The Grey Mane of Morning - Joy Chant, ebook, CALIBRE SFF 1970s, Temp 2
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
THE GREY MANE OF MORNINGA Bantam BookPRINTING HISTORYOriginally published in Great Britain by George Allen& Unwin Ltd.Bantam Trade editiSeptember 1980Bantam rack-size edition / September 1982All rights reserved.Copyrightc1977 by George Allen & Unwin (Publishers) Ltd.Cover art copyrightc1980 by Bantam Books, Inc.This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, bymimeograph or any other means, without permission.For information address: Bantam Books, Inc.ISBN 0-553- 22666-5Published simultaneously in the United States and CanadaBantam Books are published by Bantam Books, Inc. Its trademark,consisting of the words "Bantam Books" and the portrayalof a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice and in other countries. Marca Registrada. BantamBooks, Inc.. 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10103.PRINTEDINT.HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA09876543INTRODUCTIONJoy Chant's world of Vandarei was first encountered ina magnificent fantasy entitled "Red Moon and BlackMountain." That was a story of a time very much laterthan the .setting of the present book. In chronologicalorder, THE GREY MANE OF MORNING is a prequel--atale Of ore of the earliest heroes of an enchanted land, of atime befo?e the world was even given the name of Van-darei.Then, as in all ancient times, people lived as the landdemanded they should. The Khentorei, Gentle People ofthe Plains, drifted in small tribal groups, pushed by thevarying seasons over a vast domain--a not particularlykind or safe existence, but one that was rich with excitement,laughter, intense loyalties, and a glorious joy in themagnificent Horned Horses, the Davlenei, which theyalone could ride and which the God had given them toguide their wanderings.Each seven years, the God chose one particular Davlaniwho became Dha'lev, the God Horse, his spirit imbuedwith the wisdom of the God Kem'nanh, Ruler of theWind, Lord of the Herds. The Sons of the Wind measuredtime by the passage of earth signs, celebrating many withFestivalsthe Moon of New Grass, the Moon of YellowFlowers, the Moon of Burning Trees... and at the propertimes and seasons the Dha'lev would grow restless andlead the way to new pastures or to safe winter valleys.The Khentorei had no enemies, nor did the Tribes warwith one another. Free as the wind, they rode, theydanced, they drummed, they hunted, they celebratedtheir life and worshipped their Gods, and no one keptany reckoning of their comings or goings. Except for theGolden Ones, those tall, handsome, blond people wholived in houses behind walled towns in the hills, workedmetal, wore cleverly dyed clothes and, once a year, intheir lordly way, took tribute from the awestruck GentlePeople of the Plains.Nothing had changed for centuriesnot that anyonebothered to measure the centuries-things were simplythe way they had always been. Especially was this true ofthe Alnei, a Tribe blessed with a wise and powerfulDha'lev and with, unusually, a brother and sister bothalso touched by the Gods. Between Mor'anh and Naithere had always been a closeness, something sacred, anunspoken communion. They were priest and priestessand the children of the leader of the Alnei. More, Nai'wasknown to bring Luck to the Alnei: their herds had beenstrong and prolific, their pastures good, the living easy.Everyone recognized that they would therefore, in logic,pay greater tribute to the God-like Golden Ones. Nonequestioned this--except Mor'anh. For in Mor'anh,named for the Lightning, the God had planted a seed thatquestioned the immutable laws of custom.And when the Golden Ones tipped Nai away from herTribe to be raped and thrown into servitude, Mor'anh'sdoubts flowered into savage rage. But there seemed littlehe could do--even his father, leader of the Tribe, reluctantlyaccepted Nai's fate.Mor'anh had to acknowledge it was impossible to fightthe Golden Ones, to throw the Tribe into bloodshed andhorror just for the sake of one girl. But he was not idlynamed Spear of the Sky. When the time came, Mor'anhknew he must and would act. Whether his decision forvengeance would bring death to his Tribe, or freedom, hecould not know. One thing was sure, the ancient patternof life on the Plains and in the Hills would never be thesame.BETFY BALLANTINESOME OFTHE PEOPLEAND PLACESOFVANDAREITHE HORSE PEOPLEThe Khentoreialso known as:Wandering PeoplePeople of the PlainsThe Gentle