Adrian Tchaikovsky - Heirs of the Blade

Rhael – untenanted province in Roh

Roh – Principality covered by Felipe Shah

Sara Tele – village in Elas Mar province

Shon Fhor – capital of the Commonweal

Siriell’s Town – bandit town in Rhael province

Solamen – fortress in the Principalities (formerly Shol Amen)

Solarno – a city of high artifice on the Exalsee

Suon Ren – town and castle of Felipe Shah

Szar – Bee city in the Three-city Alliance

Three-city Alliance – a state composed of Maynes, Myna and Szar, former Wasp subjects

Toek Station – Scorpion trading post north of Solarno

Tsolshevy – believed Woodlouse-kinden community, unknown location

Vesserett – Bee city within the Empire

Consortium of the Honest – mercantile arm of the Imperial administration

Iron Glove – trading cartel of artificers led by Dariandrephos

Landsarmy – the army of refugees led by Salme Dien during the war

Loquae – a speaker for a Mantis-kinden community

The Many – Scorpion-kinden of the Nem desert

The Masters – the ancient, legendary rulers of Khanaphes

Mercers – Dragonfly-kinden knights errant

Monarch – the ruler of the Commonweal

Nailbow – a weapon that shoots bolts via a firepowder charge, powerful but inaccurate and of limited range.

Rekef – Imperial secret service and police, divided into Inlander and Outlander

Salmae – Dragonfly noble family led by Salme Elass

Scriptora – the Khanaphir seat of government

Shadow Box – artefact linked to the Darakyon, destroyed by Tisamon

Skryre – a magical leader of the Moth-kinden

Snapbow – a weapon devised by Totho that projects a bolt over a long range with great force and accuracy

Twelve-year War – the war between the Empire and the Commonweal

Way Brothers – a philosophical order providing hospitality to travellers

The Windlass – Jons Allanbridge’s new airship, replacing the Buoyant Maiden