Tamír Triad
| Author | Lynn Flewelling |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
| Publisher | Bantam Spectra |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
The Tamír Triad is a fantasy trilogy written by Lynn Flewelling. It contains three novels, and has a sister series, The Nightrunner Series, which contains seven. The series contains mythopoeia. The resounding issue dealt with within the series is the on-and-off war between two fictional countries, Skala and Plenimar, and their citizens, with other countries and people often getting caught in the crossfire.
The series focuses on Queen Tamír II, known throughout her childhood as Prince Tobin, and how she goes from being a sad, haunted child, to a Warrior Queen. Dark magic was used to disguise her in childhood from her Uncle, who would have all the women in his line killed in case they tried to take his throne, but the Oracle predicts that Tamír will be Queen, and many people go through unbelievable lengths to make sure that it happens.
It has been translated into multiple languages and published in multiple countries, including Russia. Bantam Spectra is the publishing company of all three, as well as the sister series, The Nightrunner Series.
Synopsis
The story is set in the land of Skala - a world with knights, lords, ladies and wizards. Long ago, the Lightbearer pronounced a prophecy; so long as a daughter of the royal line defends and rules, Skala will never be subjugated. Under the reign of Warrior Queens, Skala was free of famine and disease for a time. However, Skala is now ruled by King Erius - a usurper king who took the throne in the place of his younger sister. King Erius' rule brought famine, plague, and invasion - and his fear of a child with a stronger claim to the throne led him to order the deaths of all girls of the royal line, save his sister.
The story begins when a wizard and her apprentice learn of a child born of Ariani, the King's sister. This child is destined to overthrow her Uncle and become Queen of Skala, but in order to do this she will need protection and guidance. And if King Erius learns of her birth, she will be killed immediately. Quickly, the Wizards rush to find a way to disguise their future Queen. Ariani gives birth to twins - a boy and a girl. In order to save the girl, they kill the boy-child and use hill-witch magic to transform the girl's body into that of a boy. The wizards tell the king that the girl-child, and not the boy, died in childbirth.
Saved by this lie, the child (named Tobin) grows up knowing nothing of her true identity as a girl and a future Queen, nor of the murder that was committed to save her. Tobin (thinking herself a boy) has a lonely childhood, hidden away from Court and all other children in order to keep him from danger. He grows up with a mother driven mad from the grief of losing a child, and a father who is rarely home because of the war that plagues their country. Often, his only companion is the angry and vengeful ghost of his dead brother, who haunts him constantly.
But things start to change when the wizards bring him a companion - Ki. And eventually Tobin must travel to Court and take his place among the Companions of Prince Korin.
Tobin must resist powerful magic, learn to survive at Court, and become a knight and blooded warrior. He struggles with the issue of his identity. And one day he must challenge his friend and cousin for the throne, and fulfill a powerful prophecy.
Characters
Tamír í Ariani Gherilain, also known as Queen Tamír II, and previously known as Prince Tobin, was introduced in the first book, The Bone Doll's Twin. She is the main character in every following book of the trilogy.
The main character of the 'Tamir Triad', Queen Tamir II was initially introduced as Prince Tobin. She was disguised as a boy so as to easily hide from her Uncle, who would have her killed as a threat to his place on the throne, which was rightfully her mother's. Eventually, she must reveal herself as female, and fight her cousin in Civil War, in order to take her place on the throne and repair the country her Uncle had tarnished in his rejection of the Oracle's declaration that there must be a Queen of Skala. She is mentioned in the 'Nightrunner Series' as one of the greatest Skalan Queens, being responsible for the Great Canal, the new capital of Rhiminee', and the Third Oreska.
Countries & Cultures
One defining feature of Skala is that the throne is always held by a Queen, power traveling matrilineally. The queen takes an active role in the defense of Skala, riding out and taking part in battles, and holds the military title of "War Commander." She is also in charge of helping her people in times of peace, by acting as the judge for public disputes, as well as controlling taxes, food availability, plague and more. This is due to the prophecy made at the Afran Oracle in Skala, which stated,
"So long as a daughter of Thelátimos’ line defends and rules, Skala shall never be subjugated."
This prophecy was made during The Great War with Plenimar, and King Thelatimos instantly handed the crown to his daughter Gherilain, who quickly led the country to victory. Other than the Queen, there are many important roles within the Skalan government, such as Commanders, Generals, Secretaries, Treasures, etc. Many nobles own their own land and armies, though swear fealty to the Queen and give her their forces in times of war.
Following Queen Gherilain the First, there have been many Queens, and occasionally, Kings. Those known are Tamir, who was poisoned by her own brother, Pelis, who became King until plague struck him down and his niece, Agnalain, became Queen. Then was Gherilain II followed by Iaair, who was known to have fought a dragon, Klia, who killed a lion, Klie, Markira, Oslie, who had six fingers, Marnil, who began the tradition of having more than one consort, and Agnalain III, the first mad queen. Erius, her son, became King because his sister was still just a child at the time of their mother's death, but Tamir II, his niece, became Queen instead of his son when he died.
Further reading
The companion series, The Nightrunner Series, was also written by Lynn Flewelling and deals with the ongoing war between Skala and Plenimar from the perspective of two young spies, nearly 600 years after Tamír becomes Queen.