Character Interview: Amara Dagon from S. I. Hayes’ “In Dreams”
Today I’m happy to welcome an In World interview with Amara from In Dreams, Book One The Road Unavoidable by S. I. Hayes!
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Q: Ah, ’tis always good to meet a fellow travel. Let me buy you a drink and you can tell me your tale of woe. Where do you hail from, stranger?
Amara shifts awkwardly in her chair a moment, a slight suspicion in her opalescent blue eyes, it’s apparent that she is not used to answering questions about herself. After a moment of quiet reflection she flashes a confidant smile, tossing her raven blue hair back over her bare shoulder.
A: Sure, I’ll take a spot of whiskey, after the day I’ve had. I’m from The Isle De’ Cor Len, names Amara by the way.
She reaches out her left hand as is the custom of an unmarried woman, the guard on her hand signaling that she has a bow, and from the wear in the palm, often has use of it. Although it is not presently with her.
Q: Nothing like a good drink to ease a rough day. *responds with the proper return gesture of greeting, before signaling the bartender and ordering the drink* What brings you to De Suet this day?
A: I’ve been traveling for a while now, so when I saw that this town had an Inn, I was thankful. I never pass up an opportunity for a hot bath, and a warm bed, and apparently there’s some kind of festival about to take shape around here, so I figured I’d stick around, and check it out.
Q: All good reasons to stop by, I say! I hope that you’ll enjoy the Festival. Have you been through De Suet before?
A: No, I went the other way, see where I come from they give us this map, that tells us where it’s safest to travel, but I have this driving need to just do what feels right, so I ended up in the Brathorian Mountains, first. Spent the long leg of the frost with the Raepuaw, who of course scared the shit outta me at first, with the teeth and the fur! But they really are so kind, they took such good care of me. Anyhow, I figured I’d come home this way, you full circle and all.
Q: That is quite the route you’ve taken! What was it like with the Raepuaw? You know, once you got past the teeth and fur.
A: I’ll tel you this, if you ever have an opportunity to go out that way, pack warmly. Those mountains are snow capped with good reason. It was beautiful, everything glitters, even on the blackest night, the ice reflects color, hues of blues and pinks. Its breathtaking. I was so very fortunate that they found me, I had only been traveling for a few weeks when I was attacked by what I assume was some hungry animal. But I don’t know what it was, I sorta melted it, but not before it trashed me up pretty good. If it hadn’t been for the hypothermia, I’d probably be dead, and we wouldn’t be having this chat.
Amara went silent a moment, but it was becoming obvious from her posture and the way she leaned into the table now, that she was easing into the conversation, finally.
It’s nice to have somebody to talk to, I’ve learned that… The Raepuaw… they are so familiar with each other, always touching gently, always reassuring one another with mummers and purrs. I suppose that when your communication is not an outright spoken one, that it must be replaced by something more intimate. They are paired up, the men and women, since not everyone can understand the language of signs that the men use because they are not able to speak like us, their feline faces elongated as they are. The women seem to have adapted better though, with only the clefting of the upper lip, and smaller fangs, they can speak more easily, which made being there simpler. They have a way of making you feel connected, they are curious, and open. A refreshing quality, by the time I healed up from my wounds, I had a pretty good grasp of their languages. They share so much, I think that we could learn a thing or two from them when it comes to equality. There are no gender rules. Those who enjoy nurturing, become healers, parents, if it’s hunting, or fighting, they do so, male, female, there is no distinction, they celebrate their scars, as milestones, they say a good scar, is one that never leaves you, but keeps you breathing.
I miss them, there was just something about they way they see things. I don’t know, I would love to go back, but its not my path. It was just my season.
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Author Bio: Most bios are written in the third person for that professional effect, but as a teller of tales, it just doesn’t seem right. I am a writer, I have a voice. For as long as I can remember I have been a storyteller. Whether it was written down or simply rattled off in the late hours to friends just to pass the time, I have been the one people come to for a good story. An imagination always at work, I’ve dreamed up people, places and creatures to fill my worlds with nuances of reality, because everything needs roots. The sky is the limit, many people say, but there are universes yet to be seen and stories as yet unrealized. “In Dreams Book One The Road Unavoidable” is the beginning of a tale that will continue to grow, as I have, infused with my soul and I hope that it will be a place that enriches those sleepers who dare to dream.
Buy Link: Smashwords – And the author is offering a special incentive! If you buy the book at Smashwords, here’s a coupon to get a discount: ZC64Q
Buy Link: Nook
Buy Link: Kobo
