Exploring Character and Place in A Seared Sky #9

Chellyth:

Chellyth, as visualised by Alice Taylor

This is the 9^th in a series of pieces on characters and places featured in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This background information, isn’t covered in the book, but should enhance the reading experience. For some of my people, there’ll be a character drawing, supplied by Alice Taylor, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I may do short pieces of fiction, deepening knowledge of certain minor characters as well.

For the places, I may use sections of the map, to indicate location, along with a description of the place, as I see it, and, where appropriate, links with characters. Perhaps I’ll indicate the way of life there with a short anecdote or story. I won’t reveal any of the main story, either as already published or as written in the series, merely enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by providing more information. I hope this will give pleasure to those who’ve bought the book and, perhaps, persuade others to take that step.

Pronunciation hints:

Chellyth – chell-ith

Por-Kildu – paw-kill-do

Dagla Kaz – pronounced exactly as written.

Aklon-Dji – ak-lon-djy (think of the Dj sound in the name of tennis player, Djokovic

Muhnilahm – murn-ill-arm

Names are pronounced phonetically. But this is my take on them; how I hear them in my head. You may pronounce them as you wish, of course; reading is, after all, active rather than passive.

Chellyth is the female half of a pair who lead the rejects, criminals and so-called deviants imprisoned on The Point. I know some will balk at her lack of apparel, but, like all those who live in her community, she lacks the means to make clothing. She is 30ish, attractive, and a strong woman who exists in a very harsh environment. She has to be tough to survive. Here she talks to our Fantasy editor from Fantastic Books Publishing, where you can purchase the first book in the series: Joinings, A Seared Sky.

FE:         So, Chellyth, how do you fit into this fantastic story?

Chellyth:            Fit in? An interesting idea for the leader of a group of people rejected by the rest of society, don’t you think?

FE:         Rejected? In what way, and why?

Chellyth:            I don’t know your world. But here, on the island of Muhnilahm, everything’s ruled by a tyrant who holds the title of High Priest. Dagla Kaz is a cruel, intolerant, bigoted and basically dishonest man. You get on the wrong side of that bowelcreep and you’ve generally got two choices: an agonising death – he loves to invent ever more painful ways to kill people – or escape to The Point.

FE:         The Point?

Chellyth:            Por-Kildu, who’s my partner, and I, are known as ‘The One’. We rule on The Point and give sanctuary to those who either run away from the main part of the island or are brought here as a punishment by the High Priest’s gang of corrupt officials, the Holy Ones.  This place is effectively cut off from the rest of the island; a long narrow peninsula isolated by a huge scar that runs the width of the landward end of The Point. It’s more or less unscalable, except that Aklon Dji manages to get up and down it. He’s the High Priest’s son and a man we admire more than any other.

FE:         So, you live a segregated existence on this Point?

Chellyth:            Exist, yes. We’ve no choice. There’s no way down the steep cliffs, unless you want to kill yourself on the rocks below. And, as I said, only Aklon Dji seems to know how to ascend the scar onto the main island. We’ve no fabric for clothes here, the only water comes from a spring that dwells under the shadow of the small copse of trees on the low hill. The rest of the land is arid and parched; home to venomous snakes and carrion birds. We grow what little food we can on a small piece of land hard by our village.

FE:         Sounds a hard life, Chellyth.

Chellyth:            Hard? It’s all I’ve ever known. I was born here. Por-Kildu, he’s different. He was tortured by Dagla Kaz and then brought here to die. I restored him to health and we became lovers. But he describes life on the main island, telling tales of luxury and plenty. Yes. It’s a hard life.

FE:         If you’re governing a bunch of criminals, law-breakers and social outcasts, how do you keep control?

Chellyth:            Don’t make judgments about people you’ve never met. My people are fine. They’re victims of an unjust system. They’re not really criminals, except in the sense they’ve broken unreasonable laws.  It’s a harsh land and I have to employ harsh rules. Break the rules of my society and you’d better be prepared for a horrible death.

FE:         Doesn’t that make you as bad as Dagla Kaz?

