Elfhunter (77 page)

The King favored him with another laugh. "Some day,
you may find out, Rogond. For now, I shall hope for your happiness.
You are ever the friend of Ri-Aruin." With that, he turned and went
to see to other matters.

Eros was healing quickly, as well. Rogond led him
slowly and carefully, and each night he poulticed Eros’ legs with
clay, patting him and giving him extra feed.

"For once I believe your spoiling him is justified.
What an incredible effort he made! Never has there been a more
loyal animal upon feet," said Galador, as Nelwyn nodded in
agreement.

Rogond smiled as he walked beside Gaelen, who rode
upon her trustworthy Siva, with Fima, as ever, sitting before her.
Rogond still did not have Gaelen’s answer to his proposal of love,
but he would remain beside her, protecting and loving her, for as
long as she would have him. The mirror had been given into the care
of Lore-master Fima until it could be taken to Mountain-home, where
Lady Ordath herself would look after it.

Gorgon would not dare to emerge from his underground
sanctuary for many weeks, as the Wood-elves were still searching
for him. They turned over every stone, but did not find the hidden
way into the cliff-side. More rains had removed what little sign
there was of his passing, and he made no sound as he lay alone in
the dark. He was still unable to see, though his eyes were
undamaged, and still unable to close his eyes for fear of the light
of the maglos exploding in his mind. He tried for many days and
nights to hold on to his sanity, but in the end the voice of Gelmyr
prevailed.

I shall be with you always, Gorgon Elfhunter, for
you are vanquished. You have succeeded only in earning the wrath of
the Dark Power. Your evasion of the Wood-elves is but a temporary
reprieve from your fate at His hands. I expect He doubts now the
wisdom of your creation, for you have proven to be a worthless
bungler. You have lost the mirror of Dardis, and it is now in the
hands of
the Elves. I must admit, even I did not expect such
a spectacular failure!
He laughed at Gorgon then, and his
laughter was both loud and long.

Finally, thirst drove Gorgon to remove the huge stone
that both blocked and concealed the entrance to his lair. He did
not yet know what his course would be, or what his fate would hold.
He had been changed forever, and his tortured spirit would seek in
vain to regain its purpose. He had thought that there was little to
consider in his dark life beyond the hating and slaying of the
Elàni, but his connection with Gaelen had shown otherwise.

Despite the fact that they remained the bitterest
foes, they were each still somewhat aware of the other, though
Gorgon’s spirit was now spent to the point that Gaelen could barely
sense him. An unwanted but permanent bond had been forged between
them, and Gaelen almost welcomed it, though Gorgon did not. If and
when he gained strength and ventured forth again, she would know,
and would seek to destroy him again. He could never sufficiently
avenge the hurt she had done him.

Now he looked up into the night sky, unaware that
Gaelen was in that moment doing the same as she traveled back to
the Woodland stronghold with Rogond at her side. Her eyes could not
see the stars, but her spirit perceived them. Gorgon’s eyes were
undamaged, and the bright lights could be clearly seen, but within
his heart the bright light of Gaelen’s vengeance burned forever,
and his spirit saw only darkness.

With aid to pronunciation:

Aincor
(INE-cor): Elf of the Èolar, a great
scholar and warrior, known as the Fire-heart. He was among the most
skilled and passionate of his people, but he was prideful, and his
reckless acts bore terrible consequences. It is said that he was
incapable of fear. Because of his perceived invincibility in
battle, he was appointed the first King of Tal-elathas. It is
unflattering to be compared with him in terms of willfulness. He
produced two sons, Asgar and Dardis. Name means "fire- heart".
(ain-fire, cor-heart)

Airan
(EYE-rahn): Lord Airan, Elf of the
Eádram that founded the realm of Tal-sithian. From airith
(noble).

Alduinar
(AL-dwee-nar): Ruler of Tuathas at
the time of the Third Uprising. He successfully repelled Kotos’
forces, and was a good friend and ally of the High King. His name
means "worthy guide".

Alterra
(Al-TAIR-ra): The World That Is; the
Realm in which these tales take place. From terra (earth) and alta
(being).

Amandir
(AH-mahn-deer): Elf of Tal-Sithian,
spouse of Brinneal. His name means "artful one". From aman
(artful).

