I have had requests for definitions of some of the words I use in the text. The identification behind each word in parentheses indicates either the word is derived from a similar word in an older language, or that the word is used today in that language. They preserved this knowledge in their poetry and song, each generation learning from the previous one. In Kildonan, early history of the land has passed down through many generations. But through it all, there is a thread to carry vital knowledge from the past to the Nonesuch Players in their quest for Clovenstone.
Harpers are also the conveyers of news as they moved throughout the land.
Important events were presented as poetry and song. One harper learns from another, and so the news is passed. You will notice that the poems have rhythm, but not always do they rhyme. The pleasant cadence of the rhythm as the reciter sang or spoke the tales was highly regarded by listeners, and also an easy way to remember and pass along the history and legends. The very short final line on many of the chapter heading poems are an indication that this stanza of the lay is ended.