He moved too fast for her to dodge away, large powerful hands gripping her shoulders and drawing her close. She stared into his eyes as they roamed over her scars, seeing only a blank sense of purpose. “Hurt,” he said and enfolded her in his arms, crushing her against the hard muscle of his chest.
And she burned.
APPENDIX I
Dramatis Personae
THE UNIFIED REALM
The Royal House of Al Nieren
Malcius Al Nieren—King of the Unified Realm
Lyrna Al Nieren—sister to Malcius, Princess of the Realm
Ordella Al Nieren—wife to Malcius, Queen of the Realm
Janus Al Nieren—son to Malcius, heir to the throne
Dirna Al Nieren—daughter to Malcius, Princess of the Realm
The Noble House of Al Sorna
Vaelin Al Sorna—former brother of the Sixth Order, Sword of the Realm and Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches
Alornis Al Sorna—artist and sister to Vaelin
The Northern Reaches
Dahrena Al Myrna—First Counsel to the North Tower
Adal Zenu—captain of the North Guard
Kehlan—healer and brother of the Fifth Order
Hollun—record keeper and brother of the Fourth Order
Orven Al Melna—captain of the Third Company, King’s Mounted Guard
Harlick—librarian and brother of the Seventh Order, Archivist of the North Tower
Nortah Al Sendahl—teacher and former brother of the Sixth Order, friend to Vaelin
Sella Al Sendahl—wife to Nortah
Artis Al Sendahl—son to Sella and Nortah
Lohren Al Sendahl—daughter to Sella and Nortah
Snowdance—war-cat
Wise Bear—shaman to the Bear People
Sanesh Poltar—war chief to the Eorhil Sil
Wisdom—sage elder to the Eorhil Sil
Insha ka Forna (Steel in Moonlight)—Eorhil warrior
Ultin—mine foreman at Reaver’s Gulch, later captain of the First Battalion of the Army of the North
Davern—shipwright, later sergeant in the Army of the North
Cara—resident of Nehrin’s Point
Lorkan—resident of Nehrin’s Point
Marken—resident of Nehrin’s Point
Weaver—resident of Nehrin’s Point
The Sixth Order of the Faith
Sollis—sword-master and Brother Commander of the Skellan Pass
Frentis—brother of the Sixth Order, friend to Vaelin
Grealin—Master of Stores and brother of the Sixth Order
Rensial—horse-master and brother of the Sixth Order
Ivern—brother of the Sixth Order, stationed at the Skellan Pass
Hervil—brother of the Sixth Order, stationed at the Skellan Pass
Alltor
Sentes Mustor—Fief Lord of Cumbrael
Reva Mustor—niece to Sentes
Veliss—Honoured Counsel to the Fief Lord of Cumbrael
Arentes Varnor—Lord Commander of the City Guard
Bren Antesh—Lord Commander of Archers
Harin—healer and brother of the Fifth Order, Master of Bone Lore
Arken—Asraelin youth, friend to Reva
The Reader—leader of the Church of the World Father
Renfael
Darnel Linel—Fief Lord of Renfael
Hughlin Banders—knight and Baron of Renfael
Ulice—illegitimate daughter to Banders
Arendil—son to Ulice
Ermund Lewen—knight and chief retainer to Banders
Rekus Wenders—knight and chief retainer to Darnel
The Urlish Forest
Ratter—outlaw
Draker—outlaw, comrade to Ratter
Illian Al Jervin—escaped slave, friend to Davoka
Thirty-Four—former numbered slave and torturer
Slasher—faith-hound and friend to Frentis
Blacktooth—faith-hound and friend to Illian
Others
Alucius Al Hestian—poet, friend to Alornis and Vaelin
Nirka Al Smolen—Lord Marshal of the King’s Mounted Guard
Tendris Al Forne—Aspect of the Fourth Order
Benril Lenial—renowned artist and brother of the Third Order
Janril Norin—minstrel and former standard-bearer in the Thirty-fifth Regiment of Foot
Ellora—dancer and wife to Janril
Count Marven—commander of the Nilsaelin contingent of the Army of the North