Chellyth:            Fool! He has a choice, and he chooses to inflict pain and suffering for entertainment. Nothing to do with imposing his will or governing the people: he has the Holy Ones and an army for that. I have to keep control of people who have nothing. You can’t take anything away from them, except their lives. And some of them would welcome that, so I have to make it a difficult ending. It’s the only way to rule here, as you’d know if you’d ever lived in such a place.

FE:         Do you have dreams, hopes?

Chellyth:            Aklon Dji will save us all one day soon. He’ll overthrow his evil father and allow us back onto the main island. Then we can lead normal lives.

FE:         Sounds a bit unlikely.

Chellyth:            You think our hero can’t fulfil his promise to us? What do you know?

FE:         One man against all the High Priest’s forces? There’s a price on his head, isn’t there? Suppose they catch and kill him?

Chellyth:            I’ve nothing more to say to you. You delight in inflicting pain on a repressed people. Leave me be. Go! You’re no friend of mine.

FE:         A remarkable woman, but I get the feeling she’s delusional.  Mind you, if things are that hard, who can blame her for clinging to a dream?

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Exploring Character and Place in A Seared Sky #8

Character interview with Tryonta.

This is the 8^th in a series of pieces on characters and places featured in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This background information, isn’t covered in the book, but should enhance the reading experience. For some of my people, there’ll be a character drawing, supplied by Alice Taylor, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I may do short pieces of fiction, deepening knowledge of certain minor characters as well.

For the places, I may use sections of the map, to indicate location, along with a description of the place, as I see it, and, where appropriate, links with characters. Perhaps I’ll indicate the way of life there with a short anecdote or story. I won’t reveal any of the main story, either as already published or as written in the series, merely enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by providing more information. I hope this will give pleasure to those who’ve bought the book and, perhaps, persuade others to take that step.

Pronunciation hints:

Tryonta – try-on-ta

Dagla Kaz – pronounced exactly as written

Ytraa – eet-rah

Names are pronounced phonetically. But this is my take on them; how I hear them in my head. You may pronounce them as you wish, of course: reading is, after all, active rather than passive.

Tryonta is around 35. He’s a snake. Amoral and utterly self-centred. His voice holds the sinister charm of the man who knows how to manipulate others. Although his responses may appear terse, they’re spoken more with a superior questioning quality than with overt anger. Here he is interviewed by Fantastic Books Publishing’s Fantasy Editor.

FE:         Good morrow, Tryonta. I gather you’re a sort of aid to the High Priest?

Tryonta:            What of it?

FE:         Ah, I merely want to get your view of your position and your feelings about the…

Tryonta:            Feelings are for fools. My position is that of guardian, helper and informer for the most important man in the land.

FE:         What sort of things do you do to…help Dagla Kaz?

Tryonta:            You don’t look like a fool. Does a trusted deputy discuss his duties with all and sundry? No. I don’t wish to appear obstructive, but you must understand the delicacy of my position.

FE:         Let’s try a different tack. What are you feelings…thoughts about your religion?

Tryonta:            What is there to think about? We are Followers. We obey the will and the regulations set out by our High Priest. We do our duty. Those who fail to obey are dealt with according to the law. Such fools deserve the pain and humiliation they suffer for their failure to do as they are required. What more is there to say?

FE:         Do you have personal pleasures you’d like to share with us?

Tryonta:            A good meal, served with good drink. A compliant partner for joining; preferably someone who understands rank and status. A well-made tabard, of silk and decorated with suitable designs.

FE:         You enjoy joining with a willing woman, then?

Tryonta:            What man does not enjoy the pleasure to be had with a compliant partner?

FE:         How do you view the High Priest?

Tryonta:            You choose your words with care; that’s good. The High Priest is my commander, my provider; dare I say, my friend? But I am also his protector and his most trusted aid. We form a team, in which he plays the part of the leader, of course, since he is blessed by Ytraa, and in which I play the role of reliable and unquestioning assistant.

FE:         And, if Dagla Kaz were to ask you to do something, shall we say, not quite within the law?

Tryonta:            A foolish question, if you will forgive my bluntness. Dagla Kaz is the chosen of Ytraa. It is impossible for him to act outside the law, since he is the law. You understand?

