Friday Fantasy #Character Spotlight – Gairynzvl – The Fierce One

This is a repost of the Character Spotlight Author Roari Benjamin recently did for me on the main character of dark fey:  gairynzvl.  Posted here in its entirety for your reading pleasure.

For today’s Character Spotlight, please join me in welcoming Author Cynthia A. Morgan, here to grant us a peek at the enchanting, hauntingly beautiful world she’s created within “The Dark Fey Trilogy.”

She sends us Jaeryn, a TruthSayer, as her emissary. He’s traveled long and far to shine the Spotlight on Gairynzvl, The Fierce One – one who is rumored to have suffered through and escaped from unspeakable horror, only to return, that he might spare others the same fate. (This is a first look at new Dark Fey material, Dear Reader!) Would you care to pour a pint of honeyed-ale, as Jaeryn prepares to take the stage and share his tale? Oh, but we must hurry, the show is about to start….

Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jaeryn; I am a TruthSayer – one who journeys from village to village, gathering information to prove or dispel the rumors and hearsay, which travel on the wind. I went to the village Hwyndarin in order to learn about one of The Reviled; about whom, supposedly, the Ancient prophecies foretell, and upon my arrival in that picturesque little village, I was immediately sent towards a tavern in search of a beautiful, young shefey named Ayla Yna. When I found her, I told her the same and this is the conversation that followed.

   May I presume that you are she? (The shefey to whom I spoke blinked unassumingly and hesitantly nodded.)

   “Perhaps.” (It was raining, so I motioned toward the bright little tavern set just outside the Temple walls.)

   May we go within so I might ask you a few questions?  I understand you know the One for whom I seek, whose name is Gairynzvl? (She agreed that she might and follows me into the tavern bustling with chattering Fey of the Light.  We sat at a side table and I ordered a round of honeyed-ale.)  What can you tell me about him?  How did you meet? (She faltered, uncertainly, so I prompted further.)  Is it true he lingered in the shadows near you for nearly six months before revealing himself?  (She nodded then, but said nothing, so I tried once again.) Were you aware of him the entire time? Did he not frighten you? (Finally, she offered more.)

   “Because of my gifts of telepathy and empathy I was aware of him some of the time, when he was close to me, but I was more curious about him than afraid.”  Did he speak to you at all during that time? (She shook her head.)

   “Not verbally, but he did communicate through his thoughts.  We share that gift.” (I nodded with growing curiosity.)  How did he finally appear to you?

   “He chose a night during which a powerful storm shook the village.  I was alone in my cote, guarding a youngling.  When he appeared, surrounded by shadows and darkness, I confess, I was terrified.”  Did he take the childling?            

   “No.  He was not interested in the babe at all.  He even allowed me to cast a spell of protection and light around him.”  Unusual, for a Dark One.  (She agreed, but provided nothing further.)  What was it about him that made you believe you could trust him? 

   “His honesty.  I have the ability to read others emotions and can tell truth from lies.  In spite of everything that happened that night, he never once lied to me.”  (While we were speaking a small group of malefey entered the tavern. Two wore the cloaks of the Fey Guard and when they saw us, or, rather, Ayla; they immediately came to our table.  She introduced us and I realized my luck.)  You are Mardan, the Celebrant-turned-Spell Caster who stood with Gairynzvl at the Great Gate in the Uunglarda? 

   “Why do you ask?”  (His reputation for being irascible was not unwarranted and the tall, handsome malefey assessed me from head to toe to wingtip with an intense, cerulean stare.)  I am trying to learn his story to share with those who may not know it.  Can you tell me about him?  How would you describe him? (Mardan did not hesitate for an instant.)

   “Infuriating.”  (The others laughed at this derisive portrayal, but, astonishingly, nodded in agreement.)  “But I would also say remarkable.”  A strange combination. Why so?

   “He has a strength of will I find admirable.  He is unrelenting, daunting, even antagonistic; but his perseverance is motivating.  At least it was for us.”   But, is it not true that you tried to kill him when you first met? (Mardan’s brilliant gaze fixed on me and his expansive wings arched aggressively. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, that his Fey Guard friend shook his head, as if to indicate that I just over-stepped my boundaries; so I quickly reiterated.)  I have no intention of offending; I am just trying to paint an overall picture.  If you wanted to kill him, you certainly had to have a reason? 

   “I discovered him inside the home of my love.  His actions were threatening and I considered him a danger.” (He paused, then, and shook his head.) “Nevertheless, I regret the actions I took, not only because the Spell of Inflicted Pain is a ruthless curse, but because it nearly took Ayla’s life.”  You chose to use a forbidden spell? You? A Celebrant?  (He glared at me with open hostility and I realized my mistake, but before he could tear any limbs from my body, one of his friends who had been standing quietly in the background stepped forward.  I noticed immediately he wore the robes of a Healer of the Temple.)

   “Mardan is a Celebrant no longer.  He has always had the heart of a warrior and now, fortunately, he has discovered his purpose as a Spell Caster.”  (Hoping to entice more information from them, I changed my tack to delve a bit deeper.) A Spell Caster must have been of great value to Gairynzvl in the Uunglarda? 

