novelxo Chapter The Priory of the Orange Tree: The Persons of the Tale
Eastern names are listed by family name first. Western, Northern, and Southern names are listed by given name first.
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THE STORYTELLERS
Arteloth “Loth” Beck: Heir apparent to the wealthy northern province of the Leas in Inys and the estate of Goldenbirch. Elder child of Lord Clarent and Lady Annes Beck, brother of Margret Beck, and closest friend of Sabran IX of Inys.
Eadaz du Zāla uq-Nāra (also known as Ead Duryan): An initiate of the Priory of the Orange Tree, currently posing as an Ordinary Chamberer in the Upper Household of Sabran IX of Inys. She is a descendant of Siyāti uq-Nāra, who was the closest friend of Cleolind Onjenyu.
Niclays Roos: An anatomist and alchemist from the Free State of Mentendon and former friend of Edvart II. He was banished by Sabran IX of Inys to Orisima, the last Western trading post in Seiiki.
Tané: A Seiikinese orphan who was drafted into the Houses of Learning as a child to train for the High Sea Guard. Principal apprentice from the South House.
Chief Officer: The official responsible for security for the Mentish trading post of Orisima.
Dranghien VI: Unceasing Emperor of the Twelve Lakes, current head of the House of Lakseng. Like all his bloodline, he claims descent from the Carrier of Light, who the Lacustrine believe was the first human to befriend a dragon when it fell from the heavens.
Dumusa: Principal apprentice from the West House, of Miduchi descent. Her paternal grandfather was a Southern explorer, executed for defying the Great Edict.
Elder Vara: Healer and archivist at Vane Hall on Feather Island.
Ghonra: Heir to the Fleet of the Tiger Eye, adopted daughter of the Golden Empress, and captain of the White Crow. She styles herself “Princess of the Sundance Sea.”
The Golden Empress: Leader of the Fleet of the Tiger Eye—the most formidable pirate fleet in the East, comprising some 40,000 pirates—and captain of its largest treasure ship, the Pursuit. She drives the illegal trade in dragonflesh.
Governor of Cape Hisan: The official in charge of administrating the Seiikinese region of Cape Hisan. He is responsible for ensuring that the Lacustrine and Mentish settlers adhere to Seiikinese law.
Governor of Ginura: The official in charge of administrating the Seiikinese capital of Ginura. She is also the chief magistrate of Seiiki. Traditionally, this post is always held by a member of the House of Nadama.
Grand Empress Dowager: A member of the House of Lakseng through marriage. She was official regent for her grandson, the Unceasing Emperor of the Twelve Lakes, during his minority.
Ishari: An apprentice from the South House. Roommate to Tané.
Kanperu: An apprentice from the West House.
Laya Yidagé: Interpreter to the Golden Empress. She was taken prisoner by the Fleet of the Tiger Eye after attempting to follow her adventurous father to Seiiki.
Moyaka Eizaru: A physician from Ginura. Father of Purumé. Friend and former student of Niclays Roos.
Moyaka Purumé: An anatomist and botanist from Ginura. Daughter of Eizaru. Friend and former student of Niclays Roos.
Muste: Assistant to Niclays Roos in Orisima. Companion of Panaya.
Nadama Pitosu: Warlord of Seiiki and current head of the House of Nadama. He is descended from the First Warlord, who took up arms to avenge the fallen House of Noziken.
Onren: Principal apprentice from the East House.
Padar: Navigator on the Pursuit.
Panaya: A resident of Cape Hisan and interpreter to the settlers of Orisima. Companion to Muste.
Sea General: Commander of the High Sea Guard of Seiiki. Head of Clan Miduchi. Current rider of Tukupa the Silver.
Susa: A resident of Cape Hisan and childhood friend of Tané. A street urchin until she was adopted by an innkeeper.
Turosa: Principal apprentice from the North House, of Miduchi descent, famed for his skill with blades. Long-time rival of Tané.
Viceroy of Orisima: The Mentish official who oversees the trading post of Orisima.
