CHARACTERS

Ahmbin (Ahhm-bin): aging king of the land of Ameram. Andus Ahmbin III, grandson of the great King Ahmbin the First, was the last male in a long and continuous line of his family to rule the kingdom. His wife, and true love, died while their only child, Ekala, was still young and he never re-married.

Arborina (Are-bore-eena): the goddess of trees. “A woman who loved trees so much and lived in them most of her life that she came to be one.” Her statue and essence stood in a stone temple at the center of the Woods of Rows. Her intoxicating power ruled the woods and was enforced by the Kairtaykars. Researchers think she contributed to Boschina’s development as a mystic. Recently, it was revealed that archeologists believe they located and unearthed the foundation stones of the columns and statue of the temple.

Baldoff (Bald-off): Metro’s cohort and accomplice. There is evidence of his malicious presence in other countries prior to and after the conspiracy to rule Ameram, though he was identified with different names.

Baskin (Bass-kin): a devious, malicious and highly manipulative man who lived in the fringes and shadows of society and people’s lives. He was disfigured both physically and mentally from his battles with Truth. Many researchers believe he was the ultimate evil power behind the public faces and voices who fought for control of the kingdom.

Benton: Born in Northern Toulon to a family of farmer merchants, he became a swordsman with a reputation for skill, power and integrity. He fled Toulon with his family to avoid conscription into the army under the oppressive rule of Prince Sharpna. Living in a refugee camp in Ameram he met Prince Bolimaz and joined him to save their country from Sharpna and Glasrauss.

Blayon (Blay-yon or Blah-yon; depending if you lived in the north or south): a famous mercenary soldier whose loyalty was devoted to the highest bidder. He was well traveled, experienced in all weaponry and tactics, and considered himself homeless.

Boschina (Bah-sheen-uh; archers referred to her as Bow-sheen-uh): some scholars think it was Bosch-in-uh; either way, she was definitely known as “Stone Cutter’s Daughter.” Her story is long and intertwined with the makers of history in this kingdom. Most importantly she is recognized as the spark that ignited the flames of the ancient prophecy for Princess Ekala.

Camp: A veteran soldier exiled from Toulon. He is Maz’s companion. Together they join the Oleen forces to fight for Princess Ekala. His history and purpose is revealed through the battles and Maz’s relationship with Ekala.

Cartridge (Cart-ridge): a member of the Council of Learned Men, was from a wealthy family with a long heritage as farmers and merchants. His ancestors started by building the carts and driving the horses that carried the farmer’s produce to markets. Then, they expanded into farming. Their original home, and cart factory, sat on a central ridge overlooking the growing fields; hence, they took the name, Cartridge. This was the third generation of Cartridge to advise the royal family. This Cartridge took over from his ailing uncle at the age of 33 and had only been in office for six months when Metro’s coup occurred.

Corsair (Core-sair – a pirate): the vicious Captain of Rainland’s castle guard and troops. He forced his way to the high command and to be Lord Luminous favorite by devious and malicious means. It is unknown how he met and fell under the influence of Metro. Some historians believe that Metro had promised Corsair a lordship when he became king of Ameram. It was also believed, that Corsair’s sword possessed a deadly curse.

Culinary (Kyoo-le-nair-ee): a renowned and creative cook. He managed such a unique kitchen (some might say, experimental food laboratory) that so many others imitated him to the extent that his name became synonymous with the art of cooking and kitchenware. Even today, in our world, the word is widely used.

Ekala (E-kay-la; or if you lived in the south, E-kaw-law): King Ahmbin chose the name for his daughter, after his wife, Lady Ahmbin, had died because it meant the “beauty of strength.” She was his only child.

Gorga (Gor-ga; pronounced from deep in the throat, like gore, then ga with a short a): the name was originally the title for professional executioners. No previous history is known of this particular man. The first known record of him is at Table Top where he worked as an agent for Metro.

Kali (Caw-lee): a tall, strong-shouldered, woman with bushy, frizzy, red hair and freckles. She had met Veracitas when Boschina was a very young child and he carved a statue of her village elder. Kali was a struggling potter and he had admired her work, as she did his. They had a friendship that bordered on romance, but neither one pursued a deeper relationship because of Boschina’s missing mother. When the statue was complete, Veracitas sadly left with his little Boschina in search of another job. Oleen met Kali at an artisan’s fair and asked her to join the community at Larma Hollow to teach others the art of pottery. Once under Larma’s tutelage and Oleen’s training, she quickly gained confidence and became a leader.

Kairtaykar (Care-tay-cr): a race of short, wiry tree climbing people who were also changelings. Their skin was weathered and creased like the bark of a tree. They had long fingers and toes that resembled roots. Fiercely loyal to Arborina, they were a resilient and tough people, who protected, maintained and lived in the mysterious and deadly Woods of Rows. These creatures were rarely seen because they never ventured outside of the Rows.
King Dieten: king of Zinkila, the country immediately south of Ameram. He was about the same age and similar looks as King Ahmbin; the two of them played together as children when the families visited one another. Unlike Ahmbin, Dieten had four sons, all of whom wanted to succeed him. It was rumored that Dieten and Ahmbin were distant cousins.

King Souma (Sue-mah): He was the third generation Souma to be king of Toulon. He had a competitive relationship with King Ahmbin of Ameram and teased him about not having any sons. Souma had three sons, Bolimaz, Sharpna and Tamar; two of which maliciously coveted his throne.

