Khan’lantha: lover of Faodhagan and mother of the first Firemaker.
Khan’lysa the Firemaker: Isabeau and Iseult’s great-grandmother.
Khan’merle: Isabeau and Iseult’s aunt, and Pretender to the Firemaker’s position.
The Key: the sacred symbol of the Coven of Witches, a powerful talisman carried by the Keybearer, leader of the Coven.
Lachlan the Winged: youngest son of Parteta the Brave.
Lammas: first day of autumn; harvest festival.
Lavinya: Parteta’s wife, Jaspar’s mother.
League of the Healing Hand, The: formed by the band of beggar children that fled Lucescere with Jorge the Seer and Tòmas the Healer.
leannan: sweetheart.
lickspittle: a sycophant or toady.
Lilanthe of the Forest: a tree-shifter.
Linley MacSeinn: the Prionnsa of Carraig.
loch; lochan (pl): lake.
loch-serpent: faery creature that lives in lochan.
Loch Strathgordon: the second loch in the Jewels of Rionnagan.
Lodestar: the heritage of all the MacCuinns, the Inheritance of Aedan. When they are born their hands are placed upon it and a connection made. Whoever the stone recognises is the Rìgh or Banrìgh of Eileanan.
Lost Prionnsachan of Eileanan: the three brothers of the Rìgh Jaspar—Feargus, Donncan and Lachlan—who disappeared from their beds one night.
Lucescere: ancient city built on an island above the Shining Waters. The traditional home of the MacCuinns and the Tower of Two Moons.
Mac: son of.
MacAhern: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Ahearn the Horse-Laird.
MacAislin: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Aislinna the Dreamer.
MacBrann: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Brann the Raven.
MacCuinn: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Cuinn Braveheart.
MacFaghan: descendants of Faodhagan, one of the eleven great families, newly discovered.
MacFóghnan: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Fóghnan the Thistle.
MacHamell clan: lairds of Caeryla.
MacHilde: one of the eleven great families; descended from Berhtilde the Bright.
MacRuraich: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Rùraich the Searcher.
MacSeinn: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Seinneadair the Singer.
MacSian: one of the eleven great families; descendants of Sian the Storm-rider.
MacThanach: one of the eleven great families, descendants of Tuathanach the Farmer.
Magnysson the Red: the larger of the two moons, a crimson red, commonly thought of as a symbol of war and conflict. Old tales describe him as a thwarted lover, chasing his lost love, Gladrielle, across the sky.
Mairead the Fair: younger daughter of Aedan MacCuinn, first Banrìgh of Eileanan and the second to wield the Lodestar. Meghan’s younger sister.
Margrit NicFóghnan: Banprionnsa of Arran.
Maya the Unknown: Banrìgh of Eileanan, wife of Jaspar. Also called the Ensorcellor.
Meghan of the Beasts: wood witch and sorceress of seven rings. She can speak to animals. Keybearer of the Coven of Witches before and after banishment of Tabithas.
Mesmerd; Mesmerdean (pl): a winged ghost or Grey One; faery creature from the Murkmyre that hypnotises its prey with its glance and then kisses away its life.
Midsummer’s Eve: summer solstice; time of high magic.
Mirror of Lela: magic mirror used by Maya and Sani; an ancient relic of the Fairgean.
mithuan: a healing liquid designed to quicken the pulse and numb pain.
moonbane: a hallucinogenic drug distilled from the moon-flower plant. Grows only in the Montrose Islands, to the southwest of the Fair Isles.
Muileach River: the northernmost river of Lucescere, which together with the Ban-Bharrach River, make up the Shining Waters.
Murkfane: lake in the centre of Arran.
Murkmyre: largest lake in Arran, surrounds the Tower of Mists.
murkwoad: a rare herb only found in Arran. Grows on trunks of trees and heals anything.
Nic: daughter of.
nisse: small woodland faery.
nixie: water-sprite.
nyx: night spirit. Dark and mysterious, with powers of illusion and concealment.
old mother: a Khan’cohban term for a wise woman of the pride.
One Power: the life-energy that is contained in all things. Witches draw upon the One Power to perform their acts of magic. The One Power contains all the elemental forces of air, earth, water, fire and spirit, and witches are usually more powerful in one force than others.
