Robert Hughes - The Power and the Prophet

Bronwynn smiled. “It is indeed.”

“Good,” Rosha said, he grabbed his wife and the prophet by their hands. “Come on. We’ve a coronation to conclude.” They started for the mouth of the old twi-beast’s lair, but there Rosha paused and looked over his shoulder.

“We’ll see you later,” he said firmly.

Pelmen the powershaper smiled. “We’ll come.”

Then the new King and Queen of the One Land stepped back into the sunshine to accept the rights and responsibilities of their realm. As he smiled down at his new subjects, Rosha permitted himself a quick glance over the shoulder. But Pelmen and Serphimera had already gone. His throat ached with a touch of sorrow, but he quickly overcame it. This was a day of joy. He raised his hand high above his head, and waved.

Admon Faye: An obscenely ugly slaver and outlaw, chosen by Flayh to be head of security in the High Fortress.

Agarnalath: A warrior of Lamath. Asher Once Chieftain of Defense and Expansion of Lamath, he was eaten by Vicia-Heinox while helping Pelmen to kill the beast.

Bainer: A Mari warrior allied to Syth and Mar-Yilot.

Barleb: Operator of the barge between the North Coast and Sythia Isle and a servant of Syth.

Belra: A Mari warrior, Citylord of Garnabel and Shurl of the Upper Coast, allied with Dorlyth against Pahd mod Pahd-el.

Blez: One of the ancient trading houses participating in the Council of Elders, the merchant monopoly.

Blue flyer: A magical breed of bird used to carry messages over long distances.

Bronwynn: Queen of Chaomonous, wife to Rosha mod Dorlyth, and long a friend of Pelmen Dragonsbane.

Carlog: One of the larger cities of Ngandib-Mar, located in the Furrowmar region.

Cerdeb: A Mari leader from the Downlands region allied to Syth mod Syth-el.

Chanos: A lord of Ngandib-Mar loyal to King Pahd with a long personal grudge against Tuckad.

Chaomonous: “The Golden Land,” the largest of the three nations clustered around Dragonsgate, ruled by Queen Bronwynn.

Chimolitha: “Chim,” a pleasant-tempered tugolith who was involved in the near execution of Pelmen and who helped him survive.

Chogi Ian Pahd-el: Mother of King Pahd mod Pahd-el and a powerful force in the administration of Ngandib-Mar.

Clawsp: See Sugar-clawsp.

Danyilyn: A professional actress in Chaomonous and a close friend of Pelmen.

Dolna: Official handler of tugoliths in Lamath.

Downlands: One of the six regions of Ngandib-Mar, located far to the south in the area of Arl Lake.

Dorlyth mod Karis: Warrior, hero, father to Rosha mod Dorlyth and friend to Pelmen Dragonsbane. He was made Jorl of the Westmouth by Pahd mod Pahd-el for his victory over Chaomonous.

Dragonfaith: The ancient religion of Lamath, centered on worship of the two-headed dragon.

Dragonsgate: The central mountain pass connecting Lamath, Chaomonous and Ngandib-Mar, formerly the home of Vicia-Heinox.

Drax: A three-sided table game played throughout the three lands, usually with wagers on the outcome.

Erri: The Prophet of Lamath and chief architect of the growth of the skyfaith, as well as the potential ruler of Lamath.

Ferlyth mod Kerlyth: Cousin and ally of Dorlyth mod Karis and Jorl of the Furrowmar.

Flayh: Once the ruling elder of the trading house of Ognadzu, now an immensely powerful wizard residing in the High Fortress of Ngandib. His altershape is the dog.

Furrowmar: One of the six regions of Ngandib-Mar composed of the highland farmlands in the central west.

Garnabel: A large city in Ngandib-Mar, located in the Furrowmar.

Gerrig: A professional actor in Chaomonous and close friend of Pelmen.

Golden Throng: The army of Chaomonous.

Hann: One of the merchant families participating in the Council of Elders, the merchant monopoly.

High Fortress of Ngandib: The ancient castle situated on a spur jutting from the High Plateau that was the home of Pahd, which was brought magically to life by Flayh.

High Plateau: The outcropping of rock in central Ngandib-Mar upon which the city of Ngandib was built.

Imperial House of Chaomonous: The royal palace of the ruling family of Chaomonous, brought to life before the making of the dragon by the wizard Nobalog.

The Isles: One of the six regions in Ngandib-Mar, composed of all the islands off the North Coast in the far north of the land.

Jagd: Ruling Elder of the trading family of Uda, residing in Chaomonous.

Janos mod Jerrid: Cousin to Pahd mod Pahd-el, Jorl of the Nethermar, and ally with Pahd against the rebels of the North Coast.

Joooms: A Mari powershaper of dark complexion and secretive nature, known for his greed. His altershape is the lizard.

Jorl: Administrative head of one of the six regions of Ngandib-Mar and a hereditary title. Upon the death of a Jorl without an heir, the title is conferred upon an individual of the King’s choice.

Joss: General of the Golden Throng, longtime Lord of War for Chaomonous, appointed Ambassador to Lamath by Queen Bronwynn.

Kam: A lord of Ngandib-Mar whose lands touch the base of the High Plateau, and who is allied with Syth against Pahd.

Kherda: Prime Minister of the land of Chaomonous.

Lamath: The large coastal kingdom north of Dragonsgate, long ruled by a weak king in consultation with the leaders of the Dragonfaith, now ruled by the Prophet of Lamath.

Laph mod Parem: Ruling Elder of the merchant house of Hann in Ngandib-Mar and an ally of Syth mod Syth-el.

Maliff: Falconer to Queen Bronwynn in the Imperial House of Chaomonous.

Maris: People of Ngandib-Mar.

Mar-Yilot: “The Autumn Lady,” a sorceress of Ngandib-Mar and wife of Syth mod Syth-el. Her altershape is the butterfly.

Mast: A squat, somewhat cowardly wizard of Ngandib-Mar. His altershape is the frog.

Minaliss: A powerful war horse once belonging to Pezi, later ridden by Pelmen and Bronwynn.

Mudgecurdle: A small furry creature looking much like a pleasant bunny but ejecting a horrible stench when startled. Used as an epithet meaning “traitor” or “betrayer.”

Naquin: Formerly the High Priest of the Dragonfaith (by heredity, not conviction), later an initiate of the skyfaith and a missionary sent by Erri to Chaomonous.

Nethermar: The rich, diamond-producing region of Ngandib-Mar stretching from the Garnabel Bridge to the North Coast.

Ngandib: The capital city of Ngandib-Mar, sitting upon a high plateau in the center of the land. The city lord is considered to be King of Ngandib-Mar.

Ngandib-Mar: The warlike, highland country to the west of Dragonsgate, rich in jewels and martial tradition, and the land of magic. Also called simply “The Mar.”

Ngarl: A Mari lord loyal to Pahd and his cousin Janos.

Nobalog: An ancient wizard from the time before the making of the dragon who brought the Imperial House to life and wrote the spell-book that became the source of Flayh’s knowledge.