Ambros
(AHM-bros): Great River of Western
Alterra, it is formed by the Eros and the Brocca in the north. From
ambra (great) and ros (river).

Angael
(AHN-gehl): Small but doughty mare
ridden by Gaelen in her youth. Name means "valor-mare". From gael
(valor, feminine).

Anlon
(AHN-lon): Great horse belonging to
Gaelen and Nelwyn’s uncle Tarmagil. Name means "champion".

Anori
(Ah-NOR-ee): Men who dwell in the
eastern regions of Alterra. Though they are comprised of many
cultures, little is known of them in the West. It is said that
there are great eastern civilizations founded by them—strongholds
of learning and enlightenment. The Anori are physically smaller
than the Tuathar, with golden skin, raven or reddish hair, and dark
eyes. They fear the Elves, and many consider them to be evil. The
foundation of this belief is not known.

Of particular note among Anori tribes are the
Khazhi-folk. These are short, stocky, brown-skinned nomads. As
horsemen they are unexcelled, and though they are gentle and
hospitable to their friends, they are fierce enemies. From anoir
(east).

Aontar
(Ay-ON-tar): The One Lord of All, the
Creator. Also known as the Lord of Light.

He formed the Lands of Alterra and endowed them with
light in the form of stars, sun and moon. To aid and instruct His
children, Aontar sent emissaries known as Asari. They played a
great role in the growth and enlightenment of the Elves and the men
of Tuathas.

Arialde
(Ah-ree-AL-deh): Lady Arialde, the
Asarla who founded Tal-sithian with Lord Airan. She is one of the
only female Asari, and is the keeper of the Stone of Léir. Water is
her element. From arialdas (beautiful).

Aridani
(Ah-ree-DAHN-ee), sing. Aridan
(AH-ree-dahn): Men. One of the mortal races, men have spread into
nearly every region of Alterra. Highly variable in appearance and
culture, they may be savage or enlightened depending on influence
and opportunity. For the most part they are unremarkable,
reasonably peaceful folk quietly living their daily lives. They are
the farmers, the tradesmen, the fishermen, laborers, and craftsmen.
They maintain trade with the Elves and also with the dwarves,
providing both goods and services. Men have founded several great
realms, which have served as repositories of learning and lore.
Most notable among these was Tuathas, but the great cities of Dûn
Bennas and Dûn Arian have also stood as fortresses of Light.

Regrettably, men are subject to sickness—their
numbers were vastly reduced in the Great Plague of s.r.7216. Known
as Tâmo-fuath, the terrible death, this pestilence devastated men
in nearly all areas of Alterra; it was spread by the wind and
spared very few. The Duathar and the Anori lost nearly eight of
ten, and though the northern and western peoples fared a little
better, they still lost more than half their number. Only the far
southern city of Dûn Arian was spared, and that was only because of
her isolation and because the winds in that part of the world
prevail from the sea. Name means "those who fade". From aridar
(fading).

Artan
(AR-tan): River formed by the 2 streams
that flow from Monadh-talam.

Aruinnas
(Ar-WEE-nas): The Greatwood Forest.
From Aruinnas (forest).

Asarla
(Ah-SAR-la) pl. Asari (Ah-sah-REE):
Ancient magic-users sent to enlighten the children of Aontar. Each
was affiliated with one of the four elements—earth, water, air, or
fire. Their influence is at the heart of most of the great
Elf-realms, as well as the northern realm of men known as
Tuathas.

The Asari were never many; it is thought that only
twelve were sent by Aontar. Of those, only three are known to
remain in the western lands at the time our tales begin. Two are of
the light—Lady Arialde of Tal-sithian, and Lord Shandor of
Mountain-home. The other, Lord Kotos, sits at the right hand of
Wrothgar and is responsible for much of the corruption of men.

The founders of the Elven-realms of Eádros and
Tal-elathas, and of the northern realm of men known as Tuathas, are
believed lost. They were called Léiras the far-sighted, Cuimir the
beautiful, Baelta the bright, and Duinar the guide.

Three Asari made their way to the far eastern lands;
their fate is unknown to Western scholars.

The last two turned to Darkness during the Time of
Mystery. Though it is believed that they no longer dwell in
Alterra, they were said to have given rise to the Bödvari, the
demonic captains of Wrothgar’s army.

