David Fitz-Gerald
Frontier & Pioneer Western Fiction
Rathuun: King of the Prairie
For Readers
Welcome to the reader resources for Rathuun: King of the Prairie.
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Step into Rathuun's world.
Meet the herd. Learn the language.
Walk the great plains.
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​The buffalo language is light and intuitive. You won't need to study it. The recurring words are there to deepen immersion, not slow you down.
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Whether you're reading alone or with a group, this page is here to guide you deeper into the story.
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Welcome to the Prairie!
Character Guide
Lead Cast (Buffalo Characters)
Rathuun (rah-thoon) - A bull, King of the Prairie
Brakka-tha - A dominant queen, in charge of migration
Branneth (BRAN-neth) - A nurturing queen
Drekk - A rival bull
Drumm - Lead bull, a king (grath)
Garruum - Rathuun's uncle, mentor
Grolaan - The silent judge
Hathah - Rathuun's mother, she who knows the way
Huruuk (hoo-ROOK) - A thrum (calf)
Kruff - A lone bull in the desert
Murguun - A bull, from another herd (brum)
Saythaar (say-THAAR) - A doomsayer
Suurin (SOOR-in) - A steadfast queen
Wegg - A mystical queen
Zurrah (ZUR-rah) - A fierce queen
Supporting Cast (Buffalos)
Ashuun - A thurm, Rathuun's sibling
Etuuway - A yearling cow, Wegg's daughter
Guur - A rival bull
Hoag (Hohg) - A rival bull
Jekkarn - A bull
Mourr - A thrum (calf)
Ohkekkah - A yearling cow, Brakka-tha's daughter
Tavvik - A cow
Thozz - A thrum
Vorraan - A bull, from another herd (brum)
Vrattak - A bull
Spiritual Characters
Druuvag - A legendary mammoth, the ancient pathmaker
Shaa-Luun - The Great Spirit
Non Buffalos
Bark, A buffalo assassin
Barrel, A hide hunter
Brindle, A cowhand (Seph Vermillion)
Na-Muh (nah-MOO) - A Kiowa (Lone Buffalo)
Puccoon - A captive
Tailwacker - A hide hunter
Twin men, young adults
Buffalo Language
Ah-kraath - to scratch
Ah-sha - to wallow
Ah-tumm - follow, to tail, to walk behind another
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Brum - the herd
Glar - snow
Glar-ek - deep snow
Glar -tha - blinding snow
Glar-tok - good snow
Grath - lead bull, or king
Hruun - grass, life, the thing we follow
Hruun-ek - old grass, dry and bitter
Hruun-tha - hidden grass - the bite we seek
Hruun-tok - new grass, sweet shoots
Hruun-thurakk - the promised land, where the perfect bite of hruun grows
Tukk - river, creek, lake, pond, body of water
Thrum - a calf, little one
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Buffalo Terminology
​​Buffalo see the world in terms of movement, behavior, and presence. Instead of focusing on what a creature is called in human language, the animals they experience are stated in buffalo terms.
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Antelope/pronghorn/deer: Springers (leaping movement)
Bears: Rumblers (deep drowls, lumbering gait, occasional charge)
Birds: Flappers (constant movement, ever-present)
Cougars/mountain lions: Pouncers (attack with stealth)
Coyotes: Laughing shredders (high-pitched yips, not as feared as wolves)
Eagles/hawks/vultures and other birds of prey: Sky-shredders (predators from above)
Horses: Skyhoof, singular. Skyhoofs, plural (their hooves pound the earth, but they often appear to thunder across the plain without touching ground)
Humans: Striders (the way they move)
Insects: Zappers (constant motion, sometimes biting, like a spark)
Moose: Bog legs (habitat, and long legs)
Rabbits: Hoppers
Rodents: Burrowers (vanish into the ground)
Snakes: Slithers or ground-winders
Wolves: Shredders
Reading Group Guide
The Call of the Wild
Rathuun is abandoned at birth and rescued by Na-Muh and Brun. How does this moment shape the course of his life?
Following vs. Leading
Buffalo follow the herd, but Rathuun often breaks away. How does he balance instinct with independence?
The Mammoth Legacy
Druuvag and the ancient trails carry a mythic weight. What does this legacy add to the story?
The Buffalo Jump
How does this tragedy change Rathuun's understanding of danger, leadership, and survival?
Exile and Purpose
Rathuun wanders through places like the Grand Canyon and Llano Estacado. What do these journeys represent?
Power and Consequence
At his peak, Rathuun makes destructive choices. Do these actions make him a villain, or something more complicated?
Faith and Shaa-Luun
Rathuun hears Shaa-Luun only a few times. Why do these moments matter?
The Promised Land
Hruun-thurakk represents safety and abundance. What does it symbolize beyond survival?
Legacy
By the end, Rathuun's story becomes one of legacy. What does he leave behind?
Final Reflection
"It was in your horns to do so." What does this line mean to you?
For Book Clubs
Would you describe Rathuun's journey as a triumph, a tragedy, or something in between?
Discussion Sparks
Here's a list of light-hearted ponderable questions. The sort of tidbits best contemplated while scratching or wallowing, or between sips of coffee or tea.
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What comes to mind when you hear “King of the Prairie”?
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If you could follow a herd on a great migration, which animal would you choose?
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Where's the wildest place you've ever visited?
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What’s the most powerful animal legend you’ve ever heard?
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What is the most awe-inspiring wildlife encounter you’ve ever had?​
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If you could live wild and free for a year, where would you roam?
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Is it better to be a good follower than a poor leader?
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​Which buffalo character did you like the most?
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If you were a buffalo, which feature would you be most proud of—your horns, hump, hooves, or something else?
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Which Western landmark would you most like to visit?
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How does Rathuun compare to stories like The Lion King or Watership Down?
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National Bison Day is November 7th. If it were a national holiday, how should we celebrate it?​
