A night in the cuffs: Colloquial phrase meaning ‘to go to jail.’

A woman of the sheets: Colloquial term meaning, ‘prostitute.’

Abandonment: The cessation of Creation at the hands of the First Ones, and their subsequent withdrawl from the lives of men.

Adon’Imesh (A-dawn EE-mesh) the Unyielding: A hero of the War of the First Promise, he is celebrated by a constellation defined in the night sky.

Adwilor (Ah-DUILL-oar): Covenant word meaning, “one who confers,” a term referring to one who mentors another in the use of the Will.

Aeshau (EYE-shaw): From the Language of the Covenant, meaning “Gathered.”

Age of Disdain: A era in which disharmony reigned in the guise of civility. Threats from the Bourne seemed insignificant, but enmity bristled along borders, and the traditions of the Charter were described as unnecessary.

Age of Entropy: A time following the Age of Hope, in which the Hand again lengthened, and the veil grew then to those shut in the Bourne and sworn to the Artificer.

Age of Hope: The period of time following the War of the First Promise, when nations and kingdoms flourished under newfound belief that the restoration of balance could preserve all from a destiny of ruin. Some historians mark the end of the Hopeful Season with the rise of the Exigency, later known as the League of Exigents.

Age of Rumors: See Season of Rumors.

Age of the Tabernacle: See High Season.

Alchera (Al-CHEER-ah): An old term defining one who has left his Melura years behind him and passed into adulthood.

Alisandra (All-i-ZAN-drah): A performing member of the Tenendra.

Anais (Ah-NAY or Ah-NAY-iss): An honorific used for women, derived from Anais Reyal.

Anais Layosah Reyal (Ah-NAY-iss LAY-oh-saw Ray-AL): One of the Wombs of War during the War of the First Promise, and the one who stood on the palace steps in Recityv and called for a council to do something more concerted to combat the Quiet, resulting in the Convocation of Seats.

Ancient Skies: An old phrase naming the Creator. Perhaps more mythic than any other story is that of the Creator, who may have set in place the Council of Creation. Some hold that those at the Tabernacle of the Sky are collectively the Ancient Skies.

Ariana (Ar-ee-AH-nah): Barge gambler.

Ars and Arsa (AHRZ & AHR-sah): Alternate terms from the Covenant Language for “body” and “spirit,” denoting also the beauty and elegance of both sides of Creation individually and as a unified whole.

Artificer: See Quietus.

Artixan (AR-Ti-Zan): A revered and powerful Sheason and the most respected councilor to the regent of Recityv; also a mentor to Vendanj.

Author: A branch of Scola given to the original creation of story in an effort to enlighten, edify and entertain. It is an honorific used with a name as in Author Posian, or shortened to A’Posian.

Author’s Way: The life and study of an Author.

Ayron (EYE-rahn): A Far drink made of plain yogurt and water.