Paul Thompson - Sanctuary

“Is the place hospitable?” asked Planchet. “What of the dangers Lady Kerianseray mentioned?”

“We have many scholars and sages among us. They will unravel the mysteries. Besides—” Gilthas frowned. “There are dangers here too, and they will grow greater if we stay.”

The nomads had been driven back, but only temporarily. They would recover and return, using the desert as a shield against Sahim’s powerful but ponderous army. Plots in the city would continue so long as the Sons of the Crimson Vulture agitated against the elves. The rogue sorcerer Faeterus was still at large. Compared to these pressing ills, how terrible could Inath-Wakenti be?

Gilthas saw his retinue watching him, and he knew their troubled thoughts. He, too, sometimes wondered whether he had become obsessed with a spot on an old map. Was it sanctuary or delusion? The only way to know the truth was to go there.

As inevitable as drawing breath, his thoughts returned to Kerian. He refused to count her as dead. He would know in his heart if her life had ended. More likely, she had been carried off by the nomads, to whom she’d so valiantly surrendered herself. He already had resolved to send a small band of warriors to determine her fate and rescue her if possible. He would put Hytanthas Ambrodel in charge. However far the nomads went, however long it took, the dedicated captain would follow. If Kerian had been slain, Gilthas must know. If she was Adala’s prisoner, he must get her back. The one thing he could not do was remain any longer in Khuri-Khan. Sahim’s resources would be invaluable in the search for Kerianseray, but the elves must leave him on good terms. If they tarried, Gilthas risked losing the entire elven nation. The survival of his people must outweigh the welfare of his wife.

Dreams were murky things. As the sun settled low between the western dunes and the hot blue sky cooled to the colors of fire, Gilthas closed his eyes and let his chin rest on his hands. They were all such a long way from home. Like children, they were trying to find their place in the world. But children, he mused, didn’t usually have half a continent trying to kill them.

Trying. Many had tried, and failed. The ancient race of elves, firstborn of the world, would not be swept into oblivion without a mighty struggle. They would call on every scrap of strength, talent, and enterprise to save themselves. A hundred thousand had followed their Speaker into exile after the dual destructions of their homelands. From this core of strength, this seed, a new elven nation would grow. All that was needed was a sanctuary to allow the seedling to take root.

Dreams were awake. Gilthas opened his eyes to the dying sun.

affre—A hooded, ankle-length robe worn over the geb; especially favored by nomads of the high desert.

Fabazz (a.k.a. Lesser Souk)—An outdoor market in Khuri-Khan, for spices, incense, and foodstuffs.

geb—A sleeveless robe that hangs straight from the shoulders unless tied at the waist with the ghuffran; especially favored by nomads.

geel—One of the eleven civic precincts of Khuri-Khan.

geel-khana—The guard commander of one of Khuri-Khan’s eleven geel.

ghuffran—A leather cord used as a belt on the geb.

Grand Souks—The main outdoor market in Khuri-Khan and the largest market in all of Ansalon.

Harbalah—The northern district of Khuri-Khan, ruined by Malystryx and not repaired.

Khuri-Khan—The capital city of Khur; historically, the seat of the Khur tribe.

Khuri yl Nor (“Palace of the Setting Sun”)—The palace of the khan in Khuri-Khan.

laddad—(ancient) Literally, “those who walk on air,” referring to griffon riders. (modern) Elves, encompassing Qualinesti, Silvanesti, and Kagonesti, since Khurs make no distinction.

Laddad-ihar (“Elves’ Anthill”)—The Khurish name for the elven tent settlement outside Khuri-Khan.

Lesser Souk—see Fabazz

maita—Fate, carrying connotations of inevitability, an outcome predestined by the gods which no mortal can escape.

Malsh-mekkek (“Malys’s Tooth”)—A boulder buried in the Nak-Safal, hurled by Malystryx in an unsuccessful attempt to destroy Khuri-Khan’s great well.

Malsh-sakhar (“Malys’s Anvil”)—The western gate into Khuri-Khan; so called because Malystryx crushed many foes against its iron portcullises.

Mazin yl Sadaf (“Lake of Dreams”)—A dry depression six miles from Khuri-Khan; so called because travelers commonly see mirages of water in it.

Nak-Safal (“Bottomless Pool”) —The great artesian well in the center of Khuri-Khan.

Nor-Khan—The central citadel in the Khuri yl Nor.

soukat—A merchant in the Khurish soak.

souk —Outdoor market.

Weyadan (“mother of the Weya-Lu”)—A title of the widow of the Weya-Lu chief.

Zacca-Khur (“Father of Khur”)—One of the khan’s many titles (i.e., Sahim Zacca-Khur).

Fin-Maskar—Coastal tribe. Herders and fishermen, one of the wealthiest of Khurish tribes.

Hachakee—Their territory lies south of Khuri-Khan. Highly-skilled horse-breeders.

Khur—Tribe of the royal house of Khur. Native territory, the eastern desert to the sea.

Mayakhur—From the far south of Khur. Smallest of the tribes, renowned for their tracking skills.

Mikku—Their territory is north of Khuri-Khan. Frequent suppliers of mercenaries to Neraka and the Khan’s army.

Tondoon—Their territory is west of Khuri-Khan. Largest tribe in Khur.

Weya-Lu—Their territory is in northwest Khur, between Khuri-Khan and Kortal.

Khurs worship a legion of gods and demi-gods only vaguely familiar to outsiders, and nomad deities vary from those worshiped by city dwellers. The following seem to be the most frequently mentioned:

Eldin the Judge—High god of nomads.

Elir-Sana—The divine healer, bringer of plenty; may equate to Mishakal.

Torghan, the Avenger—God of vengeance; may equate to Sargonnas.

Kargath the Warrior—May equate to Kiri-Jolith.

Rakaris the Hunter—Patron deity of hunters and predators; may equate to Chislev.

Anthor the Hermit—God scholars, poets, and dreamers; usually equated with Majere.

Hab’rar the Messenger—Carrier of the winds; thought to be Habbakuk.

Soro the Firemaker—God hearth and home. May equate to Sirrion.

Ayyan the Deceiver—Goddess of darkness.