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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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