Character Profile: Necrmancer

Today we continue to go through the cast of characters in my new book, “Repercussions Abound.”  We’ve seen the protagonist (Linvin) and the antagonist (Mandrean) along with Linvin’s uncle Anvar.  Today we look at Mandrean’s Court Magician, Necromancer.  He is diminutive in stature.  His skin barely clings to his frail looking bones which he tries hard to conceal.  He hovers off the ground and usually draws up his legs under his robe in order to hide his decrepit nature.  His arms are little different.  They are short and boney.  He hides them in the long sleeves of his robe.  As for the garment itself, he has multiple copies for the same robe.  It is white silk with crimson edging on the sleeves and the rest of the edges.  The picture I have painted so far is of a not very intimidating individual, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Necromancer has burning` coals for eyes and is the most powerful character in the book.  He easily surpasses the power of Linvin and Mandrean.  He is always scheming in spite of all the binding promises he has made to Mandrean and his ancestors.  Necromancer has waited years and finally he is down to the last Mandrean who has to die.  Once Lord Mandrean the XIII is dead, Necromancer is free to leave his servitude.  The problems he had are that he can’t disobey Mandrean and he cannot help Linvin.  Necromancer is pure evil.  He makes Mandrean seem tolerant.  With his plans and his evil nature there is no telling what will happen in the future.   

Character Profile: Anvar

My character profile for my new book, “Repercussions Abound” stops today to discuss perhaps the most beloved character in the series; Anvar Greenlith.  He is Linvin’s uncle on his mother’s side and the closest thing he has had to a father for many years.  When Linvin was studying and then in the army in Valia, only Anvar came to visit him.  Years later, when Linvin came home, Anvar helped him assimilate to his new role as the head of the Grithinshield Trading Company.  Anvar guided him in his search for the Red Sapphire and taught him the basics of magic so he might use it.  As an Orange Magician, Anvar is powerful in his own right in spite of his advanced age and diminutive stature.  He killed his share of goblins and destroyed half of the Mandrean capital of Marinhalk.  Now Anvar has been kidnapped by Mandrean’s evil savant Necromancer.  He was taken in the spring and Linvin was given an ultimatum.  Either Linvin surrenders himself for execution before the first frost in Marinhalk or Anvar will be killed.  It is late summer as the book begins and there is no sign of Linvin.  The reason for his absence?  He was struck on the head and has lost his memory.  Linvin believes his name is Argentoe and he is working on a farm in the territory.  There is no thought of Anvar or his plight.  Ever the optimist, Anvar continues to hold out hope, even in the face of the one person allowed to be in his company; Necromancer.  The two play chess every day and act like they are not adversaries.  Anvar is a terrific character.  He is the type of person you sit down and have a beer with.  Take the title of the book to heart, though.  This is a tough one to call.

Character Post, Mandrean

Continuing our look at the cast of my new book, “Repercussions Abound” we have looked at the protagonist.  Today we are going to look at the antagonist, Lord Mandrean the 13^th.   Mandrean has size on Linvin.  He is several inches taller and many inches wider.  He is a lazy person who relies on others for everything.  Mandrean has the mentality of a spoiled child.  Rather than accepting responsibility for his crumbling empire and initial loss to Linvin Grithinshield, he blames others and Linvin in particular.  He believes that defeating Linvin will restore the people’s faith in him and put all thought of revolution out of the air.  Never mind that the people are starving, the taxes and backbreaking and the road system has fallen apart.  Mandrean is convinced bringing Linvin to be executed in front of his subjects will put things back in order.  He wears a newly crafted Dwarven plate armor while he carries his family’s sword.  It is a long sword much longer than Linvin’s broadsword Falconfeather.  It has teeth on both sides of the blade pointed back at the hilt.  They serve several purposes.  In combat, opponent’s swords often get caught in the teeth and dislodged from their owner’s hands.  Furthermore, if the blade slashes an opponent it will tear either his armor or skin.  Finally, if the sword pierces an opponent, when it is withdrawn from the inside the teeth will mutilate the hole from within causing fatal damage.  As it is called in the books, it is a butcher’s weapon and not suitable of anyone with honor.  As devastating as the sword is, Falconfeather has certain advantages over it.  Its speed is far greater and its length is better suited to close quarters fighting.  The most important difference is the user.  Mandrean was once a great warrior, but time and corruption have robbed him of much of his abilities.  Even he fears an even fight with Linvin.  His mind, however, has lost none of its diabolical nature and he has plenty of puppets to do his bidding.