DECEASED AND HISTORICAL PERSONS OF THE EAST
Little Shadow-girl: A mythical figure. A peasant who sacrificed her life to reunite the Spring Dragon with the pearl that had been stolen from her.
Neporo: Self-declared Queen of Komoridu. Very little is known about her.
Noziken Mokwo: A former Empress of Seiiki. Head of the House of Noziken during her reign.
Snow-Walking Maiden: A semilegendary figure. She nursed Kwiriki back to health when he was injured and in the guise of a bird. To thank her, Kwiriki carved her the Rainbow Throne and gave her power over Seiiki. She was the founding member of the House of Noziken and the first Empress of Seiiki.
THE SOUTH
Chassar uq-Ispad: A mage of the Priory of the Orange Tree and its chief link to the outside world. He poses as an ambassador to King Jantar and Queen Saiyma of the Ersyr to allow him access to foreign courts. He helped raise Eadaz uq-Nāra after the sudden death of her birthmother. Chassar has a gift for taming birds, often using Sarsun and Parspa to carry out his work.
Jantar I (the Splendid): King of the Ersyr and current head of the House of Taumargam. Spouse to Queen Saiyma and an ally of the Priory of the Orange Tree.
Jondu du Ishruka uq-Nāra: Childhood friend and mentor to Eadaz uq-Nāra. She was sent to Inys to find Ascalon. Like Eadaz, she is a descendant of Siyāti uq-Nāra.
Kagudo Onjenyu: High Ruler of the Domain of Lasia and current head of the House of Onjenyu. She is a descendant of Selinu the Oathkeeper through his son, the half-brother of Cleolind Onjenyu. Kagudo is an ally of the Priory of the Orange Tree and has been guarded by Red Damsels since the day she was born.
Mita Yedanya: Prioress of the Orange Tree. She was formerly the munguna, or heir presumptive.
Nairuj Yedanya: A Red Damsel of the Priory of the Orange Tree and its presumed munguna.
Saiyma Taumargam: Queen consort of the Ersyr and spouse of Jantar I.
DECEASED AND HISTORICAL PERSONS OF THE SOUTH
Butterfly Queen: A semimythical figure. She was a beloved queen consort of the Ersyr, but died young, plunging her king into unending grief.
Cleolind Onjenyu (the Mother or the Damsel): Crown princess of the Domain of Lasia and daughter of Selinu the Oathkeeper. Founder of the Priory of the Orange Tree. The religion of the Virtues of Knighthood professes that she wed Sir Galian Berethnet and became queen consort of Inys after he defeated the Nameless One to save her. Members of the Priory believe it was Cleolind who vanquished the beast, and most believe she did not leave with Galian. Cleolind died after leaving the Priory on unknown business not long after its foundation.
Dawnsinger: A prophet of the ancient Ersyr. Among his predictions, he claimed that the sun would rise from the Dreadmount and sweep away Gulthaga, which was locked in a bitter war with his people.
Melancholy King: A semimythical figure, said to have been an early king of the House of Taumargam. He wandered into the desert, following a mirage of his wife, the Butterfly Queen, and died of thirst. Ersyris use him as a cautionary tale, most often to warn against blind love.
Selinu the Oathkeeper: High Ruler of Lasia and head of the House of Onjenyu when the Nameless One settled in Yikala. He organized a lottery of lives to placate the beast, which ended only when his own daughter, Cleolind, was chosen as the sacrifice.
Siyāti uq-Nāra: The beloved friend and handmaiden of Cleolind Onjenyu. She became Prioress of the Orange Tree after Cleolind died abroad. Many sisters and brothers of the Priory are descended from Siyāti through her seven children.
Zāla du Agriya uq-Nāra: A sister of the Priory of the Orange Tree and birthmother to Eadaz du Zāla uq-Nāra. She was poisoned when Eadaz was six.
