My love? he asked sometime later. he asked sometime later. Qinnitan, my heart, are you still awake? Qinnitan, my heart, are you still awake?

She stirred. I drifted. I drifted.

I drifted with you.

I miss the House of the People, she said, she said, though I have never seen it with my own eyes. Is it as beautiful as my memories? though I have never seen it with my own eyes. Is it as beautiful as my memories?

It's a very old place. It has every kind of beauty. But there is more to it than that.

Of course, she said, then a moment later: she said, then a moment later: Barrick, I can feel the moon. Is it bright? Barrick, I can feel the moon. Is it bright?

It is.

It makes me stronger just feeling it. By the Hive, I think I can hear it, too . . . I feel as if I can hear everything!

He took a deep breath, in part to ease the rush of feeling. Even his thoughts were muddled, stumbling. You do too . . . ? I thought I would be . . . I thought I would never . . . You do too . . . ? I thought I would be . . . I thought I would never . . .

I know, she told him, and for just a moment he could feel her as if she were beside him, as if they again held each other in the dark dreamland. Talk to me, Barrick. Talk to me, Barrick. It was close, as intimate as a whisper. It was close, as intimate as a whisper. Tell me everything. I know everything the Fireflower knows, but the Fireflower knows scarcely anything about you. At least scarcely anything of the sort of things a lover wants to know. Tell me everything. I know everything the Fireflower knows, but the Fireflower knows scarcely anything about you. At least scarcely anything of the sort of things a lover wants to know.

I will, he said. he said. And the first thing you must know about me is that I am not an ordinary person . . . And the first thing you must know about me is that I am not an ordinary person . . .

He could feel her amus.e.m.e.nt. Of course you aren't! As you told that foul bird, you are a mortal who became monarch of the fairies . . . ! Of course you aren't! As you told that foul bird, you are a mortal who became monarch of the fairies . . . !

No, that isn't it. I was about to say that I am a twin. . . .

Epilude THE MORNING SUN had pulled itself up above the eastern horizon, and the sky was brightening. Despite the paucity of clouds, a low rumble filled the air, beginning so low that it disturbed only a few slumbering creatures deep in the earth, but then rising until it made the slender branches of the birch trees quiver. Birds burst squawking from their upper reaches and a deer sprinted across the Coast Road.

The rumble grew until it sounded much like thunder, then the air seized, roiled, and cracked like a drover's whip. Something fell out of the nothingness onto brown Southmarch earth still wet with dew.

For long moments Raemon Beck, merchant's son, husband, and father, only lay facedown in the middle of the road, frightened by yet another forced, lightning-flash journey from one nowhere to another. At last, when the rumble of his arrival had subsided, he worked up the courage to lift his head. A moment later, he clambered up onto his feet, staring in astonishment to the southeast. There, across a short distance of green bay, stood the familiar towers of Southmarch Castle-some a little the worse for wear, scarred by fire and cannonb.a.l.l.s, but unquestionably and recognizably the four cardinal towers and the even taller black-and-white prominence of Wolfstooth Spire.

Beck stared. He touched his own face as if unable to believe both he and Southmarch could exist at the same moment in the same place, then let out a whoop of delight and began a clumsy dance in the middle of the Coast Road. Two more deer, a doe and a fawn, sprang from the underbrush and bounded away into the depths of the woods, terrified by the disheveled man's capering.

"Praise the G.o.ds!" Beck shouted, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Praise all the G.o.ds! I'm back! I'm home!" home!"

And then he dropped down to his hands and knees and kissed the ground over and over before he rose, still loudly thanking Heaven, and trotted off in the direction that would at last lead him again to Helmingsea and his family.

Appendix 1 PEOPLE.

