Dragonclaw (54 page)

Rurach:
wild, mountainous land of Eileanan, ruled by MacRuraich clan.

 

sabre-leopard:
savage feline with curved fangs that lives in the remote mountain areas.

Samhain:
first day of winter; festival for the souls of the dead.

Sani:
servant of Maya the Ensorcellor.

Scarred Warrior:
Khan'cohban warriors, who are scarred as a mark of achievement.

seanalair:
general of the army.

Scruffy:
beggar boy in Lucescere. Also known as Dillon the Bold.

scrying:
to perceive through crystal gazing or other focus. Most witches can scry if the object to be perceived is well-known to them.

Seychella:
wind witch. Killed by Mesmerd.

skeelie:
a village witch or wise woman.

Skill:
a common application of magic, such as lighting a candle or dowsing for water.

Siantan:
northwest land, once owned by MacSian clan, now part of Rurach.

Sithiche Mountains:
northernmost mountains of Rionnagan.

Sgàilean Mountains:
northwesterly range of mountains dividing Siantan and Rurach.

Spine of the World:
the range of snow-capped mountains that divide Eileanan.

Spinners:
goddesses of fate. The spinner Sniomhar, the goddess of birth; the weaver Breabadair, goddess of life; and she who cuts the thread, Gearradh, goddess of death.

spring equinox:
when the day reaches the same length as the night.

Stargazers:
another name for the Celestines.

summer solstice:
when the sun is furthest north from the equator; Midsummer's Eve.

Summer Tree:
device of the MacAislin Clan, a tree which supposedly grows in the fabled gardens of the Celestines. Revered by all of the woodland faery races.

 

Tabithas the Wolf-Runner:
Keybearer of the Coven of Witches before disappearing from Eileanan after the Day of Betrayal.

Talent:
witches often combine their strengths in the different elements to one powerful Talent; ie, the ability to charm animals, like Meghan.

Test of Elements:
Once a witch is fully accepted into the Coven at the age of twenty-four, they learn Skills in the element in which they are strongest. The First Test of any element wins them a ring which is worn on the right hand. If they pass the Third Test in any one element, the witch becomes a sorcerer or sorceress, and wears a ring on their left hand. It is very rare for any witch to win a sorceress ring in more than one element.

Test of Power:
a witch is first tested on his or her eighth birthday, and if any magical powers are detected, he or she becomes an acolyte. On their sixteenth birthday, witches are tested again, and if they pass, permitted to become apprentices. The Third Test of Power takes place on their twenty-fourth birthday, and if successfully completed, the apprentice is fully admitted into the Coven of Witches.

Theurgia:
a school for acolytes and apprentices.

Tìrlethan:
Land of the Twins; once ruled by Faodhagan and Sorcha, twin sorcerers.

Tìreich:
land of the horse lairds; most westerly country of Eileanan, populated by nomadic tribes famous for their horses, and owned by MacAhern clan.

Tìrsoilleir:
The Bright Land, once ruled by the MacHilde clan; rejects witchcraft and the ruling family in favour of militant religion.

thigearn:
horse-lairds; they live on horseback and cannot dismount without dishonour. Often tame and ride flying horses.

Tòmas the Healer:
seven year old boy, apprentice to Jorge the Seer.

Towers, the:
The Towers of the Witches. Thirteen towers built as centres of learning and witchcraft in the twelve lands of Eileanan. The Towers are:

tree-changer:
woodland faery. Can shift shape from tree to humanlike creature.

Tuathan Loch:
the loch near Caeryla.

Tulachna Celeste:
a sacred place of the Celestines. In the Veiled Forest, near Tuathan Loch, Rionnagan.

tulach:
small green hill.

tùr:
tower.

 

uile-bheist; uile-bheistean
(pl): monsters.

 

Yedda:
sea witches.

Yutta:
Grand-Questioner of the Awl.

 

will-o'-the-wisp:
creature of the marshes.

Wulfrum River:
river that runs through Rurach.