VIRTUDOM
Aleidine Teldan utt Kantmarkt: A member of the wealthy Teldan family, she was ennobled upon her marriage to Lord Jannart utt Zeedeur, the future Duke of Zeedeur. She is now known as the Dowager Duchess of Zeedeur. Grandmother of Truyde
Annes Beck (Lady Goldenbirch): Daughter of the Baron and Baroness of Greensward. Countess of Goldenbirch through her marriage to Lord Clarent Beck. Mother to Arteloth and Margret. Former Lady of the Bedchamber to Rosarian IV of Inys.
Arbella “Bella” Glenn (Viscountess Suth): One of the three Ladies of the Bedchamber to Sabran IX of Inys and Keeper of the Queen’s Jewels. She was also Lady of the Bedchamber, milk nurse, and Mistress of the Robes to the late Rosarian IV. Since Rosarian’s death, she has never spoken.
Aubrecht II (the Red Prince): High Prince of the Free State of Mentendon, Archduke of Brygstad, and current head of the House of Lievelyn. Grand-nephew of the late Prince Leovart and nephew of the late Prince Edvart. Brother to Ermuna, Bedona, and Betriese. He is the eldest of the siblings.
Bedona Lievelyn: Princess of the Free State of Mentendon. Sister to Aubrecht, Ermuna, and Betriese.
Betriese Lievelyn: Princess of the Free State of Mentendon. Sister to Aubrecht, Ermuna, and Bedona. She is the youngest of the siblings, born just after Bedona, her identical twin.
Calidor Stillwater: Second son of Nelda Stillwater, the Duchess of Courage. Companion of Lady Roslain Crest and father of Lady Elain Crest.
Chieftain of Askrdal: Highest-ranking nobleman in the ancient Duchy of Askrdal in Hróth. A friend of Lady Igrain Crest.
Clarent Beck (Lord Goldenbirch): Earl of Goldenbirch and Keeper of the Leas. Companion of Lady Annes Beck. Father to Arteloth and Margret.
Elain Crest: Daughter of Lady Roslain Crest and Lord Calidor Stillwater. She is expected to inherit the Duchy of Justice after her mother, who is next in line.
Ermuna Lievelyn: Crown princess of the Free State of Mentendon and Archduchess of Ostendeur. Sister to Aubrecht, Bedona, and Betriese.
Estina Melaugo: Boatswain on the Rose Eternal.
Gautfred Plume: Quartermaster on the Rose Eternal.
Gian Harlowe: An Inysh privateer and captain of the Rose Eternal. Rumored to have been the lover of Rosarian IV of Inys, who gifted him the ship.
Grance Lambren: A member of the Knights of the Body.
Gules Heath: Longest-serving member of the Knights of the Body.
Hallan Bourn: Royal Physician to Sabran IX of Inys.
Helchen Roos: Mother of Niclays Roos. She has been estranged from her son for decades.
Igrain Crest: Duchess of Justice, Lady High Treasurer of Inys, and current head of the Crest family. She was regent in all but name during the minority of Sabran IX of Inys and remains her trusted advisor on the Virtues Council.
Jillet Lidden: A maid of honor in the Upper Household of Sabran IX of Inys. She often sings at court.
Joan Dale: A member of the Knights of the Body and second-in-command to Sir Tharian Lintley. She is a distant relative of Sir Antor Dale.
Kalyba (the Lady of the Woods or the Witch of Inysca): A mysterious figure in Inysh history. Creator of Ascalon. She is said to have lived in the haithwood in the north of Inys, and to have abducted and murdered children.
Katryen “Kate” Withy: Mistress of the Robes and one of the three Ladies of the Bedchamber to Sabran IX of Inys. She is the favorite niece of Lord Bartal Withy, the Duke of Fellowship.
Kitston Glade: Poet at the court of Sabran IX of Inys and friend of Lord Arteloth Beck. Sole heir of the Earl and Countess of Honeybrook. Heir apparent to the province of the Downs.
Lemand Fynch: Acting Duke of Temperance and Lord Admiral of Inys in place of his missing uncle, Lord Wilstan Fynch, whose position he fills on the Virtues Council. Acting head of the Fynch family.