Adis-true name of Merolanna's son Aesi'uah-chief eremite to Lady Yasammez A'lat-a priest, servant of the Autarch Akutrir-a Qar warror of the Unforgiven tribe Androphagas-legendary monster, half-bull, half-serpent Aristas-mentor of Adis, the Orphan Avros-aka Little Avros, a Temple Dog Aylan-Sulepis' great-grandfather Beetlewing-a Rooftopper, Beetledown's father Benaridas-a mercenary killed at Kleaswell market Benediktos-Anissa's father, monarch of Devonis Black Noszh-lah-Funderling version of Immon Blackspine-Trickster Bluedeeps-in the icy northern part of Qar lands Buckle-a Summerfield guard Calomel-Cinnabar and Vermilion Quicksilver's son Chaffy-one of Brone's hired men Cheshret and Tusiya-Qinnitan's parents Chrysolite-a Funderling warder Corundrum-a Funderling engineer Dard, aka Dard the Jar-Hierosoline merchant Dawet dan-Faar-envoy from Hierosol, late of Tuan Dawn Flower-a Qar name for Zoria, mother of Kupilas Dolomite-a Funderling, Jasper's lieutenant Dordom-Parnad's oldest son Duke Kaske of the Unforgiven-a Qar war leader Duke of Veryon-a Syannese historical figure Ekkadar-leader of the Qar at Kleaswell Market Flightless-a Trickster Qar, son of Greenjay Flowstone-a Metamorphic Brother Gerasimos-Trigonarch who rejected Hypnologues Gennadas-a Syannese knight Gorhan-Tulim's uncle Gunis-a Nushash priest with the Autarch's army Hereddin-Xixian tactician, writer Hypnologues-AKA "Hypnologoi", a heretic sect Ice Ettins-one of the types of Ettins Idite dan-Mozan-widow of Effir dan-Mozan Jackdaw-a Qar, a Trickster Karisnovois-Rooftopper name for Kernios Kayne, Prince-Queen Lily's son who died young Kelonesos-famous sea monster Kernios Olognothas-the Earth Lord as All-Seeing Kersus-Xixian tactician, writer Khau-Yisti-Yisti (Funderling-type Qar) bred by Autarchs Khobana the Wolf-a murderess and prisoner Kioy-a-pous-Skimmer name for Crooked Kirgaz-one of young Tulim's royal brothers Kymon-a viscount of a county on the Syannese border Leekstone-Opal's maiden name Longscratch-Trickster Mackel-Skimmer, Rafe's father Mawra the Breathless-a Qar Mehnad-a prince of Xis Mihannid Blue Kings-ancient Xandian dynasty Miron-Lord Helkis' given name Morna-G.o.ddess of winter, victim of Zosim Moros-treacherous servant of Adis Moseffir-a Dan-Mozan grandchild Mountain Korbols-a tribe of Qar Okhuz-Xixian name for Volios the G.o.d of war Okros Dioketian-a physician, Osias-Tyrant of Hierosol during the Orphan's time Oyler-one of Brone's pages Paka-a Xixian soldier Parak-former autarch of Xis, Sulepis' grandfather, Parnad's father Pardstone Jasper, the last Funderling who had regularly contributed to the wide conversation of scholars Pebble Jasper-wife of Wardthane Sledge Jasper Perch-one of Brone's hired men Phayallos-famous scholar Pirilab-Xixian historian Pyarin-Skimmer name for Perin Rhantys of Kalebria-a scholar, author of "The Agony of Truth Foresworn"

Riddletongue-a Trickster Salt Nitre-nephew of Ash Selia ei'Dicte-Anissa's maid's real name Shadow's Cauldron-an Elemental Silvergleam-a Qar name for Khors the moon G.o.d, father of Kupilas Singsc.r.a.pe-a Deep Ettin, Hammerfoot's son Skollas-a historical dictator of Hierosol Sorykidons-residents of Sorykos who claimed the Orphan had been born there Spelter-a drow, related to Funderlings Stephanas, Sir-a knight, one of Eneas' Temple Dogs Sunset Pearl, aka Urayanu-aka She of the Strengthening Touch-Qar healer Tirnan Havemore-Castellan under Hendon Tolly Tulim-twenty-third in the line of succession Tyron-famous Kracian bard and poet Ultin-a prince of Xis Unforgiven-a tribe of manlike Qar Upsteeplebat-Queen of the Rooftoppers of Southmarch Uwin-priest who replaced Father Timoid Vasil Zeru-White Hounds quartermaster Volofon-a mercenary from Ikarta in Krace Weasel-one of the Temple Dog scouts Whitewound-Ettin clan from Bluedeeps Willow-A pixilated girl Xergal-Xixian name for Kernios Ximander-famous scholar Xosh-Xixian name for Khors Xyllos-a sea monster Yermun-Xixian name for Immon the Gatekeeper Zoaz-Xixian G.o.d, groom of the solar chariot PLACES.

