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Blog Tour: The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles - by A.L. Butcher @libraryoferana #darkfantasy

Character Interview with Dii’Athella
from the Light Beyond The Storm Chronicles

Meet my Character

Introduce yourself: Myname is Dii’Athella Ar’Thina – but most people call me Dii. It meansFlower of the Dawn in Elvish, so I’m told. I’m an elven sorceress, a Forbidden.Until very recently I did not know who my parents were – I was raised in ahuman household. Elves in Erana are, to all intents and purposes, slaves. Wehave no rights, we can legally own nothing, not even our own bodies. As an elf,a female and a mage my position in life was very dangerous and uncertain. I wastaken as an infant from the Enclave, and ‘adopted’ by a Lord – the Lord Josetof Reldfield. You’d think I’d have lived a life of ease – but Joset was verycruel and unkind. I was a trophy, a prize to share around his friends. Hishuman concubine, Malana tried to care for me as best she could, but she was amage too and his property, she was barely in a better position that I.

More recently I am the Lady of theLight, the Lady of Tremellic – and I have a man who loves me, and a family ofsorts. Yet I am still an outlaw – I am a mage and and elf and that will neverchange until the Order of Witch-Hunters who rule this land are gone.

Giveus a short description of your world.

I have notseen much of Erana. In my former life I was never allowed to travel alone, andI was taken between Joset’s various holdings as a ‘plaything’. However, I havea little more freedom know. The Tremellic Valley is beautiful – there aremountains, and thermal pools. We have a magic cave,decorated inside and it’s agood source of Power for the more…dangerous spells. We are close to theShimmering Forest, and my Trollish Stepdaughter is less than a day’s travelaway in the mountain town of Varris.

Magic is,by the decree of the Order of Witch-Hunters, illegal. Even to be found topossess it, or thought to possess it will put one at great risk. To actuallyuse it is risky indeed. The Order use it for their own ends, of course. Theyneed healers, and often turn a blind eye to the local wise man or wisewoman,just so long as they heal and provide medicines, warn about storms and thatsort of thing. Many people who have magic either don’t realise that is what itis, or if they do they hide it. Perhaps they are a little faster, a littleluckier, or an excellent blacksmith. Perhaps they are the local midwife whonever loses a babe…. But the Order make the law, uphold the law and interpretthe law so often such people end up imprisoned or dead.

Why areelves enslaved? Because, so it’s said, elves brought the Plague many centuriesago. Elves are all thieves, diseased, wicked, impure. All that sort of thing.

Howdid you end up on this adventure?

I fled thehouse of my Keeper, Lord Joset. I won’t go into detail why but I’d have died ifI’d stayed. I ran into Witch-Hunters, someone betrayed me from a village Ihelped. Lord Archos rescued me from the dungeon. Then we went to find some lostelves – stolen by Slavers from a local elven village. Lord Archos is kind tothe Elfkind – and this village was at the edges of his land, although somedistance away from Harkenen, where we live.

TheAdventure of the Shining Citadel came about after this – we originally set outto find a missing heirloom of an elfwoman who came to ask for help. It turnedout to be a good deal more complicated and dangerous; there were missing rings,monsters who shouldn’t exist in this Realm, a lost elven city, ancient magic, adaring rescue, lies, intrigue, revenge and an…enjoyable encounter with anelemental. But you’ll have to read our adventure and learn more.

Diiappears in:

TheLight Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I.

TheShining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II

TheStolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III (briefly).

Fromthe Shining Citadel

“Sit, Dii’Athella. Do not be afraid ofme.” The troll woman motioned her to a seat at the round table. As she rosestiffly from her own seat and pulled the shawl around her, Kherak continued,“Now I wished to see you in the flesh, for I have seen you before, in thecrystals and the fire.

“You bring the light, yet your life hasbeen so full of darkness, poor child. I can sense it within you, but you have agreat deal of magic in you also, for she who lived in slavery is more, so muchmore.”

Not knowing what to say, and feeling ameasure of the shame she still carried from her past life, Dii said nothing.The Shaman smiled, returning to her seat. Once more, Dii noticed the stiffnessand fatigue the woman seemed to bear.

“You are in pain, my lady Shaman? I wouldoffer you healing if you would not be offended,” Dii asked. As a kind soul, andwanting to change the subject, it seemed appropriate to ask about the woman'shealth.

“It is old age, my dear, nothing more. Idoubt you can heal that. My daughter has some measure of healing, but it iskind of you to offer. Why would such offend me?”

