Her chin quivered as her eyes shone with tears. “I think you should get to your point, Elcon, if you have one.”
“Wait. Arillia, I—I love you, too. Even after all that’s happened, will you marry me?”
She laughed even as her tears fell. “I do love you, Elcon, and I want no one else. I’ll marry you.”
Elcon held her. As Early flowers unfurled and flitlings chattered, they forged an alliance founded on tears and grace.
Author’s Note
Consequences follow when we reject God, but He delivers us when we repent and turn to Him. Elcon represents those who fear change and resist following Jesus, despite witnesses to the truth and the pricks of conscience. Elcon loses everything he builds in his own strength, but when he seeks and humbles himself before the DawnKing, he finds deliverance. Aewen stands in allegory as his own plans and desires, which, although appealing, require the compromise of his integrity. Aewen’s death represents the natural outcome of our own pursuits outside God’s will, with its fruit (her child) falling into the hands of another. It follows, then, that Elcon’s marriage to Arillia, symbolizing God’s plan for him, can only come after Aewen’s death and Elcon’s repentance. Elcon says goodbye to Aewen at her tomb in a poignant portrayal of relinquishment. Afterwards, he is able to accept the grace Emmerich offers him. In choosing to live in forgiveness, Elcon frees himself to marry Arillia and embrace life.
GLOSSARY
Abbey of Westernost—A secluded convent in Westerland
Aeleanor (A-LEE-a-nor)—Queen of Whellein
Aelfred (ALE-fred)—King of Merboth
Aelgarod (ALE-gah-rod)—Healer of Whellein Hold
Aergenwoad (AYR-gen-wode)—Healing herb
Aewen—A princess of the Elder kingdom of Westerland
Allerstaed (ALL-er-stayd)—Place of Prayer
Alliance of Faeraven (FAYR-ay-ven)—High kingdom made up of low kingdoms united under one banner
Anden Raven (AN-den RAY-ven)—Other land from which the Kindren originally entered Elderland
Anders (AN-ders)—Elcon’s manservant
Amberoft—Euryon’s grandfather, a former king of Westerland
Anemone (Ah-ne-moh-nee)—Low-growing flower with daisy-like petals
Annora—Raelein (queen) of Chaeradon, a Kindren land, and mother of Arillia
Anusian—a high-stepping breed of horse with a flowing mane and tail owned by nobility
Argalent (AR-ja-lent)—Aerlic’s silver wingabeast; Kindren for “luster”
Arillia—Raena (princess) of Chaeradon, a Kindren land, who grew up believing she would marry Elcon.
Attarnine (ATT-er-nine)—Rodent poison
Bard—
Baeltor—Weilton’s wingabeast
Benisch (BEN-ish)—Steward of Rivenn
Bovine—A ruminant mammal similar to an ox
Braegmet Doreinn (BRAYG-met DOR-ee-in)—Chasm of Confusion
Brael Shadd (BRAYL-shad)—DayStar of Prophecy
Brambleberry—Edible berries that grow in a thorny thicket
Brianda—A kitchen maid within Cobbleford Castle and Maered’s mother
Brother Robb—Head priest of Cobbleford Castle who enjoys gardening
Bruin—A bear
Brynn (BRIN)—Heddwyn’s red-haired sister
Bursel (BUR-sel)—Dry measurement
Caedmon—Son of Willowa and the huntsman, Camryn, living in Westerland
Caedric (KAY-drik)—Healer within Graelinn Hold
Caerla—A princess of the Elder kingdom of Cobbleford and Aewen’s younger sister
Caerric Baest (KAYR-ric BAYST)—Cavern of Wonder
Caerric Daeft (KAYR-ric DAYFT)—Cavern of Death
Catapult—Also known as a stave or staff sling, a length of wood with a sling attached that used lever action to hurl stones and other projectiles in medieval warfare.
Chaeldra (CHALE-dra)—Shae’s maid at Torindan
Chrin (KRIN)—Liquid measurement
Circlet of Elder—Crown designating rulership of Rivenn
Clerestory windows—High windows that let in light while preserving privacy and/or security
Chaeradon—Kindren land northeast of Rivenn
Charger—Generic term used to describe a variety of medieval warhorses.
Coast of Bones—Elderland’s northeastern coastline
Cobbleford—Rocky location where Cobbleford Castle is built, once a river ford.