Ancestor's Blood-Qar name for the Sea in the Depths Anglin Parlor-Hendon Tolly's temporary throne room Argas River Valley-in southern Silverside Blue Lamp Quarter-a district of Xis Brewer's Store Cavern-a cavern between the temple and Funderling Town Cavern of Winds-a series of connected chambers in the Funderling Mysteries Counting Room-a large cavern underneath Southmarch Crying Hill-site of a famous battle between Qar and Dreamless Dunletter-a town in the hills of Brenland Frannac-Connordic island Gem Street-the main processional in Funderling Town Glittering Delights-Qar name for Sandsilver's Dancing Room Gra.s.shill Bridge-in mainland Southmarch Great Delve-a large Stormstone tunnel leading under Brenn's Bay to the mainland Initiation Hall-the center of the Maze Iron Reach-pa.s.sage above the Metamorphic Brothers temple Kalebria-a southern city, once part of Syannese empire King's South Cabinet-a room connected to the Erivor Chapel Lake Strivothos-a huge inland sea in southern Eion Last Hour of the Ancestor-Qar name for Southmarch Castle, esp. the deepest parts Last Reach-a tunnel complex in the Funderling Mysteries Millwheel Road-a major road that runs into the Coast Road near Southmarch Castle Moonless Reach, a long, lightless cavern complex below Funderling Town Mudstone Reach-another cavern system beneath Funderling Town Ocher Bar-a clay pit near Iron Reach Ocsa-Connordic island Old Baryte Span-a series of tunnels off the Great Delve On. Krisanthe-a Trigonate temple in mainland Southmarch Onir Beccan-a town in Bluesh.o.r.e on the edge of Brenn's Bay Potmis Bridge-scene of a famous Syannese military defeat Prince Kayne Library-in the royal residence at Southmarch Revelation Hall-the last chamber of the Maze before the Balcony over the Sea in the Depths Sandsilver's Dancing Room-a large cavern near the Metamorphic Brothers Temple Sharm-Connordic island Sh.o.r.emarket-a square in mainland Southmarch Silver River Road-a main road through Kertewall and Silverside Skean Egye-Var-Skimmer's name for M'Helan's Rock Sycamore Tower-the tallest tower in the Orchard Palace Stefanian Hills-hills between Brenland and Summerfield Tessideme-name for Tessis when it was a village Vale of Aulas-a forested stretch between Oscastle and Southmarch Weeping Staircase-part of Qul-na-Qar White Bank Road-a road near the lagoon in the Outer Keep of Southmarch Xan-h.o.r.em mountains-Xixian mountains Yenidos Mountains-Xixian mountain range THINGS (AND ANIMALS).

A Diversitie of Truthfull Thinges-a book by Ximandros Tetramakos.

a-recking-toward the right side Always Fire-the force that created the Book of the Fire in the Void Askorab-AKA "skorpa" AKA "seliqet": scorpion Chastiser-Hammerfoot's war ax Day of Fires-Midsummer's Eve in Xis Day of Smoke-Midsummer's Day in Xis Ghostmaker-a Xandian knife guruodir-heavy Funderling stabbing-spears with broad iron spearheads and shafts of oak Hormos-a country dance in March Kingdoms Kinwar-the Qar re-invasion of Southmarch meadowqueen-a wildflower Muckle Brown-a flittermouse, bat Mykomel-AKA "mushroom jack", a Funderling liquor Royal Spindle Sh.e.l.l-one of the Rooftopper's sacred artifacts Sea Postern-a gate that the Skimmers use to slip in and out between Southmarch harbor and Brenn's Bay Sealskin-the name of Rafe's boat seliqet-Qar word for scorpion Seven Gray Birds-a constellation and a group of semi-mythical Qar prophetesses Third Hierarchical Conclave-a famous Trigonate religious council Torvionos-a southern dance popular at the Southmarch court Ul-Ushya Festival-important Xixian yearly celebration Yah'stah's Eye-a Qar name for a star

Appendix 2 THE PRINc.i.p.aL G.o.dS OF THE TRIGONATE FAITH AND THEIR DIVERSE NAMES AMONG THE HEATHEN PEOPLES.

PERIN the G.o.d of the sky and Thane of Lightnings is called Argal Argal by the Xixians, by the Xixians, Cloudwalker Cloudwalker, Skylord Skylord, and Thunder Thunder by the Qar, by the Qar, Hand of the Sky Hand of the Sky or or Lord of the Peaks Lord of the Peaks by the Rooftoppers, and by the Rooftoppers, and Pyarin Pyarin by the Skimmers. by the Skimmers.

ERIVOR the G.o.d of the waters is called Eshervat Eshervat in the south of Xand, in the south of Xand, Efiyal Efiyal by the Xixians, by the Xixians, Egye-Var Egye-Var by the Skimmer-folk, and by the Skimmer-folk, and Ocean Ocean by the Qar. by the Qar.

