by G. R. Lyons
Circle of Seven – gathering of seven magi, combining their powers to strip the magic from one of their fellows
Collision – part of the shift cycle, when two Isles come in contact with one another in a process similar to our plate tectonics; essentially, a violent earthquake
Erosti – a person who lives on or originates from Erostil
Erosti Leisure Guild – organization that trains and certifies guildmates and guildmistresses on the Isle of Erostil
Erostil – an Isle, originally to the south of the land, between Jadu'n and Agoran, before the Breaking of the World; an exotic, tropical paradise; a constitutional democracy
Faldris – first month of the year; originally (and still, by tradition) part of the winter season before the Breaking of the World
Falsin – an Isle, originally the northernmost reaches of the land before the Breaking of the World; a place of constant snow and ice and little sunshine; organized into clans and under the rule of a king
Falsiner – a person who lives on or originates from Falsin
Father – alternate name for either Zhagos or Kalos
'Father's love' – oath often used on Jadu'n in place of other curses or profanities; refers to the god Kalos
Gate – a portal made of starglass; each Gate is paired, so they have exclusive destinations
Guildmate – title of a trained and certified male member of the Erosti Leisure Guild; essentially, an exceptionally talented prostitute also trained in music, dance, acting, cooking, massage, etc.
Indisar – an Isle, originally to the southeast of the land before the Breaking of the World; a desert wasteland; under monarchic rule
Jadu'n – an Isle, originally near the southern coast of the land before the Breaking of the World; also known as the Hole in the Ocean, as it is a valley almost entirely below sea level; home of the magi
Jaduan – a person who lives or studies on Jadu'n; of or pertaining to Jadu'n
Jaduan High Council – another name for the Vakti, the ruling council on Jadu'n
Kalos – Father of Healing; a lesser deity created by Skelroth; brother to Zhagos; patron god of the Isle of Jadu'n
Lady – a title for members of the Vakti, the Jaduan High Council
mage – man born with magical powers (plural: magi); one who studies magical craft on Jadu'n
Master – common title for a Rajali mage
Rajali – a fully trained and certified mage
shifting / shift cycle – a process similar to our plate tectonics; after the Breaking of the World, the land was no longer anchored as one mass, and instead became separate Isles that shift across the globe, sometimes grazing coastlines or directly colliding (see also: Collision)
Skelroth – the supreme deity; the Creator of All
starglass – a celestial substance crafted into portals, using a combination of Agorani technology and Jaduan magic; paired sections of starglass allow a person or object to travel from one location to another as simply as stepping through a doorway; shimmers like starlight, but neither reflects anything before it nor allows a view to what lies beyond it
Subhadin – celestial body also known as the Father's sun, created by Kalos from the everlasting fire; provides sparkling light but little heat, and travels a wayward path unlike its counterparts
Sulinel – third month of the year; originally (and still, by tradition) part of the spring season before the Breaking of the World
sunsrise / sunslight – the world of the Shifting Isles has two suns: one, Sehryl, gives off light and heat, and travels a regular path; the other, Subhadin, only creates a sparkling light and is wayward, but travels with Sehryl often enough for the dawn to be called sunsrise, plural
Tanas – an Isle, originally to the west of the land, just above Agoran, before the Breaking of the World; once a tentative democracy and now a supposed commune under the rule of the Council of Elders
Tanasian – a person who lives on or originates from the Isle of Tanas; Tanasians are known for having insecure minds which allows them to engage in telepathy, telekinesis, and bioengineering/regeneration on a cellular level
Tarvin – seventh month of the year; originally (and still, by tradition) part of the fall season before the Breaking of the World
Vakti – the Jaduan High Council, comprised of seven women whose magical ability is limited to sensing the existence of those who will become magi; they also hold all governmental power on the Isle of Jadu'n
Void – vast emptiness in which Skelroth kindled the everlasting fire, from which originated the lesser deities and the world known to Man
wingback – term for flying on a beykana
Zhagos – Father of Stone; a lesser deity created by Skelroth; brother to Kalos; patron god of the Isle of Falsin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
G.R. Lyons lives on California's beautiful Central Coast, daylighting as an office manager for the family auto repair business. Between repair orders and after hours, Lyons can be found reading all manner of books or working on one of several manuscripts.
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Table of Contents
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Thank you for reading!
GLOSSARY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR