Crimson and gold pennants of the Wolf and Dragon fluttered from the sails of these, and the drivers hailed Leith’s sledge with a shout and a wave. Leith stepped to the sledge’s rim, grasping a sail-line and shouting a pleasantry back, before twisting his hand and throwing a curling, lively red-gold flame toward the sky. Trader’s children shrieked with delight as they sped by, and herders waved.
Jherrick blinked, staring stunned at it all, as they turned up the pillared causeway and headed west, an enormous city rising before them. The causeway was crowded with a morning trade-rush, and Leith’s sledge had to slow. They continued at a promenade-speed, herders moving their flocks as tall Alrashemni-looking people clad in colorful silks bowed backward with baskets of goods upon their heads.
Spearmen clad just like Lourden’s warriors in red-crested silver helms vaulted to the rim of the sledge using their spears to pole them up. One with a silver breastplate imprinted with the Wolf and Dragon exchanged a few low words with Leith, who nodded, his face grim. At last, Leith signaled the man away. He vaulted down from the sledge, giving a sharp whistle to his cadre of spearmen and assembling into a vanguard following in the sledge’s wake.
The doors to the walled city were thrown wide in the early morning. As the sledge whisked under that massive portcullis, hale and without a hint of char marring its luminous beauty, they pulled into the same wide plaza Jherrick remembered. But this plaza overflowed with greenery, burbling fountains, and people moving through a morning trade-market of colorful silk booths and stalls. As Jherrick watched it all, stunned, Leith clapped him upon the shoulder again.
“Khehem! Is she not the fairest jewel of the Tribes, my friend? Welcome home, Khehemnas. No matter how far your journey has been.”
Jherrick stared around him in awe, seeing this very alive city, and contrasting it with the one he had seen that had been so very dead. But where that city had been a place of broken walls and shadow, of burned rock and ghosts, this was truly the oasis it claimed to be. A cool breeze whispered across Jherrick’s skin, shaking the wide fronds of the towering palms, their shade shivering over his skin. Vines of jasoune-sweet white blossoms coated the inner walls and issued an intoxicating fragrance upon the morning air. Hummingbirds whizzed past, dipping their beaks into the long white flutes and taking nectar. Children ran by, shrieking in their colorful silk wraps, chasing the hummingbirds.
Jherrick gazed out upon Khehem, the oasis of the Wolf and Dragon, as their King, Leith Alodwine, vaulted from the sledge and greeted his people with a roaring laugh and embraces.
The King of Khehem was home. And Khehem surged around him with fire and life – hale and whole as if their war had never been.
THE END
The adventure continues in DRAGON OF THE DESERT,
book one of The Khehemni Chronicles
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ABOUT JEAN LOWE CARLSON
Bestselling and award-winning author Jean Lowe Carlson writes epic and adventurous fantasy fiction. Her raw and extensive worlds have been compared to such fantasy names as Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, and Patrick Rothfuss.
Jean holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and has a keen awareness of psychology and human behavior, using it to paint vivid characters set amidst nations in turmoil or societies with riveting secrets. Exciting, challenging, and passionate, her novels take the reader upon dire adventures while exploring deep human truths.
In 2016, she was the recipient of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist medal for her dark fantasy novel "Tears".
Find out more at: https://www.jeanlowecarlson.com/
APPENDIX 1 – PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Word Beginnings:
Dh/Jh/Kh/Lh – Hard consonant, “h” is silent (Ex. Dherran [Dair-ren] like “dare”, Jherrick [Jair-rick] like “jester”, Khouren [Koor-en] like “kick”, Lhaurent [Lao-rahnt] like “laugh”)
Gh/G – Hard “g” sound (Ex. Ghrenna [Gren-na], Gherris [Gair-ris] like “good”)
Ih – Long “ee” sound (Ex. Ihbram [Ee-brum] like “helium”)
Th – Soft “th” combination (Ex. Theroun [Thair-oon] like “thespian”)
Uh/U – Long “oo” sound (Ex. Uhlas [Oo-las] like “tulips”)
O – Proper “oh” sound if begins a word (Ex. Olea [Oh-lay-a] like “ocean”)
El – Open “eh” sound (Ex. Elohl [Eh-loll] like “elephant”)
Il – Soft “ihl” sound (Ex. Ildrian [Ihl-dree-an] like “ill”)
Middle of Words:
-i- If in the middle of a word, long “ee” sound (Ex. Elyasin [Ehl-ya-seen] like “do re mi”)
Exception: Aldris [Al-dris, not Al-drees]
-ch- Soft “sh” sound (Ex. Suchinne [Soo-sheen])
-ou- Long “oo” sound (Ex. Roushenn [Roo-shen] like “frou-frou”)
PHRASES IN HIGH ALRAKHAN:
Alrashemnesh ars veitriya rhovagnetari! Toura Corunenne!
