Midsummer’s Eve Blog Hop Character Interview (what a mouthful!)

Hey gang! Today we have a very unique treat for you on the Midsummer’s Night Blog Hop. It looks like Shayla Dormyr—a sassy warrioress from Raven Bower’s  Weeping Dark: Bleeding Edge—has stumbled into Ourea through a hidden lichgate. I guess not all lichgates lead to Earth! She’s just run into Kara Magari, a character from my novel The Grimoire: Lichgates, so let’s listen in and see how this conversation goes. This should be interesting.

Oh! Before I forget, there’s a giveaway at the bottom of the page. Enter for a chance to win an eBook copy of both Lichgates and Primal. Okay, back to Kara and Shayla!

 

Kara is sitting on a log, writing in a magical leather book called the Grimoire. She looks up as Shayla crashes through a few low-hanging branches. Both stop when they see each other, pausing long enough to gauge whether the other is a threat.

Kara: Who the hell are you?

Shayla: [cocks an eyebrow] Captain Third Flame of the Ires Guard. [frowns] Dame too now, I suppose.

Kara: That’s…that’s nice. I’m Kara. So wait, how did you even get here? You shouldn’t have even—

Shayla: If I only went were I was supposed to go, I wouldn’t be here now, would I?

Kara: [laughs] I’m sorry, I guess that was kind of rude. I just wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here. It’s….well let’s just say it’s secluded.

Shayla: [looks around] Where is “here” anyway?

Kara: Well, that portal you came through is called a lichgate. Everything you see here is a pocket of the world—well, my world, Earth—and it’s separate from everything else. These pockets are collectively called Ourea, and there’s all sorts of magic and crazy creatures here. I still can’t believe everything I come across. You can only access Ourea via those lichgates. And, well, I thought there was only one way in to this particular area. I guess that’s not the case.

Shayla: [gives Kara a wry smile] Assuming that you’re safe is a good way to get yourself killed. Might want to set some wards or get some guards. The next thing through the gate might not be sweet little me. [grins]

Kara: Apparently so. Well, you’re not trying to kill me, so have a seat. You said you’re a Captain? What’s your world like?

Shayla: [her battered armor creaks as she sits] Filled with darkness. Smoke. Death. [green eyes glimmer in sorrow as she nods] Third Flame, by default – the others are dead. [sorrow turns to an icy green chill] They’ll be avenged and darkness broken.

Kara: Whoa, that’s intense. I thought things were bad here, but your world doesn’t sound much better.

Shayla: Why? What’s wrong with being here? It’s stunning!

Kara: [sighs] This world is beautiful, sure, but it’s full of terrifying things. Politically, it’s pretty broken. There’s a race here called the yakona, who are divided into six kingdoms. Well, five—one died out eons ago. They lived peacefully a long ways back, but one of them betrayed the others’ trust and they’ve basically been fighting ever since. You know, the usual.

Shayla: Beasts to slay, liars to overthrow – what’s wrong with that?

Kara: Sounds fun, right? But it’s not that simple. This book I’m holding is called the Grimoire. It’s a thousand years old and filled with everything I could ever want to know, but it’ll only answer me if I ask the right question. It was written by a man who called himself the Vagabond. He tried to restore the world back to the peaceful way it once was, but he was killed for trying.

I grew up without knowing Ourea even existed, so I didn’t know what this book was when I came across it on a hike. When I opened it, I became the next Vagabond and only I can read the Grimoire. Now, I have to finish where the last Vagabond left off and hope I don’t die in the process, too. I tried running away from it for a while, but that always ended disastrously.

[Both women are quiet for a moment. Shayla shifts in her seat as Kara stares into the grass, eyes out of focus.]

Shayla: [gives Kara a sideward glance] Do you want to talk about it?

Kara: Not really. Let’s just say I have a poor track record of protecting those I care about.

Shayla: [winces] We all lose people, our fault or otherwise. [absently taps the hilt of her sword] It’s what we then choose to do about it to right our mistakes that will etch our success—or failure.

Kara: That’s a good way to put it, actually. It sounds like you lost someone, too.

Shayla: I should go.

Kara: I enjoyed talking to you. Are you sure you have to go so soon?

Shayla: [nods] I must free my people and there are many miles yet to travel to gain help. [her eyes glitter] Raise an army, bring the Gryphon Riders and knights in a swarm bloody beaks and swords. Teach those wretched Blood Mages and Vearra to prey on the innocent.

Kara: Oh. Sounds fun. Well, come back anytime. You’re always welcome here.

Shayla: Hey, maybe I’ll bring you one of their heads when we win and you can show me your trophies from your triumphs.

Kara: [laughs] I don’t get to keep trophies, as—uh—as exciting as that sounds. Maybe next time, I’ll turn you into a vagabond instead. I could use a person like you here.

Shayla: [chuckles] Not a bad idea, once my people are safe and free again. Take care, Kara, and remember—your spirit is tested in the fire of darkness and war, not peace. Get back out there and kick arse.

Kara: Haha! Yes, ma’am.

 
 
Check out the rest of the interviews on this blog hop!

Gregor Caine + Circe

(Christine Ashworth & Claire Gillian)

Sydney + Poseidon

(Cindy Young-Turner & Sasha Summers)

Caleb + Arland and Kate

(Kinley Baker & Krystal Wade)

Leigh Baxton + Micah Fuller

(Lindsay Loucks & Diane M. Haynes)

Shayla Dormyr + Kara Magari

(Raven Bower & S.M. Boyce)

Kellyn O’Brien + Julianna

(Louann Carroll & Siobhan Muir)

Ivory + Sara Wiley

(Rebecca Hamilton & Sandra Bunino)

Xylia and Landon + Avant

(Avery Olive & Kary Rader)

Asar + Matty Ducayn

(Jean Murray & Wendy Russo)