Linora Payling: Daughter of the Earl and Countess of Payling Hill. She is an Ordinary Chamberer in the Upper Household of Sabran IX of Inys.
Margret “Meg” Beck: Daughter and younger child of Lord Clarent and Lady Annes Beck. She is an Ordinary Chamberer in the Upper Household of Sabran IX of Inys and Keeper of the Privy Library. Sister to Arteloth Beck.
Marke Birchen: A member of the Knights of the Body.
Marosa Vetalda: Donmata of Yscalin. Daughter of Sigoso III and his late companion, Queen Sahar.
Nelda Stillwater: Duchess of Courage and Lady Chancellor of Inys. Current head of the Stillwater family.
Oliva Marchyn: Mother of the Maids, who oversees the maids of honor.
Oscarde utt Zeedeur: Duke of Zeedeur and Mentish ambassador to the Queendom of Inys. Son of Lord Jannart utt Zeedeur and Lady Aleidine Teldan utt Kantmarkt.
Priessa Yelarigas: First Lady of the Bedchamber to the Donmata Marosa of Yscalin.
Ranulf Heath the Younger: Earl of Deorn and Keeper of the Lakes. His father, Ranulf Heath the Elder, was prince consort to Jillian VI of Inys, grandmother of Sabran IX.
Raunus III: King of Hróth and current head of the House of Hraustr.
Ritshard Eller: Duke of Generosity and current head of the Eller family. A member of the Dukes Spiritual.
Roslain Crest: Chief Gentlewoman of the Bedchamber to Queen Sabran IX of Inys and heir apparent to the Duchy of Justice. Her mother, Lady Helain Crest, held the same position in the household of Rosarian IV. Roslain is the companion of Lord Calidor Stillwater, mother of Lady Elain Crest, and granddaughter of Lady Igrain Crest.
Sabran IX (the Magnificent): Thirty-sixth queen of Inys and current head of the House of Berethnet. Daughter of Rosarian IV. Like all members of her dynasty, she claims descent from Sir Galian Berethnet and Princess Cleolind of Lasia.
Seyton Combe (the Night Hawk): Duke of Courtesy, Principal Secretary, and spymaster to Sabran IX of Inys.
Sigoso III: King of Yscalin and current head of the House of Vetalda, presently styling himself Flesh King. Once loyal to Virtudom, he has renounced the Virtues of Knighthood and now pledges his allegiance to the Nameless One. Father of Marosa Vetalda, his daughter with Sahar Taumargam.
Tallys: A scullion in the Lower Household of Sabran IX of Inys.
Tharian Lintley: Captain of the Knights of the Body, the personal guard of Sabran IX of Inys. A commoner by blood, he became a member of the Virtues Council when he was knighted.
Thim: A deserter from the Black Dove, now a gunner on the Rose Eternal.
Triam Sulyard: A former page in the Lower Household of Sabran IX of Inys, then squire to Sir Marke Birchen. He is secretly wed to Lady Truyde utt Zeedeur.
Truyde utt Zeedeur: Heir apparent to the Duchy of Zeedeur. Daughter of Oscarde utt Zeedeur and his late companion. She is serving as a maid of honor in the Upper Household of Sabran IX of Inys.
Wilstan Fynch: Duke of Temperance, Lord Admiral of Inys, and prince consort to the late Rosarian IV of Inys. He became the Inysh ambassador-in-residence to the Kingdom of Yscalin after her death. His nephew, Lord Lemand Fynch, holds his position on the Virtues Council in his absence.
DECEASED AND HISTORICAL PERSONS OF VIRTUDOM
Antor Dale: A knight who wed Rosarian I of Inys after he played a public game of love with her. Her father, Isalarico IV of Yscalin, gave special permission for the marriage to proceed, since it was popular with the people. Sir Antor embodies the ideals of chivalry.
Brilda Glade: Chief Gentlewoman of the Bedchamber to Sabran VII of Inys, who eventually became her companion. Carnelian I (the Flower of Ascalon): Fourth queen of the House of Berethnet.
