Cover

Title page

Dedication page

For Harriett,

whose smile is a window into her heart,

which lights up the darkest of rooms,

and sends the storm-clouds fleeing.

And for the Intensive Therapy Unit’s team

at Eastbourne District General Hospital:

you are all angels without wings.

Cast of Characters

Cast of Characters

ARCONA

Cheren Horse Clan

Jin – daughter of Uldin, King of the Cheren. She is taken as a ward by the Ben-Elim, and raised in Drassil.

Uldin – King of the Cheren and father to Jin.

Sirak Horse Clan

Altan – warrior of the Sirak. Brother to Bleda and Hexa; son to Erdene, Queen of the Sirak.

Bleda – brother of Altan and Hexa, son of Erdene, Queen of the Sirak. He is taken by the Ben-Elim as a ward, and raised in Drassil.

Ellac – A one-handed warrior of the Sirak. Bleda’s guard.

Erdene – Queen of the Sirak. Mother to Bleda, Altan and Hexa.

Hexa – daughter of Erdene, Queen of the Sirak. Sister to Altan and Bleda.

ARDAIN

Elgin – Battlechief of Queen Nara.

Madoc – first-sword of Queen Nara.

Nara – Queen of Ardain.

THE DESOLATION

Aed – resident of Kergard. Son of Calder the smith.

Asger – a trader who lives in Kergard.

Bodil – a trapper of the Desolation and part-time resident of Kergard.

Burg – leader of a group of workers from the Kergard mines.

Calder – a smith of Kergard, a friend of Olin.

Drem – a trapper of the Desolation. Son of Olin.

Fritha – a newcomer to Kergard. Granddaughter to Hask.

Hask – a newcomer to Kergard. Grandfather to Fritha.

Hildith – a resident of Kergard who owns a mead hall. Member of the Assembly.

Olin – a trapper of the Desolation. Father to Drem.

Surl – Fritha and Hask’s hound.

Ulf – a resident of Kergard and a member of the Assembly. A tanner by trade.

Wispy Beard – a newcomer to Kergard.

LAND OF THE FAITHFUL

Alcyon – a giant who resides in Drassil.

Aphra – sister of Riv. Daughter of Dalmae. Captain of a hundred. A White-Wing of Drassil.

Balur One-Eye – father to Ethlinn, Queen of the Giants. He resides in Drassil.

Dalmae – a former White-Wing. Mother to Aphra and Riv.

Estel – a White-Wing of Drassil.

Ethlinn – Queen of the Giants. Daughter of Balur One-Eye.

Fia – a White-Wing of Drassil.

Garidas – a White-Wing of Drassil and captain of a hundred.

Jost – a training White-Wing of Drassil.

Lorina – a White-Wing of Drassil and captain of a hundred.

Vald – a training White-Wing of Drassil.

Riv – daughter of Dalmae and sister to Aphra. A training White-Wing.

ORDER OF THE BRIGHT STAR, DUN SEREN

Byrne – the High Captain of Dun Seren. A descendant of Cywen and Veradis.

Cullen – a young warrior of Dun Seren. A descendant of Corban and Coralen.

Fen – one of Keld’s wolven-hounds.

Hammer – Sig’s giant bear.

Keld – a warrior and huntsman of Dun Seren.

Rab – a white talking crow of Dun Seren.

Sig – a giant. Weapons-master of Dun Seren who travels widely to hunt the Kadoshim.