Seg the Bowman (25 page)

“Very well, Uncle Seg. Oh, and I hear that in this savage country all the queens are called Queen Mab and all the kings mean a great fat wo, a zero, empty of power and authority. I mean you no disrespect, Seg, as you know full well, seeing that you stand to me as my father. But you are King Mabo, majister.

King Mabo.”

“Aye, my lad, I am King Mabo. Also, the kings meant nothing here beside the queens until King Crox married Milsi’s relation. The kings take the name Mab and put it into the masculine gender. Mabo. H’m.”

Here Seg wrinkled up his eyes and pulled his lip and chuckled a trifle to himself, softly. “Your father is not the only one to gather up names to himself, it seems.”

During this day of grace, in which he must make his decision, and in which he and the queen must show themselves to the people of Nalvinlad, Seg debated. In theory during the following weeks they would travel up and down the length of the Kazzchun River so that all their subjects might see them.

He knew one fact for certain. If he went back to Vallia he would take those of his comrades who wished to come. He felt confident Diomb and Bamba would leap at the chance. And as for Malindi — Milsi had outfitted her with a wardrobe that would not fit into a chest large enough to hold six full grown men and demanding another six to carry.

He cornered Kov Llipton when they stopped to take a sup at the villa of Trylon Ortyg Lloton. He gestured for Llipton’s wife, the sumptuous Rahishta, to remain. He spoke directly and hard, not softening his words.

“You dealt harshly with me, kov. Now I am king I overlook that, for I perceive you were carrying out the duties entrusted to you as you saw fit. I would have you less sudden and more inclined to look into justice.”

“Aye, majister. But I sent to verify your tale.”

“You did, and that is why you still live and hold your lands, estates, title and head. Yet I see you delight in thus exercising a king’s prerogatives and power.”

Rahishta gasped. Llipton merely lowered his head.

“Would you remain loyal to Queen Mab if she left this country? Would you care for the lady Mishti Mab if she remained?”

Kov Llipton lifted that massive lion head, and stared full at Seg. He raised a hand. “I so swear on the life of myself, my wife and my family, in the sight of Numi-Hyrjiv the All-Glorious and of Pandrite the All-Seeing.”

“So be it, Kov Llipton, and I give you joy of your task — if the queen agrees.”

The hours dropped by, plop after plop in the clepsydras.

“I shall not be sorry,” said Milsi as they turned back from a high balcony where the crowds below cheered and shouted and sang. “I shall be downright glad to reach my bed this night.”

“‘Tiredness is a sin,’” quoted Seg.

When after due ceremony they were at last gloriously alone, Milsi sighed and said: “I know what is in your mind, my heart. I believe that many parts of Vallia are very similar to parts of Jholaix.”

“We grow fine grapes and make fine wine, but not as fine as that of Jholaix. It is your decision, and yours alone. You know my feelings—”

“And mine are just the same!”

“The first thing in the morning we shall tell Jaidur.”

“Not too early!”

When they told Mishti next morning she tossed her head, declaring: “I am pleased! I am a grown woman, a princess, and I shall do what I do more freely. At least that cramph Muryan knew how to treat me as a queen.”

“He told that archer to kill you, Mishti!”

“Yes, mother, he was a vengeful spirit. And where is that man? I will send him swimming, I swear—”

“He was just a Bowman of Loh,” said Seg, “earning his hire.”

Nag-so-Spangchin had disappeared, escaping clean away. With him went a bare score of his regiment of bowmen. Recalling the cast that struck the arrow from thin air, Seg felt the unease in him. He could be mistaken and, of course, no chance could possibly be taken in such a fraught moment — still and all, the doubt persisted. Everywhere people spoke of this miraculous shot, and marveled.

Everything was ready. Everything was prepared. Seg was not disappointed in his comrades. All would fly with him. He looked forward with pleasure to welcoming them to the ranks of the Kroveres of Iztar. And so the final moments came.

Skort and his Clawsangs held very firmly to stanchions and rails as the skyship lifted away. This flying was a novel and highly unsettling experience to them. Milsi remained cool and regal and altogether adorable, and Seg put his arm about her waist in sight of the crowds beneath and the uproar was prodigious.

“Remberee, majestrix! Remberee, majister!”

“We’ll come back from time to time, Kov Llipton, unexpectedly. And we’ll bring company.” Seg nodded significantly skywards, where the swarms of airboats lifted, soaring up and away under the brilliance of the suns. “Remberee!”