Carnelian III: Twenty-fifth queen of the House of Berethnet. She caused a stir when she refused to hire a milk nurse for her daughter, Princess Marian. She fell in love with Lord Rothurt Beck, but was unable to marry him.
Carnelian V (the Mourning Dove): Thirty-third queen of the House of Berethnet, famed for her beautiful voice and periods of sadness. Great-grandmother of Sabran IX of Inys.
Edrig of Arondine: Trusted friend of Sir Galian Berethnet, who served as his knight. When Galian was crowned King of Inys, Edrig was named Keeper of the Leas and given the family name Beck.
Edvart II: High Prince of the Free State of Mentendon. Edvart and his infant daughter died not long after Jannart utt Zeedeur during the Brygstad Terror, when half the Mentish court died of the sweating sickness. He was succeeded by his uncle, Leovart.
Galian Berethnet (the Saint or Galian the Deceiver): The first King of Inys. Galian was born in the Inyscan village of Goldenbirch, but rose to squire for Edrig of Arondine. The religion of the Virtues of Knighthood, which Galian based on the knightly code, professes that he vanquished the Nameless One in Lasia, married Princess Cleolind of the House of Onjonyu, and with her founded the House of Berethnet. Worshipped in Virtudom, but reviled in many parts of the South, Galian is thought by his followers to rule in Halgalant, the heavenly court, where he awaits the righteous at the Great Table.
Glorian II (Glorian Hartbane): Tenth queen of the House of Berethnet. A gifted hunter. Her marriage to Isalarico IV of Yscalin brought his country into Virtudom.
Glorian III (Glorian Shieldheart): Twentieth queen of the House of Berethnet, arguably its best-known and most beloved monarch. She led Inys during the Grief of Ages and famously took her newborn daughter, Sabran VII, on to the battlefield. This action inspired her soldiers to fight to the end.
Haynrick Vatten: Steward-in-Waiting to Mentendon during the Grief of Ages. He was betrothed to the future Sabran VII of Inys when he was four years old. The Vatten, who ruled Mentendon for centuries on behalf of the House of Hraustr, were eventually overthrown and exiled back to Hróth, but their descendants still wielded power in Mentendon.
Isalarico IV (the Benevolent): King of Yscalin and prince consort of Inys. He pledged his country to Virtudom upon his marriage to Glorian II of Inys.
Jannart utt Zeedeur: The late Duke of Zeedeur, previously Marquess of Zeedeur. He was a close friend to Edvart II of Mentendon, the secret lover of Niclays Roos, and companion to Lady Aleidine Teldan utt Kantmarkt. Jannart was a passionate historian.
Jillian VI: Thirty-fourth queen of the House of Berethnet. Maternal grandmother to Sabran IX of Inys. Jillian was musically gifted, religiously tolerant, and argued for closer ties between Virtudom and the rest of the world.
Leovart I: High Prince of the Free State of Mentendon. He was not supposed to sit on the throne, but persuaded the Privy Council to let him hold it for his grand-nephew, Aubrecht, who Leovart declared was too gentle and inexperienced to rule. He was notorious for proposing to countless noble and royal women.
Lorain Crest: One of the six members of the Holy Retinue, friend to Sir Galian Berethnet. Dame Lorain is remembered in Inys as the Knight of Justice.
Never Queen: The sobriquet of Princess Sabran of Inys, daughter of Marian IV. She was the twenty-fourth royal woman of the House of Berethnet, but died giving birth to the future Rosarian II before she could be crowned.
Rosarian I (the Apple of All Eyes): Eleventh queen of the House of Berethnet. Her popular reign integrated traditions from Yscalin—the kingdom of her father, Isalarico IV.
