witch—anyone using magic who has not received formal, official training and licensing; although technically gender-neutral, usually only applied to women
X
Xalome (ZAL-o-may)—a dragon, associated with souls
Xaltorath (zal-tor-OTH)—a demon prince, who can only be summoned through the sacrifice of a family member; self-associated with lust and war
Y
Ynis (y-NIS)—a god-king who once ruled the area now known as Khorvesh; associated with death and snakes
Ynisthana (y-NIS-than-AY)—an island in the Desolation chain, used as a training grounds by the Black Brotherhood
Yor (Yor)—one of Quur’s dominions, the most recently added
Z
Zherias (ZER-e-as)—a large island to the southwest of Quur. Independent from Quur, and anxious to stay that way; famous for their skill at piracy and trade
ADDENDUM II: THE ROYAL HOUSES
House D’Aramarin
Gem: Emerald
Heraldic device: Kraken
Eyes: Green
Monopoly: The Gatekeepers. Transportation and teleportation.
House D’Evelin
Gem: Amethyst
Heraldic device: Cyclone
Eyes: Violet
Monopoly: The Junk Boys. Sewage, garbage, water treatment, brewing.
House D’Erinwa
Gem: Jacinth
Heraldic device: Elephant
Eyes: Amber
Monopoly: The Octagon. Slavery, private mercenaries.
House D’Jorax
Gem: Opal
Heraldic device: Lightning
Eyes: Multicolored green/purple, or red/blue (artificial)
Monopoly: Revelers. Minstrels and entertainers, courtesans, velvet.
House D’Kaje
Gem: Topaz
Heraldic device: Crocodile
Eyes: Yellow
Monopoly: Lamplighters, chandlers, cuisine.
House D’Kard
Gem: Jade
Heraldic device: Spider
Eyes: Dark green (artificial)
Monopoly: Masons, builders, carpentry, crafts.
House D’Laakar
Gem: Aquamarine
Heraldic device: Two fish
Eyes: Turquoise
Monopoly: The Ice Men. Refrigeration, food preservation, air-cooling.
House D’Lorus
Gem: Onyx
Heraldic device: Flower
Eyes: Black
Monopoly: The Binders. Magic, education, scholarly research, book- and mapmaking.
House D’Moló
Gem: Chrysoberyl
Heraldic device: Jaguar
Eyes: Cat’s eyes (artificial)
Monopoly: Animal husbandry, leatherworking, weaving, tailoring.
House D’Mon
Gem: Blue sapphire
Heraldic device: Hawk
Eyes: Blue
Monopoly: The Blue Houses. Healing and medical arts.
House D’Nofra
Gem: Carnelian
Heraldic device: Tower
Eyes: Wolf-like (artificial)
Monopoly: Crops, herbs, spices, teas, coffee.
House D’Talus
Gem: Ruby
Heraldic device: Lion
Eyes: Red
Monopoly: The Red Men. Smelting, mining, and all metal craft.
ADDENDUM III: PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
While there is no single hard rule to the pronunciation of names, a few common rules widely exist. Note that these guidelines are primarily for Quuros names. People from outside the Empire, or people from conquered nations, may have other pronunciation rules.
1. A single vowel at the end of a name is pronounced with a hard sound. For example, Alshena is pronounced al-shen-AY.
2. Vowels at the end with accents break this rule. Sallí, for example, is pronounced sal-LEE, not sal-LI. Norà is pronounced with a soft a.
3. Two vowels together in the middle of a word make the first vowel hard while the second becomes silent. For example: Khaemezra is pronounced kay-mez-RAY.
4. If two vowels are at the end of a word, only the vowel just after the consonant is made hard, but the second vowel is still pronounced. Example: Morea is pronounced mor-E-ah.
