Melanie Nilles

Welcome back for another interesting discussion with one of the many characters of the Legend of the White Dragon series. With three months to go until the first book’s release, we’re counting down with some of the best interviews yet!

Thank you for joining us, Gayleana. Would you like to tell us about yourself?

Most people call me Gayle. So much have I to say; I know not where to start. I am the daughter of Gaerwyn of the Lumathir and inherited the power from her. I was young, only a babe, when she sent me to live in Euramai across the Northern Mountains. I remember nothing of my life before but what I have been told.

We share duties to keep up the gardens of the dead city and to teach the younger acolytes. We honor the Majera, our Creators, and are honored by Tahronen’s presence to teach us the powers of the Light inherited from her through those who came before us. She is the mother of all. In my duties I also enjoy working in the kitchen and cooking for all our sisters.

You inherited these “powers of Light” and are taught to use them? What does that involve?

The Light is the core of the Majera. From this we have magic, their power. The Lumathir are the women who inherited this power. Men also have it, and all are known as the m’athêrred rî Lûmea or “children of the Light”, but the Lumathir–the shortened name–are the women trained to use magic.

Because the strongest magic is inherited through our mothers, and one parent must have it if any children will, at least one parent usually knows about the Lumathir. We are sent as children, or Tahronen knows and sends for them. One way or another, they join us.

In training, each girl starts with simple tasks taught by a mentor. When she is old enough, she joins others of her level in group lessons. Each progresses at their own pace but many will be ready at once to move to the next level of training.

What level are you and what does that mean?

I am a fourth level priestess. I’ve learned all the basic skills and control. I can maintain the use of magic for some time and listen to the most subtle of changes.

How many levels are there to advance? What is the highest?

There are six levels, the highest are the teaching priestesses. There might be seven if one included the Great Magi, Tahronen’s original children. I believe one still lives, her last. His name was Mallenor. The first was Nafea, the first mother of our kind. This history she taught us that we would know our ancestors who came between her and us.

Can you tell us more about this “Light” and magic?

They are the same, or, rather, what we think of as the Light is the source of magic. We access this power to use it to our will. It’s not easy to do. We, the magi, are the descendants of the Majera Tahronen and the Second Race. The Second Race of men was cut off from using any magic. It is a strain for us because of this limitation. We can use it for anything beyond imagination, but cannot sustain long periods of use or large tasks. With practice, we can extend it, because we learn to recognize what we need and use it for only what we wish. That control comes in time and our connection to the Light within is replenished with rest.

I’ve spoken a mess, though I hope I answered your question.

Yes, thank you. I don’t have any other questions. Thank you for sharing this with us.

And thank you, readers, for your interest in the characters of the Legend of the White Dragon fantasy series coming soon from Mundania Press.

Join us next week for our interview with Captain Lagran Fremmer, one of the regiment commanders under the leadership of General Gheorwen, who commands the legion of the southeastern region of Cavatar. And in two weeks, another dragon will join us. Mark you calendars to learn more about these magnificent creatures.

Coming soon after we will dare a visit with one of the shady creatures of the series, a demon as dark as the void that spawned it.