Wager-horse running the loam: A phrase referring to organized gambling upon the speed of horses run on groomed tracks.

Walkers: When the Abandonment took place, there remained a few Inveterae “untabernacled”—without a physical form in which to live, experience joy and adversity. Forgotten by the First Ones, they were not herded into the Bourne with the rest. Thus twice forgotten, these lonely children of Forda only, seek a suit of flesh to wear. With no authority to command living things, they attempt to reclaim the lost bodies of others to make themselves finally whole. Over time, their bitterness, and their own dark arts have grown, as has their understanding. Also a somewhat pejorative term used by Far to describe non-Far.

Walking Earth: Used to refer to one who is alive, but doomed or useless.

Wall of Remembrance: The wall surrounding the Halls of Solath Mahnus to provide privacy and protection, but more importantly to chronicle the history of Recityv and its place in the events of the family of man.

War of the First Promise: During the Craven Season, the Shadow of the Hand lengthened, the veil weakened, and Quietgiven escaped the Bourne. Surviving journals reveal apathy in the hearts of those living in the nations of men. This disinterest resulted in a swelling of the Quiet. The war to press them back to their consignment lasted 400 years and brought into existence the First Promise and the Convocations of Seats.

War of the Hand: Alternate name for War of the First Promise: See War of the First Promise.

War of the Second Promise: The forces of the One again descended into the land during the Dispensation of Entropy. From several points beyond the veil, the Quiet came, more purposeful in its ranks, and more studied in its use of the Will. The Convocation of Seats was recalled, when individual nations could not alone put back the threat to their people. The Right Arm of the Promise, the Longblades commanded by Holivagh i’Malichael, was called to march into the breach. Responding promptly, they did so, losing every man when the Army of the Second Promise—supposedly comprised of battalions from every nation named in the Second Promise—never arrived to relieve them. This Second war lasted 260 years before the Sworn were pushed back. See also Holivagh i’Malichael and Second Promise.

We are made: A colloquial expression meaning, “It’s a deal.”

Weepers’ Barrow: A graveyard.

Wendra Junell (WEN-drah): Only known daughter of Balatin, living in the Hollows—alias, Lani Spiren (LAH-nee, SPEER-en).

Went to the land: Euphemism for death.

Whelin I’Lassaul

White Stag, legend of: A folk myth with a dual meaning. Some say the emergence of the white stag symbolizes the loss of Forda to the natural cycles of the animals, and thus it is a harbinger of Eternal Night. Another reading of the myth believe the stag is symbolic of the land’s natural defense against the Nameless One, or the instrument of creation to stand against him.

Whited One: See Quietus.

Widow’s Village: Consisting mostly of women, a dreary settlement where surviving spouses of Sheason reside, having been robbed of the Undying Vow of their marriages by Velle wilding dark authority from one of the first Author’s, Quietus.

Will, the: The power whereby all things are created, and without which there can be no growth or progression. Fundamental to existence, the authority to render the Will as Sheason can only be conferred; it is not inborn, nor can it be assumed. And there is a cost to causing change in Forda I’Forza, and the price is nothing less than the same, Forda I’Forza. For neither matter or energy can be created or destroyed, only changed, transubstantiated, rendered. Balance can be maintained if the Renderer offers his own matter and energy, body and spirit, to the exchange. Transference of the personal cost to a secondary source of Forda I’Forza deepens the wound of disharmony between the two sides of Creation. The Will also describes the right and necessary path and order of things. Common wisdom holds that the Will sides with creatures loyal to the principles of the Charter. Those beyond the Veil disregard any leanings in the orientation of the Will, choosing instead to view it simply as power.

Will’s First Son, the: A book that tells the story of Palamon fighting Jo’ha’nel.

Winter’s Pen: The writing an Author completes during the winter.

Wohlen (WOE-len): A Bar’dyn military unit usually comprised of five Culloughs.

Womb: Derogatory term used by Bar’dyn to refer to human females.

Wombs of War: A term given to the women during the War of the Hand, when wives and mothers gave up their children to the army ranks to defeat the Quiet. Considered such, especially, because generations after generation of women gave birth to yet more instruments of war.