Cobbleford Castle—Seat of Westerland and home of Aewen
Cobble River—River that flows past Cobbleford Castle in Westerland
Connor—A prince of the Elder kingdom of Westerland and Aewen’s older brother
Coronet of Rivenn—Ceremonial crown worn by the Raelein (Queen) of Rivenn
Counterpane—A quilted coverlet for a bed
Contender—Ancient enemy determined to destroy the Kindren and all Elderland
Craelin (CRAY-lin)—First Guardian of Rivenn
Crobok (CROW- bahk)—Small blue bird
Daelic (DAY-lic)—Healer within Torindan Hold
Daeramor—A northeastern Kindren land
Daevin (DAY-vin)—Prince of Whellein, brother of Kai
Darbin—One of the gatehouse guards within Cobbleford Castle
Darksea—Coastal Elder kingdom
DawnSinger’s Lament—Ancient prophetic song
Demeric—A guardian of Rivenn and wingabeast rider from a noble house within Chaeradon
Destrier—Prized warhorse, usually a powerful stallion raised specifically for war
Destrill—Wingabeast whose name describes the sound of thunder, ridden by Dorann
Devlon—King of Darksea and father of Raefe
Dithmar (DITH-mar)—A guardian of Rivenn
Doctor Jorris—Physician who lives north of Norwood’s White Feather Inn
Donia—Caerla’s maid
Dorann (DOR-ran)—Tracker for Torindan
Doreinn Ravein (DOR-ree-in RAH-veen)—Canyonlands southeast of Torindan
Draetenn (DRAY-ten)—Tree with spreading branches and fragrant bark
Dragon-tongue fern—Knee-high pale-leaved fern that grow in moist, shady places and are especially common in kaba forests
Dyloc Syldra—Great Eastern Desert
Early flower—A low bush bearing small white flowers in early spring
Eathnor (EETH-nor)—Tracker for Torindan
Ebain (ee-BAIN)—Plain
Eberhardt (EB-er-hart)—Whellein’s king
Eberrac—Black bird found in woodlands throughout Elderland
Ederbaer (ED-er-bayr)—Red berry bushes that grow at the edges of meadows and in barren places
Elcon (EL-kon)—High prince of Faeraven; son of Timraen and Maeven
Elder (ELL-der)—Race of humans with darker hair and more rounded eyes; original inhabitants of Elderland
Eldritch (ELL-drich)—Eerie and malevolently strange
Ellendia—A huntress from the Elder land of Sloewood, who married a Kindren from Rivenn and bore half-cast children
Emmerich (EM-mer-ik)—Elder youth
Enric (EN-rik)—Graelin’s king and Katera’s husband
Erdrich Ceid (ER-drik SEE-id)—Mythical Ice Witch
Erinae (EAR-rin-ay)—Mother of Dorann and Eathnor
Eufemia (YOU-fee-me-uh)—Maeven’s serving maid
Euryan (YOU-ry-an)—King of Westerland; an Elder kingdom
Ewaeri (ee-WAHR-ee)—Priests who distribute alms
Feiann (FY-an)—Elusive small folk
Fenning—An Elder kingdom north of Westerland
Ferran—Shraen (king) of Chaeradon, a Kindren land, and father of Arillia
Flaemling (FLAYM-ling)—Tiny bird often kept as pet
Flecht (FLECSHT)—Kai’s white wingabeast; Kindren word for “arrow”
Flitling—Small colorful bird found in the western lands, and also Murial’s pet name for A
ewen
Frael (FRAYL)—Prince
Freaer (FREE-ear)—First Musician of Torindan
Gaerlic—Arillia’s admirer and heir to the throne of Daeramor
Garn (GAHRN)—Goblin-like giants
Garreth Shraen of Tallyrand, a Kindren land
Garrison—The troops that defend a castle
Gentian (GEN-ti-an)—Trumpet-shaped flower
Gilead Riann (GILL-ee-ad REE-an)—Gate of Life
Gillyfish—Small white fish found only in western streams and sought after as a delicacy
Gladreinn (GLAD-re-in)—Bride of Rivenn; one of the first Kindren to enter Elderland at the Gate of Life
Glindenn—Southern Kindred land
Glynnda—A dressmaker within Cobbleford Castle
Graelinn—Eastern Kindren land
Graylet (GRAY-let)—Medium-sized bird of prey with speckled gray feathers
Graystone—Sedimentary stone mined in the north of Elderland and used to construct buildings and to pave pathways and floors
Gnarlwood—Giant tree with high branches
Guardians of Rivenn—Highly-trained knights
Guaron (GWAR-ron)—A guardian of Rivenn and keeper of the wingabeasts
