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Today I am delighted to introduce you to fellow Fantasy Author Lyra Shanti.  Lyra is a novelist, poet, playwright, and songwriter. Her love of theater inspired her imagination, and also introduced her to her partner and soulmate, Timothy. Together they live in Florida where they are perpetually entertained by their two insane cats. Lyra is a lover of nature, animals, anime, music, theater, movies, myths, and of course, books.
Lyra’s epic sci-fi/fantasy series, Shiva XIV, is currently in its third installment, Riddle of the Gods. The fourth chapter, The River of Time, is due out in late 2017, with one additional book to follow.

Today she is introducing us to one of her characters: Pei, the brave priest turned warrior from her epic sci-fi series Shiva XIV. 

What was it like growing up as a Dei priest, and then later as a “Lan” teacher for Ayn, the messiah of your people? Was it difficult? 

Pei: It was rather peaceful growing up at the Holy Temple on Deius. My own teacher, High Priest Meddhi-Lan, was also Ayn’s teacher. He raised us both like sons, though I was older than Ayn by 14 years. I was charged with the task of helping Ayn to study more often, which proved to be quite the challenge. *slight laugh* Ayn was a little wild when he was young, always making jokes and avoiding his lessons. I admit, I miss that joyful exuberance he had as a child. If only we could stay the way we are as children…

You seem to fall in love instantly, and hard. How does the romantic love factor impact any of your life-altering decisions? 

Pei: Oh, I… I don’t know. I try not to fall as hard or as fast these days, since it always gets me in trouble. But… I admit that love has influenced my mind and heart on a few occasions, especially when it came to joining the Lirhan on Kri. The transition of leaving the priesthood to become a warrior wasn’t easy. I had to change my entire mindset from a man of peace to a man of protection. I like to think I’m pleasing the Gods in what I do, but ultimately, I’m just trying to make myself happy… and protect those I love in the process.

Can you tell us about your childhood? What about your family?

Pei: I don’t know that much about my biological background. I’m an orphan, you see. I was told by the previous high priest, Amun-Lan that my parents left me at the temple without a word of why. I consider my family to be the man who raised me, Meddhi-Lan, and Ayn, who is like my little brother… albeit a very powerful one.

What’s your favorite food? 

Pei: I used to be a vegetarian at the temple, but these days? I love roasted meats, and I like traditional Deiusian food, specifically nutty stews or maybe mint ice cream. Mmm!

Would you choose personal happiness over universal peace? 

Pei: No, my guilt would get the better of me, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep. How those ruled by greed can do it is beyond me. They must have no conscience.

How do you define being a hero? Do you think you are one? 

Pei: I think of heroes as those who willingly face their fears and step into harm’s way so that they can help those less fortunate or in danger. There are all kinds of heroes though. Even just lending an ear for a friend or caring for a sick person can be heroic. It all makes a difference in whatever form it may be.   Am I a hero? I certainly hope so. I try my best to be a good man who cares for others. It’s my ideal.

Is war necessary? How do you balance your religious teachings with the violence of being a warrior? 

Pei: I don’t think I’m qualified to answer if war is necessary. However, I can say that violence isn’t natural for me. My religious teachings gave me respect for all life, and for the universe. But my later experiences showed me the anger and fear that exists in the hearts of all living creatures. That fear and anger is something the Dei priests believe they can control, but all they are really doing is hiding their emotions… and hiding from the world. I don’t want to hide, not do I want to be excessively violent. The Lirhan do not seek violence where it’s not necessary. I personally fight because I believe it’s the only way to stand up for what’s right, but I would never pick a fight where one didn’t need to occur.

What do you think of the planet Kri and its king, Atlar? 

Pei: Kri is fascinating. It’s a place of much philosophy and art, and has many old temples and architecture. They have gods, though they don’t seem to worship them as much as the religious do on my planet (Deius.) And I find their system of government fascinating; it’s a democratic monarchy. King Atlar is a fair and just king, as far as I can tell. I have a great deal of respect and love for his noble heart, sense of justice, and fearless courage.

Do you like your self image? Do you think you’re handsome? 

Pei: Oh, um… *blush* What a question! I suppose I’m alright, certainly not ugly… I don’t think. But beauty is subjective, isn’t it? I’d like to think I’m attractive, at least to those I myself am attracted to.

Why haven’t you done an interview before? Why are you so shy? 

Pei: I assume it’s my Dei upbringing. I find myself more at home with observing, rather than participating. 

What’s the one reason you think readers would love to read about you in the Shiva XIV series? 

Pei: Well, I don’t know if they would love me, but I personally like my willful determination. I think it’s my best quality. As for why readers would love the story, I can only say that I myself love its star, Ayn. He will forever be my younger brother, if not by blood, then by spirit. I am fascinated by his journey into the great man he is fated to become. I may lose faith in many things in this universe, but never in Ayn. He is pure. He is the light. He is my hope. I’m not sure if he knows all that, but it remains the truth.