Rosarian II (the Architect of Inys): Twenty-fourth queen of the House of Berethnet. She was a gifted architect who traveled extensively in her youth, while she was still a princess. Rosarian personally designed many buildings in Inys, including the marble-faced clock tower of Ascalon Palace. Rosarian IV (the Merrow Queen): Thirty-fifth queen of the House of Berethnet, mother to Sabran IX of Inys. She was assassinated by means of a poisoned gown.
Rothurt Beck: An earl of Goldenbirch. Carnelian III of Inys fell in love with him, but he was already wed.
Sabran V: Sixteenth queen of the House of Berethnet. Her reign marked the beginning of the Century of Discontent, which saw three unpopular queens in a row. She was notorious for her cruelty and extravagant lifestyle.
Sabran VI (the Ambitious): Nineteenth queen of the House of Berethnet. Most famous for bringing Hróth into Virtudom through her love marriage to Bardholt Hraustr. Her coronation ended the Century of Discontent. Sabran and Bardholt were slain by Fýredel, leaving their daughter, Glorian III, to weather the Grief of Ages.
Sabran VII: Twenty-first queen of the House of Berethnet. Daughter of Glorian III of Inys. She was betrothed to Haynrick Vatten, Steward-in-Waiting to Mentendon, on the day she was born. After his death, and her own abdication, Sabran wed her principal Lady of the Bedchamber, Lady Brilda Glade.
Sahar Taumargam: A princess of the Ersyr who became queen consort of Yscalin upon her marriage to Sigoso III. Sister of Jantar I of the Ersyr. She died under suspicious circumstances.
Wulf Glenn: Friend and bodyguard of Glorian III of Inys. One of the most famous knights in Inysh history, an ideal of courage and gallantry. He is an ancestor of Lady Arbella Glenn.
NONHUMAN CHARACTERS
Aralaq: An ichneumon, raised in the Priory of the Orange Tree by Eadaz and Jondu uq-Nāra.
Orsul: One of the five High Westerns that led the Draconic Army during the Grief of Ages.
Fýredel: Leader of the Draconic Army, loyal to the Nameless One and known as his right wing. He led a ruthless campaign against humankind in 511 CE. Some say he emerged from the Dreadmount at the same time as the Nameless One, while others believe he emerged at the same time as his siblings, during the Second Great Eruption.
Valeysa: One of the five High Westerns that led the Draconic Army during the Grief of Ages.
Imperial Dragon: Leader of all Lacustrine dragons, elected by arcane means. The current Imperial Dragon is a female who was hatched in the Lake of Golden Leaves in CE 209. The Imperial Dragon traditionally councils the human royal family of the Empire of the Twelve Lakes and chooses which of its heirs will inherit the throne.
Kwiriki: Believed by the Seiikinese to have been the first dragon to take a human rider, worshipped as a deity. He carved the Rainbow Throne—now destroyed—out of his horn. The Seiikinese believe Kwiriki left for the celestial plane, and that he sent the comet that ended the Great Sorrow. Butterflies are his messengers.
The Nameless One: An enormous red wyrm, created from a proliferation of siden in the core of the world. He is thought to have been the first creature to emerge from the Dreadmount and is the overlord of the Draconic Army, which was created for him by Fýredel. Little is known about the Nameless One, but it is assumed that his ultimate goal was to sow chaos and conquer humankind. His confrontation with Cleolind Onjenyu and Galian Berethnet in Lasia in BCE 2 became a fundament of religion and legend the world over.
Nayimathun of the Deep Snows: A Lacustrine dragon who fought in the Great Sorrow. A wanderer by nature, she is now a member of the High Sea Guard of Seiiki.
Norumo: A Seiikinese dragon and a member of the High Sea Guard of Seiiki.
Parspa: The last known hawiz—a species of giant, plant-eating bird, native to the South. She answers only to Chassar uq-Ispad, who tamed her.
Sarsun: A sand eagle. Friend of Chassar uq-Ispad and messenger to the Priory of the Orange Tree.
Tukupa (the Silver): A Seiikinese elder dragon descended from Kwiriki. Traditionally, the Sea General of Seiiki is her rider, but she may also carry the Warlord of Seiiki and members of his family.