5. “C” is pronounced with a hard “k” sound.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenn Lyons lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, three cats, and a nearly infinite number of opinions on anything from Sumerian mythology to the correct way to make a martini. She is a video game producer by day, and spends her evenings writing fantasy. A longtime devotee of storytelling, she traces her geek roots back to playing first edition Dungeons & Dragons in grade school and reading her way from A to Z in the school’s library. The Ruin of Kings is her first novel. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Map
Part I: A Dialog Between a Jailer and Her Prisoner
1. The Slave Auction
2. The Kazivar House
3. The Black Brotherhood
4. Butterbelly
5. Leaving Kishna-Farriga
6. The Rook’s Father
7. The Misery
8. The Angel’s Bargain
9. Souls and Stones
10. Demon in the Streets
11. The Coming Storm
12. Behind the Veil
13. The Determined Wizard
14. Bedtime Stories
15. The Zherias Maw
16. The General’s Reward
17. Waking the Old Man
18. What Jarith Found
19. Dream of a Goddess
20. Valathea
21. The Island of Ynisthana
22. A Golden Hawk
23. Morning Service
24. The Hawk’s Talon
25. Into the Jungle
26. Unhappy Reunion
27. Sister Kalindra
28. The Finest Healers
29. Teraeth’s Return
31. Tyentso at the Beach
32. Lady Miya
33. The Dragon’s Due
34. Promises
35. Red Flags
36. Testing the Lock
37. The New Tutor
38. The High Lord
39. In Search of Music
40. Interlude in an Abattoir
41. Refusal
42. The Younger Son
43. The Dragon’s Deal
44. Fencing Lessons
45. Riscoria Tea
46. The Crypt
47. The Mother of Trees
48. Family Dinner
49. Critical Lessons
50. The Lord Heir’s Wife
51. The Rock Garden
52. Dark Streaks
53. Speed Training
54. The Carriage Ride
55. The Pale Lady’s Judgment
56. The Octagon
57. Ghost Walk
58. The Price of Freedom
59. Kharas Gulgoth
60. The Invitation
61. Guardians of the Cage
62. The Gryphon Ring
63. Tea with Death
64. The D’Lorus Fete
65. Hangover Cures
66. The Game
67. The Destruction of Ynisthana
68. The Lion’s Den
69. The Wayward Son
70. The Raven Returns
71. The Trip Home
72. The New Year’s Festival
73. Returning to the Red Sword
74. Thefts and Murders
75. Confrontations
76. Betrayal
77. Gadrith’s Way
78. The Lighthouse at Shadrag Gor
Part II. The Sundering
79. Beginning Demonology
80. The Blue Palace
81. The Borderlands
82. A Meeting of Wizards
83. Xaltorath’s Daughter
84. The D’lorus Duel
85. Death’s Front
86. Returning
87. The Breaking of Oaths
88. Miya’s Gift
89. Parting
Addendum I: Glossary
Addendum II: The Royal Houses
Addendum III: P Pronunciation Guide
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE RUIN OF KINGS
Copyright © 2019 by Jenn Lyons
All rights reserved.
Map by Jenn Lyons
Cover art by Lars West
Cover design by Jamie Stafford-Hill
A Tor Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
www.tor-forge.com
Tor® is a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Lyons, Jenn, 1970– author.
Title: The ruin of kings / Jenn Lyons.
Description: First edition. | New York: Tor, 2019. | “A Tom Doherty Associates book.”
Identifiers: LCCN 2018045774 | ISBN 9781250175489 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781250175496 (ebook)
Subjects: | GSAFD: Fantasy fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3612.Y57525 R85 2019 | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018045774
eISBN 9781250175496
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First Edition: February 2019
*It seems Talon was serious about that “magic rock,” for it records the words spoken by its holder. I could have fabricated the other side of the conversation, but the gist seems clear enough through context and so I have let the words fall where they may.
†Having known Doltari slaves, I can only assume the auctioneer was blind. Then again, perhaps the good citizens of Kishna-Farriga have become experts at accepting the labels given to slaves without question.
*I have heard a great many theories to the effect that the Free States are a vassal of some other nation. So Doltar believes the Free States are in league with the Manol and the Manol believes the Free States are in league with Zherias, and of course Quur thinks the Free States are Doltari and thus must be protected by the Manol. If large-scale war ever breaks out, I fear it will go poorly for these Free States people trapped in the middle.
*There is no record to indicate that Relos Var has claim to a noble title or order of merit. On the other hand, there’s scarcely any record of Relos Var at all. The earliest mention of that name I have been able to locate is from the book History of the Raenena Conquest by Cilmar Shallrin, which mentions the name once. Since that book was published five hundred years ago, the idea that this might be the same person is troubling.
*This is … so wrong. So wrong. The odd number alone should have been the giveaway. This is what happens when you neglect to have a proper education. Two worlds. Just two. Magic is not a “realm”; it is a metaphysical river separating two parallel shores.
*Having personally met Relos Var on several occasions, including at public baths, I have to say that I have never been able to figure out where the man keeps his talismans either—or if he even wears any. Relos Var has the power and aura of someone who wears a great many talismans without seeming to wear any at all.
*I find it highly unlikely his real name is Kihrin, but without confirmation from his birth mother, it would be difficult to know for certain. Perhaps Kihrin is a misspelling.