FE:         I believe I do. Thank you for your time, Tryonta. Most enlightening.

Tryonta:            Really? And I thought I had been so circumspect in my answers. If you believe yourself enlightened, I can only assume you’re a better questioner than I imagined, or, perhaps, not honest enough with yourself to understand the true nature of our exchange.

FE:         Perhaps. Honesty and truth, however…

More to follow.

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Exploring Character and Place in A Seared Sky #5

The 5^th in a series of pieces on characters and places featured in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This background information isn’t covered in the book but should enhance the reading experience. For some of my people, there’ll be a character drawing, supplied by Alice Taylor, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I may do short pieces of fiction, deepening knowledge of certain minor characters as well.

For the places, I may use sections of the map, to indicate location, along with a description of the place, as I see it, and, where appropriate, links with characters. Perhaps I’ll indicate the way of life there with a short anecdote or story. I won’t reveal any of the main story, either as already published or as written in the series, merely enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by providing more information. I hope this gives pleasure to those who’ve bought the book and, perhaps, persuades others to take that step.

Pronunciation hints:

Dagla Kaz – pronounced exactly as written.

Names are pronounced phonetically. But this is my take on them; how I hear them in my head. You may pronounce them as you wish; reading is, after all, active rather than passive.

Dagla Kaz – The High Priest – with the Fantasy Editor of Fantastic Books Publishing:

Dagla Kaz is an average man gone bad; really bad. He’s around 62 years old, a tall, lanky, bald man with little personal grace. A despot, he’s been corrupted by almost absolute power and by the input of ‘voices in his head’. His tone is arch.

FE:         You’ve been a difficult character, Dagla Kaz.

Dagla Kaz:         You helped make me. You have no right to complain.

              

FE:         There’s some truth in that, of course.  But I doubt you see yourself in the same way as I do.

Dagla Kaz:         You think not? Perhaps there’s something in what you say. We all delude ourselves about certain aspects of our personality and the way we live our lives. But you gave me power: is it any surprise if I use it?

FE:         You’re aware of its tendency to corrupt?

Dagla Kaz:         Nothing but the wailing of weakness. Powerful leaders, especially we men, are essential to the control and function of the world. Imagine what would happen if leaders were as weak as those they govern. Can’t you see the destruction and chaos that would result?

FE:         You believe firm leadership is essential. That may be true. But to take advantage of that power: is that just and fair?      

Dagla Kaz:         Just and fair? You talk like a soft-hearted woman. Use your wits, man; what few you possess. Is life fair? Is there justice in nature? Of course not. Red in tooth and claw, they say, don’t they? And with good cause. Life is hard and bleak and sharp. It’s every soul for itself. If I don’t take advantage of my position, use my gifts and brilliance for personal gain, what’s the point? I might just as well be as lazy, indifferent and complacent as the flock I lead. I mean, look at them: no ambition, no interest outside their own small circle. Lazy: they want people like me to do their thinking for them. Well, if they want me to control what they think, I might as well ensure those thoughts benefit me, don’t you think?

FE:         And what of altruism?

Dagla Kaz:         Fool! Do you see altruism in the wild? Will a terzet horn neglect its powerful armoury to let you wander free and unmolested over its domain? Of course it won’t. The great lumbering beast will slice you with its sharp horns and tusks and crush you beneath its enormous feet without a thought. That’s what life is like. You and your fluffy vision of love and companionship; you make me sick.

FE:         You extend your scorn to your children?

Dagla Kaz:         What are children but small adults awaiting their chance to usurp power? I gave them life. It’s up to them to make the best of that. Why should I expend time and energy on caring for them? Let them get on with it and learn the lessons life provides. Children are either a burden or useful servants for their parents. I know which I prefer.

FE:         Servants are generally paid.

Dagla Kaz:         Paid? You want me to give my offspring coin as well as all the other advantages my patronage confers? I gave them life and I give her a roof over her head, food on the table, clothes to cover her delightful form, tattoos to decorate her skin. She earns such things; the other deserves no more than an agonising death, renegade bowelcreep! What more should I give?