Alrashemni are the true protectors! Long live the Queen!
PHRASES IN OLD KHEHEMNI:
Imendhe nethii hakkane!
Immortal ripping underworld!
Utrus! Khehe ahlwe—!
The Utrus! Battle it!
Hemna ahlmine!
Stay with me, dammit!
Thouliet dannoua Khehem, yethan chelis.
Remember you to Khehem, with your heart.
Kehefnet! Khehfnet, lethnai!
Hurry, hurry, let’s go!
Ah! Soubrithi ahkelnet!
Ah! The dead sleeper awakens!
PHRASES IN LEFKANI:
Agate brithii discenzio!
Burning fires of hell! (Lefkani curse)
SAYINGS / TRANSLATIONS:
OLD KHEHEMNI
Ahlanati – Lord of dusk
Lethnim – Warrior
Shaper and Undoer – A common epithet from Leith’s time
Seven fucks of Jeldhaia – An ancient curse from Leith’s time
GIANNYK
Aliri – Light / enlightenment
Heldi – Memory / remember
Heldi aliri – Place of Enlightened Memory
Helta Wyrrin – High Magus
Karakhan nikh Obderheim – Riddle of the Obelisks
Kruk-heyya – Harvest / reaping
Utrus – Red-Eyed Demon
Warrik schlafin k’Utrus – Sleeping Warriors of the Undoer
Wyrrdani – Spirit / essence / wyrria
ELSTHEMI
Fenrir rakhne – Wolf’s hells
Haldakir – Brute
Khrakane vishken – Kraken’s talons
Kotar’s Balls
CENNETIAN
Generalisso d’Iscurro – General of the Darkness aka King of Poisoners
Putistena – Whore
Gottio! – My God!
VALENGHIAN
My Living Vine – The way subjects address the Valenghian Vhinesse
LEFKANI
Ghendii – “Fallen One”, a term used by Lefkani Pirates
APPENDIX 2 – CHARACTERS
Elsthemen / Heldim Alir:
Therel Alramir – King of Alrou-Mendera and Elsthemen
Elyasin den’Ildrian Alramir – Queen of Alrou-Mendera and Elsthemen
Thaddeus den’Lhor – Queen’s Chronicler
Luc den’Lhorissian – Queen’s Physician
Ghrenna den’Tanuk – Alrashemni Kingswoman, Morvein Vishke reincarnated
Merra Alramir – High General of Elsthemen, older sister to Therel
Rhone and Rhennon Uhlki – Second-Captains to General Merra, twin brothers
Miri – A keshari rider, one of Merra’s lieutenants
Mikka Khuriye – First Scout of the Bhorlen Rangers
Morvein Vishke (deceased) – High Dremorande to the Brother Kings
Hahled Ferrian – One of the Brother Kings of Elsthemen
Delman Ferrian – One of the Brother Kings of Elsthemen
Trevius Stranik (deceased) – King of the Giannyk, Heimhold Giannyk Clan
Vrennen Stranik – A Portalsmilth of the Heimhold Giannyk Clan
Bhorlen Valdaris – Master Portalsmith of the Dhuvvin Giannyk
Ulfgrad Stranik – Father of Trevius Stranik and the Four Giannyk Princes
Metholas Leifne (deceased) – Scribe to Morvein
Elsthemen / Ligenia / Kreth-Hakir:
Theroun den’Vekir – ex-General, Black Viper of the Aphellian Way
Khorel Jornath – A High Priest of the Kreth-Hakir
Metrene den’Yesh – The Kingstone, High Mistress of the Kreth-Hakir
Vitreal den’Bhorus – Captain of the Fleetrunners
Lhesher Khoum – Highsword to King Therel
Jhonen Rebaldi – First-Captain to General Merra, Dremor
Adelaine Visek – High Dremorande of Elsthemen
Magnus Yesh – High Master of the Kreth-Hakir
Brother Antonius Ossenheim – A Valenghian Brother of the Kreth-Hakir
Brother Kiiar dhim’Erle – High Priest of the Watch of the Kreth-Hakir
Brother Caldrian hek’Khim – Priest of Wrath of the Kreth-Hakir
Brother Arlo del’Vonio – Priest of Letters of the Kreth-Hakir
Brother Coralim hek’Enni – Brother of the Kreth-Hakir
Brother Arno del’Legate – Brother of the Kreth-Hakir
Sage Pierce (deceased) – A Sage of the Kreth-Hakir
Lissendra del’Mira (deceased) – Theroun’s wife