Awkwardly searching around for somethingto say, Dii remembered the egg. “I bring you a gift, my lady, for I am informedthat is the custom. I hope it is appropriate, please forgive my ignorance ifnot.”

The Shaman chuckled. “Has that husband ofyours not been teaching you trollish ways? But, my dear, I see he has. That isa fine gift indeed.” Carefully she flipped open the top, delighted to hear thetrilling song of the tiny bird. “You chose this? It is perfect, our favouredgoddess would most certainly approve of the bird you bring to our settlement.”

The young mage smiled happily, glad tohave pleased the Shaman. “Oh yes, my lady, it was in our workshop. I think itis delightful. Archos said you would approve, but I am just learning of yourways and sometimes, I think he says things merely to please me.”

Once more, the Shaman chuckled. “Oh yes,men tend to do that, my dear. Now, how should I repay you for such a wonder?”

“Lady, it is a gift, it needs norepayment,” Dii said.

“It is not fair that you leave withnothing, Lady of the Light. May I see the amber ring you carry?” Kherak heldout her hand.

Dii paused for a moment, slightlyperturbed by the abrupt change of subject, but lifted the ring on its chainfrom around her neck. Spinning slightly, it cast a pale orange light upon theOpal, which hummed and floated closer. The Shaman raised an eyebrow, seeing thePower the item held. Gently, she reached out and took Dii's other hand,wrapping it carefully around the ring.

“Keep that safe, it is more than merering. There is so much which is not as it appears.” Kherak smiled, trying toreassure when she saw the young elf’s confusion and fear.

The Arcane Opal began to glow, its faintmist spiralling around them. Dii tried to touch it, fascinated, and slowly itfloated towards the Shaman holding her hand to it.

“Take comfort in who you are, who youhave always been, and who you will be. Keep he you love safe, for he has thePower to walk the dangerous paths which lie before you, but you must bring himguidance for the fight is so much greater than one. He must return to the lightand with it.” Kherak’s voice was low and steady.

Dii looked at her and whispered, “I donot understand, my lady.”

The Shaman smiled and stroked her cheek.“You will, my pretty child. Remember my words and keep Archos close to you, foryou are his light. You are stronger than you think and all of you will needthat strength.”

Walking to the shelves, she searched fora while before selecting something from the dark shadows at the back. “You havebrought to me much that is valuable, and offered kindness to a stranger with noexpectation of reward. For you sought to offer healing and offered the giftfreely. That is rare, for you would have given such with no advice returned toyou nor none expected. I wish for you to receive a gift.”

Kherak held out a magic Mirror, a prettysilver-framed item backed in tortoiseshell. “It is a Mirror of Truth. Revealingwhat is truly there, not merely what appears to be. Sometimes it is just alooking glass, yet in the hands of one such as you, it holds Power. Care for itand it will repay that care.”

Blurb and buylinks:

The Light Beyond theStorm Chronicles – Book I

In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.

*18 rated for adult scenes and violence.

Available as ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print and audiobook.

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1

TheShining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm - Book II

Whorules in this game of intrigue where magic is forbidden, and elves enslaved? Journeywhere beliefs shatter like glass, truth is unwelcome, and monsters from ancienttimes abound: share the romance and revenge, magic and passion, and the wagesof greed in a world of darkest fantasy.

*18 rated for adult scenes and violence.

Available as ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print and audiobook.

https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel

The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III

Where magic is outlawed a troll Shaman calls from her deathbed to herheiress, Mirandra Var, daughter of the storm. Mirandra vows to find her missingkin, sort friend from foe, and claim the dangerous secrets guarded byunthinkable creatures. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of hertribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

*18 rated for adult scenes and violence.

Available as ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print and audiobook.

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower

Alex is the author of the Light Beyondthe Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyricalfantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasyromance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacyof the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies,ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavourin her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring hercharacters and worlds to life.

Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Presswhere her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters, Heroika Skirmishers – whereshe was editor and cover designer as well as writer – as well as Lovers inHell and Mystics in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hellseries. http://www.theperseidpress.com/

Awards:

Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chillwith a Book Reader’s Award in 2017.

NN Light Book Heaven awards:

won the best fantasy for 2018

Echoes of a Song - one of her Phantom tales – won the best fantasyin 2019

Tears and Crimson Velvet won the best Short Story category in 2020

Dark Tales and Twisted Verses – won the best Short Story Category in 2021