Hael—Stableboy at the White Feather Inn in Norwood
Haldrom—A pretender to the throne of Westerland who challenged Amberoft’s kingship in the revolt of Lancert
Heddwyn (HEAD-win)—Mistress of White Feather Inn
Herald—An officer who announced news and arranged tournaments and other important events
House of Rivenn—Ruling family of Rivenn; also rule the alliance of Faeraven
Ice Witch—Mythical being inhabiting the Maegrad Ceid (Crystal Mountains) who possesses the power to freeze living creatures through enchantment
Iewald (I-a-wald)—Talan’s trusted friend; First Guardian of Pilaer
Iewald’s Betrayal—Ancient historical song
Illandel (ILL-an-del)—Glaedreinn’s maid
Ilse (ILSS)—Queen of Merboth, sister of Shae and Kai
Inglemarch—An Elder kingdom north of Norwood
Innyde—Queen of Westerland, an Elder kingdom, and mother of Aewen
Ironstone—Ruddy-brown sedimentary rock quarried in Westerland and used to construct buildings, pathways, and floors
Ivan (I-van)—Captain of the Sea Wanderer
Jaenell (JAY-nel)—Grandmother of Dorann and Eathnor
Jaggercat—Predatory wild cat found in the kaba forests
Jost—A weaver whose cottage stands just north of Willowa’s farm in Westerland
Kaba—Giant tree that has reddish bark with healing and preservative properties
Kaeroc (KAY-rok)—Lage white bird with long tail feathers that roosts in tall trees and inhabits ruins
Kai (KI)—Guardian of Rivenn and Maeven’s personal guard
Katera (Kuh-TEAR-ah)—Shae’s twin sister
Keep—Innermost and strongest building or tower within a castle
Keirken (KEER-ken)—Deciduous tree with twisting trunks and spreading branches
Kindren (KIN-dren)—Race of humans with fair hair and slightly elongated eyes who came through the Gate of Life into Elderland from Anden Raven
Krei Doreinn (KRY DOR-ree-in)—Three canyons; a place where two rivers and three canyons meet
Kunrat (KOON-rat)—Descendent of Rivenn
Laesh Ebain (LAYSH e-BAYN)—Lost plains
Lammert—Shraen of Daeramor, a Kindren land, and a childhood friend of Elcon
Lancert—Major city and trade center lying north of Cobbleford in Westerland
Lanthorn (LAN-thorn)—Lantern paned with thin horn instead of glass
Last Battle of Pilaer—Battle that marked the fall of Pilaer to garn invasion
Leisht (LEESHT)—Dagger that breaks enchantments
Lenhardt (LEN-hart)—Morgorad’s king
Lof Frael (LOFF FRAYL)—High prince
Lof Raelein (LOFF RAY-leen)—High queen
Lof Raena (LOFF RAY-nah)—High princess
Lof Shraen (LOFF SHRAYN—High king
Lof Yuel (LOFF YOU-el)—High One; God
Lohen Keil (LOH-hen KEEL)—Well of Light
Lute (LOOT)—Guitar-like instrument with ten strings
Lyriss—A watchguard who protects Cobbleford Castle
Lyse (LYSS)—Shae’s maid at Whellein Hold
Maeg Streihcan (MAYG STRY-kan)—Broken Mountain; a lone peak rising at the eastern edge of the Plains of Rivenn
Maeg Waer (MAYG WAYR)—Forsaken Mountain; where the Cavern of Death is located
Maegrad Ceid (MAY-grad SEE-id)—Crystal Mountains; Kindren name for the Elder’s Ice Mountains
Maegrad Paesad (MAY-grad PAY-sad)—Impenetrable Mountains, located in the north of Whellein
Maegran Syld (MAY-gran SILD)—Forested Hills, Kindren name for the Elder’s Hills of Mist
Mael Lido (MAYL LEE-do)—Death song
Maered—A young serving girl within Cobbleford Castle
Maer Ibris (MAYR EE-bris)—Western sea
Maer Lingenn (MAYR LING-gen)—Eastern sea
Maer Syldra (MAYR SIL-dra)—Southern sea
Maer Taerat (MAYR TAY-rat)—Northern sea
Maeric (MAY-rik)—Chief Cook at Whellein Hold
Maeven (MAY-vin)—High queen of Faeraven; queen of Rivenn, Elcon’s mother
Merboth—A southern coastal Kindren land
Mercedon—Father of Amberoft and Euryon’s great-grandfather
Meriwen (MAIR-ee-win)—Temptress who changed the Kindren’s history, mother of the Contender
Morgorad—A southern coastal Kindren land
Muer Maeread (MYOUR MAY-ree-ad)—Coast of Bones; the northwestern shore of Elderland
Murial—Aewen’s nurse and maid servant