†“Found a witch in the City today, a burglar in the process of robbing a mansion through the use of her witch gift. While questioning her, she revealed that she was something called a ‘Key.’ Must investigate if there’s a secret organized group practicing illegal magecraft right under the noses of royalty.” —Journal of Kolban Simus, Watchman, found under his pillow after his body was discovered. His death was ruled a suicide.
*Aidin Novirin, a merchant of minor means associated with the Gatekeepers. After returning from personal business, he reported a burglary to the Watchmen, but said he could not determine what, if anything, had been stolen.
*Oh, how I lament the lack of education in the world. This is nothing but superstition.
*A flattering observation, but you and I both know perfectly well that his lack of vanity had nothing to do with monastic discipline. Thank the gods for the house servants, or I likely would have starved to death before he remembered that children need regular meals and baths.
†Far better names than their legal ones, in my opinion.
*Whose mind, I wonder? I find it highly unlikely that the demon wasn’t fully aware that Rook was in the house the entire time. So, it seems quite possible that he pulled the information, not from the prisoner but from Kihrin himself.
*There is a pattern to the people that Talon impersonates in these dialogs. They tend to fall into two categories: those she has eaten and those she has spent long periods of time around, such as Kihrin. Clearly she’s been using her telepathic abilities to learn a great many secrets.
*Besides the Dana Jewels, one of the only recorded sales of a star tear was from a retired Quuros military officer named Duvos. He somehow acquired one and traded it to House D’Kard in exchange for the construction of what is now Sileemkha Palace in Khorvesh. By such standards, this exchange is rather extravagant: just a single star tear would have been an adequate stand-in for one million ords.
*One presumes not literally.
*Every record of dues or fees paid to House D’Erinwa lists this particular pawnshop owner’s name as … Butterbelly. I can find no record of any other identity.
†The Temple of Light is dedicated to the Vishai Mysteries, which are considered something of a heterodox faith dedicated to a solar deity named Selanol, who dies and is resurrected with the passing seasons. The religion is extremely popular in Eamithon and looked at oddly everywhere else.
*The implication here is that the Shadowdancers are sophisticated enough to train those they find with talent, but not advanced enough to train their students to memorize tenyé signatures. Just enough knowledge to be useful, and not a shred more.
*It’s not diamond.
†Harder.
*“Going south” is a Quuros euphemism for dying. I suspect the saying goes back to Emperor Kandor’s ill-fated attempt at southern expansion into the Manol.
*This is a common mistake. In fact, the first spell one learns can be quite sophisticated. Not knowing one’s limits is occasionally a marked advantage.
*Obviously, I am not dead. I also reject the idea that I’m responsible for his situation here. I am at best an accessory.
*The beds on board an average Zheriaso-built slave ship can comfortably accommodate a person under 5'2" tall. By comparison, the average Quuros is 5'6" tall, the average Zheriaso is 5'8", and the average vané is 6'2" tall. So in answer to the question “Who could possibly find such accommodations comfortable?” the answer is “No one.” This only highlights the desire of Zheriaso slavers to squeeze every possible bit of space, even from their paying passengers.
*I can’t help but wond
er just what Surdyeh thought would happen on Kihrin’s sixteenth birthday. A more distressing idea: what if it all happened exactly as Surdyeh had originally planned?
*There are many variations of the Maevanos, but they all follow the same basic story: the hero dies, travels to the underworld, is judged by Thaena, and is allowed to Return to life again. The Archetype of the Dying God, by Qhadri Silorma, plays on this theme in detail—further elaborating a theory in which Thaena is just one part of a cycle of spiritual reincarnation vital to all existence. This is along with goddesses Taja and Tya, each ruling one of three coexisting realms of reality. These conform to Physical, Magical, and Deathly metaphysical states. Silorma’s book is hugely hated by followers of the Goddess of Life, Galava, who object to being pushed aside in favor of the triplet goddesses.
*I don’t think it should be assumed that Surdyeh wasn’t trained by the Gatekeepers, although it’s possible that the Revelers were responsible for Surdyeh’s musical training. He seems to have known spells that aren’t officially in the Reveler repertoire. Let’s simply say that it would not surprise me to discover Surdyeh had ties to the Gatekeepers, or rather House D’Aramarin.
*Believed to be named because the road marks the spot where Simillion killed the god-king Ghauras. In fact, it’s so named because it marks the spot where the First Emperor’s murdered, mutilated corpse was put on display by the Court of Gems as an “object lesson” to anyone who would defy them.