A Drift of Quills for January 2017

Happy New Year, everyone! This month, each of us at A Drift of Quills, is interviewing one of our characters. Stick around for all the fun!

First up is P.S. Broaddus, author of A Hero's Curse.

It’s been a year since A Hero’s Curse made its debut and twelve-year-old Essie Brightsday stepped out from between the pages. To mark the anniversary, I sat down with her to talk about what she thought of being brought to life, what it was like having a talking cat, and where she saw herself in five years. 

She laughs at the last question and smoothes the red cloudsilk bandana that’s over her eyes. 

E: Well, having a talking cat sounds great, but that’s just because you haven’t been lectured by one.

P.S.: That’s not true. I think cats lecture, whether they speak Lingua Comma or not. It’s just what they do. A lot of readers want to know more about your blindness, about how you interact with it on a daily basis.

E: It’s not really something I think about, you know? I mean...

Find out more here.

---

Next up, is Robin Lythgoe, author of As the Crow Flies and her newest release, Blood and Shadow. What have you for us today, Robin?

Let me introduce you to our guest, Bairith Mindar, a principle character in my book Blood and Shadow. He is a nobleman by fate, by birth, and by strength of character. His slight build, angular features, and graceful manner suggest elvish descent. One does not ask such things in polite society. Not straight out… 

Bairith confesses that he is a mage, though when asked what spheres he can manipulate he deflects the question with a smile and an elegant gesture…

Find out more from Robin and her guest here.

---

Finally, here I am, ​Patricia Reding, coming to you with A Drift of Quills, and on behalf of Scripta Manent Publishing, where “Written Words Remain.” Today I bring you my long anticipated interview with the renowned Lucy Haven of The Oathtaker Series. Lucy, as many of you know, is the oldest living person known in Oosa, having survived the deaths of her two former charges. Of course, she has enjoyed the gift of “continued youth” since she first swore to protect a seventh-born of the Select, and will continue to do so for the remainder of her days.

I caught up with Lucy on her way out of sanctuary, following a Council hearing that the twins, Reigna and Eden, arranged after their return from The Tearless. (That is, following the end of Select: The Oathtaker Series, Volume Two). We’re standing outside the residence hall on sanctuary grounds in the City of Light. I must say, the Oathtakers here in the city are all aflutter with news that the twins have been tested and have found Ehyeh’s favor! So, without further ado, here is Lucy Haven.
 
PR: Miss Haven, welcome. It is a pleasure to see you.
 
Lucy: Thank you. It’s always a pleasure to be here. And please, call  me "Lucy."
 
PR: Certainly. Thank you. Well, Lucy, what exciting news about the twins! Yes?
 
Lucy: Oh, Patricia, you have no idea. I’ve been working for this for . . . many long decades. There were times I thought I’d never see it, but indeed those twins prophesied about, have truly come into their own. 

​(*Lucy brushes aside her short, curly brown hair. She is truly lovely, with an appearance almost cherubic, you might say.*)

​Their birth signs have returned, as have their scents—which are simply glorious! Reigna’s is a lovely combination of orange, violet, iris and jasmine, accompanied by cedar, sandal and oakmoss. Not to be outdone, Eden’s fragrance is reminiscent of jasmine, bergamot and orange, with hints of warm musk. Just standing in the same room with one of them . . . Well, words cannot describe.

---

​PR: It’s all so exciting to hear. But, Lucy, it is your plans that our followers most want to know about at this time. So, do tell, will you be staying in the city?
 
Lucy: Actually, no. The twins want to head to the palace of the Select in Shimeron. Fortunately, Basha and Therese stopped by there recently. I understand the place was in a shambles.  Anyway, they cleaned and re-arranged some things, in anticipation of Reigna and Eden’s return to their ancestral home. So now, the girls, Mara, Dixon, and a host of additional Oathtakers and Select will set off with a caravan. I will, of course, accompany them. I expect we’ll be on our way within days. (*Lucy sighs, heavily.*) In truth, I’m not looking forward to the traveling, but some things can’t be helped.
 
PR: How long has it been since you’ve been to Shimeron?
 
Lucy: Oh, goodness, it’s been . . . (*Lucy pauses, thinking.*) Well, I haven’t stopped there since some years before Rowena left there, pregnant with the twins. So, for sure it has been more than two decades, anyway.
 
PR:  Rumor has it that there were some disagreements during the Council meeting that you just left.
 
Lucy:  Well, yes, that’s true. But you know, the more I think on what Reigna and Eden had to say, the more certain I am that they were right.  (*Lucy’s blue eyes flicker.*) You see, I had thought it necessary to hold someone accountable for the fact that they were left for a time without protection. Of course, Mara could hardly be faulted for her situation . . . (*Lucy shakes her head.*) But Dixon . . . Well, in truth—and in retrospect—I guess I can appreciate why he acted as he did. In the end, the twins, as they pointed out, had to go through the trials they experienced. Without them, they might never have found Ehyeh’s favor.  (*She flashes a wan smile.*)
 
PR: Understood. So, Lucy, with this threat from Chiran facing Oosa at the moment, I expect you’ll be caught up in preparing a response.
 
Lucy: (*Lucy looks away—almost as though she’s unable to meet my gaze.*) Ahhh, yes, that’s right.
 
PR: Well, I have confidence in the twins and the Oathtakers.  I’m sure you all will beat back the Chiranian threat.
 
Lucy: If we do not, I hesitate to think of the dark days to come. (*Lucy shudders.*)
 
PR: So, on a brighter note, our followers really want to know—where do you see yourself in five years?
 
(*Lucy’s eyes flash my way. Her jaw sets. Then, she shakes her head, bites her lip. Finally, she looks down. I wonder, is she hiding something?*)

Lucy: Now, that’s a difficult question to answer, Patricia. You see, Ehyeh has informed me of things to come and . . . (*She swallows hard.*) Suffice it to say, I am destined to experience significant changes in the near future.
 
PR: Anything you’d care to share? I’m sure our audience would love to know the details.
 
Lucy: Well, of course, I must discuss this all with the twins and Mara first. So, no, I’m sorry to say, I’m not at liberty to discuss the details at this time.
 
PR: No hint, even?
 
Lucy: (*Following a long, silent pause.*) Let’s just say that my current goal is to help prepare the twins and the Oathtaker troops for the battle to come. I want them able to act in the event I’m . . . (*She swallows hard.*) In the event I’m . . . unable. So, I’m sorry, but really, I can't say more and I must be running now.
 
PR: Certainly, Lucy. Thank you so much for your time.
 
(*Lucy exists.*)
 
PR: Well, there you have it, followers—Lucy Haven on the latest news. She’s been a mighty force in Oosa for the longest time. Still, I can’t help but get the impression that she’s concerned for her immediate future. What did you think? Hopefully, we’ll get some answers in Volume Three of The Oathtaker Series, which I understand is scheduled for release sometime in the first quarter of 2017.
 
Until next time, then, may Ehyeh bless you all. Thank you for stopping by today!