Sachaka and once ruled by Sachaka
Lan – a mountainous land peopled by warrior tribes
Lonmar – a desert land home to the strict Mahga religion
Sachaka – home of the once great
Sachakan Empire, where all but the most powerful are slaves
Vin – an island nation known for their seamanship
TITLES/POSITIONS
Administrator – magician who sees to the running of the Guild
Ashaki – Sachakan landowner
Black Magician – one of two magicians allowed to know black magic
Directors – magicians in charge of managing novices within and outside of the University
Heads of Disciplines – in charge of magicians of the three disciplines of Healing, Warrior and Alchemy
Heads of Studies – in charge of teaching the three disciplines of Healing, Warrior and Alchemy
High Lord – the official leader of the Magicians’ Guild of Kyralia
Ichani – Sachakan free man or woman who has been declared outcast
King’s Advisors – magicians who advise, Heal and protect the Kyralian king
Lord/Lady – any magician of the
Magician’s Guild without a greater title Master – free Sachakan
OTHER TERMS
the approach – main corridor to the master’s room in Sachakan houses
blood gem – artificial gemstone that allows maker to hear the thoughts of wearer
earthblood – term the Duna tribes use for lava
lowie – slang term used in the Guild for novices from middle and lower class origins
master’s room – main room in Sachakan houses for greeting guests
obin – separate house joined to the main house of a Naguh Valley house
snootie – slang term used in the
Guild for novices and magicians from the Houses slavehouse – part of Sachakan homes where the slaves live and work
slavespot – sexually transmitted disease
storestone – gemstone that can store magic
The Slig – a hidden people who live in the passages underneath Imardin
LORD DANNYL’S GUIDE TO
SLUM SLANG
blood money – payment for assassination
boot – refuse/refusal (don’t boot us)
capper – man who frequents brothels
clicked – occurred
client – person who has an obligation or agreement with a Thief
counter – whore
done – murdered
dull – persuade to keep silent
dunghead – fool
dwells – term used to describe slum dwellers
eye – keep watch
fired – angry (got fired about it)
fish – propose/ask/look for (also someone fleeing the Guard)
gauntlet – guard who is bribeable or in the control of a Thief
goldmine – man who prefers boys
good go – a reasonable try
got – caught
grandmother – pimp
gutter – dealer in stolen goods
hai – a call for attention or expression of surprise or inquiry
heavies – important people
kin – a Thief’s closest and most trusted
knife – assassin/hired killer
messenger – thug who delivers or carries out a threat
mind – hide (minds his business/I’ll mind that for you)
mug – mouth (as in vessel for bol)
out for – looking for
pick – recognise/understand
punt – smuggler
right-sided – trustworthy/heart in the right place
rope – freedom
rub – trouble (got into some rub over it)
shine – attraction (got a shine for him)
show – introduce
space – allowances/permission
squimp – someone who double-crosses the Thieves
style – manner of performing business
tag – recognise (also means a spy, usually undercover)
thief – leader of a criminal group
watcher – posted to observe something or someone
wild – difficult
visitor – burglar
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As always, this book would have been a much poorer thing had it not been for the generosity and work of my feedback readers. This time around I received some opposing views on the stories and characters, which allowed me to decide what I wanted to do with them. I would like to thank Paul Ewins, Fran Bryson, Liz Kemp, Foz Meadows, Nicole Murphy, Donna Hanson and Jennifer Fallon for their insight, opinions, suggestions and error-spotting.
Thanks again to Fran and Liz and all the wonderful agents around the world. Thanks, too, to the wonderful Orbit publishing teams and publishers of foreign editions, working hard to send my stories out to readers everywhere, in beautiful print, accessible e-book and enchanting audio manifestations.
Lastly, a big thank you to all the readers. While I could still write books without feedback, it would be nowhere near as much fun, but I could never have been able to dedicate so much of my time and energy to it without people spending their hard-earned income on these little stories of mine. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and support.