Thank you Lyra for sharing your character with us.  Definitely enough to spark MY curiosity 🙂

You can Read more about Pei in the Shiva XIV series here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B01FURVPQA/

And be sure to visit Lyra at her social places:

Lyra on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lyra-Shanti/e/B004RZZEXW/

Lyra on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlyrashanti/

Lyra on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lyrashanti

Lyra’s website: http://www.lyrashanti.com

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~Morgan~

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Today’s Character Spotlight is through the talents of his creator, Author Susan Marcus. Former museum professional and puppetry artist, Susan Bass Marcus published her fantasy novel, Malevir: Dragons Return in 2015. The sequel, Where Dragons Follow, is planned to launch by early 2018. Her stories have been published in After Hours (print), on bewilderingstories.com, and the Fall Fantasy Anthology out of Cloaked Press coming in Autumn, 2017.

Today she is portraying Nnylf Geb Eunan with another edition of Dragonwolder in Depth.

“With us today is one of the land’s most famous dragons, Draako Geb Lugent. Two Silver Dragons lead Dragonwolder’s flokks and Draako is one of them. He is also my friend. Hello, Draako. Thank you for joining us today.”

DGL: No, the pleasure is all mine. And we’re more than friends. You’re my dragonrider. We’ve shared many adventures.

NGE: Thanks.  We sure have. You are a young, but accomplished member of the Orferans dragon clan. Can you share where you and your large family live?

DGL: Yes. Everyone knows our lairs lie deep in a cavern we call the Cave of the Ancestors.  A network of tunnels running through the mountains and underearth connects our lairs to many places across Dragonwolder. Our world has two chains of mountains, the Veiled Valley, a vast desert, swampy lowlands, and a rough, forbidding sea.

NGE: When I was a boy and unaware of you and your clan, your mother, the blue dragon Anadraka, and mine would meet secretly near our village, Fossarelick.

DGL: On the other side of the Veiled Valley, far from our lairs.

NGE: People in my village feared and hunted dragons. My sister Azile and I were really young when Anadraka brought us to the Cave of the Ancestors to meet you, in hopes of making peace.

DGL: Under, let’s say, trying—

NGE: Terrifying—

DGL: Terrifying conditions, the Malevir’s second attack on my clan.

NGE: Our chronicler describes that attack and other struggles with the Malevir in her account Malevir: Dragons Return. What does “dragons return” mean?

DGL: People from your village and other settlements in the Veiled Valley feared us for a long time. The Malevir burned fields and killed livestock then spread lies that we dragons were attacking the very people we were supposed to protect. Your mother and mine convinced them to trust us and we came out of hiding. We returned to the Veiled Valley as allies against the Malevir.

NGE: Why do dragons protect Dragonwolder from the Malevir?

DGL: We obey and cherish the Ways of the World. Dragonwolder is our world and our Way is its protection. Most of the Veiled Valley’s people and magical creatures depend on us for their safety. The Malevir has powerful magic and he wants to destroy us, but we’ve managed to defeat him, at least for now.

NGE: With the help of magical giants and a radiant energy source that gives your kind your fire, intelligence, and many different magical powers.

DGL: Yes, that’s the Mystic Scintilla. The Malevir wants to take it, maybe even destroy it, so that we dragons will be nothing but giant lizards.

NGE: You’re no simple lizard. Please describe yourself.

DGL: Well, I’m a bit bigger than your family’s cottage. My scales were blue and dotted with silver when I was a wyrmling, but now I’m all silver. Silvers are destined to lead dragon clans. In my case, my father, Lugent and I lead the Dragonwolder flokk, multiple clans.

I have two powerful hind legs, a pair of strong, wide wings that fold at my sides when I’m not flying, and two arms shorter than my hind legs but useful. My paws each have long opposable thumbs, and three fingers tipped with thick, sharp claws. My jaws have an array of sharp teeth and two sets of fangs protrude in front. My large eyes glow amber when I am content, but turn red if anger floods through me. Otherwise, they are green. A thick webby frill fans out at the base of my neck just above my rider’s hump. All in all, a pretty scary creature, aren’t I?

NGE: Not at all! Rather, awe-inspiring. What passions drive you, my friend?

DGL: I am devoted to my clan and my rider. The need to protect both drives me. I like a good plan and I always want to know where I am going. Because I like to complete tasks, sometimes I act impulsively and that gets me into trouble.

NGE: Tell our audience about your special powers.

DGL: I can’t reveal all of them but I have a way of shooting lightning instead of flames if my target requires it. All Silvers and Blues—I have some Blue in me—can blast a foe with a paralyzing cone of cold. Above all, I am an excellent flyer.

NGE: You said we’ve managed to defeat the Malevir for now. Will the creature return to trouble us?

DGL: The chronicler’s latest account, Where Dragons Follow answers that question better than I.

NGE: Can’t wait to read it. Draako, thank you for sharing your time with us. Your story is for the ages and I hope more people beyond Dragonwolder will hear of it someday.

DGL: My story is linked to yours. Thank you!

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Please be sure to visit Susan through her social media sites:
Website: http://www.malevircom and
Blog site: susanbassmarcus.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MalevirDragonsReturn
Twitter: @AuthorSMarcus

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~Thank You so much Susan for sharing your character with us 🙂  I need to read the book now!!!

~Morgan~