Elleputian: A Davarigon mountain horse.

Faeroe: A handcrafted sword that belonged to King Cormoron.

Fan-tailed farla hen: A bright colored bird with a fan-tail.

ferago: A mountain herb.

flaxwood: A type of wood used for cooking.

Freeze: Late winter.

golasses vines: Grown in Penraven's South, its dense dark wine favored by the barbarians.

Harvest: Late autumn.

Ingress: Secret passages within the Brighthelm castle.

Kellet: A spicy fragrant herb that can be chewed.

Kern: The local and notorious fiery liquor of Penraven's North.

Lackmarin: Place where the Stone of truth lies.

Leaf-fall: Early autumn.

Leaf of the Cherrel: Chewed as a breath freshener.

leem: A mountain herb Lo: Set god.

Lo's Fury: An alcoholic beverage Oil of Miramel: Exotic essence.

osh: Slabs of roasted meat cooked a particular way.

peregum: A mountain herb.

Roeberries: Wild berries growing in forests. They are blood red.

Rough: A very strong alcoholic beverage.

saramac fungus: A woodland toadstool used in healing.

shakken: A wild Steppes animal.

Shaman: Spiritual healer.

Sheeca Shell: Found on the local beaches.

Shubo: In Steppes language it means second.

starren: A six-legged chameleon-like reptile.

Stone of Truth: This truth stone is at Lackmarin. All Valisar Kings must take the oath at this stone.

Strenic: A poisonous herb growing wild on the Steppes.

Summertide: Summer.

Tatua: Tattoos on the face, shoulders and arms.

Thaw: Spring.

The Masked: Magic users of the barbarian horde.

The Vested: Magics users of the Set.

Thaumaturges: Miracle weavers.

Thaumaturgy: The study of the craft of miracle weaving.

toka: A mountain herb.

Weaven Timber: From Skardlag. It is scarce.

Wikken: A tribal seer.

Wych Elder Tree: Used for woodworking.

Acknowledgments.

Hello readers...I was nervous about throwing readers into a contemporary world for the opening chapter but it felt right...and I have learned to trust my instincts. I admit to being surprised by where the story has gone, and, as a victim of my own freefalling style of writing, I couldn't foresee where two of the characters in particular would find themselves by the close of Tyrant. Good grief, how did that happen? I do hope you enjoy it.

All the usual suspects have my thanks but especially the "Latte Gang," who helped get me through a torrid period as I worked on this and other books whilst guiding and cajoling twins through their all important Year 12. Our Friday mornings at Caffe Buongiorno's kept me sane through 2008. Here's cheers to Pip Klimentou, Sonya Caddy, Marianne D'Arrigo, Margo Burns, Michelle King, and Willa Michel-more especially.

I'm grateful to all the members at my bulletin board who visit regularly, especially Phil Reed in Florida and Steve Hubbard from Minnesota.

A nod to all the fantasy booksellers around the U.S. who continue to handsell sf with such energy-thank you for making my novels part of your day.

The team at Eos continues to do a sterling job in helping to make my books be the best they can, and I'm especially grateful to my editor, Kate Nintzel, for her involvement.

Having the time and peace to write requires a very understanding family, and mine deserves a gold star. Love and thanks once again to Will, Jack, and especially to Ian.

About the Author.

FIONA MCINTOSH was raised in the UK but left London to explore the world and found herself in Australia, where she fell in love with the country and one person in particular. She has since roamed the planet for her work in the travel industry but has settled down to full-time writing, continuing to draw on her traveling experiences for her stories. McIntosh lives with her husband and teenage sons, splitting her time between city life in South Australia and the wilderness of Tasmania.

You can find out more information about Fiona, e-mail her, or chat with her on her bulletin board via her website, www.fionamcintosh.com.

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

"A bold new voice in high fantasy."

Lynn Flewelling, author of The Hidden Warrior.

FIONA MCINTOSH.

"First rate."

Publishers Weekly.

"McIntosh is set...to assume the mantle of the late David Gemmell."

Canberra Times (Australia).

"Fiona McIntosh is a street-smart enchantress...[who] knows who her readers are and what they want: thrilling, fast-paced reads."

Sydney Sun Herald (Australia).

"If you are tired of plodding trilogies in which little seems to happen, [her] books are definitely for you."

Robin Hobb.

Praise for THE VALISAR TRILOGY.

"The pressure is enormous for fantasy writers to become more imaginative and more sophisticated with each book. Which is why I admire...Fiona McIntosh. Marking out a complex kingdom called Penraven, McIntosh has cast it with heroic, legendary rulers.... [Her] voice...is assured and a plea sure to read."

The Age (Melbourne, Australia).

By Fiona McIntosh.

The Valisar Trilogy.

ROYAL EXILE.

TYRANT'S BLOOD.

The Percheron Saga.

ODALISQUE.

EMISSARY.

GODDESS.

The Quickening.

MYRREN'S GIFT.

BLOOD AND MEMORY.

BRIDGE OF SOULS.

end.