Owein of the Longbow: first-born son of Cuinn Lionheart, he created the Key of the Coven and was the first Keybearer.
Parteta the Brave: previous Rìgh of Eileanan who died at the Battle of the Strand repelling the invasion of the Fairgean in the Second Fairgean War.
pilliwinkes: instrument of torture similar to thumb-screws.
prides: the social unit of the Khan’cohbans, who live in nomadic family groups. Seven prides in all, called the Pride of the Fire-Dragon, the Pride of the Snow-Lion, the Pride of the Sabre-Leopard, the Pride of the Frost-Giant, the Pride of the Grey Wolf, the Pride of the Fighting Cat, and the Pride of the Woolly Bear.
prionnsa; prionnsachan (pl): prince, duke.
Ravenscroft: estate of the MacBrann clan. Once their hunting castle, but they moved their home there after the Berhtfane castle fell into ruin.
Ravenshaw: deeply forested land west of Rionnagan, ruled by MacBrann Clan, the descendants of Brann.
Red Guards: soldiers in service to the Banrìgh. They wear red cloaks and are known for their ruthlessness.
Red Wanderer: comet that comes by every eight years. Also called Dragon Star.
reil: eight-pointed, star-shaped weapon carried by Scarred Warriors.
Rhyllster: the main river in Rionnagan.
Rhyssmadill: the Rìgh’s castle by the sea.
Rìgh; rìghrean (pl): king.
Rionnagan: together with Clachan and Blèssem, the richest lands in Eileanan. Ruled by MacCuinns, descendants of Cuinn Lionheart, leader of the First Coven of Witches.
Rurach: wild, mountainous land, lying between Tìreich and Siantan. Ruled by MacRuraich clan, descendants of Rùraich, one of the First Coven of Witches.
Rùraich the Searcher: one of the First Coven of Witches. Known for searching and finding Talent. Located the world of Eileanan on the star-map, allowing Cuinn to set a course for the Great Crossing.
sabre-leopard: savage feline with curved fangs that lives in the remote mountain areas.
sacred woods: ash, hazel, oak, blackthorn, fir, hawthorn and yew.
Samhain: first day of winter; festival for the souls of the dead. Best time of year to see the future. Celebrated with fire festivals, masks and fireworks.
Sani the Seer: servant of Maya the Ensorcellor.
satyricorn: a race of horned faeries who hunt down enemies for the Banrìgh; they are called the Horned Ones by most of the woodland faeries. The women often take male captives to breed with, since male satyricorn are rare. Native of Carraig, but now infest remote forest areas as guards for the Banrìgh.
Scarred Warrior: Khan’cohban warriors who are scarred as a mark of achievement. A warrior who receives all seven scars has received the highest degree of skill.
scrying: to perceive through crystal gazing or other focus. Most witches can scry if the object to be perceived is well known to them.
seanalair: general of the army.
sea-stirks: milk-bearing aquatic creatures, looking rather like an elephant seal.
Seinneadair the Singer: one of the First Coven of Witches, known for her ability to enchant with song.
Seychella Wind-Whistler: wind witch killed by a Mesmerd in the secret valley.
Sgàilean Mountains: northwestern range of mountains dividing Siantan and Rurach. Rich in preciou
s metals and fine marbles. Name means ‘Shadowy Mountains’.
sgian dubh: small knife worn in boot.
shadow-hounds: very large black dogs that move and hunt as a single entity. Are highly intelligent and have very sharp senses.
Shining Waters: the great waterfall that pours over the cliff into Lucescere Loch.
Sian the Storm-rider: one of the First Coven of Witches. A famous weather witch, renowned for whistling up hurricanes.
Siantan: northwest land of Eileanan, between Rurach and Carraig. Famous for its weather-witches. Once ruled by MacSian clan, descendants of Sian, but now part of the Double Throne of Rurach.
Sithiche Mountains: northernmost mountains of Rionnagan, peaking at Dragonclaw. Name means ‘Fairy Mountains’.
skeelie: a village witch or wise woman.
Skill: a common application of magic, such as lighting a candle or dowsing for water.
solstice: either of the times when the sun is the furthest distance from the earth.
Sorcha the Red: one of the twin sorcerers from the First Coven of Witches. Also called Sorcha the Murderess, following her bloodthirsty attack on the people of the Towers of Roses and Thorns after the discovery of her brother’s love affair with a Khan’cohban woman.