KERNIOS the lord of the underworld is named Xergal Xergal by the Xixians, by the Xixians, Black Earth Black Earth by the Qar, and by the Qar, and Karisnovois Karisnovois by the Rooftoppers. by the Rooftoppers.

Together, Perin, Erivor, and Kernios are known as the Trigon, the Three, the Brothers, or the Three Brothers.

DEVONA, G.o.ddess of the forest, called Devona of the Harp Devona of the Harp ERILO, G.o.d of the harvest, which is why the Qar name him Harvest Harvest.

HILIOMETES the mighty demiG.o.d is sometimes called (or confused with) Melarkh, hero of the Xixians.

HONNOS the G.o.d of travelers is called Yunas Yunas by the Xixians and by the Xixians and Red Stag Red Stag by the Qar. by the Qar.

IMMON the Gatekeeper of Kernios is called Yermun Yermun among the Xixians and among the Xixians and Black Noszh-La Black Noszh-La by the Funderlings of Southmarch. by the Funderlings of Southmarch.

KHORS the first G.o.d of the moon, named Xosh Xosh by the Xixians and by the Xixians and Silvergleam Silvergleam by the Qar. by the Qar.

KUPILAS the Artificer, G.o.d of healing and making and smithing, is called Crooked Crooked by the Qar, by the Qar, Habbili Habbili by the heathens of Xis, and by the heathens of Xis, and Kioy-a-pous Kioy-a-pous by the Skimmers. by the Skimmers.

MADI ONYENA, mother of Zmeos, Khors, and Zuriyal, called Ugeni by the Xixians; Umdi Onajena Umdi Onajena by others of the southern lands, and Bird by others of the southern lands, and Bird Mother Mother or or Breeze Breeze by the Qar. by the Qar.

MADI SURAZEM, mother of the Three Brothers, called Shusayem Shusayem in Xis and in Xis and Moisture Moisture by the immortal Qar. by the immortal Qar.

MESIYA the G.o.ddess of the moon and first wife of Kernios, called Nenizu Nenizu by the Xixians. by the Xixians.

SIVEDA is the G.o.ddess of the night.

STRIVOS the G.o.d of the wind is sometimes called Invisible Invisible by the Qar. by the Qar.

SVA, the grandmother of the G.o.ds, is named Void Void by the Qar and by the Qar and Zha Zha among the Xixians. among the Xixians.

SVEROS the father of the G.o.ds, called Twilight Twilight by the Qar and by the Qar and Zhafaris Zhafaris in Xis. in Xis.

VOLIOS, G.o.d of war, known as Volios of the Measureless Grip Volios of the Measureless Grip or or Volos Longbeard Volos Longbeard is named is named Okhuz Okhuz by the Xixians and by the Xixians and Bull Bull by the Qar. by the Qar.

ZMEOS the Horned Serpent, the Great Enemy, called Nushash Nushash by the Xixians and by the Xixians and Whitefire Whitefire by the Qar. His sword was also named Whitefire. (In the pagan rites of the Xixians, Zmeos stole and married Zoria to begin the G.o.dwar, not his brother Khors, as our faith teaches.) by the Qar. His sword was also named Whitefire. (In the pagan rites of the Xixians, Zmeos stole and married Zoria to begin the G.o.dwar, not his brother Khors, as our faith teaches.) ZO, grandfather of the G.o.ds, is called Light Light by the Qar and by the Qar and Tso Tso by the Xixians by the Xixians ZORIA the daughter of Perin, mother of Kupilas, and later the wife of Kernios is called Suya Suya by the Xixians and by the Xixians and Pale Daughte Pale Daughter, Dove Dove, Dawnflower Dawnflower, or Almond Blossom Almond Blossom by the Twilight Folk, or Qar. by the Twilight Folk, or Qar.

ZOSIM the G.o.d of crossroads, poets, thieves, and drunkards, called Salamandros Salamandros in his aspect as a fire G.o.d, in his aspect as a fire G.o.d, Shoshem Shoshem by the Xixians and by the Xixians and Trickster Trickster by the Twilight Folk. by the Twilight Folk.

ZURIYAL the Merciless, sister of Zmeos and Khors, called Surigali Surigali by the people of distant Xis, and by the people of distant Xis, and Judgement Judgement by the Qar. by the Qar.

The war between the children of Surazem and Oneyna, called the G.o.dwar, is also named the Theomachy or Onyenomachy.