Just before Mishti departed, she half-turned, and then swung back. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Impulsively, she flung herself forward and clasped her arms about Milsi.

“Oh, mother! I do love you, really! I do!”

“Yes, Mishti, of course you do, as I love you.”

The little two-place voller took Mishti back to the care and protection of Kov Llipton. Seg felt very sure that that young lady would run a very tight ship down there along the Kazzchun River. Then he turned and looked up and forward.

Presently he and Milsi walked up into the prow of the skyship. Above them the flags flew. He was amused and touched to notice the splendid flag Milsi had made for him among the hosts of Vallian and Hyrklanian treshes.

“Well, my love?”

“And well to you, too.”

“Jholaix and Vallia. Life is going to be very good.”

“Life is going to be splendid!”

After a small silence, Seg said: “My lady Milsi, I wish to tell you how supremely happy you make me, how much I love and admire you, how deeply—”

She began to smile at his foolishness and then saw how deadly serious he was. She responded instantly.

“The same lightning bolt, Horkandur, my Jikai, Seg the Bowman.”

And then King Jaidur of Hyrklana strolled up, cheerful to be on his way to his ancestral home. He saw the way the King and Queen of Croxdrin stood so closely, lost in each other. In his reckless way he called out:

“Done any good shooting lately, Uncle Seg?”

“Oh, a couple of reasonable casts...”

Compiled by Els Withers.

References to the six books of the cycle are given as:

MOS
Mazes of Scorpio

DOV
Delia of Vallia

FOS
Fires of Scorpio

TOS
Talons of Scorpio

MAS
Masks of Scorpio

SEG
Seg the Bowman

NB: Previous glossaries covering items not included here can be found in Volume 5:
Prince of Scorpio,
Volume 7:
Arena of Antares,
Volume 11:
Armada of Antares,
Volume 14:
Krozair of Kregen,
Volume 18:
Golden Scorpio,
Volume 22:
A Victory for Kregen,
and Volume 26:
Allies of Antares.

A

absteilung: Kregan term for a certain type of honor deriving from a difficult feat in battle.

The Aeilssa and the Risslaca: a tavern in Mewsansmot.
SEG

Affliction of the Sores of Combabbry: a type of plague; among the symptoms are suppurating sores running with greenish pus.
DOV

agio: a custom practiced by mercenaries of putting their wealth into a common pot before a battle, those sharing it out being fewer than those contributing.

Agron the Needle: a physician of Mellinsmot.
DOV

Almuensis, Cult of: a cult of sorcerers of considerable powers.

Alwim the Eye: a mercenary who signed aboard
Tuscurs Maiden;
the sister of Wilma the Shot.
FOS

Alyss: an alias used by Delia while enslaved by Nyleen Gillois.
DOV

angerim: a race of diffs with much hair and large ears; very untidy in their living habits.

annimay: an extremely sugary and creamy type of cake.

aracloin: an area of a city consisting of twisting alleys; a haven for commerce and villainy.

Ashti: a young girl who was rescued from the adherents of Lem in South Pandahem by Prescot and traveled with him to Tuscursmot.
FOS

Asnar the Grolt: a lookout aboard
Redfang,
killed in combat against the Shanks.
FOS

autmoil: stranger.

The Awkward Swod: a tavern in Port Marsilus.
TOS

B

Bamba: a dinka forced to flee her home because of her love for Diomb, a male of an enemy tribe.
SEG

Beng Sbodine; known as the Mender of Men; appealed to by those suffering from illness.

Benorlad: Murgon Marsilus’s fortress in Ribenor.
MAS

Blackfang:
one of Pompino the Iarvin’s swordships.
FOS

Bloody Jaws, River of: see Kazzchun River.

Bogandur: a sobriquet used by Prescot while adventuring in South Pandahem.
MOS
,
SEG

boltim: ‘big man’; the dinko name for normal-sized
Homo Sapiens.

“breath of the Ice Floes”: said to touch one who experiences a sudden chill or uneasiness.

C

Cabaret Plant: a carnivorous plant of South Pandahem which lures its victims with sounds resembling conversation and the clink of glasses.

cadade: captain of the guard.

The Calsany and Flea: a tavern in Ruathytu.
MOS

Caphlander the Quill: a slave rescued from Katakis of South Pandahem by Seg Segutorio; a stylor by profession.
SEG

Carrie: a young girl rescued from the adherents of Lem in Menaham by Prescot.
MAS

Caterion, Vasni ti Delphor: a much-respected SoR born about five hundred years ago.

celene: rainbow.