FE:         Love, perhaps?

Dagla Kaz:         Love, bah! Love is for fools whose hearts govern their heads, or even bigger fools who allow their loins to control them. Love. Give me the honest transaction of sex every time. No messy emotional tangles and pleasure shared according to status and facility to accept the proper roles of each partner. Love: you make me sick with your soft-hearted care and concern. Get back to your pen and parchment, man, and play with your fantasies. But let me live my life with proper purpose. I’m done talking with you.

FE:         Thank you, Dagla Kaz. That has been most enlightening.

Dagla Kaz:         Bah!

-ends-

Dagla Kaz:

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Exploring Character and Place: #2

Tarruss:

The 2^nd in a series of pieces on characters and places featured in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This is background information, not covered in the book, but intended to enhance the reading experience. For some of my people, there’ll be a character drawing, supplied by Alice Taylor, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I may do a short piece of fiction, deepening the knowledge of certain minor characters as well.

For the places, I’ll use sections of the map, to indicate location, along with a description of the place, as I see it, and, where appropriate, linking it with characters. Perhaps indicate life there with a short anecdote or story. I won’t reveal any of the story, either as already published or as written into the series, merely enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by providing more information. I hope this will give pleasure to those who’ve bought the book and, perhaps, persuade others to take that step.

Pronunciation hints:

In this interview, the character’s names are pronounced phonetically.

These are just my take on the names, how I hear them in my head. You may pronounce them any way you wish; reading is, after all, an active rather than a passive occupation.

Tarruss is a giant of a man, with green eyes, short red hair and a cropped beard. He accompanies the main group, acting as guardian. Here he talks with the author.

SA:         So, Tarruss, how should I describe you?

Tarruss:  You invented me. Say what you see.

SA:         Most people would describe you as a giant. I’d describe you as a giant.

Tarruss:  Bigger than most. But that doesn’t make me a bully, you know.

SA:         Remind me, what do you do for a living?

Tarruss:   Work with wood an’ metal, making weapons for the army and tools for farmers. Strong, you see.

SA:         And, women? What’s your attitude to women, Tarruss?

Tarruss:  Love ‘em. Beautiful, mysterious creatures with a shape that makes a man want more. Clever, too. And strong in a way lots of men don’t seem to see. I love the look of them, the feel of them in your arms, the way they laugh, the way they moan with pleasure. To be honest, I prefer the company of women to men.

SA:         And what about your religion? How do you feel about that?

Tarruss:  That’s a strange question. I Follow. We all do. It’s our religion. I don’t know what you expect me to say.

SA:         Well, for instance, how do you feel about the High Priest?

Tarruss:   Dagla Kaz does a job, like we all do. He’s the leader and has direct contact with Ytraa. He’s the one as makes sure we’re all doing right. Fierce, like, when he’s riled. I sometimes wonder…well, I shouldn’t really say, you know. I’m a loyal Follower, that’s all, really.

SA:         I see. And the Holy Ones?

Tarruss: You tryin’ to get me in trouble?

SA:         Not at all. I’m trying to show our readers the sort of guy you are, that’s all.

Tarruss:   Seem a bit tricky to me.

SA:         The Holy Ones?

Tarruss:   I’d rather not say, if you don’t mind.

SA:         Okay. What about food?

Tarruss:   A man likes to fill his belly. Preferably with good stuff. And the odd flagon of good strong ale, of course. Hot work, hammerin’ metal.

SA:         Don’t say a great deal, do you?

Tarruss:  Depends who’s asking the questions, and how good they are.

SA:         Right. There’s a rumour you once killed a man with your bare hands.

Tarruss:  Is there? Look, any man who mistreats a child like that deserves what he gets. And I’m admittin’ nothing.

SA:         Last one. What’s your role on the pilgrimage?

Tarruss:  Well, you wrote the story: don’t you know? Oh, you want it in my words. Right. I’m along as guardian, soldier, hunter, and general drudge. Because I’m big, people think I’m not too bright.

SA:         Thank you for your thoughts, Tarruss.

Tarruss:  Welcome. Can I go now?

SA:         Of course.

Tarruss:

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