Jehrid Al Bera—Tower Lord of the Southern Shore
LONAK DOMINION
The Mahlessa—High Priestess and leader of the Lonakhim
Davoka—warrior of the Black River Clan, Servant of the Mountain, friend to Lyrna
Kiral—huntress of the Black River Clan and sister to Davoka
Alturk—Tahlessa of the Grey Hawk Clan
Mastek—warrior of the Grey Hawk Clan
THE ALPIRAN EMPIRE
Aluran Maxtor Selsus—Emperor
Emeren Nasur Ailers—former ward to the Emperor
Verniers Alishe Someren—Imperial Chronicler
Neliesen Nester Hevren—captain in the Imperial Guard
THE VOLARIAN EMPIRE
Arklev Entril—member of the Volarian Ruling Council
Reklar Tokrev—general of the Twentieth Corps of the Volarian Imperial Host
Fornella Av Entril Av Tokrev—sister to Arklev, wife to Reklar
Vastir—overseer of the pits, in the employ of Arklev
MELDENEAN ISLANDS
Atheran Ell-Nestra—Meldenean sea captain and Shield of the Isles
Carval Ell-Nurin—Ship Lord and captain of the Red Falcon
Belorath—captain of the Sea Sabre
SEORDAH SIL
Nersus Sil Nin (Song of the Wind)—seer of ancient legend
Hera Drakil (Red Hawk)—elder and war chief
APPENDIX II
The Rules of Warrior’s Bluff
A standard Asraelin deck holds the following cards, listed in order of rank:
King of Wolves (value: 12)
Queen of Roses (value: 11)
Prince of Snakes (value: 10)
Lord of Blades (value: 9)
Lady of Crows (value: 8)
Red Captain (value: 7)
Black Sergeant (value: 7)
Golden Guard (value: 7)
Green Archer (value: 7)
White Swordsman (value: 7)
Blind Blacksmith (value: 6)
Lovelorn Miller (value: 6)
Happy Weaver (value: 6)
Weeping Maid (value: 6)
Howling Wolf (value: 5)
Soaring Hawk (value: 5)
Feasting Crow (value: 5)
Rearing Horse (value: 5)
Coiled Snake (value: 5)
Palace (value: 4)
Throne (value: 4)
Castle (value: 4)
Crown (value: 4)
Scroll (value: 4)
Crossed Swords (value: 3)
Poisoned Cup (value: 3)
Bloody Dagger (value: 3)
Drawn Bow (value: 3)
Shining Axe (value: 3)
Candle (value: 2)
Book (value: 2)
Spyglass (value: 2)
Pestle (value: 2)
Quill (value: 2)
Grey Ship (value: 1)
Merry Sailor (value: 1)
Rising Storm (value: 1)
Darkening Sea (value: 1)
Drown
ed Man (value: 1)
Warrior’s Bluff may be played by up to five players. At the start of the game the dealer shuffles the cards and deals six cards to each player. Each player may choose two cards from his hand to be substituted for two from the deck.
The player to the dealer’s left will make the first bet or fold his hand and so on until each player has either placed a bet or folded. During the next round the players have the option of raising or sticking with their previous bets. If all players opt to stick, the cards will be shown and the player with the highest-value hand wins the pot. If one or more players opt to raise, each player must match the highest bet to stay in the game. Betting continues until all remaining players stick in the same round, after which all cards are shown and the player with the highest-value hand wins.
Any player drawing the Lord of Blades plus the five cards in the Martial Suit (Red Captain, Black Sergeant, Golden Guard, Green Archer and White Swordsman) has drawn the Warrior’s Bluff and wins the hand. All other hands are won by virtue of the total value of all five cards held by each player. Where the value of two or more hands is identical, the player with the highest-ranking card wins, e.g. a player holding the King of Wolves and five other cards with a total value of thirty will win over a player with a Queen of Roses and five other cards also with a value of thirty.