Central Mountains: a range of mountains crossing Pandahem from east to west.

Chandarl, Nath the Dovenhork: a slave rescued from Katakis of South Pandahem by Seg Segutorio; an archer by profession.
SEG

Chandarlie the Gut: the ship-Deldar of
Tuscurs Maiden
.
FOS

Chekumte the Fist: a guard in the service of Murgon Marsilus.
FOS

Chenunga the Ob-eyed: a guard in the employ of Pompino ti Tuscursmot.
FOS

Chozputz, by: an oath used by Prescot and those close to him.

Chusto, by: an oath used by Prescot and those close to him.

Clansawft of the Perimeters: a Clawsang deity.

Clawsang: a race of diffs with pebbly green-gray skin stretched tight over their bones, the roots of the teeth being exposed, and sunken crimson eyes; in appearance resembling a decomposing corpse.

Clinglin, Lord: the name given by Umtig the Lock to his pet spinlikl.
SEG

Clomb of the Ompion Never-Miss: a dinko deity.

Clomba of the Fruit Tree Eternal: a dinko deity.

colo: a small creature with large ears, a thin tail, and orange and green fur.

Constanchoin the Rod: Lady Tilda’s grand chamberlain.
TOS

Coup Blag: a maze of horrors in South Pandahem.
MOS

Crockhaden, Thalmi: the spymistress for the SoR.
DOV

crox: a gold coin named after King Crox of South Pandahem.

Crox, King: the king of Croxdrin in South Pandahem; the deceased husband of Lady Milsi.

Csitra: a witch of Loh, the widow of Phu-Si-Yantong. Lured Prescot to the Coup Blag to destroy him, but became enamored of him, allowing him to escape.
MOS
,
SEG

Curstouran: a river in South Pandahem.
FOS

Cwopanifer, Vanli: the commander of the skyship
Val Defender
.
MAS

D

Dahemin: twin deities, Dahemo and Dahema, of an ancient religion of Pandahem.
TOS

Dahram the Bold: a fellow who made Prescot’s acquaintance at the Ruby Winespout in Ruathytu.
MOS

Delphor: a tiny village in Delphond.

Delphor, Ros: an alias used by Prescot’s daughter Dayra while in Pandahem.

demon: Prescot describes one type of demon he encountered in the Coup Blag as being hooved of rear feet, clawed of third feet, tentacled of second feet, and bearing human hands on its forearms, with horns that emit deadly sparks of light.
MOS

dinko: a race of diffs in the jungles of South Pandahem; pigmy-sized, with four arms each; they fight with blowpipes.
SEG

Diomb: a dinko forced to flee his home because of his love for Bamba, a female of an enemy tribe.
SEG

Dogan: the strom of the province of Mellin in Vallia.
DOV

Dopitka the Deft: a servant of Murgon Marsilus.
FOS

Doxology of San Destinakon: a cult of powerful sorcerers.

Drayseg: the eldest son of Seg Segutorio and Thelda.

Dulshini, Lady: sworn by in some parts of Pandahem.

Duurn the Doomsayer: a masquerade of Prescot’s as a soothsayer.
MAS

E

Elomi the Shining: the former name of the mistress of the SoR.

Elspa: the stromni of the province of Mellin in Vallia.
DOV

Erivor, Javed: the father of Queen Milsi, known as the Good.
SEG

Erthanfydd the Meticulous: a deity of Erthyr called upon to bless bows.

Exandu: accompanied Prescot and Seg Segutorio on their first expedition to the Coup Blag; much given to concern over the state of his health.
MOS

F

Fallager: a prosperous town in Falinur.

Fandarlu the Franch: the landlord of The New Frontier in Peminswopt.
TOS

Faplon the Chuckle: one of the company of
Tuscurs Maiden,
killed at Korfseyrie.
MAS

Farfaril: a full-bodied red wine, not too sweet.

Faril Sheon: a greeting used by members of the SoR; the appropriate answer is SheonFaril.
DOV

The Feathered Risslaca: an inn in Mellinsmot.
DOV

Febranden: a town in South Pandahem.

Felheim-Foivan, Strom Ortygna: holder of two small estates by the Great River in Vomansoir; the Vallian ambassador to Menaham.
MAS