Character Interviews: The Heroes Part I

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We started with the villains, because let's face it- they're the ones who drive the story.  Now we move on to the heroes!  Since there are many of them, they will be interviewed in small groups.  Please welcome Group A of the protagonists of QftIS, Nayram`e and Fayri!

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Interviewer: Hello! I'm your host, pleased to meet you!

Nayramé: Hello! (shakes hand) I'm pleased to meet you as well.

Fayri: Hullo! (curtsies) Nice to meet you!

Interviewer: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me. I know your lives must get pretty busy.

Nayramé: Oh, it's no trouble at all! It's an honor, really.

Fayri: Well, I don't know about busy... there's not really much to do at home, since it's just me and my mum and dad. I needed to come to town anyway to get a few things.

Nayramé: Like what?

Fayri: Oh... some new shoes... maybe a belt to match the dress I got for my birthday...

Interviewer: So before we really get started, can you tell us a little about yourselves?

Nayramé: Certainly! My name is Nayramé Arrowflight. I am the fifth Heir of Ralienah, and the next in line to be the Warrior of Talminia. I am three-quarters pixien; my mother was half-pixien and half-human, and my father was a pixie from Trivaire.

Fayri: And I'm Fayri Blackwood.... the um... only person in Talminia with that first name. (shrugs) I'm half fairy, half pixie.

Interviewer: Nayramé, you say that you are Ralienah's heir. Could you tell us who this Ralienah is?

Nayramé: Well, Ralienah is my country's favorite hero. Five generations ago, she came to Talminia from a neighboring country, Kalavar, and liberated us from the slavery we were bound to. After the war she was named the Warrior of Talminia, the protector of our land. Ever since then, her descendants have inherited the title as soon as they come of age.

Interviewer: Excellent. Tell me, do you have any siblings?

Nayramé: No. My mother and father died before they could have any more children.

Fayri: No, but I have cousins! All of them are older than me.

Interviewer: How would you say your relationship with your parents is?

Nayramé: My parents died before I was old enough to remember them, but from what my grandmother has told me about them, I love them very much. My grandmother Solay is the one who raised me, so she's the only mother I've known. She and I have the best relationship a girl could ask for. And though I've never known a father, Lord Cireth of Trivaire has taught me many things, and I look up to him as a role model.

Interviewer: Who would you consider your best friend? Or friends, if you have more than one.

Nayramé: Fayri, for one. And Kurin, whom I've known all my life. He and Fayri and I are all very close.

Fayri: Oh, Nayramé, definitely. We only met a few years ago, but we just sort of... clicked.

Interviewer: What do you like doing for fun?

Nayramé: Sparring, riding, and reading. Kurin and I go on horseback races all the time, and I go to the libraries whenever I visit Trivaire. I love reading the histories of my ancestors. Such great heroes... I long to be like them.

Fayri: Mm... I like trying on clothes, shopping for clothes and jewelry, talking, and going to festivals!

Interviewer: What would you say your greatest weakness is? And don't worry, I won't share this with any of your enemies.

Nayramé: I think... my greatest fear is the loss of my family, and my country. I love Talminia and its people very dearly, and I love Gram, and Kurin, and Fayri more than anything. That's the fear that's closest to my heart. As far as trivial fears go, I've never been fond of spiders...

Fayri: She's terrified of them!

Nayramé: I am not-

Fayri: Yes, you are! If you see one anywhere near you, you freeze.

Nayramé: Fine. What are you afraid of?

Fayri: Well, for trivial fears, I dread being without proper conveniences like hairbrushes, fresh water, soap, and the like for any extended amount of time. But for a real fear... I can't imagine losing my friends. They mean a lot to me.

Interviewer: Interesting! Now, from what I've heard so far, I can tell you guys are really different... almost total opposites. I'm curious... that is, I hope you don't mind my asking; why are you friends?

Nayramé: (looks at Fayri)

Fayri: (Looks at Nayramé)

Nayramé: Well, just because we're different doesn't mean we don't have our similarities. I may not be as obsessed as Fayri is, but I do enjoy fashion. You'll notice that even if I've been camping in the mountains for a few days, I still manage to look pretty.

Fayri: And just because I don't like getting my hands dirty doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good adventure tale! I love the stories of the Warriors of Talminia as much as anyone! And we talk about heroes... and boys... especially handsome ones!

Nayramé: If either of us needs to talk, we're always there for each other. Despite our differences, we work well with one another. For the most part.