PeopleThe Dark OnesSons of the WindMen of the Wide LandThb Khentorei are divided into several tribes. This story is chiefly ofthe Tribe called Alnei, the Tribe of the Wolf. Only the Khentorei men canride the magnificent homed horses (Davlenei), and among the Davlenei,the God selects one--the Dha'lev, the God Horse. The Dha'lev is holyand powerful and magic, God's Chosen to lead the Tribe. ?KEM'NANHthe Khentorei deity who chooses the Dha'lev. Kem'nanhis Ruler of the Wind, Lord of the Herds.IR'NANHa Khentorei deity, the God of the River,the Trees, also known as the Dancer, the Lord of Destiny,and the Lord of Life. A very powerful God.NADIVKhentorei Goddess, served by the women of the Tribe. Amongthe Alnei, Nai is priestess to Nadiv, the Sacred Mother.the title given to those through whom the God speaks, notalways, or necessarily, a priest or priestess. However, in the case ofthe priest Mor'anh and of the priestess Nai, both are Har'enh.HORN-BLOWERthe call to death. It is said of the Old One that Horn-blowerhas forgotten his name.TEMPLE OF HAR'ENHTent of Kem'nanh, the God's Tent, a saced place.SOME KHENTOREI FESTIVALS AND SEASONSThe Fire of Gathering--held in the evening, when the Tribe comes togetherfo a particular event, or a celebration, or to discuss problems.The Grass DanceThe Feast of the MotherMoon of the New GrossMoon of the Sheep ShearingMoon of Long DaysMoon of the DancesMoon of the Great FeastsMoon of the Flocking BirdsMoon of the StormsMoon of the Burning TreesCHIEF CHARACTERS IN THE ALNEI TRIBELORD ILNA---Grey WolfHas been Lord of the Alnei for eighteen years.His grey hair is worn in braids and he rides the davlani Hulakhen.His wife Ranuvai has been dead for ten years.MOR'ANH--Young WolfSon of Lord llna and a priest, Chosen of Kem'nanh. Mor'anh ridesthe davlani Racho. Mor'anh is nineteen, wears his black hair short.He is oddly named, for Mor'anh means Spear of Heaven, Lightning Bolt.He is a mighty warrior, excelling at the hunt and at drumming. He isalso spear-brother to Hran, who is in love with his sister Nai.NAIDaughter of Lord Ilna and sister to Mor'anh. She alone among all thewomen can raise her voice at the Fire of Gathering, for Nai, a poetess andprophetness, is also Chosen of Nadiv, the sacred Mother. Her relationshipwith her brother Mor'anh is deep and close: they share a commondedication to the Gods and can sense one another's feelings.HRAN---the EagleSon of Yom. He rides the davlani Ranap and excels at hunting and dancing.Hran is in love with Nai, and spear-brother to Mor'anh.RALKIHran's bold, gay sister, and his favorite dance parmer.At one time Mor'anh courted Ralki.YALNRalld's husband.MANUIManui is plump and pretty and fides her pony OVeras well as any of the men ride their davlenei. She is in lovewith Mor'anh, her friend and sometimes her lover.RUNI--the LeopardessShe is well named Runi, meaning leopardess, for she is tall andlithe and reckless. She wears her thick, dark hair loose, dinging togirlhood, denying the responsibility of becoming a woman.But Mor'anh loves her passionately, obsessed by her sensuality.DERNARuni's brother.DURAlHran's younger sister.OLD ONESo ancient none can reraember the years of his life or even hisname. But his memories are important to the Tribe.THE GOLDEN PEOPLEThe KalnatThey are tall, strong, golden-haired and blue-eyed. They live inthe mountains, in stationary houses within walled towns. They areskilled at the working of metal and their artifacts include swords,spears and long knives. They wear brightly colored clothing and cultivatefields. Their diet is largely vegetarian as they do not hunt. The HorsePeople regard them as demi-gods to whom they give annual tribute.The God of the Golden People is Akrol, the Soul of Light.SOME CHARACTERS AMONG THE GOLDEN PEOPLEMADOLNephew of the Master, i.e., son of the Leader's sister.MARATMadol's sister. Her mother was a Horse Woman taken in tribute.KARINtOLA big man with thick yellow hair, sympathetic to the Horse People.HANIOLHe negotiates for tribute with the Horse People and keeps a tally.KUNIOL)KELDOL) young male friends to MadolDARINOL)KERATOLMaster of the Golden PeopleTHE PEOPLE OF THE crI'IESYU-THUREKLord of the City Jemaluth, the City of the Wise, in the country of Bariphen.YA-BURENTranslator--he spent some time with the Alneiwhen Mor'anh was a small boy.PRINCESS JATHEROLDaughter to Lord Ya-Bun and heiress to the throne.Inhezitance is through the Eemale Uae.PRINCE YO-ITIERILSon o Lord Yu-Thuek.HanurhR...
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]