So here goes!
Tell me a little about yourself (where you live, who you
are, what you look like, what you hope to achieve, etc.)
I am Bernard Paxton, the second child of the exiled Saraton King. My younger brother, Argo, left me in the woods at a young age. I lived for three years on a clandestine food delivery. I was called to duty from my deathbed eleven months after the last provision.
When duty calls, I live near the person I am charged to assist. Otherwise the cave near the mountain border between Manshire and Saraton serves as my home. My writer describes it:
"The cave opening was partially covered with panels of log poles lashed together with bark strips—they looked like rafts standing on end. Kendrick felt his hat rub the ceiling occasionally. The solid rock cave was made from a light grey molten matter with black pepper like chips. Along a flat section of the floor was a bookshelf made of woven willow branches. It held six books, a large pine cone, some unusual rocks, a wolf carving, and a shiny metal helmet. The bed was a collection of grass and was contained by four logs forming a square—about three feet from the fire ring. On the other side of the fire was a basket for food. The room was ample, compact, practical, and efficient—it was the reflection of its resident."
My size surprises most of my charges—at five foot two inches most people think I am a teenage boy. But, it does not take a long time to convince anyone of my unusually simple but effective powers. I continue to enjoy the surprised look on my charge’s face when they first hear my deep voice.
The object of the latest mission is to protect Kendrick, Althea, and Madison. (I think my supervisor is convinced that we should protect Roslyn also). I served as Madison’s nanny, Bernyce, until the dragon Phyer was found. By the way, Madison is one interesting child.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
This answer might surprise you—I thoroughly enjoy cooking with food I have gardened with my hands. “What?” you say.
It is required that an angel taking a physical form, furnish the body with nourishment.Wellington stew, as it will come to be known, is a favorite. My variation is to use wild turkey meat.
What is your favorite color and why?
There are two colors that make me pause—dark and spring. Both represent a new beginning.
Dark is a unifying calming color. The moment of first light is when the struggle and desire feeds everything’s effort to survive—weeds choke out flowers, sunlight bathes the shadows, wildlife searches for food, and men invade.
Spring is the color of green, purple, blue, brown, and red splashed on every living thing—flowers, trees, vegetables, and the eyes of young people falling in love. I was the one that suggested a Spring Saboteur was anyone not enjoying the gift of the surrounding beauty.
What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite?
Like Queen Althea I enjoy the only food better than Wellington Stew, venison pasties. They are difficult to make at the cave, so I have to find them when on a mission. The combination of meat and vegetables simmering inside a pie crust shelter creates a taste of its own. Plus, it is a food with handles.
What would you say is your biggest quirk?
My writer thinks shortness is a quirk, but if you promise not to tell him, I will provide you with my thinking…Do I have the honor of your silence? Good.
Okay, my quirk is clothing. If I had survived my bother’s ego driven escapade, King Bernard was in my future. I could have had the largest closet, with enough clothes to wear something different everyday for a year. The style would be that of the common man, not those puffy sleeve - capri leg – long stocking - pointed shoe outfits.
What is it about your antagonist that irks you the most,
and why? Share a line in the book where this irk is manifested.
Kendrick is a most impatient young man. Wanting to prove he is worthy of his elders’ respect; and, his self imposed expectations brought on by comparing himself to his multi-talented father, to Queen Althea’s sharp mind; or anyone that he admires. His concept of time is considerably different than mine, it might be unfair to say that Kendrick is in a hurry, but our second meeting went like this.
…I am so excited to have company,” Bernard said.
“I understand,” Kendrick replied…“What can you tell me about Argo that may help us rescue our queen?”
What or who means the most to you in your life? What, if
anything, would you do to keep him/her/it in your life?
One would think ‘my writer’, but we just reached an agreement—he promises not to ‘knock me off’ and I will be available through the four novels of the Seasons Series.
Kendrick and I have storylines so intertwined that I cannot think of another pair of characters that need each other like we do. If I had more input—Althea is kind of cute…I know, I know—she is happily married, just saying…
What one thing would you like readers to know about you
that may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit?
I am an angel assigned to keep Kendrick alive. Manshire is in need of a clever and skilled warrior to fulfill a large void when… Sorry, I cannot say any more. It could ruin the story for you, and void my agreement with the author.
If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about
yourself that might turn the direction of the plot, what would it be?
I am a rare angel. Very few angels take human form to complete their mission. A vast majority plant ideas in their charge’s mind. Regardless, like all angels I have access to the full intelligence of God and my peers.
I want to advise Kendrick to think differently—Go down the unknown and scary paths. The challenge he faces demands a solitary solution, unique to our time.
***
Thank you, Bernard!
Learn more about Bernard and author, Andean White:
Twitter: @AndeanWhite
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/andeanwhite
Website: http://www.andeanwhite.com
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