of Zoey’s circle, sensitive and innocent almost to the point of being childlike, and like his namesake, he is the dramatic half of his relationship with Damien.
Shaunee
Shaunee taken from the Shawnee Indian tribe, also the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma
In history . . .
The Shawnee Indians were only one of many tribes that settled around what is now known as Shawnee, Oklahoma, after the Civil War. All three federally recognized Shawnee tribes are based in Oklahoma today: the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe in Shawnee, the Eastern Shawnee Tribe in West Seneca, and the Shawnee Tribe in Miami.
In the House of Night . . .
Shaunee is the brunette half of the Twins. She has an affinity for fire that matches her sometimes fierce temper. Despite her name’s Oklahoma connections, she hails from Connecticut.
THE VAMPYRES
• • •
House of Night Professors
Anastasia Lankford
Anastasia (Greek) resurrection; Lankford see Dragon Lankford
In Christianity . . .
Anastasia of Sirmium was a Christian saint and martyr. She is specially commemorated in the second Mass on Christmas day. Not much is known about her actual life, and legends conflict as to whether she was Roman or not and even who she was exactly. However, it is certain that Anastasia gave her life for her faith in Sirmium, and because of this her memory was kept sacred. St. Anastasia is also revered as a healer. The Eastern Orthodox Church calls her “Deliverer from Potions” and she is often called upon to protect people from poison and harmful substances.
In the House of Night . . .
Anastasia was married to Professor Dragon Lankford. She taught Rituals and Spells at the Tulsa House of Night, and she was among the few professors who fought against the Raven Mockers in Hunted. Anastasia was also the single casualty of that fight. Murdered by Rephaim, her sacrifice helped allow Zoey and her friends to safely escape the overrun campus.
In reality . . .
The real Anastasia Lankford is married to Bryan Lankford, the inspiration for the character Dragon Lankford.
Dragon Lankford
Dragon (Greek) derived from drakōn, a large serpent, python, or dragon; Lankford taken from Bryan Lankford, on whom the character is based
In mythology . . .
Dragons of Eastern myth are benevolent, often bringing good fortune and symbolizing excellence and power. However, dragons of European myth are often evil. They are intelligent, but extremely greedy and selfish.
In the House of Night . . .
Dragon Lankford is the fencin
g instructor at the House of Night. His facial tattoos are in the form of two dragons breathing fire at the crescent symbol in the middle of his forehead.
In reality . . .
Dragon Lankford’s real-life counterpart, Bryan Lankford, who wrote an essay for this book, is also an educator: he writes books and leads classes on Wicca. After winning the chance to become a new character in the House of Night series in a charity auction at an autumn Pagan gathering where P.C. was speaking, Bryan and his wife, Anastasia, were added to the cast of vampyres.
Of note . . .
Dragon Lankford’s name also evokes the story of the red dragon in Welsh myth and Arthurian legend. The red dragon was said to be a prophecy of the coming of King Arthur, famous puller of the sword from the stone. Arthur’s father was named Uther Pendragon, “chief dragon” or “dragon’s head.” And how about this for a cool coincidence: Anastasia Lankford’s cat shares a name with Guinevere, King Arthur’s queen. (Although given that P.C. is of Welsh descent, maybe there’s more to this than coincidence after all . . .)
Lenobia
Lenobia taken from Zenobia, queen of the empire of Palmyrene
In history . . .
After her husband and his eldest successor were assassinated, Zenobia became regent for her one-year-old son in a.d. 267, ruling the Roman colony of Palmyrene in present-day Syria. In her new position, Zenobia swiftly conquered Egypt in 269 and declared Palmyrene independent from Rome. The Warrior Queen, as she came to be called, would conquer much of Asia Minor before her defeat and capture by the emperor Aurelian. There are many stories of how her life ended, but the most common is that Aurelian, impressed by her courage and audacity, freed Zenobia and granted her clemency. She was said to have married a Roman senator and lived the remainder of her life peacefully in a villa in Tibur, modern-day Tivoli, Italy.