Romani: a class that has no country or kingdom. Romani can be of any race. They control the caravan routes and deliver goods between kingdoms with the strongest allegiance to the Preachán city of Havenrook. They are forbidden to enter or to operate within Silvandom. Romani are known for kidnapping and organized crime. Starting at age eight, they are sold into service at ten-year increments. Their value increases in age and training and usually diminishes with age and disability. Each decade of servitude corresponds with an earring, which they cannot remove under pain of death. Their freedom may be purchased for a single, usually large, lump sum.
Seithrall: a quasi-religion existing in the island kingdom of Kenatos. The term is a transliteration of the Vaettir words for “fate” or “faith,” as one being under the thrall of one or the other. While the Rikes of Kenatos do not suggest that the term connotes a specific religion, the populace of the city has given it a mystical quality as it is not possible to lie to a Rike who wears the black ring.
Shaliah: a class of Silvandom known for the keramat of healing. This ability is innate and comes from their closeness to nature and the ability to share their life force with others.
Sylph: a spirit creature of Mirrowen that is tiny and can travel great distances and provide warnings of danger and healing.
Talisman: a Druidecht charm, fixed to a necklace, which is presented to the Druidecht by the spirits of Mirrowen upon achieving a sufficient level of respect, usually achieved by adulthood. The emblem is a woven-knot pattern, intricately done, and it purportedly allows a Druidecht to commune with unseen spirits.
Tay al-Ard: spirit beings of great power that possess the gift of moving people and objects great distances in mere moments. It is considered a keramat to be able to induce such spirits to perform this feat.
Uddhava: a Bhikhu philosophy and way of life that centers on the observation and discernment of the motives of others, and then acting in a way that validates or rejects the observation. Life is a series of intricate moves and countermoves between people, and a Bhikhu who can make the observations and reactions faster than an opponent will win a confrontation.
Vaettir: a race from Silvandom that values life above all. They are generally tall and slender, dark-skinned, with black hair. They do not eat meat and seek to preserve life in all its various forms. Their magic is innate and the wise use and practice of it is known as keramat. When they inhale deeply, their bodies become buoyant and can float. When they exhale deeply, their bodies become more dense and solid and they sink.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many thanks to all the staff at 47North for their hard work and expert advice. A special thank-you to David Pomerico who liked the synopsis of Mirrowen enough to sign me up. I was the first author he signed when he joined 47North, and he was my first real editor. Also thanks to my early readers (again) for their feedback and encouragement: Gina, Karen, Robin, and Emily. I also would like to thank the fabulous Chris Cerasi and Clarence Haynes, whose input and guidance improved the trilogy and helped me tug at your heartstrings. And finally, to all my wonderful readers who have waited patiently (and not so patiently) for this series to finish.