Lander: a fierce, dedicated Oleen warrior, a great archer, taught archery at Table Top, fought in the battle for the North Gate at Table Top and the Battle for Ambermal with Larma’s army of Oleens. She became a Captain of Oleens and one of Queen Ekala Oleen’s trusted guards.

Larma (Lar-ma): a mystic woman of undetermined age and authority with a spiritual power of truth that was beyond understanding. Some believe that she had obtained unity with the Deity. Scholars still debate the consequences and the amount of her influence in historical changes of this period.

Lord Clarks of Barrunda: fourth generation head of the Clarks Family who had a dynasty in the garment and clothing business that expanded beyond the borders of Ameram. Like his father before him, he had been on the King’s Council of Learned Men.

Lord Glasrauss (Glaws-ross): first born son of Lord Glasrauss of Middle Field Toulon. Striving for power, he joined with two of the Souma sons to control Toulon. Records show the family raised and fought Chorgens for sport at various times in their history.

Lord Collier Huston of Barrunda: the present lord of the Huston Family factories and forges that manufactured just about anything made from metals. The wealthy merchant enjoyed the long standing contract for all of the kingdom’s military weapons. He had been on the King’s Council of Learned Men, which afforded him great influence.

Lord Onus of Dudoon (O-nus): an elder of the village of Dudoon and a merchant for the produce grown in his region. He had become wealthy buying out the farms and orchards that had struggled to survive in the time of turmoil during the king’s “sickness” and Metro’s rule. He had served on the King’s Council of Learned Men which had been beneficial to his success.

Maz: A mysterious young man from Toulon hiding at Table Top. He and his older friend, Camp, join with Larma and the Oleens to fight for Princess Ekala’s cause. His secret, and importance in Ekala’s life, is revealed in a dramatic dying moment.

Metro (Met-trow): a devious, power hungry magician of unknown origin. He was able to use his extensive knowledge of alchemy and mind control methods to fool and manipulate people.

Nattie (Nat-tee): full name Natteen Nadar: a surprisingly durable, short, elderly woman. She served in the household of the royal family of Toulon for many years until being released for voicing her opinion about the political shift of King Souma. She sided with Prince Bolimaz and his supporters and had to flee for her life. She had waited on Ekala as a child when the young princess and King Ahmbin visited Toulon in more congenial days.

Ned: teenage son of Benton. Although he admired his father, he preferred the bow and arrow over the sword. He was earnest about his choice of weapon but lacked the training needed to be a skillful archer. Like his father, he was compassionate and believed in justice.

Oleens (O-leens): Devoted followers of Ekala Oleen; specifically, her army of warriors. Started by Ekala and trained by her and Larma they were initially women who had been alone, widowed, abandoned or had t no home or way to survive. Eventually, as Ekala rose in authority and the movement for her grew, men were allowed to join the Oleen Forces as separate units.

Pawndors (Pon-doors): people from the country of Pawndor far to the east who had invaded three generations previous, through Toubor, and controlled part of Ameram for a number of years until King Antell (Ahmbin’s grandfather) chased them out and destroyed their army on the fields of Touborna. It is not absolute, but many scholars believe that Thalmus fought in this campaign because of praise in the historical records for a “fearless small man with a bloody blade of death and endless strength….”

Redan (Rah-dan): an infamous animal breeder and trainer who worked for any client who would finance his experiments in breeding the most vicious fighting and hunting beasts.

Ritzs (Writ-zz): a dedicated captain in the Oleen Forces. Her father and husband had served as officers in King Ahmbin’s army. Her father died in the battle of Tanden and her husband had disappeared. Ekala found Ritzs teaching archery and horseback riding to children for food and lodging. Ekala invited her to join the growing band of women at Table Top and she became a devoted follower of Oleen.

Savo (Sav-o): a lieutenant for Baskin. Savo was the first son of a poor family who had worked nearly all their lives in Lord Clarks garment production factory. He trained and served as a soldier in The King’s Army, until he fell under the influence of Baskin who had taken advantage of the young man’s anger toward the wealthy class. He joined the renegade troops who had deserted and fought for Metro and anarchy. When Ekala Oleen became queen he continued his subversive efforts by working for Baskin to overthrow the throne for the promise that he would hold a high ranking position in the new order.

Sharpna (Sharp-nah): second son of King Souma of Toulon. Always jealous of his older brother, Bolimaz, he conspired constantly to usurp him as crown prince. Ambitious to a fault, Sharpna married Princess Contra of Banyon in order to solidify control of that country and to use its army, along with his own, for conquest of other kingdoms.

Tamar (Ta-mar): third son of King Souma. An impetuous child of a man with an arrogant attitude of entitlement. His deviousness, fits of anger and rash behavior have been well documented. His attempted knifing of Bolimaz left the eldest brother with a scared face.

Thalmus (Thall-mus): commonly known as the King’s Frog Hunter and guardian of the Prophecy of Ameram. He was a man of mystery to people of his day and continues to be so to researchers because he appears to have been present and influential throughout the history of the kingdom.

Tobazi (Tow-bah-zee; some recent scholars think it was pronounced Tow-bahz-eye): helped Thalmus and Boschina escape from Rainland, where they saved his life; fought with his own small army, and the Oleens, in the battle for Ambermal, and became a devoted ally of Thalmus and Boschina.

Veracitas (Vera-see-tahs; man of truthful and accurate statement): the ancestral name of a long line of sculptors who were renowned for their artistry in making stone statues so accurate and realistic that some believed the “stone cutters” to have magical powers, turning people and animals into stone. This generation, Veracitas was the first to have no sons, only one daughter (Boschina); and he struggled with his talent under the burden of his famous paternal predecessors.