Spine of the World, The: a Khan’cohban term for the range of mountains that runs down the centre of Eileanan; also called Tìrlethan.
Spinners: goddesses of fate. Includes 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: the time when the sun is furthest north from the equator; Midsummer’s Eve.
Summer Tree: device of the MacAislin Clan, tree which supposedly grows in the fabled gardens of the Celestines. Revered by all of the woodland faery races.
swarthyweb spider: a deadly, poisonous spider found all over Eileanan. Builds its webs in dark, hidden places.
syne: since.
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 forces to one powerful Talent; eg, the ability to charm animals like Meghan, the ability to fly like Ishbel, the ability to see into the future like Jorge.
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: ie, air, earth, fire, water or spirit. 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 is called 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 Powers: 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 an apprentice. The Third Tests take place on their twenty-fourth birthday and, if successfully completed, the apprentice is admitted into the Coven of Witches.
Theurgia: a school for acolytes and apprentices.
thigearn: horse-lairds; they live on horseback and cannot dismount without dishonour. Often tame and ride flying horses.
Tìreich: land of the horse-lairds—most westerly country of Eileanan, populated by nomadic tribes famous for their horses, and ruled by the MacAhern clan.
Tìrlethan: Land of the Twins; once ruled by Faodhagan and Sorcha, twin sorcerers. Called the Spine of the World by Khan’cohbans.
Tìrsoilleir: The Bright Land. Northeast land of Eileanan, populated by a race of fierce warriors. Was once ruled by the MacHilde clan, descended from Berhtilde, one of the First Coven of Witches. However, Tìrsoilleirean have rejected witchcraft and the ruling family in favour of militant religion. Have dreams of controlling Eileanan.
Tòmas the Healer: seven-year-old boy, acolyte of 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:
Tùr de Aisling in Aslinn (Tower of Dreams)
Tùr na cheud Ruigsinn in Clachan (Tower of First Landing; Cuinn’s Tower)
Tùr de Ceò in Arran (Tower of Mists)
Tùr na Fitheach in Ravenshaw (Tower of Ravens)
Tùr na Gealaich dhà in Rionnagan (Tower of Two Moons)
Tùr na Raoin Beannachadh in Blèssem (Tower of the Blessed Fields)
Tùr na Rùraich in Rurach (Tower of Searchers)
Tùr de Ròsan is Snathad in Tìrlethan (Towers of Roses and Thorns)
Tùr na Sabaidean in Tìrsoilleir (Tower of the Warriors)
Tùr na Seinnadairean Mhuir in Carraig (Tower of the Seasingers);
Tùr de Stoirmean in Siantan (Tower of Storm)
Tùr na Thigearnean in Tìreich (Tower of the Horse-lairds)
tree-changer: woodland faery. Can shift shape from tree to humanlike creature. A halfbreed is called a tree-shifter and can sometimes look almost human.
Triath nan Eileanan Fada: Laird of the Far Isles—one of the Rìgh’s many titles.
trictrac: a form of backgammon.
Tuathanach the Farmer: one of the First Coven of Witches. (See Blèssem).
Tuathan Loch: the loch near Caeryla, the first in the Jewels of Rionnagan.
tulach: small green hill.
Tulachna Celeste: a sacred place of the Celestines. In the Veiled Forest, near Tuathan Loch, Rionnagan.
tùr: tower.
tursachan: standing stones.
two moons: Magnysson and Gladrielle.
uile-bheist; uile-bheistean (pl): monster.
Veiled Forest: thick forest on the western shore of Tuathan Loch, Rionnagan. Surrounds Tulachna Celeste, and is infested with shadowhounds and other magical creatures.
weaverworm: a caterpillar that spins a cocoon of silk, used by the Celestines to make their gowns.
Whitehart Woods: forest in Rionnagan, populated by bandits.
Whitelock Mountains: named for the white lock of hair all MacCuinns have.
will-o’-the-wisp: creature of the marshes.
winter solstice: the time when the sun is at the most southern point from the equator; Midwinter’s Eve.
Wulfrum River: river that runs through Rurach.
Yedda: Sea-Witches.
Kate Forsyth, The Pool of Two Moons
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