The Black Bastard – Theroun’s black keshar-cat
Elsthemi Clans:
Blackthorn – Outriders, patrol Bhorlen Mountains near Valenghia
White Claws – Merra’s personal guard, her most elite keshari warriors
Split Fangs – Merra’s secondary guard
Valenghia:
Elohl den’Alrahel – First-Lieutenant of the High Brigade, twin to Olea
Fenton den’Kharel / Alodwine – First-Lieutenant of the Roushenn Palace Guard, Scion of Khehem
Dherran den’Lhust – Alrashemni Kingsman
Khenria den’Bhaelen – Friend to Dherran
Grump (aka Grunnach den’Lhis) – Friend to Dherran, the Greyhawk
Aelennia Oblitenne – The Vhinesse, Queen of Valenghia “The Living Vine”
Delennia Oblitenne – House of Oblitenne, once-lover to Arlen den’Selthir
Emeris ven’Khern – Personal Guard to Delennia
Chancellor ven’Rhenni – A Chancellor to the Vhinesse
Merkhenos del’Ilio – High General of Valenghia
Ghirano del’Letti – Red Valor Guard to Merkhenos
King Eleps des’Levanne – King of Praough
Greghane des’Finnes – Praoughian General at the Aphellian Way
Suxisse Osenneaux – Valenghian General at the Aphellian Way
Lieutenant des’Pannes – Valenghian Watch at the Aphellian Way
Suchinne den’Thaon (deceased) – A Kingswoman, first love to Dherran
Ennalea den’Alrahel / Alodwine (deceased) – Elohl and Olea’s mother
Levennia del’Mira (deceased) – Fenton’s first wife, Cennetian
Iccio del’Carrini of Legate (deceased) – Cennetian King
Roushenn Palace:
Lhaurent den’Alrahel / den’Karthus – Rennkavi
Khouren Alodwine – The Ghost of Roushenn
Ihbram den’Sennia / Alodwine – Veteran High Brigade
Arthe den’Tourmalin – King of the Tourmaline Isles
Uhlas den’Ildrian (deceased) – King of Alrou-Mendera
Alden den’Ildrian (deceased) – Dhenir of Alrou-Mendera
Evshein den’Lhamann (deceased) – King’s Chancellor
Elemnia del’Letti (deceased) – Khouren’s old Cennetian flame
Jhorenni al’Ban (deceased) – A lord of the Lhemvian Isles
Ruitia del’Mar (deceased) – Cennetian noble lover of Ihbram’s
Helene del’Ilio (deceased) – Ihbram’s first love
Minareth Alodwine (deceased) – Ihbram’s sister
First Abbey of Lintesh / Gerrov-Tel:
Temlin den’Ildrian – King-Protectorate of Alrou-Mendera
Eleshen den’Fenrir – An innkeeper
Mollia den'Lhorissian – The Abbeystone
Brother Sebasos – Kingsman / Jenner brother
Brother Brandin – A young Jenner brother
Sister Nennia den’Thule – A Jenner / Kingswoman
Abbott Lhem den'Ulio (deceased) – Abbot of the Jenners
Abbess Lenuria den'Brae / Alodwine (deceased) – Abbess of the Jenners
Eiric den’Fenrir (deceased) – Dhepan of Quelsis, Eleshen’s father
Moonshadow – Eleshen’s keshar-cat
Sanctuary of the Noldarum:
Jherrick den’Tharn – Corporal in the Roushenn Palace Guard
Noldrones Flavian – Herald of the Noldarum, Albrenni
Noldra Ethirae – A Sister of the Noldarum, Albrenni
Archaeon Stranik – Giannyk / Albrenni warrior, the Key of Fire
Aldris den’Farahan (deceased) – Second-Lieutenant of the Roushenn Palace Guard
Olea den’Alrahel (deceased) – Captain-General of the Palace Guard, twin to Elohl
The Twelve Tribes:
Leith Alodwine (deceased) – Khehem’s last King
Alitha Alodwine (deceased) – Leith’s daughter / Fentleith’s mother, the Prophetess
Ordeith Alodwine (deceased) – Leith’s grandfather, King of Khehem, a tyrant
Lourden al’Lhesk – Spear-Captain of Oasis Ghellen
The Vault (Vennet):
Vicoute Arlen den’Selthir – Vicoute of Vennet, leader of the Shemout Alrashemni