The powers of the Asari vary according to the gifts
given them by Aontar, but all are very learned, and they are
capable of exerting their influence to protect their people. The
Elven-realms have remained hidden from their enemies largely due to
the Asari, who do not stray from them. The exception was Shandor,
who actually went forth on several occasions, notably during the
Second Uprising.

The climate within their lands is moderated by their
benevolent power. Mountain-home, for example, is not locked in the
grip of deadly winters despite its location, and the lands of
Tuathas did not often suffer from flooding or drought.

The Asari can beget children, though rarely have they
done so. These included the Bödvari, who thankfully could not beget
children themselves, and Lady Ordath of Mountain-home, daughter of
Lord Shandor.

Asgar
(ASZ-gar): Elf of the Èolar and elder
son of Aincor. Asgar was like Aincor in temperament. After
witnessing the disastrous consequences of his father’s
stubbornness, he declined the throne in favor of his cousin,
Ri-Aldamar. His name means "the bold".

Aureth
(OW-reth): Maiden of Tal-sithian,
friend of Brinneal. From aura (dawn).

Baelta
(Bah-EL-tah): Asarla, friend of Kotos,
whose dark influence turned him into the unwitting servant of
Wrothgar. Baelta so regretted the destruction caused by his deeds
that he took his own life. His name means "bright light".

Belegund
(BEH-le-gund): Northman, Ranger and
friend of Rogond. His name means "noble warrior". From bele-
(noble) and gunnar (warrior).

Bödvari, sing Bödvar
(BODE-var): Dark servants
of Wrothgar, they are the offspring of Dark Asari. They are as
black demons that kill their enemies with fire after first
paralyzing them with fear. They are terrible enemies in battle.
From bödvar (demon).

Brinneal
(BRIN-nee-al): Golden-haired Elf of
the Èolar, she moved to Tal-sithian after the fall of Tal-elathas.
She is the mother of Gorgon Elfhunter and the spouse of Amandir.
Name means "beautiful young maid".

Brocca
(BRAW-ka): The river in the north that,
along with the Eros, gives rise to the Ambros. It is as wild and
turbulent as the Eros is smooth and gentle. From broca
(restive).

Brunner Aigred
(BROO-nair AYE-gred): The
cold-spring that flows from the Great Mountains into the
Linnefionn. From aigred (cold, High- elven dialect) and brunner
(spring).

Brunner Ia
(BROO-nair EE-ya): The cold-spring
that flows through the Greatwood, eventually entering the Darkmere.
From Ia (cold, Sylvan dialect) and brunner (spring).

Capellion
(Ka-PELL-lee-on): Master of Horse in
the Greatwood realm. His name means "horse master". From capella
(horse).

Conegal
(Con-eh-GAHL): One of the renowned
Lords of Tuathas, he was a great friend of Ri-Aldamar.

Cós-domhain
(Coss-Dome-Ha-EEN):Great
Dwarf-realm, known as the Realm of Caverns. Ruled by Lord Grundin.
From cós (cavern) and domhain (domain). At the time of these tales
there are three dwarf- realms in Alterra: they are Cós-domhain,
beneath the Great Mountains, Cós-tollan (the Rûm-harnen or Harnian)
beneath the Northern Mountains, and Cós-anor, beneath the Eastern
Hills. One of the greatest known dwarf-realms, the City of Rûmm,
was destroyed by Elves of the Eádram during the War of
Betrayal.

Cronan
(CRO-nan): Sturdy dark chestnut pack
horse belonging to Rogond and Galador.

Cuimir
(coo-ee-MEER): Asarla that founded
Eádros, the Realm of Light. He was lost during the War of Betrayal.
Name means "comely, handsome". From cuimas (handsome).

Cúinar
(COO-ee-nar): Sylvan Elves, Wood-elves.
Considered to be of lesser stature than High-elves, they did not
have the benefit of Asari influence. They are more earthy and
innocent, possessing a very deep bond with the forest, and they
possess unique abilities. They have a greater empathy with and
understanding of other creatures, and form strong bonds with beasts
and birds. At the time our tales begin there are two large groups
of Cúinar remaining in the west of Alterra—the Elves of the
Greatwood under the reign of Ri-Aruin, and those of the
Monadh-ailan, the Verdant Mountains. Examples are Gaelen and
Nelwyn. From cúin (silent).