Melanie Nilles

Another week and another interview with a character of the Legend of the White Dragon series. We’re counting down the weeks, folks! With about eight weeks to go, the interviews will focus on the primary characters. You’ve already met a few of them, but the most important are yet to come.

One of those we’ve met is the queen, Damaera Isolder, a lady of the Lumathir and mother of Istaria and Phelan. We welcome her back with her daughter, Istaria. (We had to spend two extra days convincing her to let us speak to Istaria. She’s quite protective of her daughter.)

Thank you, princess, for joining us tonight. We’re honored by your presence. Is there a reason you wear a veil over your face?

Damaera: My daughter keeps her face covered to avoid ridicule and fear.

May I ask why? Is she…not attractive? My lady, you opened up to us already. Please, we are not here to judge but to learn.

Damaera: She hides her eyes from those who fear magic. This world knows only the dark histories of magic.

Istaria: When the dragon comes, my eyes glow blue. His power rises within me and I cannot stop it. If others saw–

Damaera: If others saw, they would reject not only Istaria, but our king, the man who guides this country. They would say he is cursed. I cannot allow what has stood as a rock for so many generations fall apart.

I have a few questions now, but let’s go back to the dragon. Please tell us about that.

Istaria: I lost my voice when he possessed me.

I noticed that dragons use this thing called mindspeech, like you, where they send out their thoughts.

Istaria: Yes, I send my thoughts, but wish more to speak with a voice. I cannot abide hiding myself in fear of the power rising at an inopportune moment nor listening but not joining in the singing of happy songs. I cannot speak to my friend, my attendant, Calli, who has shared so much of her life with me. *glances at Damaera* Mother forbids me speaking to any but she and Phelan, who found me in the cave. None but they know my secret…until now.

No one here will judge you. Our readers want to learn about you. Back to the question…What happens when, as you say, “the dragon comes”? Is it a dragon that possessed you? How?

Istaria: His power rises inside me. The spirit came to me in the cave. I was a child playing when I discovered the…pulsing, beating thing in the cave beneath the palace. When I touched it, a dragon chased me. I woke up with my hair white and my voice gone. Since then I have borne the silent shame.

When his power rises and I cannot control it, my eyes glow blue. Mother told me as a child the first time it happened. She bade me wear the veil to hide my face if it happens with others around. Now, horrible rumors I hear whispered, though none know the real reason.

I’m sorry to hear that, my lady. You seem quite lucid for someone possessed by a dragon.

Istaria: He does nothing to take control, but I see him in my dreams. The dragon haunts me so I may never rest. *sniffs and reaches under her veil*

Damaera: That will be enough questions. My daughter needs no more reminders of the nightmares she endures.

I meant no harm. We simply wish to understand. We can talk about other things.

Damaera: I should not have allowed it. I must insist you leave us. If she grows upset, the dragon may have his way. I’ll not have him trouble her further.

Please, forgive me.

Istaria: Thank you.

Thank you, princess…My lady.

Thank you, readers, for taking the time to be with us. Join us next Sunday, our regular day, for another interview with a character from the Legend of the White Dragon series. Next week we will visit with one of the First Race. Laian is one of the triumvirate of High Council leaders and open-minded about the issues with the Second Race.

See you next week!

(If this is your first time joining us for an interview, you can download a PDF file here of everything to date!)