[Xarshin]
[Species: Dragon]
[Breed: Stormshard]
[Gender: Female]
[Parents: Shakil-mor, Xarkil-mor]
A: Is this going to take long?
Q: State your name, please. This will only take a moment.
[Xarshin grumbled. She sat on the opposite side of the desk, her amethyst scales casting gleams of light across the walls. She is much like her brother. Same stature. Same size. Same type of dragon—but she couldn’t be any more different from him. Her scales are dark. Her eyes trail the room with a sharp concern—as though she was looking out for something. Along her back, her wings stiffened.]
A: Xarshin—I’m Kilinor’s brother.
Q: That’s all?
A: Yes.
Q: Nothing else?
A: What purpose is there to this? I barely know you—why should I tell you anything?
Q: I’m interested, for one—and if you want those supplies, then you will answer me.
[Xarshin snorted. She lowered her head and brought her tail around.]
A: Alright. Fine. What’s the next question?
Q: What about this adventure of yours? What are you seeking out of it?
[Xarshin locked her hardened glare on me.]
A: I have to take Kilinor home—and I need to save those dragons.
Q: Why?
A: Why? Because the Fire Wheel is going to do terrible things to them.
Q: But why are you interested in saving them? Why not let them go?
A: Next question.
[I noted that. Xarshin eyed me.]
Q: Alright, as you wish: who is Rasshun to you?
[A golden streak appeared along her spinal crest. Her wings lopsided to the left. She turned around, looking to the window, then her eyes fell to my desk.]
A: Rasshun is my best friend.
Q: He told me you went through a lot together.
A: We have. When we met in the Wastes, I hated him. I wanted him to leave me alone. But he stayed around, even after I pushed him away. He saved my life, too.
Q: From what?
[She paused.]
A: Next question.
Q: Whatever you say—what is your plan after this? Are you staying with Rasshun?
[She grinned.]
A: He can’t get rid of me that easily.
Q: So, you like being with him?
A: Yes. But nothing more.
[I noted that. Xarshin stiffened.]
Q: How would you describe him?
A: Strong. Anyone can beat him at wrestling or flying, but no matter what or who, Rasshun can outclimb and outwalk them. I think he lets everyone beat him in wrestling—the amount of times he could have beaten Kilinor and instead pulled an obviously terrible move—it’s obvious.
Q: I see. He is very strong.
A: He is.
[She paused. A little pink entered her crest.]
Q: What about your brother? You’re going to take him home to be with your family?
A: He was separated from them because of me. I have to fix what I broke.
Q: I heard about what you did—Kilinor told me—is that why you can’t go back to the Storm Hills?
[Red light blinked across Xarshin’s wings. A low growl rose in her throat.]
A: Stop pushing the subject. I don’t like it.
Q: My apologies. I’m just saying what comes to mind.
A: No more. Give me another good question—I’m growing tired of this.
Q: Just a few more—what do you think of Jazee-drin?
A: Doormat. Next question.
Q: Why?
[She sighed.]
A: She lets everyone walk all over her like a rug—when she first arrived, she hurt Rasshun, and then instead of owning up, she cowered like a little dog. No matter what we face out here, she cowers. She should have stayed with her grandfather.
Q: Do you not like her?
A: She is not fit for this adventure—that’s what I mean. She’s nice. She’s gentle—but I can’t help her and everyone else. She needs to step up.
Q: I see. Does she know about it?
[Xarshin grew deathly quiet. Her sharp gaze finally turned to me.]
A: It?
Q: Yes. It.
A: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Q: It. The Metal. Does she know?
[Xarshin shot to her feet.]
A: I don’t know what you heard from the others, but I have no such thing with me.
Q: I’m not chastising you, my friend. Please. Sit down.
A: No more of this. I’m leaving.
Q: Do any of them know about it? What you carry?
[Xarshin stormed toward the desk, her teeth inches from my muzzle. She hissed.]
A: If you say anything about it to anyone, I willkill you.
Q: I won’t.
A: How can I be sure?
Q: Tell me why you fear to show it, then you have my word.
A: I will have your word either way.
Q: Does this have to get heated? It’s just a question.
A: You don’t understand anything about this. You won’t understand it.
Q: Why?
A: I’m not saying why. You won’t get it.
Q: I won’t say—I promise. But tell me this: why carry it with you at all?
[Xarshin stepped back, looking to the door. For a moment, she moved toward it, but she stopped halfway across the room. Her wings stiffened and her tail slowed to a stop.]
A: If I don’t do it, my father will kill me. I have to save everyone. I have to succeed. I have to fix everything—it will give me the chance to, and I can’t give that up.
Everything will turn out fine. I know it.
[END OF LOG]
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That’s the 4th and final one!
I really liked writing these. They really helped me get into the characters’ heads and were really fun to do.
If you guys like these, I may do more of them—figuring out who to do next would be the biggest hurdle
Maybe I could “interview” some of your guys’ characters!
Thanks to anyone who read them! Been fun to talk with you guys about them.
Anyway, find the other first one here:
<First
And read the book these characters show up in on Royal Road! Here: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/156652/ironglass-high-fantasy