Effie. Good morning everyone and welcome back to the Child of the Dragon Prophecy interview series! I’m here with the Igentis, Artigal, today. How are you, Artigal?
Artigal. I’m doing well enough, thank you. Eager to be here.”
E. Well that’s certainly a first! Trojan and Stephania were a bit more hesitant at first.
A. *barely smiles* That certainly doesn’t surprise me. I’ve had my share of interviews so it doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
E. Good. Then we’ll just get right into it. *flips through notes* So most of these questions center around your age if that’s okay?
A. *face darkens slightly* I suppose it will have to be.
E. So @anne.j.hill.editor wants to know how old you actually are and if you remember being a kid?
A. *takes a deep breath and spaces out for a moment before stamping a hoof* I stopped counting my years when I realized they wouldn’t run out. However, I would say I’m roughly several thousand years old. *barely smiles again* I try not to remember things from so long ago but I do remember being a child. For the majority of my youth, I would say I was fairly content. My parent’s were decorated Centaur Warriors who had met and fallen in love on the battlefield. We never lacked anything. I was always so jealous of how fierce they were. *shifts uncomfortably* I wasn’t exactly a son to be proud of, however. I failed most of my physical training a child and was always living in my older sister’s shadow.
E. *whistles lowly* That had to be tough. No one would ever guess any of that from you, Artigal.
A. *scowls* which is exactly why I refuse to talk about it to anyone else. It’s shameful.
E. @anne.j.hill.editor also wants to know how fast you can run?
A. As fast as I ever have need. I am not slow by any means but I cannot compete with Centaurs like Frawnden and Trojan.
E. She also wants to know “Have you ever done something you didn’t want to do but felt it was needed anyway?” and “Do you ever get close to others?”
A. *opens mouth and then closes it. Tail swishes nervously* I have. Twice. Once with Stephania and once with another Duvarharian child a long time ago— *eyes sparkle with tears and shakes head* I never get close to others.
E. @hapruitt wants to know why you distance yourself from others and what led you to shut out others?”
A. *takes deep breath* If you have lived as long as I have, you would understand that after you’ve watched everyone you love and everything you care above die and fade to dust, it’s not worth getting attached to anything.
E. I guess that answers @storybookreveries’ question of what’s the worst thing about living for thousands of years.
A. It does.
E. @author.katiemarie asked “If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be?”
A. My birth.
E. *laughs* I didn’t know you made jokes. *sees how serious he is and shuffles notes* okay you’re not joking.
A. *eyes sparkle almost teasingly* I could never just pick one thing. But perhaps if I was forced to, I would have changed the cold war between the Duvarharians and Ravenwood thousands of years ago when I was still young. Everything went wrong in that war. Everything.
E. *smiles reassuringly* I hope someday you will let me tell that story. It’s really quite amazing.
A. Have you not already started writing it? Come Sit With Me. Isn’t that what you’re calling it for now? It seems you don’t need my permission.
E. *laughs nervously* yeah well I would really rather have your help with it but let’s not talk about this right now shall we?
A. *narrows his eyes* I’m far too lax with you since you’re the author. There’s a reason why I don’t like talking about my past. Don’t test my patience, child.
E. *straightens notes* Let’s just move on then. @tothemoonyandback asked what’s the square root of nine?
A. *without any hesitation* three.
E. *impressed* you’re pretty good at that.
A. I have to be. Exceling at mathematics is a requirement for leading wars and taking care of my people.
E. @tothemoonyandback also wants to know what your fondest memory from your past is? *nervously hoping he won’t hate me for asking so many questions about his age and past*
A. *actually smiles* My past is filled with undue suffering but I have so many good memories too. I think I’ve just forgotten about them with all the rest. *eyes soften* Perhaps my favorite was when I was mated to my lady love beside the Trans Falls with the light of the twin moons as our witness. I’ll never forget that day. *his hands tremble and he turns his head away*
E. *eyebrows shoot up in shock* You had a mate? Like a wife? What was she like? What was her name? Will you let me write about her? What did— *instantly stops talking when he gives me a death glare. Searches notes for another questions* Right. Okay no more questions about your past. *whispers ‘thank the stars’ under my breath* Only two more questions left. @an_inhibited_author wants to know what it’s like surviving with a fatal wound?
A. *hand strays to his chest where the dark veins of Cursed Magic spread* It’s difficult. Any slight increase in Cursed Magic around me, or even the presence of Etas can trigger its growth. It’s slowly feeding off my life force. It’s taken away my control of the Pure Magic which leaves me and my people vulnerable to Thaddeus’ attacks. The magic of the Tomb Forest can keep it’s power at bay but I’m not sure for how much longer. Jargon’s medic knowledge, however, has been a great help to me.
E. You seem relatively unbothered by it.
A. *nods* Everything is in the Great Emperor’s will, even this. *gestures to his chest* It is not for me to worry about His plans.
E. Of course. Alright, we have one last question but first, did you enjoy our interview today?
A. *raises eyebrow* what do you think?
E. Um … well seeing as most of the questions were about sensitive topics I’m going to guess no? *is secretly thrilled that so many people asked such juicy questions about him*
A. Absolutely. I was under the impression this would be an average interview about my role as Igentis or about Trans-Falls.
E. *shrugs gleefully* Yeah well I don’t think any of ma peeps on Instagram are average. Last question. @sincerelymaseeha.writer wants to know why you adopted Stephania into the Tribe?
A. *takes deep breath* I knew that after her parent’s were killed she would need comfort and love. The only people who can properly provide that is a family. She needed a mother, father, and sibling to properly heal and to understand what love is. I also knew she wouldn’t get that with Dalton. With her destiny, she is not fated to have an easy, happy life. I wanted to give her hope that the world isn’t all evil. I wanted her to see love and experience it.
E. *narrows eyes* that’s really sweet and makes a lot of sense, but are you sure that’s all?
A. Of course. *narrows eyes back at me*
E. Are you sure it doesn’t have anything to do with a certain other Duvarharian child from your past like you mentioned earlier or that Aeron and Trojan are descendants of your mate or—
A. Enough, child! I told you I didn’t want you to ask any more questions about my past. You’re dangerously close to never getting my help on your companion novel Come Sit with Me.
E. *eyes widen, more than a little bit terrified, but also excited* wait, so is that a yes that you’ll help me?
A. *eyes darken* it is a possibility, but I will not say anything more under record of this interview.
E. Well then I guess that wraps things up! Thanks for joining us today, I hope you enjoyed pushing this emotionless rock’s feely buttons as much as I did and I hope you’ll join me next week as I interview Dalton. Now please excuse me because I would really, really like to get that companion novel written.
A. Curse you, child! I haven’t agreed to anything yet.
E. Oh but you will! *waves to readers* May the suns smile upon your presence!
Child of the Dragon Prophecy
A future foreseen. A past forgotten.
The savior child of the Dragon Prophecy is born.
Adopted by Centaurs, then forsaken by humans, Stephania longs for a place to belong, but home keeps slipping away as fragmented memories. Those disturbing memories relentlessly haunt her, and the hometown where she has never felt welcome stands against her.
When Stephania seeks an escape, she unwittingly begins a journey of self-discovery, and her long thought forgotten memories, shape-shifting demons, a lyre surrounded by dangerous magic, and newfound lies emerge as threats that may break her or finally lead her to her true home.
Will Stephania be able to put aside her hate and pain to accept who she truly is? Or will she let it drag her and all of Duvarharia to its doom?