the communicator on the bedstand next to him.
“What is it?”
Kira’s voice came over the line. “The Tuann have Selene. I thought you should know.”
Kira didn’t wait for his response, a click signaling the end of the transmission seconds later.
Alexander sat up before pacing to a blank wall and touching its side. A window appeared, allowing him to stare at the space outside.
Their years of exile and freedom were coming to an end.
The feelings that knowledge brought were complicated. It had been so long since the forty-three walked in the light. He didn’t know if they could survive in the new paradigm.
Their psyche had been scarred by their beginnings. In many ways, their development was stunted, never allowing them to evolve, much less heal. They were so desperate to cling to the safety of the known, they would sacrifice anyone who threatened that.
Alexander had always known their peace couldn’t last. Soon, the events set in motion nearly a century ago would come to a head. Would the Tuann be the thing they feared or their salvation?
The forty-three were about to find out.
TERMS
Adal – Loosely translated it means the reckoning – challenging to dangerous undertakings
Adva Ka – A rite of passage Tuann must pass
Aksa – Fist sized animal who is stubborn and blood thirsty
Alja – Haldeel word for spy. Often used in reference to the ilsa
Almaluk – the crown jewel of the Haldeel empire. It doesn’t have a fixed location but rather wanders space.
Azala – Child
Azira aliri – Cat ear shaped flower
Aza – Polite form of address, ex: Sir or Ma’am
Balial – the material with anti-ballistic properties often used in the clothes Kira is given by House Roake
Buka – a carnivorous fish raised by the Haldeel
Cheva nier – My love
Choko trees – A tree on Ta Sa’Riel
Coli – Affectionate term of endearment similar to sweet heart
Colina – A formal form of coli
Etheiri – Place of remembrance
Etair – Horse-like creature
Feilli – Symbiotic creatures in the ocean
Fendrik – An enemy on Roake’s border
Iffli – Insult. Roughly translated – mutt, half-breed, waste
Ilsa – alien arachnid that is sometimes used as a spy or pet
Kattas – Warrior forms
Keeva – Alcoholic drink
Ki – Soul’s breath
Kithiw – derogatory term by the tsavitee used in reference to humans. Loosely defined it means fodder or food
Kueper – A snack wrapped in a pastry
Loaw – Hoverbike
Lu-ong – Dragon like creature who is able to manipulate ki.
Mea’Ave – The soul of the planet
Ooros – Beast of burden, pulls carriages, looks like a cross between a bison and woolly mammoth
Ooril – Night animal
Oshota – Elite Tuann warriors – their name means shield
Seiki Stone – Drains ki
Seon’yer – Teacher or guide
Sirav Rytil – Second chances
Sye – direct translation means all and none. It is the third neutral gender of Odin’s people, being neither female or male
Tala dog – Cross between boar and wolf and armored tank
Tilu – A Tuann invention that looks like butterfly wings and allows the user to fly
Tijit – A small angry rodent
Uhva na – Trial of the Broken. A rite of passage those of House Roake must pass before receiving a teacher who will prepare them for the adva ka
Ural – Similar to synth armor but not as advanced
Vertier Order – an order of the Haldeel that is considered sacred
Yer’se – Student or apprentice
Zala – Infant
Za/Za na/Za na ri/Za na ri na – various forms of formal address by the Haldeel
Zinyai – precious small one
Zuipi – Tuann energy/projectile weapon that looks kind of like a bow and arrow
TUANN HOUSES
Luatha – Major House - Kira’s mother, Liliana, is descended from this House. Its Overlord is Liara.
Maxiim – Minor house who has pledged allegiance to Luatha. Its Overlord is deceased. Joule is attempting to resurrect the House.
Roake – Major House – Kira’s father, Harding, is descended from this House. Its Overlord is Harlow.
Danai – Major House – Overlord is still unknown
Dethos – Minor House who has pledged allegiance to Danai. Overlord is still unknown.
Asanth – Major House
Kashori – Major House
Remie – Minor house – allegiances still unknown
DISCOVER MORE BY T.A. WHITE
The Firebird Chronicles
Rules of Redemption
Age of Deception
The Broken Lands Series
Pathfinder’s Way
Mist’s Edge
Wayfarer’s Keep
The Wind’s Call
The Dragon-Ridden Chronicles
Dragon-Ridden
Of Bone and Ruin
Destruction’s Ascent
Secrets Bound By Sand
Shifting Seas – Novella
The Aileen Travers Series
Shadow’s Messenger
Midnight’s Emissary
Moonlight’s Ambassador
Dawn’s Envoy
Twilight’s Herald
CONNECT WITH ME
Twitter: @tawhiteauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tawhiteauthor/
Website: http://www.tawhiteauthor.com/
Blog: http://dragon-ridden.blogspot.com/
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writing is my first love. Even before I could read or put coherent sentences down on paper, I would beg the older kids to team up with me for the purpose of crafting ghost stories to share with our friends. This first writing partnership came to a tragic end when my coauthor decided to quit a day later and I threw my cookies at her head. This led to my conclusion that I worked better alone. Today, I stick with solo writing, telling the stories that would otherwise keep me up at night.
Most days (and nights) are spent feeding my tea addiction while defending the computer keyboard from my feline companions, Loki and Odin.