Endling: The Only: Chapters 5–10

by Katherine Applegate
In this final book of the trilogy, Byx needs more than her truth-finding power to unite the different species and prevent two tyrants from destroying everything that stands in their way.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–10, Chapters 11–23, Chapters 24–33, Chapter 34–Epilogue

Click here to explore the trilogy.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. parley
    discuss, as between enemies
    Khara went to parley with their mayor, a tall, flaxen-haired man named Tarang the Pale, and took me along as her truth teller.
  2. tedious
    so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
    We pitched our tents, laid out bedrolls, dug latrines, and tended to the horses, a tedious routine that had become second nature.
  3. palisade
    a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
    Khara had sent an advance party into the forest to cut logs for a rough palisade, a circular barrier of pointed stakes set into the ground to block intruders.
  4. bulbous
    rounded and bulging
    “Although I think terramants are more terrifying. Those six spiny legs and the bulbous eyes! They remind me of the assassin spiders we used to find under rocks when I was little. Only a thousand times bigger.”
  5. periphery
    the outside boundary or surface of something
    Technically, it was Gambler’s tent as well, but he preferred to stay outside, stalking the periphery of the camp.
  6. bauble
    cheap showy jewelry or ornament
    “Why are you sending me if I can’t even pick up a few baubles?”
  7. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
    “Also, you’re the only one big enough to carry that shield,” said Gambler as he sauntered over to join us.
  8. dub
    give a nickname to
    One of the objects, which Tobble had dubbed a “Far-Near,” was a miraculous tube that made distant objects appear close.
  9. evasive
    deliberately vague or ambiguous
    “I’ve long suspected that the crown, the shield, and the Far-Near were stolen by the Subdur clan from other natites,” said Khara. “Their queen, Lar Camissa, certainly spoke evasively when she discussed them with us.”
  10. resolute
    firm in purpose or belief
    “So. Are we ready, my friends?” I asked, trying to sound resolute.
  11. opaque
    not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy
    The first set was opaque, the second translucent. I’d been told that the clear eyelids allowed natites to see beneath the water.
  12. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
    I paused and watched as Renzo took a step—the water was only up to his waist—then another tentative step.
  13. garbled
    lacking orderly continuity
    "Help!" I heard a garbled Tobble through the shallow water.
  14. ballast
    any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
    With the shield and crown as ballast, we were having an easier time than Tobble.
  15. shaft
    a column of light
    Pointed at both back and front, it glistened in a muted rainbow that changed colors with each new shaft of light.
  16. ornate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    The interior of the barcabrena was indeed dry, and far more ornate than I would have imagined.
  17. azure
    bright blue in color, like a clear sky
    Oblong green jewels and round azure crystals dotted the walls and ceiling at regular intervals.
  18. bulkhead
    a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments
    The room we were in wasn’t large, but it occupied half of the craft, with a small section at the rear with bunks for sleeping, and a larger area at the front closed off by bulkheads.
  19. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
    For my part, I leaned against the table for stability, trying to adjust to the erratic movement.
  20. yoke
    link with or as with stable gear joining two draft animals
    Poking out from the top of the barcabrena, I could truly feel our speed as the yoked bass churned the water into sparkling bubbles.
  21. muse
    reflect deeply on a subject
    “Perhaps,” I mused, “no one ever asks them.”
  22. sprawling
    spreading out in different directions
    But that was a damp shack compared to this sprawling place. In size it was easily the equal of Saguria, the Murdano’s capital city.
  23. taper
    diminish gradually
    At the center of the palace was the keep, a round tower that tapered as it rose.
  24. mortar
    a substance used as a bond in masonry or for covering a wall
    The entire palace showed no evidence of bricks or mortar.
  25. iridescent
    varying in color when seen in different lights
    In fact, as I looked at the castle and surrounding buildings—big homes and small, warehouses and shops—all were made of small, iridescent disks.
  26. teem
    be full of or abuzz with
    Instead, the stalls teemed with cages full of living fish, seabeards, and halvids.
  27. indifferent
    showing no care or concern in attitude or action
    Sometimes I felt like a bobbing piece of driftwood, carried along by an indifferent, rushing river.
  28. lilting
    characterized by a buoyant rhythm
    The queen laughed gaily. The sound was lilting, but it was hard not to be distracted by the sight of her teeth.
  29. opulence
    wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
    I’d expected, given the size and opulence of the palace, to be taken to some impossibly grand and overwhelming chamber, with a gaudy throne for the queen, although natites rarely sit.
  30. gaudy
    marked by conspicuous display
    I’d expected, given the size and opulence of the palace, to be taken to some impossibly grand and overwhelming chamber, with a gaudy throne for the queen, although natites rarely sit.
  31. grandiose
    impressive because of unnecessary largeness or magnificence
    The queen flopped into one of half a dozen simple stone chairs. The contrast with the grandiose excess of the Murdano’s palace was shocking.
  32. trappings
    ornaments; embellishments to or characteristic signs of
    Neither of them needed the outer trappings of rank to seem regal.
  33. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    “Yes! Tell me about this Lady. We have often had...issues...with the Murdano, as we did with his father before him. We are intrigued by this new force rising on the surface world.”
  34. imminent
    close in time; about to occur
    "...I know that both lands have corrupt leaders and that they plan war.”
    I nodded. “Indeed, it is imminent.”
  35. subterfuge
    something intended to misrepresent the nature of an activity
    Strangely enough, I sensed no subterfuge. It seemed to be an entirely straightforward request.
  36. precariously
    in a manner affording no ease or reassurance
    She placed the crown on her head, where it sat rather precariously.
  37. provenance
    where something originated or started
    “They were stolen from this very castle by a traitorous band of rebels. They called themselves the Subdurs.”
    “Um...yes,” I said. “That is, in fact, their provenance.”
  38. derring-do
    brave and heroic action
    “That is rather a long story,” I answered.
    “Filled with derring-do,” Renzo added, and the queen rolled her eyes.
  39. convey
    serve as a means for expressing something
    I shall convey your requests to the Lady. Iron, pottery, and the two islands.
  40. forthcoming
    easygoing and open when speaking or sharing information
    “There’s more, Ambassador Byx. Those were the small items. The appetizers, as it were, to get a sense of how forthcoming you might be.”
Created on Fri Oct 07 10:39:24 EDT 2022 (updated Wed Jul 12 15:35:14 EDT 2023)

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