   “I played a part; we all did, but none of us would have gone if it were not for his unshakable determination to rescue the childfey trapped there.”  This was his ultimate design, then; to come to Jyndari and be Prevailed through an ancient rite so he would be transformed and could safely return to the Uunglarda to rescue others? (Those gathered round me looked at each other as if to affirm the truth of this statement amongst themselves before any would answer and with good cause.  This was the prophecy foretold by the Ancients, that One would come out of the Darkness to Lead others out as well.) 

   “His Purpose was set from the moment the Dark Ones abducted him as a child.”  (The Healer explained, continuing to illustrate his character with unmistakable respect.) “We spent a single day in the shadow realm, but we all felt the effects of the darkness; myself especially.  I have lived my entire life in the Temple, being schooled as a Healer; yet during that single day in The Uunglarda, I felt all the negativity within me rush to the surface like a flood.”  (Those round the Healer concurred, but did not interrupt him when he continued more emphatically.)  “I understand the physical and psychological aspects of the psyche.  I comprehend the lasting effects of neglect, abuse and cruelty.  How Gairynzvl survived 15 years under the lash of Demonfey with any hope or compassion remaining within him defies logic.”  He was a captive of The Reviled for 15 years and, yet, is honest, compassionate and courageous; indeed that is remarkable. (The other Fey Guard then stepped forward, shaking his head.)

   “As Mardan pointed out, he can also be exasperating, argumentative, and, sometimes, downright petulant; this is why we call him The Fierce One, but it makes him an unrivaled Vladokhyssum player.”  (Smiles attested to the truth of his statement and I raised my glass, sure I now had the whole story.) I have heard rumors that you still play the ancient sport here and would love to witness a game. (The Healer shook his head.) 

   “I am afraid you just missed it.  We played this afternoon.”  And Gairynzvl played?  (The Healer grinned.)

   “It is impossible to keep him from playing.  He loves the intense competition.” (Mardan agreed, then added another reason under his breath.)

   “He loves the freedom to be as aggressive and intimidating as a Dark One without killing anyone.”  (His friends all laughed at this observation and I realized just how fortunate I was to meet them.)  I am beginning to understand that he must be an extraordinary, yet complicated, Fey.  (They were all of the same opinion, but Ayla quickly silenced us as a tall, white-haired malefey stepped into the pub, shaking the rain from his magnificent, nebulous-hued wings before folding them and entering further.  Those fey gathered round turned and cheered at his arrival, but, although he smiled at them, he quickly located us at a side table and moved to join his friends.  His icy-lavender gaze evaluated me openly as he approached and I felt both uneasy and excited to meet him. The others undertook my introduction and, as he extended his hand to offer his friendship, I saw the many unmistakable scars bore. At my hesitation, he turned his hand to look at it as well, recognizing my hesitancy, as well as my admiration, without my need to speak a word.  A keen silence fell as the others, too, paused to gaze at his hands and for a brief moment, a sense of reverence settled among us.

   There, before me, stood a Fey about whom the Ancients had spoken; a Fey who had suffered the unthinkable cruelties of The Integration of The Reviled and, yet, remained in the essence of his being a True Fey of the Light.  Not only did he escape the captivity he endured for so many years, but he led others back into the realm of Demonfey to rescue as many as he could find.  He was powerful of physique and undeniably fearless; yet equally kind of heart and, as I gazed round at his friends and the villagers who had come to know him, I became certain of one thing.  Mardan was correct; he was indeed remarkable.

   Then he smiled in a welcoming manner that set me at ease, clapped me across the shoulder genially, and invited me to share a round of honeyed-ale with him.   

Oh, but there’s so much more to Gairynzvl’s story! Luckily, for us, The Reviled and Standing in Shadowsare both available now!

Dark Fey The Reviled

Dark Fey The Reviled on Amazon/Kindle:    http://goo.gl/iRl5pZ
Dark Fey The Reviled on Barnes and Noble:   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-reviled-cynthia-a-morgan/1123608621

Read a Behind The Scenes description of The Reviled:  http://www.creativia.org/kindred-souls-and-guardians-of-the-light-the-reviled.html

Dark Fey Standing In Shadows

Dark Fey Standing In Shadows on Amazon
Amazon US –  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018HF4HSA
UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018HF4HSA
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/standing-in-shadows-cynthia-a-morgan/1123760716

Read a Behind The Scenes description of Standing In Shadows:  http://www.creativia.org/delving-deeper-into-the-mysteries-of-jyndari-standing-in-shadows.html

Many, many thanks to Cynthia for being my first guest Author! I’m incredibly honored she allowed me to share this glimpse of Gairynzvl, and the rest of her beloved Fey, with you. And, Thank you, Dear Reader, for joining us in celebrating the Characters brought to life by Indie Authors! I look forward to shining the Spotlight on more soon!

As always, I hope you’re having a beautiful day, night, or sometime in the between….

Roari

Interested in having YOUR character interviewed or spotlighted?  Contact Roari here:  http://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/

~Morgan~