Interviewer: That's great. Now here's a pretty goofy question; what is your favorite food/snack/treat?

Nayramé: (snickers) I am fond of cheesecake... and bacon. Especially when it's wrapped around watercress and baked in brown sugar and butter!

Fayri: I love sweets of any kind! Raspberry cream pie, cookies, cakes, tarts, turnovers...

Interviwer: Okay, now I'm hungry. Anyway! Everyone has their quirks... can you describe your friend's quirks? Not yours- your friend's!

Nayramé: Well, I say this with the greatest respect and understanding, but... (whispers) she's extremely vain!

Fayri: She's very particular about grammar, I've noticed. She also likes to be in charge. And she seems to like to get up at the most unwholesome hours of the morning. Goodness knows why! Everyone knows that if a girl wants to be beautiful, she needs plenty of sleep.

Interviewer (laughing): Okay... okay. On to the next question. Do you have any ambitions? Plans for your future?

Nayramé: I know that one day I will be the Warrior of Talminia, but until then, it's been my lifelong dream to have an adventure. A real, important one, like my mother, and grandmother, and ancestors before me. Other than that, I suppose my dreams are the same as any girl's. I want to find a wonderful man, fall in love, marry... and I definitely want children.

Fayri: I guess I haven't thought of my future much. Something grand though... elegant, and flashy!

Interviewer: Well, thank you very much! It's been wonderful having you. Save journey back home! And have fun... uh... saving Talminia!

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Character Interviews: Enter the Villains!

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The print version of The Quest for the Ivory Sword is on its way!  In the mean time, treat yourself to interviews with the cast of the novel, starting with my beloved antagonists.  Please welcome Sir Andelph, Sir Reyvoux, and Drayhaan!

(Feel free to cheer or boo as you wish. ;)

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Interviewer: (coughs) Do you want a hug?

Andelph: No thank you.

Reyvoux: That won't be necessary, thank you.

Drayhaan: No one touches me.

Interviewer: What is your species?

Andelph: I am a human of Talminia.

Reyvoux: I, too, am human. I hale from Talminia.

Drayhaan: I'm a Moonsky Fairy.

Interviewer: What is your eye color?

Andelph: Icy blue.

Reyvoux: Dark brown.

Drayhaan: Dark blue, like most Moonsky Fairies.

Interviewer: Do you have any kids?

Andelph: No, I am unmarried.

Reyvoux: Sadly, no. My wife died before we had any children.

Drayhaan: Not to my knowledge...

Interviewer: Have you killed anyone?

Andelph: I am a knight, and have seen more than a few battles. I killed when I needed to.

Reyvoux: Yes, I've killed a few men in my time, but only for the noblest of causes.

Drayhaan: (smiles) Yes, many people. It is part of my job, and it gives me a certain thrill that cannot be gained elsewhere.

Interviewer: Okay... do you love anyone?

Andelph: I have never had the opportunity to love a woman. To busy achieving my own goals...

Reyvoux: I loved my wife, but she has been deceased these last few decades.

Drayhaan: I wouldn't call it love, but I have fancied a few women in my time.

Interviewer: What is your job?

Andelph: I served as a knight of the Golden Crest, the royal order of Talminia, until recently. Now that I have left the service, I have begun bringing my Rebel Force out into the open, and I intend to lead them to victory.

Reyvoux: Likewise.

Drayhaan: I am a master assassin, expert tactician, and a Knight of the Shadow. Currently, my energies are focused on hunting down a particular exiled prince that I hate. (snaps twig)

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite season?

Andelph: I've always been fond of summer, personally.

Reyvoux: I find the spring weather highly agreeable.

Drayhaan: Winter, spring, summer, fall... it doesn't matter to me. As long as I can do my work without hindrance. I know how to adapt to any kind of weather.

Interviewer: Who is your best friend?

(All three think hard)

Andelph: Reyvoux and I have been friends for years...

Reyvoux: Indeed, we must be fast friends if we are to rule the country together. And share the power equally...

Drayhaan: I have no friends.

Interviewer: Any Hobbies?

Andelph: Riding, hunting, playing chess. I do enjoy a good book as well.

Reyvoux: I keep a falconry, and I enjoy hunting with them, especially with my peregrin.

Drayhaan: The same as any other man, I'm sure. But I consider my assassin work something of a hobbie as well...

