squimp – squirrel-like creature that steals food
yeel – small domesticated breed of limek used for tracking
zill – small, intelligent mammal sometimes kept as a pet
anivope vine – plant sensitive to mental projection
bellspice – spice grown in Sachaka
bol – (also means “river scum”) strong liquor made from tugors
brasi – green leafy vegetable with small buds
briskbark – bark with decongestant properties
cabbas – hollow, bell-shaped vegetable
chebol sauce – rich meat sauce made from bol
cone cakes – bite-sized cakes
creamflower – flower used as a soporific
crots – large, purple beans
curem – smooth, nutty spice
curren – coarse grain with robust flavour
dall – long fruit with tart orange, seedy flesh
dunda – root chewed as a stimulating drug
gan-gan – flowering bush from Lan
husroot – herb used for cleansing wounds
iker – stimulating drug, reputed to have aphrodisiac properties
jerras – long yellow beans
kreppa – foul-smelling medicinal herb
marin – red citrus fruit
monyo – bulb
myk – mind-affecting drug
nalar – pungent root
nemmin – sleep-inducing drug
nightwood – hardwood timber
pachi – crisp, sweet fruit
papea – pepper-like spice
piorres – small, bell-shaped fruit
raka/suka – stimulating drink made from roasted beans, originally from Sachaka
roet – plant from which a soporific drug and a perfume are derived
rot – slang term for the drug roet
shem – edible reed-like plant
sumi – bitter drink
sweetdrops – candies
telk – seed from which an oil is extracted
tenn – grain that can be cooked as is, broken into small pieces, or ground to make a flour
tiro – edible nuts
tugor – parsnip-like root
ukkas – carnivorous plants
vare – berries from which most wine is produced
whitewater – pure spirits made from tugors
yellowseed – crop grown in Sachaka
incal – square symbol, not unlike a family shield, sewn onto sleeve or cuff
kebin – iron bar with hook for catching attacker’s knife, carried by guards
longcoat – ankle-length coat
quan – tiny disc-shaped beads made of shell
undershift – Kyralian women’s undergarment
bathhouse – establishment selling bathing facilities and other grooming services
bolhouse – establishment selling bol and short term accommodation
brewhouse – bol manufacturer
hole – building constructed from scavenged materials
stayhouse – rented building, a family to a room
Duna – tribes who live in volcanic desert north of Sachaka
Elyne – neighbour to Kyralia and Sachaka and once ruled by Sachaka
Igra – country far to the north of the Allied Lands where magic is forbidden
Kyralia – neighbour to Elyne and 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
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
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
vyer – stringed instrument from Elyne
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
Writing this sequel trilogy has been hard work of the most enjoyable kind. Which is why I appreciate the work done by everyone behind the scenes, and the support of all the wonderful booksellers and readers who embrace my books when they finally launch into the world.
Thanks go to Anne Clarke and the Orbit team; my agent, Fran and her wonderful assistant, Liz; the feedback readers Paul, Donna and Nicole. You all had a part in making this book as good as it could be.