Elei's Chronicles (Books 1-3) (81 page)

Palantin
: like telmion, it is a pathogenic fungal infection. Not as strong as telmion, it can be controlled with suppressants, but if left unchecked, usually proves lethal. On the surface, it manifests as white spiderweb-like patterns on the skin.

Regina
: ‘queen’ in Latin (here: name of the parasite which has created the race of the Gultur)

Rex
: a relative of cronion, it is even stronger, able to control nerve endings and act almost as an intelligent being to ensure the survival of its host.

Telmion
: a pathogenic fungal infection, causing snakeskin, and with the side effects of vomiting and fever which in most cases lead to dehydration

Trieter
: like with the bot-fly, the egg of trieter is deposited in an open lesion by a fly, and the larva grows in the skin until it bursts out as a fly – unless a doctor suffocates it and takes it out.

Urion
: fluke-lie worms

Names of persons and places

Afia
: corruption of the Greek name “Sophia” (‘wisdom’)

Albi
: from Latin ‘albus’ (‘white’) – the woman who raised Elei

Alendra
: short form of Alexandra (Greek for: the one who fights men)

Bestret
: corruption of the Egyptian name Betrest, meaning “
may Bata be favorably disposed” (a common title for queen consorts in the Old Kingdom of Ancient
Egypt
).

Elei
(Eles): Indo-European root meaning ‘bend’. Eles is derived (independently from Elei) from the ancient Greek word ‘Eleos’ (‘mercy’)

Fia
: short form of ‘Sophia’ (Greek for ‘wisdom’)

Hecate:
ancient Greek goddess of the underworld

Hera
: ancient Greek goddess whose name means ‘the lady’

Iliathan
: made-up name inspired from the word ‘Iliad’

Jek
: as with most names of street kids, this is a corruption of the name “Jake”

Iset
: Egyptian name meaning “She of the Throne”

Kalaes
: another form of writing the name
‘
Calais’, brother of Zetes, a winged god of the wind in the ancient Greek mythology. Name possibly derived from ‘kalos’ (‘good’) but this is not certain.

Kein
:
made-up name

Kesh
: made-up name

Leisa:
made-up name

Maera
: an ancient Greek nymph. Her name means ‘teacher, guide’

Nekut
: Indo-European for ‘hanged’ – she is the Commander of the Gultur Police

Nunet
: ancient Egyptian goddess (form of Naunet, one of the gods of chaos and water) – the Gultur tend to worship an Egyptian Pantheon, unlike mortals who only believe in an ancient Greek one.

Pelia
: Indo-European for ‘dove’ – she was Elei’s boss

Poena
: ancient Greek goddess of vengeance and retribution – here a little girl visiting Elei’s dreams

Sacmis
: ancient Egyptian name which means ‘she has power’

Shof
: made-up name - she is a girl who meets Elei early in the story

Sobek
: ancient Egyptian god (god of water who has the form of a crocodile)

Tau
: short for ‘Taurius’ (‘of the bull’) – also the letter ‘T’ in the Greek alphabet – he is a street-boy who meets Elei early in the story

Tefnut
: ancient Egyptian goddess
tfnt (tefenet) of moisture, moist air, dew and rain – here she is Hera’s mother

Timmy
: nickname for Timmus (made-up name)

Verne
: a tribute to Jules Verne, one of my favorite authors

Zag
: short for Zagres (derived from Zagreus, an epithet of Dionysus, possibly meaning “Great Hunter”), Kalaes’ brother

Zea
: made-up name

The Seven islands
:

Dakru
: Indo-European for ‘teardrop’ (same word in Greek)

Aue
: Indo-European for ‘water’

Ert
: Indo-European for ‘earth’

Ker
: Indo-European for ‘head’

Kukno
: Indo-European for ‘swan’ (same word in Greek)

Ost
: Indo-European for ‘bone’ (same word in Greek)

Torq
: Indo-European for ‘turn’

All town names are ancient Greek town names and their origin is not really known (
Gortyn, Teos, Olous, Tisis, Akmon, Krisia, Sestos, Baris, Pydna
), except for:

Artemisia (town of Artemis – the Greek version of the goddess Diana)

Bone Tower (because of its white towers)

Dakru City (capital of Dakru)

Aerica: airy (from ‘aer’ ancient Greek for ‘air’)