Interviewer: What are you going to do when this interview is over?

Andelph: Return to my army's camp and give them another inspirational speech about my vision for New Talminia. I also have some business to see too... making sure that Solay, the Warrior of Talminia doesn't put a stop to my plans, and that Queen Lavonne doesn't try anything stupid to undermine me.

Reyvoux: Mill around the Rebel camp making sure that our weapons, armor, and food supplies are in order. While Andelph is off doing his heroics, someone needs to take care of our necessities.

Drayhaan: (smirks) First, I'll hunt down Emmarayn, my author, and make her pay for forcing me into this interview. Then I'll go back to hunting down that dratted Prince Kydell so that I can kill him and end my troubles.

Interviewer: Right. So, are you good, or bad?

Andelph: I am good, through and through. Fifteen years ago, I saw through the futility of the way we live, and I knew that I could make things better. Our country had fallen into a time of dormancy, lying idly as the rest of the world progressed. I saw my people following after women like our Warriors, Solay and her daughter Meredith, and I saw that they did not deserve the respect they were given. That was when I began making preparations for my rebellion. It pained me that I would have to use force to break out of our sorry state, but I knew that my diligence and commitment would be rewarded. I would raise Talminia far above the rest of the countries, and we would become a great empire, respected beyond all others!

Reyvoux: I, too, share Andelph's vision for New Talminia. Someday, we will be hailed for the heroes that we are. We will go down throughout History, long after the Second Epoch has ended and the Third begun. We will be renowned throughout the world for our strength and initiative.

Drayhaan: (snickers at Andelph and Reyvoux's delusions) Those two are filled with their own egos. They cannot see past their own pride! All they care about is power. But that's alright by me. Unlike them, I'm honest. I am not what you would call good. In fact, I'm probably the worst person you've ever met! And do you know what? I love it. I am a murderer, a thief, a liar, a usurper, anything. I look up to no one.

Interviewer: Right... what is your greatest fear?

Andelph: My only fear would be failure. But as there is absolutely no chance of that, I have nothing to fear! On to victory!

Reyvoux: I fear the Warriors of Talminia. Solay is no fool; she is a wise and seasoned warrior, and I would not doubt but that she will see through our plans at any moment. Unfortunately for us, she and her granddaughter Nayram`e are too dangerous of enemies for us to remove. So great is the people's love for them that they could prove to be our undoing, alive or dead!

Drayhaan: Fear? I'd say that's easy. I fear men like myself. That's why I am always on my toes, never letting my guard down. I know how treacherous a person can be, and I don't intend to be taken for a fool.

Interviewer: What do you think of your parents?

Andelph: My father was a great man, and my mother was a wonderful and wise woman. Were they to see me now, I am sure that I would make them proud. Perhaps they would not approve of my methods at first, but in time they would come to understand.

Reyvoux: I rarely think of them anymore. But my father before me was a knight as well, and as a lad I always hoped to follow in his footsteps.

Drayhaan: Parents...? Heh... I left them years ago. My father died when I was but a lad, and my old mother never understood me. She was blind to my true potential, and she still is to this day. I believe she thinks I am dead. Just as well. The old thing would probably die of shame if she knew what I've become.

Interviewer: Do you have any siblings?

Andelph: I was an only child.

Reyvoux: I had two brothers and a sister, they've all traveled off to Kalavar and Maloam.

Drayhaan: No.

Interviewer: If you were to be portrayed by an actor in a movie, who would play you?

Andelph: Viggo Mortensen would do the job well, I believe.

Reyvoux: The actor called Damien Alcazar looks surprisingly like me...

Drayhaan: Myself.

Interviewer: Interesting! So, was it fun to answer all of these questions?

Andelph: I am glad to help. Remember, should you wish to lend your help to the Rebellion, I am always willing to welcome another brother or sister.

Reyvoux: It has been entertaining, at least.

Drayhaan: The only thing I will consider fun is the day I run my sword through Kydell's chest. Although it was interesting to find out that Reyvoux keeps a falconry.

Interviewer: Well, that's all for today, men. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

Andelph: Absolutely. Now, I'm off to carry out my business. Good day to you... and remember that you promised on your honor not to share my answers with Solay, Lavonne, Nayram`e, or anyone even remotely associated with the queen.

Reyvoux: A pleasure. (starts to leave) Double-cross us and you'll pay with your life!

Drayhaan: (dons cloak and leaves)

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