Purloch den’Crassis – Master of Purloch's House in the Bog
Khaspar den’Albehout – High General of the Menderian forces at the Vault
Elyria Kenthar – A Dremor
Yenlia – Bherg’s wife, a fighter of the Bog
APPENDIX 3 – PLACES AND THINGS
PLACES
ALROU-MENDERA
LINTESH (The King’s City) – City at the base of the Kingsmount
Abbey Quarter – Location of the First Abbey
Tradesman Quarter – Near the Watercourse Gate
Watercourse Gate – Eastern gate of Lintesh
ROUSHENN PALACE – The royal palace at Lintesh
Rose Courtyard – Courtyard of roses in the Third Tier
Throne Hall – High Seat of Alrou-Mendera
King’s Tomb – Secret tomb beneath Roushenn
FIRST ABBEY – Of the Jenners
Rare Tomes Room – Catacomb of ancient writings beneath the Annex
Abbey Annex – Old cathedral of the First Abbey
GERROV-TEL (Mount Gerrov) – Fortress Ruins in the Kingsmountains, site of Haled's Stone
Upper Gallery at Gerrov-Tel
Southwest tower
Armory catacombs
Alrashesh – First Court of the Alrashemni Kingsmen
Aphellian Way – Site of the Black Viper's slaughter, on the Thalanout Plain
Bhorlen’s Citadel – Ancient Giannyk city beneath the mountains
Bitterwoods – Forest near Vicoute Arlen’s manor
Dhemman – Third Court of the Alrashemni Kingsmen
Elesk (The Kingsmount) – By Lintesh
Elhambrian Valley – Valley at the edge of Lintesh
Elsee – Lake in the Eleskis
Fhouria – Home of the Fhouria Thieves’ Consortium
Gerson Hills – Location near Vennet
Gerthoun – City on the border of Elsthemen and Alrou-Mendera
Heathren Bog – Enormous bog north of the Aphellian way (Purloch’s Bog)
Hills of the Damned – Bar
row-hills in the Thalanout Plain
Khenthar Rhegalatoria – Respite of the Rulers, Molli’s valley at the top of the Kingsmount
Lheshen Valley – In the mountains near Quelsis, has seen vicious fighting, now well-protected
Long Valley – Valley on the Valenghian border just north of Purloch’s Bog
Pallisade Fhen – Location near Vennet
Port of Ligenia / Ligenia Bay – Coastal city, supply location for the Aphellian Way
Purloch’s House – Purloch’s main city in the Heathren Bog
Quelsis – A city in the foothills of Alrou-Mendera
Southern Lethian Valley – Where the Menderian main war-camp is (Camp Lethia)
Thalanout Plain – Where most of the fighting is against Valenghia
The Eleskis (The Kingsmountains) – Border of Valenghia and Elsthemen
The Vault – Ancient Albrenni fortress southwest of Vennet
Thickhole Swamp – Swamp near Vicoute Arlen’s manor
Vennet – A city on the eastern bogs, home of Vicoute Arlen den’Selthir
ELSTHEMEN
Lhen Fhekran – Capitol city of Elsthemen
Fhekran Palace – Therel Alramir's palace at Lhen Fhekran
Valley of Doors – On Alrou-Mendera border, has ancient ruins, on the Lethian Way
Northern Lethian Valley – Where the Elsthemi main war-camp is, and the Valley of Doors
Lethian Way – An ancient canyon-road up through the river-gorge in the Lethian Valley
Kherven Valley – The plains approaching Lhen Fhekran from the west
Bhorlen Mountains – Elsthemi-Valenghian border, aka Bhorlen’s Ring / Bhorlen’s Barrier
Mount Veldir – Elsthemi name for the Kingsmount
The Devil’s Field – An immensely treacherous glacial crossing into Valenghia from Elsthemen
Lodresh Glacier – Glacier that holds the Devil’s Field
Bitterrift Pass – The approach to the Devil’s Field
Hokhar – City on the ice tundra
Mount Ghirlaj – Obsidian mountain to the south of the Devil’s Field