Kaalmi Vroniiyi -leader of the Linyaari Council, which made the decision to restore the ruined planet Vhiliinyar, with Hafiz's help and support, to a state that would once again support the Linyaari and all the life forms native to the planet.

Kaarlye-the father of Aari, Maati, and Laarye. A member of the Nyaarya clan, and life-bonded to Miiri.

ka-Linyaari - something against all Linyaari beliefs, something not Linyaari.

Karina-a plumply beautiful wannabe psychic with a small shred of actual talent and a large fondness for profit. Married to Hafiz Harakamian. This is her first marriage, his second.

Kashirian Steppes-Makahomian region that produces the best fighters.

Kashirians-Makahomians from the Kashirian Steppes.

kava-a coffee-like hot drink produced from roasted ground beans.

KEN-a line of general-purpose male androids, some with customized specializations, differentiated among their owners by number (for example, KEN637).

Kezdet -a backwoods planet with a labor system based on child exploitation. Currently in economic turmoil because that system was broken by Delszaki Li and Acorna.

Khaari - senior Linyaari navigator on the Batakiire.

Khleevi-name given by Acorna's people to the s.p.a.ceborne enemies who have attacked them without mercy.

kii-a Linyaari time measurement roughly equivalent to an hour of Standard Time.

ki-lin - Oriental term for unicorn, also a name sometimes a.s.sociated with Acorna.

Kilumbemba Empire-an entire society that raises and exports mercenaries for hire-the Red Bracelets.

Kisla Manjari-anorexic and sn.o.bbish young woman, raised as daughter of Baron Manjari; shattered when through Acorna's efforts to help the children of Kezdet her father is ruined and the truth of her lowly birth is revealed.

Kubiilikaan, the legendary first city on Vhiliinyar, founded by the Ancestral Hosts.

Kubiilikhan - capital city of narhii-Vhiliinyar, named after Kubiilikaan, the legendary first city on VhiLiinyar, founded by the Ancestral Hosts.

LAANYE-sleep-learning device invented by the Linyaari that can, from a small sample of any foreign language, teach the wearer the new language overnight.

Laarye-Maati and Aari's brother. He died on Vhiliinyar during the Khleevi invasion. He was trapped in an accident in a cave far distant from the s.p.a.ceport during the evacuation, and was badly injured. Aari stayed behind to rescue and heal him, but was captured by the Khleevi and tortured before he could accomplish his mission. Laarye died before Aari could escape and return.

Laboue-the planet where Hafiz Harakamian makes his headquarters.

lilaala.-a flowering vine native to Vhiliinyar used by early Linyaari to make paper.

Liriili - former viizaar of narhii-Vhiliinyar, member of the clan Riivye.

Linyaari-Acorna's people.

Lukia of the Lights -a protective saint, identified by some children of Kezdet with Acorna.

Ma'aowri 3-a planet populated by cat-like beings.

Maarni-a Linyaari folklorist, mate to Yiitir.

Maati -a young Linyaari girl of the Nyaarya clan who lost most of her family during the Khleevi invasion. Aari's younger sister.

MacKenZ -also known as Mac, a very useful and adaptable unit of the KEN line of androids, now in the service of Captain Becker. The android was formerly owned by Kisla Manjari and came into the captain's service after it tried to kill him on Kisla's orders. Becker's knack for dealing with salvage enabled him to reprogram the android to make the KEN unit both loyal to him and eager to please. The reprogramming had interesting side effects on the android's personality, though, leaving Mac much quirkier than is usually the case for androids.

madigadi-a berry-like fruit whose juice is a popular beverage.

Maganos-one of the three moons of Kezdet, base for Delszaki Li's mining operation and child rehabilitation project.

Makahomia-war-torn home planet of RK and Nadhari Kendo.

Makahomian Temple cat-cats on the planet Makahomia, bred from ancient Cat G.o.d stock to protect and defend the Cat G.o.d's Temples. They are -for cats-large, fiercely loyal, remarkably intelligent, and dangerous when crossed.

Makavitian Rainforest-a tropical area of the planet Makahomia, populated by various warring jungle tribes.

Manjari-a baron in the Kezdet aristocracy, and a key person in the organization and protection of Kezdet's child-labor racket, in which he was known by the code name Piper. He murdered his wife and then committed suicide when his ident.i.ty was revealed and his organization destroyed.

Martin Dehoney-famous astro-architect who designed Maganos Moonbase; the coveted Dehoney Prize was named after him.

Melireenya-Linyaari communications specialist on the Balakiire, bonded to Hrronye.

Mercy Kendoro- younger sister of Pal and Judit Kendoro, saved from a life of bonded labor by Judit's efforts; she worked as a spy for the Child Liberation League in the offices of Kezdet Guardians of the Peace until the child labor system was destroyed.

Miiri - mother of Aari, Laarye, and Maati. A member of the Nyaarya clan, life-bonded to Kaarlye.

mitanyaakhi-generic Linyaari term meaning a very large number.

Miw-Sher - a Makahomian Keeper of the sacred Temple cats. Her name means kitten in Makahomian.

MME-Gill, Calum, and Rafik's original mining company. Swallowed by the ruthless, conscienceless, and bureaucratic Amalgamated Mining.

Mog-Gim Plateau - an arid area on the planet Makahomia near the Federation s.p.a.ceport.

MOO, or Moon of Opportunity-Hafiz's artificial planet, and home base for the Vhiliinyar terraforming operation.

Mulzar-the Mog-Gimin t.i.tle taken by the high priest who is also the warlord of the Plateau.

Mulzar Edu Kando sach Pilau dom Mog-Gim-High Priest of Hissim and the Aridimi Plateau, on the planet Makahomia.

Naadiina-also known as Grandam, one of the oldest Linyaari, host to both Maati and Acorna on narhii-Vhiliinyar; died to give her people the opportunity to save both of their planets.

Naarye-Linyaari techno-artisan in charge of final fit-out of s.p.a.ceships.

Nadhari Kando-formerly Delszaki Li's personal bodyguard, rumored to have been an officer in the Red Bracelets earlier in her career, then a security officer in charge of MOO, then the guard for the leader on her home planet of Makahomia.

narhii-Vhiliinyar-the planet settled by the Linyaari after Vhiliinyar, their original homeworld, was destroyed by the Khleevi.

Neeva-Acorna's aunt and Linyaari envoy on the Balakiire, bonded to Virii.