CHaracter post

Starting today I’m going to introduce you to all the characters of note in my latest book, “Repercussions Abound.”  Today we lead off with the most important character and protagonist in the book; Linvin Grithinshield.  He was twelve when his father learned that his son was meant to use the mighty Red Sapphire.  Linvin was sent away to train with Sedemihcra, the Master Trainer of Combat and Warfare.  When he came of age Linvin joined the Valian Army.  He moved up quickly with his knowledge of tactics and combat.  By his mid to later twenties Linvin was named Supreme Commander of all Valian forces.  Then a sudden message from his mother forced him to resign his commission and ride for home in haste.  Upon arriving he was told his father was missing and the family business needed Linvin’s guiding hand.   After setting the retail conglomerate on sound financial ground Linvin settled into his new life as a merchant.  It was to be short-lived.  Assassins killed his mother and were coming for Linvin.  He, his uncle Anvar and his cousins Bander and Rander had to flee and search out the mythical gem.  They found it and Linvin’s Life changed forever.  In finding it he made a bitter enemy of Lord Mandrean of the Mandrean Empire.  Seeking revenge, Mandrean kidnaps Anvar as bait to lure Linvin into a trap.  Knowing that’s what it is Linvin had no choice but to go anyway.  Along the way Linvin stops to help some helpless farmers being attacked by bandits only to be cracked on the head by a shovel.  When he awakes his memory is gone.  He loses the red sapphire and seeks to help the family set up their new farm.   Meanwhile Anvar waits in a prison cell for his nephew to come to his rescue.   Will Linvin have his memory restored in time?  Can he save Anvar even if he does?  It’s him and his experience against the empire.  The odds are not good.

Tuesday Excerpt, "Repercussions"

Soon, a great half-elf male sleeping next to an average-sized human female was clearly nestled in the morning light. A butterfly drifted through the window and landed on the headboard just above the man. He woke as the sun hit his eyelids and struggled momentarily to find his bearings. When he spied the guest, he smiled. Carefully he lifted his forefinger to see if it would climb aboard. Sadly, the insect flapped its wings vigorously and left as it had entered.

He rolled toward the woman and propped his head up with his hand. She was a beauty if ever there was one lying by his side. Her soft, gently tanned skin took on a radiant aura in the morning sun. Long flowing locks of honey brown hair ran down her right side as she lay on her left, with her tranquil face pointed directly at him. Both her hands were under her cheek, but the left one betrayed the slightest glimpse of a ring matching the man’s.

He took his finger on his free hand and touched her knee. Then he slowly pulled it over the blanket and up the thigh. He passed her waist and skipped to the elbow of her nightgown. From there he slowly caressed her arm until he reached her neck. His fingers ever so gently slipped behind the head and held it firm. Then he moved in slowly and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

At first she was surprised and then kissed him back. Her hypnotic emerald green eyes immediately focused on his blue ones and held his gaze. “Good morning Argentoe, My Beloved. You seem full of vigor so early in the morning.”

Argentoe slid his arms under the covers and tickled her. “It is not morning yet, Corilon. The moon just happens to be particularly bright tonight.”

She laughed at the tickling and swatted him half-heartedly. “Sorry to bring you back to reality, but it is morning and there is hay to be harvested. The others will be waiting by the great house. We best not be late again.”

Argentoe used his great strength to pick her up and place her face to face on top of him. “They will have to wait, My Wife. You promised two months ago when we wed to obey me, and right now my command is that you spend some quality time, right now, in this bed with me.”

“Are you not still tired from last night? Besides, I never promised to obey you. That was never in the marriage vows. I checked.”

Argentoe was both actually surprised and overplaying it for fun. “I could have sworn it said…”

“Nope. Not once did it say anything about obeying. I wouldn’t have married you if it had.”

Argentoe mumbled something under his breath that even Corilon could not make out at her close range and then said, “Well, it was implied that you should obey me.”

Corilon wrapped her legs around her husband and pinched his cheek. “Oh, it was implied. Well, if we are going by those rules then there is some washing and mending of the clothes you can do for me. And then…”

December 7th

It’s sad how many people I talk to who don’t know the significance of December 7^th.  Many tell me it means there are only 17 more shopping days before Christmas.  My heart just sinks.  I may not have been born in the Greatest Generation, but I was taught the significance of this day well.  It is the anniversary of the sneak attack by Japan on the Hawaiian Islands and most notably Pearl Harbor.  When I point it out people they say, “Oh, the happened today?” or “What’s Pearl Harbor?”  When I hear this last question the ignorance bothers me and I tell them it was every bit as bad if not worse than the 911 bombings.  It dragged the United States into a war costing hundreds of thousands of American lives that could only be ended by dropping 2 nuclear bombs on Japan.  For the civilians and soldiers that died that day all that we can do is remember them.  Perhaps there’s a brief mention on the nightly news about the anniversary.  It is just sad when this day comes up and few remember it and fewer will remember in the future.

Tuesday Excerpt

At last Seven took to his feet again and was immediately confronted with Necromancer. The court magician did not say a word. He looked closely at Seven and then showed the slightest glimmer of a smile. Finally, he moved his face just across from Seven’s and said, “It would seem you have business to which you must attend. Get to it.” With that, he hovered toward the balcony as ordered.

Seven walked over to the bleeding mass that called itself Linvin and saw the guards still surrounding him. “All of you leave now,”

Seven told them. “I have this duty.”

An angry guard answered, “We will guard you. This fish is too slippery to be left alone. You may not be able to handle him.”

Seven knelt by the body and asked, “Do you know what it means to be a Mandrean Assassin?” In the time it took to snap one’s fingers, he threw a knife through the neck of the goblin who doubted him. Addressing the dying body he said, “It means I can kill anyone up to the rank of general and not have to give a reason. So if your friend over here annoys me…” He threw a knife with his other hand and again struck a goblin in the neck and dropped him in an instant. “…then I can kill him and not give a reason either. Does anyone else want to interrupt me or stay in my presence?” The other goblins ran for the great doors and took the guards there with them. Linvin and Seven were alone.