Mystael (MISS-tayl)—Craelin’s silver wingabeast; Kindren for “wild wind”
Norwood (NOHR-wood)—Northerly Elder kingdom
Oalram—A guardian of Rivenn and wingabeast rider from Rivenn
Paiad Burein (PAY-ad BYOUR-ee-in)—Field of blood; a historic battleground
Pawel (PAH-wel)—Son of Daeramor; a kingdom east of Whellein
Pelsney—A guardian of Rivenn and wingabeast rider from Daeramor
Percken (PERK-en)—Rainbow-colored river fish
Perthmon—A prince of the Elder kingdom of Westerland and Aewen’s oldest brother
Pilaer Hold (Pil-AYR)—Ancient stronghold of the Kindren; now a ruin
Plains of Rivenn—Grassland in Rivenn
Plaintain (Plane-tane)—Broad-leaved herb growing in most places used for drawing poison from wounds
Psaltery—A stringed instrument much like a zither used widely in the Middle Ages
Praectal (PRAYK-tawl)—Healer
Purr (PUHR)—Trees with thick trunks that grow in the desert oases
Pyrek (PY-rek)—Small, vicious bird of prey
Quinn (QUIN)—Master of White Feather Inn
Raefe—Prince of Darksea betrothed to Aewen
Raegnen (RAYG-nen)—Guaron’s blue wingabeast; Kindren word for “summer rain”
Raelein (RAY-leen)—Queen
Raemwold (RAYM-wold)—King of Braeth and Maeven’s father
Raena (RAY-nah)—Princess
Raven (RAY-ven)—Kingdom
Reyanna (RAY-yan-na)—Queen of Braeth and Maeven’s mother
Revolt of Lancert—A conflict within Westerland that arose over a disagreement among the Elder as to whether to allow the Kindren to move closer to them after they were routed from Pilaer
Rhys—Father of Mercedon and Euryon’s great-great-grandfather
Rivenn—A Kindren land lying east of Westerland and south of Chaeradon, seat of the Lof
Saethril—Black wingabeast Elcon rides in battle
Shaycat—Small, ferocious cat inhabiting forested areas throughout Elderland
Shayla—A kitchen maid within Cobbleford Castle
Shraen (High King) of Faeraven.
Siege tower—A to
wer on wheels with a platform below it that in medieval warfare was rolled by attackers up to a castle wall. Archers in the tower could clear the wall of defenders, and then soldiers waiting on the platform would lower a ramp to invade.
Sloewood—A southern coastal Elder kingdom
Slurry Nuts—Rich nuts from a bush growing in the boggy areas of western Elderland
Surcoat—A tunic-like garment worn over armor and often embroidered with a heraldric device such as a coat of arms
Sylder—Maid who tends Aewen
River voices—Imagined voices caused by the turning of stones in riverbeds
Roaem (ROW-em)—Eathnor’s black wingabeast; Kindren for the sound thunder makes
Ruescht (ROOSCHT)—Shae’s silver wingabeast; Kindren word for “rushing wind”
Sceptor of Faeraven—Symbolic staff of rulership over the alliance of Faeraven
Seighardt (SIG-hart)—Prince of Braeth and Maeven’s brother
Serviceberry—Small tree or large bush with broad leaves and purple berries
Shae (SHAY)—Princess of Whellein
Shaelcon (SHALE-con)—Father of Timraen
Shaenalyn (SHAY-nah-lin)—Shae’s full name
Shaenn Raven (SHAYN RAY-ven)—Afterworld
Sharten (SHAR-ten)—Dorann’s gray wingabeast; Kindren for “deepening shadow”
Shil shael (SHIL SHAYL)—Hereditary soul touch
Shraen (SHRAYN)—King
Shraen Brael (SHRAYN BRAY-el)—King of the Dawn; DawnKing
Strongwood—Hardwood tree
Sweetberry—Edible berry which grows on brambles
Sword of Rivenn—Sword forged in the flames of virtue for Rivenn and handed down to his descendents
Syllid (SIL-lid)—Wood or forest in Kindren
Syllid Braechnen (SIL-lid BRAYK-nen)—A murky forest
Syllid Mueric (SIL-lid MYOUR-ik)—A beautiful and terrible forest
Taelerat (TAY-le-rat)—Shraen of Selfred
Tahera (Tah-HEAR-uh)—Aeleanor’s maid
Talan (TAH-lin)—Early high king of Faeraven who captured and tamed the first wingabeast
Tallyrand—A Kindren land on the northwestern coast of Elderland
Tarrat—A steward of Rivenn
Timbrel—A small medieval hand drum, like a tambourine
Timpani (Tim-PAN-ee)—Kettledrum
Timraen (TIM-rain)—High king of Faeraven; king of Rivenn; Maeven’s husband